The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course (Par 5) Multi-Cache
Crow T Robot: Please contact me if this one is replaced. Thanks.
The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course (Par 5)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is a variable multi-cache simulating a par 5 hole on an imaginary golf course. The terrain is mostly flat and all of the multi-cache points can be found within walking distance of each other. The entire 'course' is contained within an area 1350 feet by 400 feet. Parking is available at 61 31.625 North by 149 00.696 West. There are ATV trails throughout this area, but the trails may not lead you to your goal.
Celebrate the 10+ year anniversary of the most ridiculous attempted land grab in recent Alaskan memory. In 1996, a local land developer and a group of "anonymous investors" tried to accumulate a large amount of land in an Alaskan community known as The Butte. This creative fellow managed to convince local politicians, Matanuska-Susitna employees, and several community organizations that he could secure millions in financing and build a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course! With luxury houses! And horses! And trails! And an airstrip! And baseball parks!
Really!!!
Initial Borough requirements for financial documentation, plans, or even a resume were eliminated.
Public testimony regarding recreational use, financial concerns, and environmental problems were ignored.
A feasibility study done in 1996 did not show that the project was economically feasible.
Why, if it would lose money, would anyone do this? Well, the 320-acre parcel could have been bought for about 5 - 10% of current market value if everyone had cooperated fully. It also just happened to be next to another private parcel once owned by a group of current and former State of Alaska employees. Buy property for hundreds of dollars an acre and watch it and adjoining property go up in value by a factor of 1000% within a year? Hmmmnnnnn… Public opposition was rather impressive and adamant. Eventually, the whole thing disappeared into the black spruce and birch scrub of the Knik valley.
So, to honor this silly idea, play our imaginary Par 5 golf hole. The 'tee-off' cache is a small ammo container holding the following items.
Cache Note
Multiple drawings of the golf course.
Spare Pens
4 lat/long coordinates representing 4 different shots.
Help yourself to a copy of the golf course and choose one of the 'shot' coordinates. You're on your way! Each 'shot' coordinate leads to a different outcome, a plate that corresponds to an image on the 'golf course.' Each plate has two to four additional coordinate choices, or ‘shots.’ All outcomes lead to the final hole, but scores can vary between a 3 (Eagle) and an 8 (Triple Bogey.) If you can't find a plate along the route, you've lost your 'ball' and can elect to try again, or you can throw your imaginary golf club into the Knik River.
The final cache (The Hole) is a small ammunition box containing the following.
Log Book with Pen/Pencil
Cache Note
Golf Related Prizes and Trade Items.
Record your score in the log book with your name, time on the course, and date. Please log your scores and course time, plus any witty comments on www.geocaching.com. Help yourself to a golf prize for completing the hole, and if you have anything interesting to trade, feel free to do so. Everyone deserves something for finishing this course.
If you got a lousy score, you can always try again! There are over one and a half million permutations of this multi-cache route, though if you're clever and persistent, it is possible to eliminate most of the hazards.
First person to complete the Par 5 course receives 15 million dollars in financing, 20 to 60 full time jobs, sustained economic development, and some horses!
Or a Caddyshack DVD. Whichever is more likely.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pbggbajbbqf ehyr.