Why is proposing a disc golf course so controversial?

[scarpfish]

Here's some links to a story I've been reading about on various sources for about the past week. Its about a guy trying to get a course installed in Washington state and running into some fierce resistance in doing so. Take a look:

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/artic ... /807020303

http://www.odsa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=84211

(scroll down halfway on this one)
http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:0E ... cd=3&gl=us

http://www.aadgonline.com/43/course-thr ... tallation/

I think the guy could have been better with his choice of words in the first article, and on the ODSA forum, which more or less imply the horse riders are elitist trying to hog the park for themselves.

But the way you read the opposition's commentary, you'd think a hospital waste incinerator was being proposed instead. I particularly love the jab at disc golf as a "special interest" and "development" while seemingly ignoring the "special interest" of their own activity, and the "development" of riding trails that were made to accommodate it.

Granted, every proposed course conflict probably has a unique story behind it, but almost every city and DG club has dealt with this type of opposition in some form or another, even when the proposed course ultimately goes in.

What exactly is it about us that scares non-DGers so much? It is the counterculture aspect of the sport? Is it the fact that it is relatively new and foreign to so many? Are these criticisms justified to any degree? And would we react the same if the shoe were on the other foot?

Any war stories you'd like to share, whether they resulted in success or not, would be great.

[mrsenortyler]

You'd think in a 200 acre park, they could find plenty of room for a good course. How much room does the PDGA say it will take for an 18 hole course, 15-20 acres?

[MOthrows]

I read through all of the articles and it pretty much sounds like elitist equestrian lovers want their own private 200 acre sanctuary. I imagine the course will still get put in because there has to be more people that can play disc golf then can afford horses and all the gear that comes with rding and transporting them.