Pole Saw Bandits

Recently an individual came into a local Disc Golf course located in a city park...pole saw and/or pruners in hand.

A person who had/has nothing to do with the any aspect of installing or designing said course....proceeds to circumvent the design of a particular hole.

Some might think "no big deal..it'll grow back" .....well not exactly...this is compounded by the fact that both the Parks Director and the Mayor of this tight knit little community happened to be out after the incident occurred...meeting with another Disc Golfer who just got elected/appointed to that city's Citizens Parks and Rec Board. They noticed the trimming/trimmings...to say they were not amused would be an understatement.

While this person has been identified, confronted and told to stop...past experience leads me to not being 100% convinced.

We already have a ongoing problem with some newbies damaging trees and plant life on this course..we call them the benders and snappers...we are working to identify these people too.

 What is likely going to happen on this newly created poke and hope shot...is this group of newbies responsible for the bending....snapping will now choose to try that route. When they find that they can't always get through...they will proceed to bend and snap the remaining palms. Not to mention....the discs themselves  do enough damage to the palm fronds...it isn't pretty....they shred them into streamers.

All opinions are welcomed....would like to hear from Course Designers, Officials or anybody who has had to deal with a less then happy parks dept.

[Brandon Swanson]

I'm not sure why this individual wasn't fined for destroying park property. I would think that that would send a strong message to these vandals (because that is what they are) that it isn't their personal property and that it isn't appreciated when they take it upon themselves to redesign the course. Perhaps they could be encouraged to join the local club where they could share their ideas on potential course changes in the proper manner.

Put signs out that say "Breaking/Cutting Branches on our Course is Vandalism and Violaters will be Prosecuted."

We have ongoing vandalism to the signage and structures on our course. I'm not sure how to handle that either. None of those individuals have been identified.

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

The pole saw bandit is a member of the local disc golf contingent and should have known better.

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

As far as fines and/or prosecution go...the identity has been, I believe, revealed to the Parks Director and what actions they take, if any, is up to them.

[Ian Macpherson]

Some dudes do this at our local course.

I assume that the extra vegetation irritates their vaginas and must be done away with.

[Tim]

Don't know the guy or the course, but perhaps he thought he was helping? I know our local courses are maintained by a couple of us and we would appreciate some help.

Of course, if this was an unauthorized person trying to rid the course of a tree he always hits, that is another story...

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

Completely and totally unauthorized individual whom had nothing what so ever to do with anything about any aspect of this course.... flat out circumventing the intended design of the Hole....which will open the door for additional damage from the benders and snappers...which we are trying to stop in the first place....and straining our relations with another parks dept (Nothing new here)

[Nascar Dave]

We had a similar problem when someone cut down a tree in the middle of a tight fairway. It was dead center of a small gap and was often hit even though it was a hundred feet or so off the teebox. They came in the middle of the night before a tourney and felled the tree that was mature and around five inches in diameter.
I was the first to find it and immediatley called my good friend who runs the mini and then the parks ranger who patrols the park. I was pretty mad and I think they felt the same for the most part.
In the end, we moved the basket after that. It added another hundred feet to the hole, and now makes it almost impossible to birdie whereas before it was one of the easiest holes on the course.
So that was the message we sent, "be careful what you ask for?" because you may not like it. I'm sure after they saw the adjustment, the felt as stupid as they are.

[Ken Long]

Jamie,
That kind of stuff happens on Michigan courses all the time. Probably not with man made tools, but with God given appendages (the benders and snappers). No one ever see's who is responsible for these actions, but eye's are certainly watchful. On another course it was graffiti on a certain bridge. Finally the parks dept. got fed up and painted the bridge black. Now...very less graffiti and if there is any from white markers it can be easily spray painted over.
Later,
K.

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

Yeah, Vandalism...comes with the territory...you have to deal with it the best you can..over come and adapt.....But it isn't supposed to come from within...actually it really isn't vandalism per say....but damn for sure borders on sabotage.

With the presence of the benders and snappers...we were trying to keep up with and clean up those damages so it wasn't so evident to the non Discing public...now the way it now stands with the parks dept..we won't be able to do that anymore.

It may seem petty to some who are not in the know....But it's just another thing that adds to the laundry list of devious, deceitful and very embarrassing crap brought forth by this individual....Disheartening...Incredibly F...... Disheartening!!!

[Joe Graham]

Make a mando so people don't throw that route, and let it grow back in. That'll teach 'em!! Maybe. Midnight pruners need to be prosecuted, and the locals and club need to inform the parks dept. that they don't condone it and are in no way associated with them. Offer to plant new stuff, rake, put garbage cans out (and empty them) whatever to contribute to the asthetics of the park.

[Jamie 'gr8rocshot' Ruane]

For the most part....most of that has been done....I'm pretty sure this city's parks dept is aware that this person is a "loose cannon" and does not act on our behalf.

The garbage cans were bought last year by another member....The city is getting a grant for new trees..they should start planning this spring. As far as mandos go...the one really needed is the one that prevents this person from turning into this park in the first damn place. lol!!!


Really Mandos should be avoided in course design as much as possible...imo....They may redirect respectful experienced golfers...they do nothing to prevent newbies from throwing a particular route.

[Jim Coonradt]

I am one of the people who helps to take care of a local course. Often we have to do some pruning just to keep the course in good shape. However, this is not pruning that is done to alter the way the course plays. I know that if I were involved in such pruning that there would be hell to pay. Cutting trees down completely is also completely against the law and subject to a big fine. Shame on the park department if they are not willing to prosecute. As far as the "benders and breakers", we just try to keep an eye on things as we play. If I catch anyone bending or breaking branches they will hear about it, the same as if they are littering or acting irresponsible in any way. All that you can do is keep on this person until the shame is overwhelming. That is what we would do here.