This story was found on Denvers web site!
Just incase you thought that it would never happen. I thought you might find this story very helpful. I was looking on Denvers web site to find out when the Bid to construct Paco’s Gulch would start when I ran across this story. I think it might be a great thing for a number of Disc Golfers to help out in this project / event. see full story at
Ronnie Ross, Matt James and Brett Marshall had a meeting with the new incharge person for South Suburban ( Badlands South ) On Wednesday march 24th. We went over many topics such as Mowing the fair ways better (wider ) More Trash cans on the course, Tournaments to raise funds for the park and Keys to the Baskets so they can be moved on a more regular basis.
We also re aserted that we would like to redesign the course to cross the creek and make good use of the trees and creek. We will keep you updated as things progress.
BY: Chris Bianco chris@badcodisc.com
DENVER – Operation Frontline, a program of Share Our Strength announces its first annual Disc Golf fundraiser, “The Hunger Fling,” which will take place August 7, 2024, from 12-6 pm, at the City of Cuernavaca Park, located at Platte and 20th Streets, near LoDo and Coors Field. Proceeds generated from the event will be used to fund Operation Frontline programs that fight hunger and malnutrition in Colorado.
“The Hunger Fling” features an afternoon of disc golf fun. A professionally designed 9-hole course will grace both banks of the Platte River, and players tee off in teams of four. Not only will there be disc golf, in addition, enjoy food, New Belgium brews, and music! The nominal donation for participation in the event is $20 pre-registration by July 30th, and $25 after July 30th. Register by calling 303.892.8480.
The event draws support from BADCO, Colorado’s professional disc golf club, the North Denver News, Mountain High Yoghurt, Panera Bread Company and New Belgium Brewing Company.
Pre-registering is recommended for the event so that tee times can be established to eliminate extensive waiting periods. Or, show up any time between 12pm and 6pm and have a few drinks while waiting to tee off. Remember to show up earlier rather than later to ensure that you can finish your round before 6pm. All ages are welcome, but Beer Drinkers, don’t forget your IDs!
Operation Frontline, a program of Share Our Strength, is a national nutrition education and financial literacy program developed to address the root causes of hunger in the United States. Locally, Operation Frontline promotes short- and long-term solutions to malnutrition by mobilizing volunteer chefs, nutritionists, and financial planners to teach low-income people the nutrition, cooking, food budgeting, sanitation, and financial skills they need to make healthy food choices and good financial decisions on a limited budget. Classes are offered throughout the metro Denver area through partner agencies like Head Start, Food Bank of the Rockies Rustlers Kids Caf, Volunteers of America, Family Resource Centers, and many other agencies that serve Colorado’s underprivileged population.
BY: Jeff ‘Toad’ Panis
It’s just a little out-of-the-way 9 hole course tucked away in a small park in Golden, Colorado. Many disc golfers dismiss Applewood Park Disc Golf Course because of its short layout, or its limitation to 9 holes.
However, this course is the regular home of Jay Burghardt, who every day on his lunch hour refines and improves his game. This year, Jay attended the World Amateur Disc Golf Championships in Florida and won his division. He owes much of his success to his disciplined approach to practice of the game, especially at Applewood.
The course is also home to many youngsters eager to learn the game in an environment a little less competitive than the surrounding 18 hole courses.
Well, Jay, the youngsters and all other disc golfers who enjoy Applewood may be surprised when, in the coming weeks, baskets, tee pads and tee signs will begin to disappear from the course.
Prospect Recreation & Park District (PRPD) will post notices this week stating that the course is scheduled for removal and beginning the week of November 3rd the demolition begins.
The PRPD Board of Directors has been discussing the future of the course for months and after some research with consultants and experts in the sport (i.e. the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) and Disc Golf World Magazine) the board decided that the course was hazardous to the other park users (soccer and baseball participants, joggers, etc.).
So, what happens now? PRPD has not ruled out installing the baskets in another location. The district is small and encompasses the area between Applewood and Fairmount. Who knows? Maybe they can find a spot for a new layout. BADCO has been instructed to stay in contact with the district for any developing news. If the baskets go unused, hopefully BADCO or another group can obtain the baskets and give them a home in another course. Time will tell.
Anyhow, I’m bummed for my buddy Jay who’ll have to find a new home to practice at lunch and for all the kids who call Applewood their course.
We’ll stay in touch with PRPD and post updates as they arise.
RIP Applewood.
Toad
BY: Jeff Panis
September 17, 2024
After browsing badcodisc.com, the Director for the Englewood Parks & Recreation Department contacted BADCO asking if the club would participate in the city’s annual FunFest event. Dubbed as ‘An Olde Tyme Fair’, the festival took place August 24-25, 2024 at Miller Field near downtown Englewood, Colorado.
The event offers many activities, such as a climbing wall, Tug of War, Arts and Crafts and now disc golf, all for a $1 admission fee.BADCO members Ronnie Ross and Brett Marshall setup three disc golf baskets and a booth to demonstrate the sport to those who attended. Over 400 individuals, men and women ages 2 to 80, experienced the demo. For many it was their first exposure to disc golf and, based on the how crowded the booth was, they enjoyed their experience.Ronnie and Brett had the opportunity to talk about the sport to city officials, beginning dialogue of possible development for disc golf in the Englewood area.
BY: Jeff Panis Sunday, September 15, 2024
Tone poles are ringing in Golden, Colorado.
The first tone pole course in the Denver metro area has been installed at the Golden High School in Golden, Colorado. Spearheaded by Monty ‘Koz’ Kozlowitz, a teacher at Golden High, the course winds throughout the southern and western portions of the campus. Over the past month or so, Koz has spent his lunch hours and weekends with students crafting the course layout, installing tone poles and tee signs, arranging rocks and planting trees.
BADCO founders Ronnie Ross and Brett Marshall aided the installation by donating the tone poles for the course.
A group of BADCO members, led by Koz, had the pleasure of playing the course early on a Sunday morning. There were a variety of thoughts expressed about the course after a few rounds of play: 1) The man-made and natural objects throughout the course require accurate shots on every throw. 2) Wind is a factor and swirls in every direction. 3) Koz, who himself sought course approval from the school, managed the entire installation and design of the course and has spurred play by students and faculty, has done a great job with the course.
Go and play the new course and let BADCO know what you think. Get the Golden High course information in the Courses section of the BADCO website.
BY: Jeff Panis
He left as one of two competitors representing Colorado and BADCO’s own Jay Burghardt returned from the 2024 PDGA World Amateur Championships in Miami, Florida as the Master Division Champion! Here’s more from JB:
So, how does it feel to be a world am champ?
(JB) Well, even though I had lead through a lot of the tourney, I never really felt I had it until the second to the last hole, Then a smile just came to my face and a total body relaxation came over me. And when the final two-foot putt fell, It felt spectacular!
How long have you been playing disc golf?
(JB) I first started playing “Frisbee golf” back in the late 70′s. I didn’t start using discs until about two years ago, when I started to play more regularly.
What’s the formula to your success?
(JB) I find there are a couple of things I try to always work on. First of all, I play one hole at a time. If I have a bad hole, I try and forget about it. Secondly, a couple of the players that I played against at the Worlds commented to me about my course management, how I didn’t take chances unless I needed to, making it very difficult for them to catch me once I got the lead. I play a fairly even keel game and rarely shoot more than a stroke or two over par, and rarely more than a couple of strokes under par for a round. I will take chances if I need to, but one very seldom needs to take the amount of chances that are usually taken. So I dont give back a lot of strokes from my own mistakes.
What do you feel is the strongest element of your game?
(JB) I think my mental approach is probably my strongest element. You have to know when to press and know when to calm down and watch the other players fall by the wayside. Although for this tournament my putting was on. I seldom missed a put under 25ft and it kept the pressure on everyone around me.
What’s your favorite disc and why?
(JB) I usually use the Discraft Z XS for my long drives/overhand/thumber/trick shots. I get a lot of work from it and with the Z- plastic I don’t have to replace it often. I have a new midrange I just started using and it got me an ace at the Worlds. The Storm. It flies very straight and long, especially for low tunnel shots, and I just love it. And for my putting, I use the Aviar for short puts, and the Aero for longer putts.
Do you have any special routine in preparation to tournaments?
(JB) Practice. I will play as much as I can before the tournament starts. Often I will play an entire 18 holes before it begins. This gets my entire game warmed up from putting, driving and getting out of trouble. This also gets my mind in a frame of making shots.
How do you plan to build on your success after becoming an am champion?
(JB) Well, I will now move on to the Pro Master division. I have set goals for myself already and hope to win an event by the end of the year. I know I still have a lot to learn and will continue to try and pickup new shots.
What’s your best advice to competitive disc golfers trying to achieve what you have done?
(JB) First, play your game. Don’t worry about what the next guy is doing (I know this is difficult because I struggle with it sometimes as well). Practice, Practice, Practice. I was playing 18 holes everyday, all year long, until the Worlds. I know everyone doesn’t have access like I do with Applewood disc golf course. But every chance you get, Practice. I play out in the street in front of my house. When I get the mail each night, I take a disc, and throw it at the mailbox. I throw at light poles, park benches. It is so important to keep your acquired skills sharp and playing once a week wont do it. Again, Practice.
What’s your favorite breakfast before a tournament?
(JB) No question here. I love the Denny’s Grand slam breakfast before a tourney. Two pancakes, (butter only), two sausage links, two bacon strips, two eggs (over medium) and a large glass of water. I had that five times while at the AmWorlds competition. I need all those carbs and calories to burn off during the round.
Any additional comments?
(JB) First of all, thanks to everyone who was checking my progress throughout the tourney. It is nice to know I had a bunch of people pulling for me 2024 miles away. It is time for me to move up. The whole AmWorlds experience was a blast. I know its a long time to be away, and to be honest, its a pricey week, but if you have a chance go do it. It is so much fun and meeting a lot of good players just made it that much more enjoyable. Thank you everyone.
BY: Jeff Panis Saturday, April 20, 2024
For more than 80 years, Easter Seals has helped people with disabilities in communities nationwide. BADCO members have been working with Easter Seals of Colorado on the installation of an 18 hole private disc golf course at their camp in Empire, Colorado.
On Saturday, Ronnie Ross, Brett Marshall, Tim Panis and Jeff Panis drove to the camp to work on the final layout of the course. For wheelchair players there will be a (minimum) 3-hole layout in the meadow of the camp that is accessible on asphalt paths. A more challenging 18-hole course will cover a small portion of the over 100 acres of the property.
On several visits, Ronnie and Brett have surveyed the available land with camp administrators and are close in establishing the final layout of the 18-hole course.
The course is private and for the use of the Easter Seals Camp members only. There may be opportunities in the future where BADCO will host club only events.
BADCO is working with local disc golf vendors to get equipment together for the course. Stay tuned to BADCO news for future updates of the course
BY: Jeff Panis Saturday, March 30, 2024
BADCO Disc Golf Club welcomed a group of children and staff from the Curtis Park Community Center at the Badlands Disc Golf Course. The center is located on the corner of 29th and Curtis in Denver and is ‘dedicated to helping individuals in the Denver metro area gain self-sufficiency’.
BADCO founders Ronnie Ross and Brett Marshall instructed the group on the basic play of disc golf and each took a group to enjoy a round of play on a sunny spring day. Each visitor received a brochure about BADCO and the Badlands Disc Golf Course. See the photos at right.
BY: Ronnie Ross ronnie@badcodisc.com
Many people have asked me why BADCO tournaments are so expensive. My only reply is it costs money for everything we do. For instance, cement for the basket pin sleeves, locks for the baskets, inner chains for the baskets, t-shirts, trophies and course maintenance.
Thanks go out to all who participate in tournaments…they help to keep the course in good shape and provide for good tournament player packages and prizes. We at BADCO would hope that those who attend tournaments bring a friend! As more players attend tournaments, the fees will decrease and more course improvements can be made. Our goals for the future include:
-The operation of par 54 and 72 courses
-A stocked clubhouse/proshop
-Growth of the BADCO club
We encourage everyone to come out and play in the tournaments and join BADCO. If you are a member, encourage your friends and family to join…the more members we have the better our ability is to develop new courses and help the sport grow in and around Denver.