Independence Lake has really committed to disc golf as one of the core park services.
They commit significant park resources to active maintenance of the course - litter, brush clearing, clearing tee pads during the winter etc. They've offered "Learn about disc golf" events (disclaimer: that I helped administer) to evangelize the sport to new players (mostly family groups attended). They seek out & listen to disc golfer feedback.
I'm going to take a small amount of credit for the alternate baskets (merely by virtue of never shutting up about it). Alternate pin placements - variety is the spice of life! - are not common in Michigan disc golf courses in this area.
In my opinion, they've truly demonstrated the desire to improve the quality of golf played at their park wherever possible. Because of all this, I'm happy to pay the newly instituted fee for disc golf & to sing their praises. In my opinion, Independence Lake has now clearly surpassed Hudson Mills* as the premier disc golf course in the Ann Arbor Area.
*when asked if they could kindly help clear off tee pads during the winter as we were still paying to play w/ our yearly bag tags, HM responded that they would do their best but only the shorts on the Original (and NOT the extra letter holes!). The fees for disc golf that we are paying, they said, barely cover mowing expenses during the summer so tough luck. The only time I saw snow on the tee pads at Independence Lake this winter was when it was actively snowing, and I didn't even have to ask.
Very good post.
I think there is a disservice done by comparing two completely different park entities. My intention is not to defend or take sides. The MetroPark authority is a multi county/regional park system, dependent on a different tax and funding base. They treat the disc golf income differently, by the mandate of a board of directors and bylaws. Not all of this benefits disc golfers, but the revenue does benefit all parkgoers, in the case of the MetroParks.
The Washtenaw County park system has really stepped up their game in the last few years and have put Indy in a position to claim a spot in destination golf discussions. That does come at a price, as the park entry fee for non residents is outrageous at Indy and Rolling Hills.
As golfers, we are not really entitled to much, even with the inclusion of pay to play. Hudson Mills is still a world class disc golf facility. It has become an old school style course, in need of a facelift. We have seen some nice upgrades at Kensington and Stony Creek, so we can hope that Hudson Mills will see the same love.
We are very lucky to have both park systems working hard to provide the state and area with the quality of golf we have.
I think an important part of the discussion has to be the ease and ability of clubs to hold events at the two park systems. Indy has increasingly been providing cheaper, better and easier communication and services for tournament. The lack of bathrooms and a picnic shelter really hurt the tournament experience, IMO. Though, I have heard they are talking about addressing this.
Thanks for your post and I essentially agree with all of it. I just hate to think any HM vs IL discussions would even come to light. I am hopeful that the improvements to Indy, will simply spur Hudson Mills, to spend some money to upgrade their courses, as well....and in turn, to see a trickle down impact on the smaller, yet still very important courses in the area. With the big jump in participation we are seeing, making the entire area a better disc golf destination should be the goal.