Pinconning Disc Golf Club

Craig Prime   December 25, 2010 at 9:47am

the years almost over

As of January 1, 2011, I'll no longer be the 1st President of Pinconning Disc Golf Club, but instead be retired from duty. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of the new friends made, all of the volunteers, Ward Prindle and the entire community for being so supportive of what was a great idea, disc golf in Pinconning. I have hopes for the future of the sport continuing and have made some contact that may bring a new course to the area, as well as introduce the idea of a Disc Golf Team ... more

As of January 1, 2011, I'll no longer be the 1st President of Pinconning Disc Golf Club, but instead be retired from duty. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of the new friends made, all of the volunteers, Ward Prindle and the entire community for being so supportive of what was a great idea, disc golf in Pinconning. I have hopes for the future of the sport continuing and have made some contact that may bring a new course to the area, as well as introduce the idea of a Disc Golf Team at the High School and Middle School level. The path has been laid, now the new President Erik Szyperski has the ball in hand and is well on his way to continue what amounted to somewhere near 3000 of labor and love. Good Luck. An article that I wrote for the Pinconning Journal tells nearly all of my thoughts, please give it a read. thanks again and have the safest of holidays and future as we move into 2011.

"DISC GOLF - The Past, Present and Future"
The Past - In 2007 an Idea comes to the Szyperski family that requires 1200 hours of hard cut hand labor to outline a 9 hole disc golf course.
The Past - In 2008 Ward Prindle agrees to allow an 18 hole disc golf course be built on the Blizzard Hills Marina property
The Past - With an article in the Bay City Times on Tuesday, May 27th 2008 an announcement is made that "players won't have to leave Bay County anymore" when looking to play disc golf. The following Saturday officially opened the first 9 holes of the 18 hole course with a 1:00 ribbon cutting ceremony at Blizzard Hills Bar/Marina.
The Past - Over the next 2 years an additional 5000 man hours of hand labor cleared the jungle to make a World Class 18 Hole Disc Golf Course at Blizzard Hills.
The Past - May 1st, 2010 Ward Prindle retires from business and closes the Blizzard Hills Bar.
The Past - June 2010 Bay County announces an "interest" in acquiring the Blizzard Hills property to expand the Pinconning Park to allow for additional campsites after declining $100,000.00 in potential camping revenues in 2009/2010.

The Present - September 11th was the date for the Pinconning Disc Golf Club to host the first ever Professional Disc Golf Association sanctioned event at Blizzard Hills DGC. And although the weather could have been a little more like this past weekend, rain cold and wind didn't hamper the fun and excellent play by amateurs and professionals from Bay, Midland, Saginaw, Genesee, Lapeer, Midland and Arenac counties. DJ Hunt of Lapeer won in the Open Division, Amateur Masters was won by Tom Swathort of Kawkawlin , Intermediate Women by Lexie Alexander, Recreational by Lance Anderson of Auburn, Novice by Tom Neumeyer and last but not least was Devon Myers taking the top prize in Junior III Boys division and winning a long putt contest amongst all players on hole #16. The recap of the day wouldn't be complete by omitting that as Tournament Director I opted into the pool of skilled players only to post the worst score of the day and on my last drive, loose my favorite disc in the river. The tournament was graciously sponsored by a record number of 15 businesses and individuals with donations of gift certificates and prizes that certainly meant everyone in attendance walked away not only the memory of playing the 1st sanctioned event at a course that was at it's BEST EVER, but also walked away with plenty of winnings as well.
The Present - Monday, September 27th was the last evening for the official gathering of Monday Night Leagues at Blizzard Hills, with Saturday October 2nd the day for the year end league party that included chili and chili dogs, a camp fire and two rounds of wonderful, fall disc golf.
The Present - Clark Slater of Linwood continues to meet on Thursday evenings at 5:00pm for an informal league gathering of local and state wide players.
The Present - Players from around the country continue to show up at Blizzard Hills to experience what rumors and multiple promotional listings claim as fact, Blizzard Hills DGC is a World Class Course that has such a peaceful and beautiful nature, you would think you're 100 miles from anything.
The Past, Present and Future - October 2010, Ward Prindle announces his intentions of retiring and dissolving his commitment in allowing the disc golf course to remain on the Blizzard Hills property.
The Future - Bay County has intentions of applying for a grant with an April 1, 2011 deadline to purchase Blizzard Hills for the purpose of expanding the Pinconning Camp Ground and according to Mike Duranczyk, "April 1 grant deadline for applications with Sept - Oct 2011 release of successful applicants. It could take another 12 to 15 months to complete sale."
The Future - "Please bear in mind, even after the County takes over the property it could be another 12 months before County work crews are on site. In order for this expansion to work financially for the County it must generate funds to support the overhead. We know that we turned away over $100,000 in revenue at the campground in 2009 and 2010 due to lack of campsites. This will be our main focus for use of the property. We will consider other attractions for our campers as we move along with the expansion." Mike Duranczyk
The Future - November 1st, 2010 Blizzard Hills Disc golf Course will be temporarily and indefinitely be closed. The baskets will be removed and the property will be posted with "COURSE CLOSED" signs.
The Future - Disc Golf has become and will continue to be an interest to many and a way of life for some Pinconning residents. The course at Blizzard Hills has initiated an idea that will be around for years to come.
The Future - Pinconning area disc golfers will travel to Freeland, Midland, St. Charles, Sanford, Au Gres, Tawas, Frankenmuth, Holly and beyond to play one of the public disc golf courses offered at parks within all of these towns.
The Future - Visitors from around the state and country will stop traveling to Pinconning Michigan's Blizzard Hills or certainly will be real disappointed if they do arrive to play.
The Future - The Pinconning Disc Golf Club will store the baskets, signage and course fixtures until Blizzard Hills reopens or an alternative is offered.
The Future - As the 1st President of The Pinconning Disc Golf Club, I will remain a committed volunteer trying my best to enhance Pinconning with the option of the disc golf activity.
The Future - As the past President of the PDGC I will continue contact with the Pinconning Park, Blizzard Hills and any volunteers until a time we may again see the fairways as they are now.
The Future - As a committed member of the disc golf community worldwide, I offer my experience and expertise while I approach all possibilities for a quick resolution to the void that will be created with the removal of the baskets from the Blizzard Hills. I offer a free design for an 18, 24 or 48 hole course on any available property near Pinconning, with focus on one a particular 80 acre parcel that is near perfect for two 24 hole courses.
The Future - As a committed member of the disc golf community worldwide I ask that anyone with an interest in seeing disc golf remain in Pinconning contact anyone that can help, volunteer to the PDGC, take a drive and look for possible course locations and talk it up on all occasions.
The Future - In Closing, I feel compelled to share the results of last weekend's conclusion to the United States Disc Golf Championships held in Rock Hill, South Carolina. This is the 12th year for the event and again, many records were broken. The most significant being a record set in 2009 of the winner being the youngest ever. Yes, last year winner Nikko Locastro of St Louis Missouri became the youngest ever to win this event, probably the foremost disc golf event in the world. And then this year, 18 year old Will Shusterick of Knoxville, Tennessee took the 1st place prize of $12,000.00 with a 2 stroke win over his traveling and teammate Nikko, again breaking the record for youngest champion ever. The playing field for this event is made up from players of all ages that qualify from play in a few specific tournaments held yearly around the country . This years field of 185 players included several women and one sixteen year old player. All that come can expect to see and play against the best in the world including 12 time World Champion Ken Climo, US and World Champion David Feldberg, Avery Jenkins and more. I am also compelled to ask anyone that has internet access to follow these links to see and understand the beauty, excitement and future disc golf, a future that is being driven by young talented players.
http://www.pdga.com/schusterick-seals-it
http://www.pdga.com/videos/2010-usdgc-final-day-coverage
http://www.pdga.com/videos/pdga-promotional-video
http://why.org/blogs/itsourcity/2009/07/13/john-complexion-dueslers-2nd-job-is-in-public-relations/

Erik Szyperski   October 20, 2010 at 2:20pm

Closed for Winter

As usual, we will be closing the Blizzard Hills Disc Golf course for Hunting Season. However this year we will be keeping it closed all winter while the fate of our beloved course is decided. I will keep everyone apprised of course news as it becomes available.
Thanks for playing!
Erik Szyperski

Craig Prime   July 20, 2010 at 5:11pm

rate the course, please

anyone that has played Blizzard Hills would be doing the course a great favor by going to http://www.pdga.com/course_directory/course/blizzard-hills-dgc
and posting a favorable and honest rating. Remember, the course is the only non publicly funded public course in the Saginaw Valley and has been cut out of the woods by hand and all signage, baskets and upkeep comes from donated funds.

Craig Prime   June 14, 2010 at 8:40am

Saturday, June 19th. 11:00

Random Draw Doubles to celebrate Pinconning's Cheese Town Challenge Race and weekend full of events. Be at Blizzard Hills for registration from 10:00 to 10:45, tee off at 11:00. ALL SKILL LEVELS, beginners will be teamed with higher skill level players, many prizes and only a $5.00 donation to PDGC to play. Kevin is cooking his famous venison burgers after the round, bring your own beverages, chips or whatever to pass around. And you may want to stay around for a singles challenge following dinner.

Craig Prime   April 20, 2010 at 8:43am

Blizzard Hills News

Anytime between now and when Ward retires and closes the Blizzard Hills Bar on April 30th, any disc golfer that stops in for a drink and says " Ward, we love the disc golf course" will get a free Glow Mini compliments of Ward Prindle, Saganing Eagle's Casino and the Pinconning DIsc Golf Club (1 mini per disc golfer please). And mark the dates - April 26 will be the kickoff evening for Blizzard Hills / Pinconning Disc Golf Club's 2010 doubles season. We will tee off at 5:30 (starting time ch ... more

Anytime between now and when Ward retires and closes the Blizzard Hills Bar on April 30th, any disc golfer that stops in for a drink and says " Ward, we love the disc golf course" will get a free Glow Mini compliments of Ward Prindle, Saganing Eagle's Casino and the Pinconning DIsc Golf Club (1 mini per disc golfer please).

And mark the dates - April 26 will be the kickoff evening for Blizzard Hills / Pinconning Disc Golf Club's 2010 doubles season. We will tee off at 5:30 (starting time changed to 6:00 on May 17th), drawing for partners shortly before that, so be on time. The Monday night doubles is now participating in the "Michigan Cooperative Points Series - Summer", so make certain to sign on to Disc Golf Scene and supply me with an email address so I can enter you as a regular player. You can find more info on the Cooperative Challenge at Disc Golf Scene.

And with a tear in my eye I remind all that the Blizzard Hills Bar is closing at the end of this month so Monday the 26th will be our last league evening to have the 19th hole. It'll be a nice evening to bid Ward a Happy Retirement and thank him for allowing and continuing the disc golf course. And if you miss out on Monday's play, Wednesday April 28th will be a special night at the bar. Some good ole boy musicians that travel around making impromptu stops at local bars treating the patrons to live music are rumored (scheduled) to stop in to play, probably around 7:00 or 8:00, so BE THERE. To help bring some players in and send Ward off to retirement with a HUGE Disc Golf Farewell, I'm scheduling a Singles Round on Wednesday the 28th at 5:30 with the Michigan State Berth Packages as the main prizes. It will be $5.00 to play, $2.00 optional event ace pool (CTP if no aces) and we will need 5 paying players to have the Berth available with up to 3 Berths being handed out for 1st, 2nd and 3rd if we can get 15 players or more. The field will be capped at 32 players. There will be some additional CTP and Long Putt prizes as well. Please visit Disc Golf Scene Tournaments (Berths At The Blizzard) to reserve your spot by posting your intentions under the "TALK" tab. please feel free to contact me with any questions. [email disguise]

now get your discs and godiscn

Craig Prime   March 30, 2010 at 12:46pm

Everyone Feels Like Disc Golf

here is a message I received yesterday "hey craig it is jacob i was just wondering when leagues start cause im ready for this season" my sentiment exactly, Jacob ! I am thinking that April Showers may bring undesirable situations for Monday evening play, so the plans are to start our regular Monday night league sometime near May 3rd. If good weather persist, I will announce an earlier starting time. Until then, it would be GREATLY APPRECIATED that anyone playing Blizzard Hills will take tim ... more

here is a message I received yesterday
"hey craig it is jacob i was just wondering when leagues start cause im ready for this season"
my sentiment exactly, Jacob !

I am thinking that April Showers may bring undesirable situations for Monday evening play, so the plans are to start our regular Monday night league sometime near May 3rd. If good weather persist, I will announce an earlier starting time. Until then, it would be GREATLY APPRECIATED that anyone playing Blizzard Hills will take time to pickup a few sticks from the fairways and if anyone is in favor of any additional work, there's plenty to do. Winter plowing left mounds by tee's 1 & 10, they must go. Most all tee pads need raking and leveling, there are still logs in fairways that could be carried and stacked and there is also more grooming that could be done on holes 12 and 14 (PLEASE, don't take any cutting or grooming upon yourself before arranging your ideas and thoughts with Jim, Craig and most importantly, Ward. REMEMBER, the Blizzard Hills DGC is on Private Property and between Ward and the PDGC, we will patrol the area in detail this year. ANYONE observed destroying ANY of the natural habitat will banned from admittance and prosecuted when possible. Destruction and littering has become a HUGE issue at the Midland and Freeland courses and as traffic increases, I expect some of that problem for us. PLEASE, if you are a regular player, it goes without saying that you won't be breaking trees - etc, but what you MUST do is to be an Ambassador for the course and disc golf in general. Please take time to welcome and chat with anyone that looks new to the course. Be specific and firm in making our wishes and desire known to maintain the course on Ward's private property. Not that it's a possibility or has been talked about but we must remember that Ward could just as easily take our privileges away as quick as he was to KINDLY DONATE this GREAT space. It would help TREMENDOUSLY if everyone that showed up to play would drop by the bar to quench a thirst or at a minimum, donate a dollar or two towards gracious contribution to the World of Disc Golf. Disc golf is growing at a faster rate than every before, currently surpassing ANY other organized sport. If we can maintain and improve this great course throughout the 2010 season, we'll have a PDGA approved course, a course that will be ready for Sanctioned tournaments and maybe even a National Event in the near future. What's it going to take ? MORE HARD WORK and more money. Anyone that has any ideas or contributions for tee pads, LET'S KICK IT IN GEAR. I want to see tee 1 & 10 done in concrete before league starts, what do you think ?

Craig Prime   March 16, 2010 at 11:00am

TIME TO VISIT WARD AT BLIZZARD HILLS IN PINCONNING

BLIZZARD HILLS IS AWAITING PLAYERS. Fortunately the winter didn't leave as much water lying around so Blizzard Hills is ready to play. Last year we started our Monday Night Doubles the first week of May. Keep an open eye for the actual starting date 2010.

Craig Prime   December 9, 2009 at 2:25pm

Hey Clark, Nice Ace at Blizzard Hills

Clark Slater hits an Ace on hole 13, the first ace recorded on the newly opened back nine. Way to go Clark ...

Craig Prime   October 20, 2009 at 7:09am

Boy Scouts are a HUGE HELP in finishing Blizzard Hills DGC - Big News

THE MOST IMPORTANT NEWS OF THE DAY Blizzard Hills, Pinconning Michigan is nearly finished with all 18 holes. October 16, 17 & 18th., Troupe #150 from Westminster Presbyterian of Bay City camped, ate, WORKED HARD and learned the game of disc golf at Blizzard Hills Disc Golf Course. With the help of the 7 scouts, 3 leaders and 10 members from the Pinconning Disc Golf Club and Monday Night League, we were able to get ALL fairways cut through the thick woods. The posts have been set on all but ho ... more

THE MOST IMPORTANT NEWS OF THE DAY

Blizzard Hills, Pinconning Michigan is nearly finished with all 18 holes. October 16, 17 & 18th., Troupe #150 from Westminster Presbyterian of Bay City camped, ate, WORKED HARD and learned the game of disc golf at Blizzard Hills Disc Golf Course. With the help of the 7 scouts, 3 leaders and 10 members from the Pinconning Disc Golf Club and Monday Night League, we were able to get ALL fairways cut through the thick woods. The posts have been set on all but holes 11 and 12, and these final 2 will go in this week. All that leaves for the cutting crew is some final trimming around a few tee areas, final cutting of a few annoying trees and some minor hauling of brush and logs to clear the walking as you discover the depth of this course.
The Pinconning Disc Golf Club made Troupe #150 the Official Scouting Crew for Blizzard Hills DGC and with doing so invited the group back next year for a weekend that has more disc golf than work. The scouts added a tremendous long time effect to the course by taking a 4' pine tree from the fairway of hole 10 and transplanting it within a few feet of the course map and hole 1 bag and meeting bench. If you look hard at the photo below, you'll see the pine between the group. To all of the Scouts and their leaders, we can never thank you enough for the weekend of hard work. The first 12 holes completed are ready and groomed for GREAT play and the final 6 will be open for play within 2 weeks, the bar is open and ready for your visit; so get to Pinconning and visit Ward at Blizzard Hills.
We still have a very few fund raiser discs available, don't hesitate to write with requests.
And make sure to check the new sign when coming to the course on Pinconning Road.

We need a crew for a couple more days have hard work and then it will be one of Michigan's best disc golf courses, ready to teach anyone a lesson in technical play and make you a better disc golfer.

Craig Prime   October 16, 2009 at 8:11am

reminder

Just a reminder, we have some Boy Scouts camping and helping cut and clear the final 6 holes at Blizzard Hills this weekend. The plan is to start working / playing around 10:00 each day and ANYONE and EVERYONE that could come out and help will be rewarded by knowing that come spring (or before) we'll have an 18 hole, magnificent course in Pinconning. The goal will be to get all of those 6 holes cut and cleared but the reality is, if we can get hole 14 brush cut and semi clear of the big trees, i ... more

Just a reminder, we have some Boy Scouts camping and helping cut and clear the final 6 holes at Blizzard Hills this weekend. The plan is to start working / playing around 10:00 each day and ANYONE and EVERYONE that could come out and help will be rewarded by knowing that come spring (or before) we'll have an 18 hole, magnificent course in Pinconning. The goal will be to get all of those 6 holes cut and cleared but the reality is, if we can get hole 14 brush cut and semi clear of the big trees, it'll be a successful weekend of work. I hope to see many of you there. Feel free to bring gloves, shovels, rakes, trimming tools, chains saws or whatever it takes to get you to and stay the day at Blizzard Hills.

Craig Prime   October 12, 2009 at 4:27am

Work Weekend At Blizzard Hills

This coming weekend (17th & 18th) is a WORK WEEKEND at Blizzard Hills. We have a group of Boy Scouts volunteering on the course and camping for the weekend. The hopes and plans are to complete the final trimming and cutting on holes 10 through 15, with MAJOR attention to hole 14. This will be the best opportunity we have had to involve the community and get many hands working towards the goal of completing all 18 holes. As far as I know now, we will probably be there Saturday by 9:30AM and stay ... more

This coming weekend (17th & 18th) is a WORK WEEKEND at Blizzard Hills. We have a group of Boy Scouts volunteering on the course and camping for the weekend. The hopes and plans are to complete the final trimming and cutting on holes 10 through 15, with MAJOR attention to hole 14. This will be the best opportunity we have had to involve the community and get many hands working towards the goal of completing all 18 holes. As far as I know now, we will probably be there Saturday by 9:30AM and stay until we drop. Sunday's schedule will be established as we finish the work day on Saturday. Call me if you need any further details -
989-686-1375 - thanks to all that have and will help.

Craig Prime   August 29, 2009 at 7:37am

Sunday - yes, tomorrow is a work day at BH

The plans are to make tomorrow a day to clear the final fairway at Blizzard Hills. ANYONE that wants to help, PLEASE DO SO and thanks. bring your gloves, rake, trimmers (gas or hand) energy and cold water and your discs.
Jim usually starts about 9:30am , I'll try and be there by 10:00 at the latest.

any questions, please email or call. There is toms of stuff to get dome before the September 19th tournament. oh yea, the tournament posting will be up next week.

Craig Prime   August 4, 2009 at 11:59am

Normal News That Everyone Should Know When Coming To Play Monday Night

Information to players coming to Pinconning for Monday night random draw doubles play and with a chance to win the ace pool. The ace pool is starting again at $7.00, since Ron was SO KIND to donate a few bucks to get it kick started and on it's way back up to a substantial amount. Thanks you Ron, you're a gentleman... So the rules are this. It is $6.00 to play and that includes the ace pool. Players showing up for their first or second evening of play ever, get two weeks of the ace pool only. P ... more

Information to players coming to Pinconning for Monday night random draw doubles play and with a chance to win the ace pool. The ace pool is starting again at $7.00, since Ron was SO KIND to donate a few bucks to get it kick started and on it's way back up to a substantial amount. Thanks you Ron, you're a gentleman... So the rules are this. It is $6.00 to play and that includes the ace pool. Players showing up for their first or second evening of play ever, get two weeks of the ace pool only. Please make note that the course is under construction. Some weeks we will play different holes than the past week. The league starts at 6:00 without exception and also all rules may change depending on the evening, the moon or the emotional stability or instability of any particular group that shows up to play and argue about trivial issues.

Craig Prime   August 4, 2009 at 11:56am

30 year player hits first ever ACE ON HOLE NUMBER 3

Another ace at Blizzard Hills. Ron hits #3 for his first ever ace in a basket with chains and with an audience. For those of you that don't know Ron P. from Tawas, Ron is the designer and course care taker (CC) at the AuGres Michigan course. It is a fine target course on the old airprt property within the village of AuGres. Ron has had aces on his target course but never had a witness. The ace last night was without fail, the most perfect shot that I have witnessed at Blizzard Hills. Way to go R ... more

Another ace at Blizzard Hills. Ron hits #3 for his first ever ace in a basket with chains and with an audience. For those of you that don't know Ron P. from Tawas, Ron is the designer and course care taker (CC) at the AuGres Michigan course. It is a fine target course on the old airprt property within the village of AuGres. Ron has had aces on his target course but never had a witness. The ace last night was without fail, the most perfect shot that I have witnessed at Blizzard Hills. Way to go Ron P., I'm glad I was a witness to the ace that used the route I would like to see declared as a permanent Mando.
In fact, it was such a pretty ace it deserve another mention - Ron P. (sorry I don't have the spelling for your last name) tossed the most beautiful shot perfectly down the fairway of the #3 hole at Blizzard Hills. The shot took the route that designer Terry Calhoun intended for the hole, left of the tree 15' off the tee pad, the tree that I was wishing to make as a mando.Way To Go Ron on ace # 2 on hole #3 since the course opened. Ron and Ben Murphy share the honor of both acing that hole to take the ace back to start.