I've been meaning to put one of these together for a while to let everyone know what's going on in Southern Central VT here at Magic Mountain Ski Area. I think we've got something truly special here and you guys should be aware of the progress and the overall project goals.
Last season, Tim (our course manager) and I sold the Big Cheese on the idea of a DGC as a way to bolster our summertime rec traffic feeding the lodge bar, as well as add a venue for eventual Pro Circuit events, etc. With our gaze focused on a very high quality course with high levels of cleanliness and clarity, fun layout and that also makes good use of our copious badass terrain we pushed out the Front 9 for last summer and are currently building the back 9 as I type. We are a P2P course, and charge $5 each to play, and we also offer a big assortment of Prodigy discs to use for rentals- also a $5 fee for a 3 discs rental pack in a drawstring backpack. All discs have a custom Magic Logo foil and fwiw are 100% more magical than non-Magic foiled Prodigies in case you need more magic in your bag.
We've essentially spared no expense in selecting details. Prodigy T1 baskets, high quality signage and clear maps/scorecards are standard. Lots of mulch, foot bridges and natural material steps can be found. Weekly full course leaf blowing laps and heavy mowing/weedwacking is also standard. Even our roughs are regularly mowed by our Aebi alpine mower, so lost discs are much less of a concern than other area courses even on our gigantic downhill holes on the B9. We will eventually be installing more beefy tee boxes once we nail down finalized pad locations, but for now the F9 tee pads are basic 2x4 wood frame and surepac as we determine the long term planning, goals and changes desired after playing them dozens upon dozens of times with a critical eye. If you play in the next week or two, please excuse the few that were smashed by snowcats over the winter.
As for the course itself, we have really tried to make the front 9 a good mix of holes that will be a challenge but not so hard as to turn off new players and intermediates. The back 9 will be SIGNIFICANTLY more difficult- more of a hike, longer holes, tougher basket placement, more obstacles and fewer easy options to throw at. Think of the F9 as the family friendly option or quick hour long or so round, and the B9 as the gut check- even those with strong arms and accurate throws will find a true challenge there, I may have cried a couple times playing them already.
I am working with our Marketing department to create a promotional video for the full 18 as well as a hole-by-hole breakdown of the entire course for potential players curious about layout. Both should be available within about 3 weeks to a month max, but we haveto finish layout and tees first. We are hoping to open the full course to the public July 1st. We are also running our league night on Thursdays right now but may need to switch to Saturday just because it takes a long time to play the full 18. Time will tell. We are also running our second annual 9&9 Ball Golf/Disc Golf Biathlon Charity Fundraiser in August, several day cash tourneys and a couple night 3-disc LED Dark Park rounds, which we had an absolute blast doing last summer. We are even trying to create "disc horseshoes" courts outside the bar (basically the same as horseshoes but with two baskets and discs) and a CTP station that you attack from the bar deck (CTP pin will be a practice putting basket during non-shenanigans hours).
We REALLY want to do everything we can think of to create fun outlets and mini attractions on the hill, and to really try to draw some non-disc golfers into the sport just by watching others try it in so many ways so close and in familiar ways like horseshoes. I can't even tell you how many onlookers want to step up and try it when you're throwing CTPs off the bar deck, and that kind of non-immersive activities work wonders to draw people in.
Our first season was good but I am going straight for blood this summer. We are looking to expand in every direction, and if DG catches on here the sky is the limit. We've already discussed possible expansions with the Big Cheese including a lift-served course you'd take our mid mountain chairlift to- and while that would be amazing we need to demonstrate that phase 1 is working before we get anything else approved. If everybody gets behind Magic and it's a success, this is just the beginning of what's possible- and we have VERY strong imaginations FYI. Another advantage to having a large commercial backing is sponsors- We've also already got several beer sponsors lined up to sponsor events, as every event we ran last year was a success. The pop-up bar sponsor station between holes 4 & 5 was a nice touch I've never seen elsewhere. SO IF YOU ARE A TD OR ORGANIZER we would love to talk to you regarding charity events, tourneys, etc. etc etc. Let's work together to create some kick ass events! Our events staff rocks, our sponsors love us and we are just scratching the surface here in terms of what we can do.
So in closing, I'm really excited to see what this season brings. I wanted you all to be more than passively aware that something is happening, and I want to specifically extend a personal invitation to anybody around that is interested, we would love to show you around and moreso hear any feedback you may have about the course. We aren't officially open yet but invite anyone to play the F9 any day- we do play the B9 on league nights (Thursdays) as well if you are curious and would like to weigh in as well (league play is free until the season starts) we'd love to host you.
Thanks for reading and seriously DO NOT HOLD BACK if you have questions, critiques, suggestions or just want to give your thoughts in general. We truly want to become one of the premier mountain courses on the East Coast, and have a truly unique vehicle to do so. Between the advantages in topography, our equipment and staff, our sponsors, the level of funding we could put into building and maintenance and the potential for expansion I think we have a chance to create a truly unique and special venue. Thank you in advance to all who will come and give us a shot this season, we truly appreciate the opportunity to provide this unique course in such a magical locale. We want to be the coolest place you've ever gone and would love your help in making it so. Thanks again for reading and I look forward to chucking some plastic with DGCRers this season!
**I will also be updating this thread as things develop. Pics, news, status updates, tourneys, etc. I will try to keep the news current when I have the time to do so.**
Last season, Tim (our course manager) and I sold the Big Cheese on the idea of a DGC as a way to bolster our summertime rec traffic feeding the lodge bar, as well as add a venue for eventual Pro Circuit events, etc. With our gaze focused on a very high quality course with high levels of cleanliness and clarity, fun layout and that also makes good use of our copious badass terrain we pushed out the Front 9 for last summer and are currently building the back 9 as I type. We are a P2P course, and charge $5 each to play, and we also offer a big assortment of Prodigy discs to use for rentals- also a $5 fee for a 3 discs rental pack in a drawstring backpack. All discs have a custom Magic Logo foil and fwiw are 100% more magical than non-Magic foiled Prodigies in case you need more magic in your bag.
We've essentially spared no expense in selecting details. Prodigy T1 baskets, high quality signage and clear maps/scorecards are standard. Lots of mulch, foot bridges and natural material steps can be found. Weekly full course leaf blowing laps and heavy mowing/weedwacking is also standard. Even our roughs are regularly mowed by our Aebi alpine mower, so lost discs are much less of a concern than other area courses even on our gigantic downhill holes on the B9. We will eventually be installing more beefy tee boxes once we nail down finalized pad locations, but for now the F9 tee pads are basic 2x4 wood frame and surepac as we determine the long term planning, goals and changes desired after playing them dozens upon dozens of times with a critical eye. If you play in the next week or two, please excuse the few that were smashed by snowcats over the winter.
As for the course itself, we have really tried to make the front 9 a good mix of holes that will be a challenge but not so hard as to turn off new players and intermediates. The back 9 will be SIGNIFICANTLY more difficult- more of a hike, longer holes, tougher basket placement, more obstacles and fewer easy options to throw at. Think of the F9 as the family friendly option or quick hour long or so round, and the B9 as the gut check- even those with strong arms and accurate throws will find a true challenge there, I may have cried a couple times playing them already.
I am working with our Marketing department to create a promotional video for the full 18 as well as a hole-by-hole breakdown of the entire course for potential players curious about layout. Both should be available within about 3 weeks to a month max, but we haveto finish layout and tees first. We are hoping to open the full course to the public July 1st. We are also running our league night on Thursdays right now but may need to switch to Saturday just because it takes a long time to play the full 18. Time will tell. We are also running our second annual 9&9 Ball Golf/Disc Golf Biathlon Charity Fundraiser in August, several day cash tourneys and a couple night 3-disc LED Dark Park rounds, which we had an absolute blast doing last summer. We are even trying to create "disc horseshoes" courts outside the bar (basically the same as horseshoes but with two baskets and discs) and a CTP station that you attack from the bar deck (CTP pin will be a practice putting basket during non-shenanigans hours).
We REALLY want to do everything we can think of to create fun outlets and mini attractions on the hill, and to really try to draw some non-disc golfers into the sport just by watching others try it in so many ways so close and in familiar ways like horseshoes. I can't even tell you how many onlookers want to step up and try it when you're throwing CTPs off the bar deck, and that kind of non-immersive activities work wonders to draw people in.
Our first season was good but I am going straight for blood this summer. We are looking to expand in every direction, and if DG catches on here the sky is the limit. We've already discussed possible expansions with the Big Cheese including a lift-served course you'd take our mid mountain chairlift to- and while that would be amazing we need to demonstrate that phase 1 is working before we get anything else approved. If everybody gets behind Magic and it's a success, this is just the beginning of what's possible- and we have VERY strong imaginations FYI. Another advantage to having a large commercial backing is sponsors- We've also already got several beer sponsors lined up to sponsor events, as every event we ran last year was a success. The pop-up bar sponsor station between holes 4 & 5 was a nice touch I've never seen elsewhere. SO IF YOU ARE A TD OR ORGANIZER we would love to talk to you regarding charity events, tourneys, etc. etc etc. Let's work together to create some kick ass events! Our events staff rocks, our sponsors love us and we are just scratching the surface here in terms of what we can do.
So in closing, I'm really excited to see what this season brings. I wanted you all to be more than passively aware that something is happening, and I want to specifically extend a personal invitation to anybody around that is interested, we would love to show you around and moreso hear any feedback you may have about the course. We aren't officially open yet but invite anyone to play the F9 any day- we do play the B9 on league nights (Thursdays) as well if you are curious and would like to weigh in as well (league play is free until the season starts) we'd love to host you.
Thanks for reading and seriously DO NOT HOLD BACK if you have questions, critiques, suggestions or just want to give your thoughts in general. We truly want to become one of the premier mountain courses on the East Coast, and have a truly unique vehicle to do so. Between the advantages in topography, our equipment and staff, our sponsors, the level of funding we could put into building and maintenance and the potential for expansion I think we have a chance to create a truly unique and special venue. Thank you in advance to all who will come and give us a shot this season, we truly appreciate the opportunity to provide this unique course in such a magical locale. We want to be the coolest place you've ever gone and would love your help in making it so. Thanks again for reading and I look forward to chucking some plastic with DGCRers this season!
**I will also be updating this thread as things develop. Pics, news, status updates, tourneys, etc. I will try to keep the news current when I have the time to do so.**