» View Course Map

Service: Design and Site Planning
Location: Full Moon Resort
City: Big Indian, NY
Status: Complete

Design Overview

The Big Idea for the private 6-hole disc golf course at Full Moon Resort was to not only move users throughout the breathtaking property, but provide a recreational outlet for patrons and artists alike. With a rolling landscape of over 100 acres, the disc golf course moves users to some of the most wonderful vantage points and significant on-site features the property has to offer. While there is plenty of land to work with, the design was laid out in such a fashion that multiple 3 hole loops were an option (for Music Masters Camp patrons that are constrained for time) yet being subtle enough that the installation wouldn’t intrude with the ongoing weddings that are held on-site throughout the year.

What started out as a 6-hole Umphrey’s McGee-centric course in August 2012, has now turned into an installation that will be available for use at every Music Masters Camp and wedding ceremony help on the property. Originally, the course was setup to not only provide a recreational outlet, but to provide a platform to jump deeper into the depths of the Umphrey’s McGee song catalog. The 150 person capacity, week long music camp featured continuous opportunities for fans to interact with members of the band, management and crew in the gorgeous setting of the Catkill mountains of New York.

The Umphrey’s McGee-centric course, with a variety of vantage points and shot selections ran one common theme — everything Umphrey’s McGee! Each hole, complete with signage depicting the intended flight path, par, length and elevation was named after an Umphrey’s McGee song. Below the hole signage was informational signage that was a series of quotes by band members that gave some insight into the song. While each explanation was different — song naming, lyrics, key signature, creative process — the goal was to provide a sneak peek into the creative process of the band’s song making and composition. Wayfinding signage was also present throughout the course, moving users from hole to hole where they would find Umphrey’s Facts along the way — explaining and providing a more “behind the scenes” look into the world of the band. Umphrey’s Fact ranged in topics, from song statistics and numbers of employees to re-worked songs and their passion for disc golf.

The course was such a hit that Full Moon asked us back to install a 6-hole course for 2013, with the potential to expand in the future. The areas utilized for the 6-hole disc golf course provide a variety of shot selection in both a wooded and field setting. The first hole starts out by The Roadhouse where classes and late night gatherings occur. The straight away, uphill hole has several buncrs up to the basket, while sweeping views of the mountain ridge line and on-site stone structures are prevalent. The second hole, while one of the shortest on the course, plays the toughest. The tee to the 218′ hole is in an open field by a rock wall, but the tee shot demands a forehand flick through a gap in the tree line. The disc would than need to carry all the way uphill to the basket tucked back on a ridge — a solid par indeed. The third hole is the signature hole on the course with its sweeping views of the mountains lined with birch trees on both sides of the fairway. Players enjoy a 60′ change in elevation down to the basket with multiple flight paths available. The obvious path would be a forehand flick that would eventually slow down, breaking hard to the basket, while the more advantageous player would take the tight, shorter route down the right hand side that demanded a lower disc flight under the specimen maple that guarded the basket. With holes 1-3 moving users to the Northern portion of the site, holes 4-6 connect users back to the central portion of the site where camping, music, swimming and indoor accommodations are available.

The 4th hole, the second longest hole on the course, demands two precision shots as a cross rough at 260′ and multiple changes in elevation make this hole a demanding yet rewarding par. The tee shot is through a window framed by a cherry and a maple tree that asks players to lay short of the cross rough that leave a downhill shot to the tucked basket. The tee shot and landing zone has a 8′ different in grade, while the second shot at the cross rough has a change in elevation of 12′ to the basket. This change in grade is significant due to the fact that the shot is only roughly 100′ and demands a slow turning flight to the right where the basket is tucked into a flat portion of the site where the converging rough lines bring out the nerves in most. The 5th hole provides the most technical shot on the course, even though it is only 208′ in length. The river-lined fairway is fragmented by two significant trees in the middle of the fairway, and a low ceiling all the way up to the basket. The 6th is the last chance to let out some aggression and make a birdie on the 280′ finishing hole. The slightly downhill hole is a completely open field shot with no buncrs or rough; the only hazard coming at the green where a duck pond is only steps beyond the basket. While the water feature seldom comes into play, it does demand respect on the second shot, commonly leaving players with a testy putt for par.

The reception of this Umphrey’s McGee-centric course in 2012 was incredible, and we’re excited to be asked back to every Music Masters Camp in 2013. The course provides a challenge for the most seasoned amateurs, while it can still be enjoyed by the most novice of players. Music Masters Camp patrons and wedding guests will both find this 6-hole private course an added addition to an already wonderful piece of property.