Disc Golf In Scotland - Monzievaird
Chalets
The BDGA's Trevor Betchel talks to disc golf course owner Steven
Brown
The jewel in the Crieff disc crown is
the 9 hole course at the Loch Monzievaird Chalets. Set above the holiday
chalets on a raised knoll dominated by large oak trees this post (and
one basket) course offers an excellent introduction to beginners and
an intriguing challenge to the more experienced players. All but one
hole are fairly short par threes but don't let this put you off most
pin positions are placed with either a steep drop off behind or close
to OB. At least two would be considered the best holes on a lot of
courses I've played on.
The owner of the chalets is Stephen
Brown and he has been the catalyst for the growth of the sport in
Scotland and beyond. I recently caught up with him to play a round
at his course and ask his thoughts on disc golf.
When and how did you start playing
DG?
I lived in Montrose a suburb of Los Angeles for nearly 2 years back
in 1977/8. I was already keen on throwing frisbees, and a friend introduced
me to the Oak Grove Course which was quite new- quite near to one
of the colleges. We played every day for a whole summer. I remember
some of the wonderful elevated tee positions. It was mostly dirt,
scrub and trees; but all the holes had marked tees and chain baskets.
It was six pack heaven.
Can you remember what sort of discs
you were using and how many you would carry in a round?
We each used two discs- the largest (240g I think) Frisbee and one
of the standard all stars, and the Coors.
What was atmosphere amongst players
back then?
It was LA in the mid 70's - I have to say that most of the people
my age were not into "jock sports" or any kind of sports - it wasn't
really cool to do much except watch the tv and watch your plants grow.
Van Halen and the Tubes were big, as was anything to do with gold.
From what I remember most of the players were in the age range 18-30.
What gave you the inspiration to
set up the course at Monzievaird? The piece of ground we use is
a great spot. I walk up there all the time. The elevations and views
are special. I wanted to use it for something for at least a year
before I suddenly woke up one morning and knew. I had the ground measured
out by lunchtime - same day. The next day Fikret and I put in the
first poles. It was early spring of 1998. Then I found out about the
BDGA and spoke to Derek who gave me your telephone number. I haven't
been able to get rid of you since !
You did a great job in designing
the course. Did this require much input / time?
Thanks- I could do with another
5 acres. I designed the first course in an afternoon. Since then we
have made several tee changes and redesigned the last 3 holes. I have
had a lot of assistance from Fikret Karíc who works with me at Monzievaird
and is now a DG fanatic.
I know you are an avid traditional golfer as well. Other than the
obvious disc/ club - ball differences how would you compare the two?
Playing disc golf has helped my ball golf game and vice versa. In
ball golf you hear a lot of people talk about playing "percentage
golf". This basically means that you need to be on the fairway and
straight - the same applies in DG. Seeing the shot before you play
it, (knowing where you want to be to make your next shot from) is
also a must, in both.
How has the course been received
by your guests?
We have had a lot of interest
from our guests. The course has been used almost every day throughout
the summer.
I hear that there have been some regular avid players including a
guy with one leg.
The chap with one leg (and one false one) is also a ball golfer- he
visits Monzievaird twice every year. He loves DG although he had some
problems with our new 7th hole which is infested with rabbit burrows.
The last time he came he couldn't play for 3 days until his spare
leg arrived.
As a player / owner / participant
from outside of the 'traditional disc golf community' how do you view
the BDGA?
It is difficult for a sport like this in its infancy. I would find
it almost impossible to be critical of those that are giving their
own time to develop something that in years to come will be much more
widely played. I think they need all the support and positive assistance
that we the players, can give them. If we are cohesive we will be
stronger and have more affect on the future of the sport. I say "well
done" to them - and keep recruiting - the sooner we have 30,000 members
the sooner we can pay them !
How do you see the sport progressing at the chalets?
At Monzievaird - we will have a full basket course in 2000, and I
will look for an opportunity to enlarge the course. I want to have
a small local tourney here in 2000 - possibly a double header with
Crieff Hydro.
You provided the spark and inspiration for the course at the Hydro.
Can you relate the story of how that came about?
I am a friend of Stephen Leckie, whose family have been running the
Hydro for 3 generations. I knew that he would be interested. I brought
him here and showed him the course, let him throw a few discs. The
next day the Hydro golf centre manager was on the phone. He came to
Monzievaird and then went off to look for a site. Within a week I
was up at the Hydro golf centre looking around the wood. It reminded
me of Oak Grove - just a wee bit wetter. I gave him the BDGA details
and said that you would be keen to help - 2 months later the course
was in - baskets, tees the lot. 4 months from the day I showed Stephen
our course - that's action.
Do you still hold the course record?
No - you do - and you know it !
Stephen Brown.
Loch Monzievaird Chalets, Ochtertyre, Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland
01764 652586, Email monchalets@aol.com
http://www.monzievaird.com
Road Map
Other Courses In Scotland:
Ullapool Disc Golf Course more>>
Crieff Hydro more>>
