Originally published at: https://discgolf.ultiworld.com/2019/05/03/challenge-goat-hill-preview-pacific-golf-course-bite/
Up in the hills of Oceanside, California, not far from San Diego, lies a unique piece of property lined with palm trees and more elevation changes than we often see on courses, especially ones built around ball golf tracks.
The Challenge at Goat Hill Park is a demanding monster that can’t be fully appreciated when rewatching coverage of the event.
“It’s a gem of a course with the bite of a nasty billy goat at times,” says Tournament Director Allen Risley. “I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work with a great group of folks here at the Goat — every time I drive through the gate I find something has been improved, built, polished, planted. It’s a very welcoming environment.”
The seventh edition of the Challenge is a Disc Golf Pro Tour event, with dreams of filling a spot on the circuit in the future. Talent has already started to flock to the tournament. The Open field more than doubled year-over-year, and the number of 1000+ rated players jumped from six to 14 in 2019.
Seppo Paju returns to defend his 2018 title, but will have to contend with the deeper division, as well as an extra round of play as the Challenge has expanded to three rounds. TD Risley’s son, AJ, will be back home to compete for a W, and will be joined by fellow locals Max Nichols and Clint Calvin. Kevin Jones, Eric Oakley, and Bobby Musick should also be challengers.
There was no Open Women’s division last year, and Jennifer Allen is by far the highest-rated player of the five ladies in attendance. It’s her tournament to lose.
The Course
Goat Hill Park: MPO – 11,800 feet, par 69; FPO – 11,083 feet, par 68
Here is the senior Risley describing the course:
Players choosing to take on the Goat will get a chance to experience the…nearly 12,000-foot disc golf layout that winds around the golf course known as Goat Hill Park. The “Goat Hill” portion of the venue name tells you most of what you need to know about the course: it’s tough, ornery, and features lots of hills to chew players up. What isn’t mentioned is the wind — a steady sea breeze coming off the Pacific Ocean (in view from several holes) that really picks up in the afternoon, just in time for lead cards. “Park” was added to the name to reflect the open, inviting, relaxing vibe that embraces the venue.
How To Follow
Live scores all weekend will be updated on UDisc Live. Central Coast Disc Golf will have next day coverage of lead MPO cards.