Time line for disc golf in Ashtabula County
 

Compiled by Tom Mote
 

1988 Mike Mote shows brothers Tom Mote and Dan Mote DISC GOLF at Township Park GOTL. Mike had played it while living in Sacramento in 1987.

May 1996 Rod Raub Mike’s Air force buddy calls Mike and says he has a disc golf course directory and there’s a disc golf course in Medina. Mike, Tom and Dan go play.  The hook is set! The entire summer devoted to disc golf Medina (Also went to Hudson, Canton, and Massillon)

Sept. Scrambles at Medina Wednesdays run by Sharon and Leroy Jenkins. Ohio Doubles in Canton/Massillon, Run by Wild Bill.  Tom and Mike take DFL.

Oct. Tom joins P.G.D.A. (Professional Disc Golf Association) play at Roscoe's Revenge Glow event with Mike. Tom gets Minute Maid to sponsor Sign and provide drinks for the event. Tom subscribes to the Disc Golf Journal, gets DGWN and Disc Golf Course Directory.

Nov Mike and Tom decide to get a course locally. During brainstorm Mike comes up with “Shoot the Breeze” name.

Dec Tom calls the D.G.A. Ed Headrick, the "Father of Disc Golf" answers and Tom tells him “I want to get a course designed for Ashtabula County.” Ed invites him to Watsonville, California.

1997 January Tom and Mike play in the Ice Bowl in Milwaukee Wisconsin run by Uncle Joe Weinshel. Barry Shultz and David Greenwell win.

February Tom goes to Steady Ed Headrick’s DGA to train on Disc Golf Course Design and Ed sends him to Morley Field in San Diego to check out a successful disc golf course run by Snapper Pierson

March Tom buys 9 Mach3's to demonstrate disc golf with.

April Tom and Mike haul portable around Lake Shore Park Designing a 9-hole course.

May Debi Tupa, Mike Mote Rod Raub play Trees and Breeze in Delaware at Lum's Pond and Brandywine. Run by Bill Yerd. World’s Biggest is same weekend.

June Fathers Day Tom and Mike demonstrate disc golf at Lakeshore Park 17  play including Kevin Smith who won a Blow Fly. Tom and Mike play in the PFDO Run by J. Gary Dropcho and KB Clark. Tom proposes course at Ashtabula Township Board Meeting. “Not at this time.” was there reply.  Must have insurance to set up at Lake Shore Park.

July Tom sets up at Kiwanis Park in Geneva and runs scrambles Tom Proposes course at Kiwanis meeting, not allowed to set up temp. course.

August Mike and Tom go to Am World’s in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 288 disc golfers attend.

Sept Tom, Debi Tupa, Doris Brown, Bob Wilcox, and Mike Mote play in the Labor Day Luau in Lewiston NY See 3 colored bricks for the first time. Doug Opiela is the tournament director and course designer.

October Tom sets up 9 holes on the south side of Harpersfield Metro park. Runs scrambles.

November propose course at Metro Park Meeting attending Mike Mote, Tom Mote, Debi Tupa.

Park commission “Kids might run into baskets” NO!

1998 March Tom hauls 9 Portables to Allerdale for Greater Medina Open. Temp course tourney run by Leroy and Sharon Jenkins.

April Lori Woodard, Mike Mote and Tom Mote start recruiting for Handicap disc golf league.

May  Debi Tupa, Doris Brown, Julie Mehall, Tom Mote, Dan Mote, Mike Mote host a World’s Biggest at Kent State Ashtabula, Kiwanis Park Geneva, Lake Shore Park Ashtabula, Debi sews disc golf bags, 102 Zoo does a radio give-a-way of World’s biggest packages, We had hourly CTP's and a mini for anybody who played all weekend, 113 people play disc golf Doris Brown wins the Rolf Frie Award for bringing the most people, we finally get enough to start a team league. We got front page exposure with Kevin Smith putting at 5.

June, 5 week team handicap League (modeled after San Diego's Morley Field League run by Snapper Pierson) starts at Lake Shore Park sponsors Shoot the Breeze Disc Golf Club (Tom Mote), Dry Dock (Lori Woodard), Discraft (Jim Kenner) and Millennium (Mike Mote). World’s Biggest shirts with iron on decals were given out.

July Scrambles at Lake Shore. Tom hauls 4 baskets to Hall of Chains run by Steve Hill.

 Tom Re-proposes course at Ashtabula Township Board Meeting.

August Ashtabula Township Board (Bambi Paulchel, Frank Frye, and Ron Bianco) say no to disc golf permanently but can set up temp.

September Tom Buy's 8 more Mach 3's and Mike buys 1, feeling the park is about to buy into disc golf.

October 28 1998 NEO GLO thro 18 holes.  Our first tourney at Lake Shore Park Bill Flynn did the stamp (cartoon guy throwing disc) for the glow discs. Tom Made a color stamp of Lake Shore Park (old 9-hole design #8 now mound by white tee of #4 with Theo putting at a mach 3 and bridge pond and duck house in the background) on 26 white XD's.  We used the Tourist Pavilion.  54 people attended. Dan Kilgore and Mike Stonestreet won. Debi and Tom took the glow sticks and parted.

November Tom Again tries to get Ashtabula Township Board to install a disc golf course at Lake Shore Park.

December Answer" NO"' they say "Go to Cedarquist, so Tom Designs Cedarquist.

1999 Proposes Cedarquist at Ashtabula Township Board Meeting .Answer is NO, but I can set up temp. course again at LSP. January Tom  Goes on winter vacation to Charlotte, Augusta Play in Ice Bowl run by Brian Graham, Columbia, Palm Bay, Orlando, Daytona, Jacksonville, Raleigh, Plays in Florida Triple Crown run by Bob Lewis gets individually named sponsor disc.

June Mike Tom and Lori Run Handicap League.  Sponsors Gina’s Designs, Frenchy’s, DGA, Shoot the Breeze Disc Golf Club, Millennium. Tom Gets 200 discs from the DGA with course Map Stamp. Lots of late and no-shows. Tom who has been loading the baskets in his S-10 and  hauling them to Lake Shore Park  unloading them, setting them up , playing then loading them back hauling them home and unloading go to monthly park board meetings is getting more impatient We, Dee Cole, Billye Lynch, Tom Mote, Mike Mote Rick Woodworth Gina Massi Ryan Pierson Dan Mote starts a petition to get the course permanently installed.

 Sept with many discers, Tom  Mote, Ivan Schwarz, Chris Peters,  Reggy Woodworth,  Bill Woodworth,  Billye Lynch,  Ryan Pierson,  Kevin Smith  in attendance. Tom turns in 350 names at the board meeting. Then the ultimatum, “Either install it or forget it.”

October Tom conducts 18-hole scrambles at Kiwanis. Tim Harrison drowns.

November The Tim Harrison Benefit Chris Peters, Ivan Schwarz Kevin Smith, Dan, Tom and Mike Mote Rick Woodworth and Ryan Pierson Dan Mote help Squire Shoppe Bakery and Lucy Hensley. Tom Mote sponsors. $400 dollars raised. Tom Mote calls for a meeting to officially form STBDGC  (course designer/Promoter) Tom Mote, (President) Mike Mote, (VP) Ivan Schwarz, (secretary)  Chris Peters, (webmaster) Gina Massi, (photographer) Lori Woodard,( youth) Rick Woodworth, (Treas.) Kevin Smith, (youth) Ryan Pierson, and Dan Mote were the official founding members .

December  Lake Shore Park Board Bambi Paulchel, Mike Wayman, and Ron Bianco voted to let us install 18 holes at Lake Shore Park and finance the anchors and tee signs we had to provide liability insurance and sign a 1 year contract. GINA GOT OUR WEB SITE UP.

 2000 February Tom Goes to Puerto Rico to install an 18-hole course on a Banana Plantation “The Bad Banana Ranch." Ed Headrick and wife Farina come to help Billy Elkin get the 1^st basket course on the island. While there Tom and Ed appear on TV, Radio, Newspaper, and Magazine.

April Tee Signs and course map were made for LSP by Tom and Dan Mote Ivan Cut and drilled the poles Mike, Tom, Dan, Ivan, and Chris installed the Anchors. Ivan, Chris, Tom and Dan made the TEE bricks. Tom and Dan assembled the Baskets Mike Tom Dan Rick Ryan Ivan and Chris installed the baskets and bricks.

May "Grand Opener"  Kevin Stewart wins aces #14 and sets low score for blues at 48. Spring Gina’s Designs,  A.M.S.,  Innova,  Lightning Golf Discs,  Jefferson Geriatric and  Millennium get full signs. Plasticolors gets a half sign.

"Spring Fling" Rosanne Maley gets Marketing our Schools, Chamber of Commerce, Leadership, Millennium as sponsors.  Makes Banners.  Laura Lilly makes brochures and member cards. World’s Biggest: Bambi votes for $350 for live radio broadcast

 June Leagues Scrambles.  Mike brings Leadership Ashtabula to disc golf at LSP.

Oct Mike directs Halloween Singles. Brian Casey wins.

Nov. We take down course at Lake Shore and let Bill King use the baskets.

Dec. Mike and Ivan Sign another 1 year contract.

2001 Mike Mote Pres, Ivan Schwarz Vice, BJ Kirk Treasurer, Chris Peters Secretary of STB.

May Mike does a Public Service Announcement on WFUN 97 AM promoting disc golf at Lake Shore Park. Gina works Family Affair at Kent State promoting disc golf.  Gina Hosts a World’s Biggest. Tom runs a team tourney. Tom, Bill Flynn, and Jim Nestor Win with 8 under from the blues.

June Mike directs The Disc golf Diner Shoot the Breeze Open, our first C Tier sanctioned P.G.D.A. (Professional Disc Golf Association) event Rosanne made banners. J. Gary Dropcho from Pittsburg wins. It was part of the Can-Am series. Mike runs Handicap League.

Tom runs spring summer fall scrambles.

August Mike hosts Leadership.

Sept Mike runs fall league.

Oct Mike runs "Throw in the Dark" tourney.

Dec Mike and Ivan sign another 1 year contract with Ashtabula Township Park Commission.

2002 Mike Mote Pres, Ivan Schwarz VP, BJ Kirk Treas., Chris Peters Secretary.

June Mike runs The Discraft Shoot the Breeze Open B tier. Sponsors were PlayAll Sports, Community Care, A.M.S., Gina's Designs, Official Disc Source and Subway.  Bill Flynn does hole #16 artwork with sponsorship circle including individuals for disc stamp.   22 hole design!  Some people upset with 2 of the new holes for being unfair and too rough! With final 9 Eric Vandenberg from Toronto Canada wins.

 Spring through fall scrambles run by Tom.

Oct Tom, Reggy Woodworth, and Dave Martin run Hootenanny at Pine Lane Tom does duck disc stamp. Lightning discs and Lipton, A.M.S.  Wendy’s, Gotta Go Gotta Throw sponsor, %150 payout.  "Farmyard" jams the night away. Heavy D Bill Flynn and Reggy Woodworth win.  Dave gets television and newspaper exposure.  Plain Dealer comes to Lake Shore to see what disc golf is all about, write favorable article with a picture of Tom Teeing #18.

2003  Jan.  Kevin Smith is president, Ivan Schwarz Vice and Treasurer Chris Peters Secretary of STB Dave Martin directs Ice Bowl @ pine Lane.  $1600 raised for Leukemia victim.  63 people play.

April Sims Park disc golf grand opener.

May World’s Biggest by Gina.

June Bill Flynn directs DSTBO B tier. Tom draws concentric circle Chain PDGA logo disc stamp. Discraft, Squire Shoppe, A.M.S.,  Glotzbecker's BP,  Pizza Villa,  Gina’s Designs Sponsor.  Kevin McCoy from Oklahoma wins. We played Young’s Run on Sunday. Cloud design for "Disc Gusting Pale Ale." Players party at Kevin Smith's home.

Tom runs spring through fall Scrambles. Kevin Smith brings out Media Magic to do a segment on disc golf for the Ashtabula Cable News Network.

July Tom runs Light the Lift Bridge. Tom Mote and Mike Woodworth collaborate on Lift Bridge Sponsor Players disc stamp. AMS is major sponsor, Army Navy Store sponsors.  Raises $418. Tom Mote, Reggy and Rick Woodworth win with a 12 under par 42!

Tom runs 8 week handicap league with CTP and round 9. Innova Sponsors. Use Neil's Cloud design for discs

Sept Tom directs Sticky Fingers Doubles. Some dudes from Sims win.

Dec Reggy and Mike Sign a 1 year Contract and they approve 18 tee pads.

2004 Mike Mote is Pres and Reggy Woodworth is VP. of STB.  Ivan becomes Treasurer and Chris Peters is continuing to do an outstanding job as Secretary

 February Tom and Jim Brownfield run an Ice Bowl @ Rigel's Retreat (Jim Brownfield's house). $350 raised Memorials by Behm and Jefferson Medical Associates sponsor.

April 18 Concrete tee pads and 2 alternate pins 3 & 13 installed. Ivan Schwarz, Chris Peters, Kurt Schwarz, Mike Mote, Tom Mote, Reggy Woodworth, and Dano Olsen and the park maintenance crew get the job done.  DGA, AMS,  Billy King, Jeff Rzepka, Memorials by Behm,  Steve Pavik, Nemeth's Lounge,  Mike and Gina Mote,  Ashtabula Township Park Board,  Tom Mote, STBDGC,  Reggy, Rick, and Mike Woodworth,  Sidley, Jefferson Medical Associates,  Jeff Rzepka,  Concord Disc Golf,  Mike Podmore all sponsor bricks.

May Gina World’s biggest.

June Mike directs DSTBO B tier. Tom Mote adds to Neil Harrison's Cloud design for disc stamp. Discraft, Squire Shoppe Bakery, Capos Pizza, Trilogy, JD Byryder, A.M.S.,  Gina's Designs, Memorials by Behm, Jefferson Medical Assoc. sponsor. Ivan and Chris make new Scoreboard.  Tony Gerling from Columbus wins, sets low score from sign round to short pins at 11 under.  Media Magic video's the Final 9 for the Ashtabula Cable Network.  Can Coolers were sponsored by Gina Mote. Reggy Woodworth runs 8 week handicap league .Shoot the Breeze doubles disc dollars.

Tom runs spring through fall scrambles

September Mike runs Sticky Fingers Doubles. Tom Mote and Jeff Rzepka win. Innova sponsored. Use Cloud design for discs.

October Tom installs long pin placements on 5 & 17.

November Leave pins in all year.

December Club votes to have all course design changes approved by club. Sign a 1 year contract with the park.

2005 Mike Mote is Pres, Reggy Woodworth Vice, Ivan Schwarz Treas., and Chris Peters Secretary of STB.

 January Tom run winter scrambles at LSP.

February Tom directs the 1^st Ice Bowl at LSP Tom. Ivan wins.  $75 raised for Meals on WHEELS.

MAY WORLD’S BIGGEST by Gina. Tom, Matt Hecker, and Ivan Install long pins on 5 and 17.

June Mike runs DSTBO Discraft.  DGA,  Neil Harrison Fantasy Art (cloud inhaling disc stamp),  Screen Dream by Paul Groszkiewicz,  Wireless Solutions by Shelly,  Gina's Designs, Lightning Golf Discs,  Gotta Go Gotta Throw,  K-Mart, Squire Shoppe Bakery, Tom Mote sponsor. Ben Botte wins in sudden death.  Huge ring of fire with lots of prizes given away. Tie Dye t-shirts and super color discs were made for the tourney.

Larry Jennings becomes PR director for STB.  Reggy Woodworth starts Handicap League. Innova sponsors.  Use Cloud Design

July 20 More Tee Pads scheduled to go in. Sponsors: Sidley with 1/2 of the concrete. DGA,  AMS,  Lyondell,  Jeff Rzepka,  Memorials by Behm,  Verzella Family, Bill Flynn,  Tom Mote,  Lee Cash,  Knez Homes, Larry Jennings,  Concord Disc Golf, Paul Groszkiewicz, Wireless Solutions by Shelly, C&R Auto Sales, Your Special Place.

Current and past members of STB: Tom Mote, Mike Mote, Dan Mote, Theo Mote, Chandra Mote, Gina Mote, Scarlett Raub, Ivan Schwarz, Kevin Smith, Lori Woodard, BJ Kirk, Chris Peters, Stacy Kirk, Rosanne Maley, Ken Deken, Doug Deken, Mike Woodworth, Reggy Woodworth, Rick Woodworth, Ryan Pierson, Vince Aldorosi, Sal Aldorosi, Ralo, Kelly, Larry Jennings, Mike Podmore, Steve Pavik, Tammy Higham, and Bramlett Johnson, Laura Lilly, Pepper King, Marty Niemi, Dave Bevan, Jim Brownfield, Larry Rizzo, Matt Hecker, the Kish family(3) Bill Flynn, Dano Olsen, Lee Cash, Rick ,Jake Lind, Dave Martin, Pat Yost, Mark Kane, Paul Groszkiewicz, Danny Martin, 2 other kids from Pine Lane, AJ Homansky, Jason Puffenbarger, Mark Verzella , Brian Baird, Ben Sutterlin, Dan Sutterlin, Boz Lomasney, Eric Bell, Don Hobbs, Mark Verzella, Brain Baird and PK Deaner.