About Ohio Disc Golf Project
Mission Statement
Ohio Disc Golf Project aims to be the most user-centric online disc golf community in the world! This means taking advantage of the webÕs latest technologies to provide OhioÕs disc golfers with the best information and tools available in an easy-to-use interface. One State. One Game. One Resource. Since 2004.
What is the Ohio Disc Golf Project?
Online disc golf community
Our Ohio Disc Golf Project community is a place where members have an opportunity to discover and network with other Ohio disc golfers.
Local disc golf information portal
Ohio Disc Golf Project is your complete guide to everything Ohio disc golf, including events and the most extensive directory of Ohio courses on the Internet.
Ohio Disc Golf Project Story
The Ohio Disc Golf Project story is a narrative by Brian Cray, the founder of the Ohio Disc Golf Project. From humble roots to the most advanced disc golf site on the Internet.
Spring 2004: Ohio Disc Golf Project Launches
Development of the first Ohio Disc Golf Project design started in the winter of 2003 as a personal hobby. In spring 2004, I launched the Ohio Disc Golf Project to the public. Ohio’s disc golfers discovered Ohio Disc Golf Project with the help of Marc Queen, who at the time was Ohio’s PDGA state coordinator running discgolfohio.com. I handed out cards with ODGP’s logo and address at local courses. Before I decommissioned the first design in spring 2006, 250 of Ohio’s disc golfers had become part of the Ohio Disc Golf Project community.
Featured design decisions
- Strong focus on usability and member customization
- Built features such as course awards, course reviews, buddy lists, private messages, and member profile
Sping 2006: Ohio DIsc Golf Project Evolves
During the two years that the first design ran public, my programming skills continued to mature. I built a powerful web site template engine called Evolved Content that offered so many advantages over the way I had developed the first Ohio Disc Golf Project site. I was also exploring other disciplines, such as web site design, search engine optimization, and web standards. I decided to redesign Ohio Disc Golf Project around Evolved Content with a new face and a more progressive image.
Featured design changes
- Totally revamped backend based on Evolved Content
- More tightly defined brand image with new logo and new mission statement
- Added value to course directory with course pictures
- Integrated all discussions with rest of site, including course directory and event calendar
- Moved to web standards, including XHTML and CSS
Spring 2007: Ohio Disc Golf Project, Generations Forward
In Spring 2007, I released the most ambitious Ohio Disc Golf Project redesign ever for several reasons. Over the past year, I had monitered activity on the site to find out what was most important and what was missing on the Ohio Disc Golf Project site. One goal was to redesign the front-end to emphasize areas of the site that were important to members. And while the information on the site flourished, the community itself wasn’t alive. I decided to add more value to the community with member blogs, photos, and networks. Over the past year, I had also learned a lot about marketing. I wanted to unify and strengthen the Ohio Disc Golf Project brand.
Featured design changes
- More community value, including member blogs, photos, and friends
- Better member account management
- Strengthen brand image as fun, credible, progressive, and solidify sense of community.
- Redesigned to enhance navigation and ease-of-use
- Campaigned the design with “2007 isn’t just another year in disc golf. Introducing the most advanced disc golf site on the Internet.”
How can I support Ohio disc golf?
Contribute to the Ohio Disc Golf ProjectÕs resources
The most immediate and easy way for you to help OhioÕs disc golf scene is to contribute your course reviews, course pictures, and add any events you cannot find in the calendar. You can help new visitors find courses in Ohio that they will enjoy, and encourage more people to play in tournaments. When more people play in tournaments, Ohio receives more attention from the PDGA, and local disc golf clubs are able to use entry fees to maintain OhioÕs favorite courses!
Get active with your local disc golf club
If you have spare time, your local disc golf clubs need all the help and members they can get. They keep OhioÕs disc golf courses maintained, and develop new courses so we can all have fun. Any club will be happy to use the resources you can provide them. Find your local disc golf club on the links page or in the members section.
Keep your mind open and trash off the ground
Remember, disc golf is a really fun game. However, people sometimes get out of control or can be irresponsible. Be the responsible person while you are out playing disc golf. Respect other players, the rules, and the course. Oh, and PLEASE do not litter.
