Ownership and pride comes from within. You are both right, it takes very little to improve the course as you play it. Rocks along the fairway will help, picking up trash helps. There was very little trash last night at cliff, it was nice.
Until though we can get that ownership and unity I find it hard. I will start to work on better announcements of workdays at leagues that I am playing (when I have time, or ask those directors running leagues to announce it for me) better visibility at the Marquee's. I am going to be making a sign today to post in the Cliff that looks like a Help Wanted sign.....then announces the dates, and what needs to be done at this course in particular.
I think that everyone has a fine opinion, and Cooper, you may not realize this but Cliff was designed by many years of temporary set ups initially. I took input from players and other designers, infact I begged for it. Same at Blue Valley....I will probably do the same at Hodge Park when I get done with the clearing there by the city for the course, but the issue on that land is that once it is cleared, hey, it is what we have. Hidden Valley the constraints were from the park design manager......to name a few.
You can't, and nor would I want to have "seasoned" players design a course, you will end up with a course that is only for them. There is a balance, and we are "making big courses" today in many parks that will turn off the newer player. I understand, "we have a ton of smaller courses already" mentality that you feel, but here we are with over 30 courses in the area, and only 300+ in the club. When we had 5 courses we had 150+ in the club....so do the math, we are missing people joining the club, and that "elitist" mindset has much to do with people not comfortable coming on a course with 400' shots and 2 dog legs to get there.
The next courses at Cliff will be nice and play in our game of design skill, but there will also be a nice little course for people to start out on as well.
Bottom line, PRIDE, OWNERSHIP, DETERMINATION to make it better comes from within. I worked for a few years on courses in town before I realized that organization was needed to make it impactful. I still work on courses now without telling people and screaming to the world. Am I working on the courses when I sit in front of my computer and write grants, send notes to the local civic leaders about our sport? I am, I am doing what I can to help, and I realize I enjoy it more than most. All I am asking and what i was attempting to start was a way to make those of you reading this that working for a couple of hours a month on a course in unison with others collectively will be more impactful, so please step up and help.