Certified Master Designer J584
Disc Golf Course Designers Group
- Residence: Huntsville, Alabama
- Education: Master’s degree University of Alabama, BS degree University of North Alabama
- Certified Master Designer (One of ten in the world)
- 48 year Professional Disc Golfer (PDGA580) and Course Designer with 60+ projects
- Lavone has over 100 wins as a professional including world championships and state titles.
- Inducted into The Disc Golf Hall of Fame in 1994
Why Choose Lavone and Hall of Fame Course Design?
- Lavone is one of the most experienced and acclaimed designers in the sport
- His courses have instant recognition and credibility due to his reputation of quality and top-level design. His courses are routinely used in PDGA sanctioned tournaments and have been hosts for world championships and national events.
- His courses attract players and competitors regionally, nationally and even internationally. While they are praised by the world’s top professionals, they are also favorited by players of all levels for fun and recreation on a year round basis.
- His courses can also provide a positive economic impact on the community because of the draw. One year Lavone was recognized by Huntsville for hosting its 5th largest convention having booked thousands of hotel nights for a tournament.
- Lavone’s skills as a designer allow him to create courses that are safe and blend into multi-use properties and at times utilize property not useable for other activities.
- An understanding of flight paths and distances of how discs are thrown by professionals and recreational players is crucial to making a course safe, appealing and challenging to all.
- Experience using all of the design elements, including natural texture, elevation, obstacles, false fronts, prevailing wind, proper distances, hazards, etc. to force shot diversity and create scoring separation results in the best designs in the world. Lavone knows how to do this using a mix demanding skill, shot and disc selection and execution. The end result is a course that is safe, fun, challenging and exciting for both players and spectators.
- Lavone has a Masters in Organization and Management with 25 years of Operations Management experience with fortune 500 companies. His attention to detail, communications and professional approach will be greatly appreciated.
- Lavone works with parks, churches, schools, resorts, individuals and corporations to provide the best course for their property and budget. It is common to work win-win solutions when the client has equipment and operators available to use. This can greatly reduce the cost of the project. We can also supervise and stay hands on in these agreements.
Process, Budget and Cost Information
SITE EVALUATION
The property must first be surveyed for the potential to install a course. Consideration is first for the safety of people and protection of facilities and property. The property will also be evaluated for the cost of design and installation. Available acreage, features and elements such as terrain, elevation, density / size of trees, brush, rock, water features, drainage, accessibility to various areas for installation, navigation of the course during play, sight lines of players and others using the property simultaneously, required excavation or tree removal, etc. have to be determined. These elements are important in the decision to use the property and can affect the overall cost to design, build and install a course. It is often possible that the designer can use Google Earth or other mapping apps to provide an initial evaluation and estimate without an onsite visit.
WHAT TYPE OF COURSE IS DESIRED OR FEASIBLE?
After evaluating the property the designer will provide his opinion on the potential of the property and the type of course that can or cannot be installed. A common package for a course for professional and recreational level use includes 25 targets, 18 concrete tee pads, 18 signs, and an information board. This provides 6 holes with permanent short and long targets in place which makes the course very conducive and appealing for players of different skill levels. There will also be a practice target positioned for warm-up. Championship level courses require more property and generally have multiple pin positions on at least half of the holes. It may also have multiple tee pads on several holes. Smaller properties and budgets may only allow recreation level courses. While nine hole courses are not that common but are a relatively inexpensive way to provide fun on small pieces of property. Eighteen hole courses are required for tournaments and the active more serious players seek these out for regular play.
COST
The cost of design, excavation and clearing for fairways can range significantly depending on the terrain and density of the trees and brush. Other factors are the number of targets, type of signage, type and number of tee pads and preparation required for installation. Restroom facilities, benches, and pavilions are highly recommended and may increase the cost of the project. The cost can be as low as $20,000 for a very basic 18 hole, no frills course with grass tee pads on open land. Most courses are in the $50,000 to $80,000 range. Costs for championship courses with top level signage and multiple concrete pads can range to six figures. The amount of excavation, tree removal, tee pad installation and back fill, signage, benches, pavilions, etc. can substantially affect the total. However, shared resources for equipment and labor for these items can significantly reduce the cost.
GIVE US A CALL AND LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO FIND A
WIN-WIN SOLUTION!
Course Design Philosophy
- First and foremost, focus on the safety of players, spectators and property.
- Create challenging, fair designs that require skilled shots from an understanding of how disc actually fly.
- Find the best utilization of the property that incorporates as many “signature holes” as possible with a flow that is conducive to safety and tournament play.
- Use of risk and reward elements that create excitement and scoring diversity.
- Create situations that force decisions and a variety of shots.
- Use false fronts, prevailing wind, elevation, obstacles including trees, rocks, out-of-bounds, water hazards, brush and other natural texture to present diversity and requirement of shots that will in time develop players into skilled competitors.
- Focus on a design that will be a fun, recreation and exercise experience and tailor the course to be appealing to players of different skill levels and ages.
- Lavone’s great courses will draw competitors and players to your park and will become a destination for players as they travel or vacation.
Lavone's Credentials and Disc Golf Bio
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1974 Began playing disc golf professionally and noted as one of the founders of the sport
1983 Co-Director of the 2nd PDGA World Championships, 1983 in Huntsville, AL
1984 Appointed by Ed Headrick to the PDGA Steering Committee
1984-85 PDGA Board of Directors
1985 PDGA World Putting Champion
1989 Named the “Top Player in the World” by Disc Golf World News
1989 PDGA World Champion, Masters Doubles
1993 Director of PDGA World Championships, Huntsville, AL
1993 Founded The Disc Golf Hall of Fame
1994 Inducted into The Disc Golf Hall of Fame
2003-2013, 2016 to Present Innova Disc Golf Sponsored Player
2006 PDGA World Champion- Masters Long Drive
2007 Founded The Ed Headrick Memorial Museum in Augusta, GA
2009 PDGA World Putting Champion - Grand Masters
2011 Founded Prodigy Disc
2015 to Present, PDGA Disc Golf Game Development Committee
2017 Invented and Patented InZone Kwik-Stik Retrievers (design and utility patents)
Over 150 Disc Golf Tournament Wins
68 PDGA Professional Division Wins
9 “Top Ten Finishes” in PDGA World Championships
13 Disc Golf State Championship Titles
Record Holder for most Hole-In-Ones in PDGA World Championships at three
Record Holder of most Hole-In-Ones in a week at four
Record Holder for longest period of time between wins in PDGA Open Division at 32 years
Over 60 Disc Golf Course projects as designer, co-designer or consultant
Blessed to be a “Thread in the fabric of disc golf”
Equipment Specifications
Targets are professional grade targets with 28 chains and lockable installation sleeves. Targets are approved for PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) sanctioned tournament competition. Targets are heavy duty for permanent installation in a high traffic environment. They are be weather tested for all seasons and made of galvanized and powder coated steel, galvanized chains and stainless steel hardware.
Flag Kits are affixed to the top of the targets and provide an increased level of visibility and professionalism. Flags are 200 denier UV resistant nylon with numbers and fly freely to help players properly navigate the course and read the wind direction to aid in throws. The poles are .5” diameter fiberglass mounted into a durable base bolted in the target pole to help prevent theft.
Tee Signs measure 12” x 18”. For durability, we suggest using 1/8” aluminum frames for the signs that fit over a 4” x 4” pressure treated wood post. Signs are professionally designed with color graphics allowing for logos, multiple pin locations with distances and pars. Inks are UV resistant.
Course Map Sign measures 24” x 36”
Tee Pads are 6’ X 12’ X 3.5” concrete, level and approximately .5” above grade. The surrounding grade is sloped to prevent water from draining across the surface. The concrete has a cross broomed texture to help provide traction. Top soil and backfill may be required. We suggest a 2’ apron built on the front of the pad and filled with crush to prevent erosion and the formation of muddy areas.
Information Board covered with a Metal Roof with 2’x3’ Course Map mounted on ¾” birch or oak plywood.
Information Board covered with a Metal Roof with 2’x3’ Course Map mounted on ¾” birch or oak plywood.
Contact Us About Disc Golf Course Design
Lavone will be happy to work a win-win agreement and provide the best for your facility and budget.
Phone: 256-679-6400
Email: sales@inzonediscgolf.com