Mt. Holiday DGC "Carly's Playground" being pulled for Zip Lines?

[donnyv]

Carly's Playground DGC on Mt. Holiday

We gotta do something!

dgscene link Carly's Playground on Mt. Holiday to close?

FB link

Zip lines? For real? :thmbdown: :thmbdown: :thmbdown:

 

[ru4por]

Beat me to this donnyv. Here are a couple address to get some feedback to. This is an exceptional course and would be a loss in many ways.

Address:3100 Holiday Road Traverse City, MI 49686

Phone: 231-938-2500

Fax: 231-938-2508

Executive Director: [email protected]

Board of Directors: [email protected]

 

[ru4por]

Email sent.

It has recently come to my attention, that consideration, as to the fate of the Mt Holiday disc golf course, is being discussed shortly. I would feel remiss if I did not take the opportunity to express my opinion.

I am an avid disc golfer, playing for over three decades, living in the Metro Detroit area. My wife and I , in addition to several friends, make a habit of traveling throughout the country, playing disc golf as part of our vacations. Afforded the beauty and unrivaled natural wonder of our two peninsulas, those vacations are often "up north" here in Michigan. We have been making an annual trek up to Boyne Mountain around the 4th of July, and Crystal Mountain each fall, always making Carly's Playground a part of that trip each season. This course is indeed one of the primary reasons we decide to spend significant portions of our entertainment budget on these trips. I would like to think the money pumped into the local economy by us is substantial. I would like to urge any and all board members to consider keeping this "up north" gem in place. Mt Holiday certainly benefits from the positive reputation gained in the disc golf community. This course is discussed and talked about often in circles of disc golfers, even out of the immediate area.

I understand that difficult decisions are often made, in the pursuit of the maintenance of profitability, in today's ever challenging economy. But, this course represents significantly more, to many, than a monetary endeavor. It is my hope that the board members and concerned entities feel the same way.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

 

[donnyv]

Email sent.

It has recently come to my attention, that consideration, as to the fate of the Mt Holiday disc golf course, is being discussed shortly. I would feel remiss if I did not take the opportunity to express my opinion.

I am an avid disc golfer, playing for over three decades, living in the Metro Detroit area. My wife and I , in addition to several friends, make a habit of traveling throughout the country, playing disc golf as part of our vacations. Afforded the beauty and unrivaled natural wonder of our two peninsulas, those vacations are often "up north" here in Michigan. We have been making an annual trek up to Boyne Mountain around the 4th of July, and Crystal Mountain each fall, always making Carly's Playground a part of that trip each season. This course is indeed one of the primary reasons we decide to spend significant portions of our entertainment budget on these trips. I would like to think the money pumped into the local economy by us is substantial. I would like to urge any and all board members to consider keeping this "up north" gem in place. Mt Holiday certainly benefits from the positive reputation gained in the disc golf community. This course is discussed and talked about often in circles of disc golfers, even out of the immediate area.

I understand that difficult decisions are often made, in the pursuit of the maintenance of profitability, in today's ever challenging economy. But, this course represents significantly more, to many, than a monetary endeavor. It is my hope that the board members and concerned entities feel the same way.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

^^^^THIS :thmbup:

It's a shame that $$$ trumps all the hard work (and money raised for the course) that community did for the area and in honor of Carly. Who votes for these scums who ruin our country just for a buck?

 

[ru4por]

^^^^THIS :thmbup:

It's a shame that $$$ trumps all the hard work (and money raised for the course) that community did for the area and in honor of Carly. Who votes for these scums who ruin our country just for a buck?

I guess I understand the greed part. But, I mean they could recoup some of the revenue with P2P. I did not put that in the letter, but I get the need to bring in some revenue in the off season for a ski resort. If you are going to have someone there to run, guide and take money for zip lines, have them collect some cash from golfers. I am guessing this would not be very popular with the local golfers, but how badly do they want to keep the course. It is a shame, regardless.

 

[WhiteyBear]

^^^^THIS :thmbup:

It's a shame that $$$ trumps all the hard work (and money raised for the course) that community did for the area and in honor of Carly. Who votes for these scums who ruin our country just for a buck?

Pretty strong words, maybe if the disc golfers would step up and pay for the land usage this would help out, but rather you would vilify people for making a business and creating jobs.

 

[ru4por]

Just recieved this response to my email.
After a long debate and deliberation over the safety concerns of our insurance carrier and summer construction schedule, our board had decided not to renew the lease agreement with CJL Playground. This was not an easy decision as we have enjoyed hosting disc golf since 2003 and are sad to see it leave Mt. Holiday. However, the time has come for us to expand into other activities. We have enjoyed working with CJL Playground and wish them luck with their continued mission.
:thmbdown::thmbdown:

 

[TheOtherBill]

Just recieved this response to my email.
After a long debate and deliberation over the safety concerns of our insurance carrier and summer construction schedule, our board had decided not to renew the lease agreement with CJL Playground.

Insurance/safety concerns somehow favor zip lines over disc golf???

 

[The Shide]

Just recieved this response to my email.
After a long debate and deliberation over the safety concerns of our insurance carrier and summer construction schedule, our board had decided not to renew the lease agreement with CJL Playground. This was not an easy decision as we have enjoyed hosting disc golf since 2003 and are sad to see it leave Mt. Holiday. However, the time has come for us to expand into other activities. We have enjoyed working with CJL Playground and wish them luck with their continued mission.
:thmbdown::thmbdown:

Wow! That really sucks. That is one of my wishlist courses. Well. Time to update my wishlist. Good effort on your part though ru4por.

 

[BogeyNoMore]

Insurance/safety concerns somehow favor zip lines over disc golf???

Two thoughts immediately came to mind:
1) How does ziplining not pose more of a liability risk than disc golf?
2) Disc Gollf and Ziplining can successfully coexisit... case in point: North Georgia Canopy Tours

 

[BogeyNoMore]

Well, I sent this, FWIW...

I've learned you are considering removing the disc golf course at Mt. Holiday in favor of accommodating new activities, including ziplining.

As avid disc golf enthusiasts, myself, familiy and friends frequently take disc golf road trips, selecting destinations based on the number of high quality courses in the area. Memorial Day 2014, my son and I visited the course at Mt. Holiday, having selected Traverse City as a destinaton primarily because of Mt Holiday and Hickory Hills, and and really enjoyed out stay. I have to say the course's closure would negatively affect my decision to return to the area for subsequent vacations, as I would favor destinations with more than one high quality course in the immediate area.

I understand the ever increasing need to maximize profit and develop additional revenue streams, and how ziplining can figure into that. However, I don't think the two activities are mutually exvclusive, and instituting a pay to play can help generate a DG based revenue stream. Most players I know would gladly be willing to pay to play a course as phenomenal as Mt. Holiday.

North Georgia Canopy Tours, outside Atlanta, GA, successfully accomodates ziplining, disc golf, camping and other activities in a purely commercial entertainment operation. I stayed there a couple of years ago and had a wonderful time. The combination of activities creates a richer, and more fun-filled experience than either activity does by on it's own. I urge you to contact the people who run to see what they have to say about it.


http://www.northgeorgiacanopytours.com/
770-869-7272

I hope you'll seriously consider ways for both activities to coexist on the same property, rather than viewing them as mutually exclussive.

Sincerely,
Dwayne Kay
PDGA# 48454

 

[kw83028]

Wow. Complete bummer.

 

[ru4por]

Two thoughts immediately came to mind:
1) How does ziplining not pose more of a liability risk than disc golf?
2) Disc Gollf and Ziplining can successfully coexisit... case in point: North Georgia Canopy Tours

Great email, Bogey. :thmbup::thmbup:
Boyne Mountain right near this course has a zip line course and disc golf course interwound. It is actually fun, giving the business to zip liners and vice versa.

 

[keith johnson]

Well, I sent this, FWIW...
I've learned you are considering removing the disc golf course at Mt. Holiday in favor of accommodating new activities, including ziplining.

As avid disc golf enthusiasts, myself, familiy and friends frequently take disc golf road trips, selecting destinations based on the number of high quality courses in the area. Memorial Day 2014, my son and I visited the course at Mt. Holiday, having selected Traverse City as a destinaton primarily because of Mt Holiday and Hickory Hills, and and really enjoyed out stay. I have to say the course's closure would negatively affect my decision to return to the area for subsequent vacations, as I would favor destinations with more than one high quality course in the immediate area.

I understand the ever increasing need to maximize profit and develop additional revenue streams, and how ziplining can figure into that. However, I don't think the two activities are mutually exvclusive, and instituting a pay to play can help generate a DG based revenue stream. Most players I know would gladly be willing to pay to play a course as phenomenal as Mt. Holiday.

North Georgia Canopy Tours, outside Atlanta, GA, successfully accomodates ziplining, disc golf, camping and other activities in a purely commercial entertainment operation. I stayed there a couple of years ago and had a wonderful time. The combination of activities creates a richer, and more fun-filled experience than either activity does by on it's own. I urge you to contact the people who run to see what they have to say about it.


http://www.northgeorgiacanopytours.com/
770-869-7272

I hope you'll seriously consider ways for both activities to coexist on the same property, rather than viewing them as mutually exclussive.

Sincerely,
Dwayne Kay
PDGA# 48454

Do you mind if I share this with them Bogey?
I'm sure Leah and Kirk at NGCT would appreciate seeing your kind words.

Keith

 

[BogeyNoMore]

Feel free, Keith!

Maybe even clean up the typos.

 

[donnyv]

Pretty strong words, maybe if the disc golfers would step up and pay for the land usage this would help out, but rather you would vilify people for making a business and creating jobs.

Sorry to come off so harsh. Just sick of seeing good established courses being pulled. The gang did a lot work and raised funds to make it big. Maybe the ziplines will have great replay value and people will buy season passes

 

[ru4por]

Sorry to come off so harsh. Just sick of seeing good established courses being pulled. The gang did a lot work and raised funds to make it big. Maybe the ziplines will have great replay value and people will buy season passes

You know, I think zip lines can indeed generate good revenue. I think the board here are a bit misguided in this instance though. Boyne Mountain has zip lines and they are always running. A couple groups at the same time, a guide or two for each group. They even have a big single zip across the resort. There are lines for it in the evenings, on the weekend. But, it is a resort, restaurants, bars, disc golf, two golf courses, two pools, a couple hotels, chalets, a chair lift, mountain biking.......Mt Holiday offers nothing to make this a destination. Disc golf, if anything could bring people in to spend money on the zip lines.
The saddest part, is it was not litter, dogs, unruly golfers, erosion or lack of involvement that cost us this gem. Really, seems just like poor decision making. Tis a shame.

 

[BogeyNoMore]

Mr. Kay,


After a long debate and deliberation over the safety concerns and summer construction schedule, our board had decided not to renew the lease agreement with CJL Playground. This was not an easy decision as we have enjoyed hosting disc golf since 2003 and are sad to see it leave Mt. Holiday. However, the time has come for us to expand into other activities. We have enjoyed working with CJL Playground and wish them luck with their continued mission.

Regards, Theresa Galante

At least the had the decency to use my name in their canned response.
Glad I got to play this while it lasted.

 

[esdubya]

I never got a chance to play Carly's, but this news is a real big bummer. Did the course not meet expectations, or what? Did they expect to make a lot of money from this activity? IDK sounds like Mt. Holiday maybe had unreasonable expectations to pull something so quickly. One downside of working with a private for-profit organization, I guess.

So, who owns the baskets, and where are they going? They have pink and blue powdercoated Mach IIIs right?

 

[BogeyNoMore]

They have pink and blue powder coated Mach IIIs right?

Yep. Suggest you contact Todd Lewis on The Scene for details.