I have played Sontag over the years since it first opened. Originally the main Eco thing was a small wet land that was marked towards the end of hole 12. The small creek that runs along the fairway was OB. The course has been redesigned due to the regulation changes. This is a post that was put on our local message board to let those of us outside that course area on the upcoming changes at the time:
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 2:58 pm Post subject: changes to Sontag Course, Franklin County
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There have been some rumors going round that Sontag is on the choppin blocks! I am writing to dissuade those rumors and get the actual situation out there.
To begin, I am Dan Caston and I manage the course at Ferrum College. I heard this rumor and immediately called Bobby Pruitt, the Parks Planner for Franklin County Parks and Rec. to get the facts straight and offer any assistance that I can.
According to Bobby, there are some new Dept of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Army Corp of Engineers (ACE) regulations that impact the locations of some of the holes on the course. This is in relation to required buffer zones near landfills and since the upstream boarder of the park is adjacent to the county landfill, they affect the park. Essentially, there cannot be any recreational activity (except hiking trails) within a certain distance of the creaks. There are several holes that are inside this buffer zone and therefore will need to be moved. ONLY MOVED! Holes that will affected include holes 2, 3, & 12 for certain and a few others most likely. If the county does not move these holes, a $100,000 fine will be assessed to the County Parks and Rec Dept. Therefore, the holes will be moved.
Bobby indicated that he has met with Mitch and others that have been involved since the get go to work out a plan. He also indicated that the county values and encourages use of the course and recognizes the use by both county residents and visitors. Again, he assured me that this is only moving a few holes.
I'm taking a positive stance toward this. While it means that a couple of classic holes with disappear, my hope is that the new holes will be of equal if not greater caliber. We certainly have the talent in the area to make this happen! So when work days are posted to implement these changes, let's get out and make it happen as quickly as possible so we can get back to what we love-flinging discs!