Chicago, Illinois and its 70+ disc golf courses in the greater metro area have been an area within a long (eight-hour) day’s drive from home that I have thought could present an opportunity for me to play a LOT of new courses in a hurry, with the right combination of time off work, a working vehicle, good health and good weather. Though the couple times I have found myself in Chicago in recent years, be it for work or play, forces have seemed to work against my ability to explore more disc golf courses in the region.
This weekend, I found myself presented with what I thought would be a golden opportunity to play several courses in Chicago! I needed to head to Chicago, after a bit of work and play in the Madison, Wisconsin area, to complete the purchase of a new (used) vehicle for our family, as one of my aunts no longer drives as much, and had a Toyota Camry that was eight years newer than my current Toyota Corolla, with 200,000 fewer miles.
I made it to Chicago just fine! But it took a few hours longer to complete the transaction than we had anticipated. And if I wanted to still make a hotel reservation that our family had booked along the Minnesota and Wisconsin border that evening? I needed to spend most of my Sunday behind the wheel, instead of on the course.
I did manage to sneak in one more course in Chicago before I waved the white flag of surrender! Leo Leathers Park in Mundelein. A nine-hole course, not too far down the road from my aunt’s place. Your typical, run-of-the-mill nine-hole recreational course in a city park! Not great, not terrible. Just a place to stretch your legs and throw a little plastic.
One of these months/years, I’m going to get dozens of courses played in the Chicago metro! This recent trip was yet-another trip, however, where the “course collecting gods” seemed to be conspiring against me. Preventing me from really having time to explore said region.
Magic Number = 627 (1,373 Courses Played)
About Tonn’s Travels
How it All Got Started: Tonn’s Travels >>
A main purpose of this blog will be to share information, helpful tips and tricks (everything from health and fitness to methods for saving money while you’re out “bagging courses” of your own), and ideas for better, safer course design. But I am also hoping to inspire others with my passion for the sport, via the stories I can share about all of the interesting experiences I have. All of the interesting people I meet. All of the amazing courses I am blessed to have the opportunity to play. If I can inspire even a handful of individuals to get off the couch, get “out of their bubble” or “security blanket” and explore more of this big, beautiful planet we all call home? Then I will consider this effort a success.
About Derek
Derek Tonn is a member of the DGA’s Ambassador Team. His company, Mapformation, LLC, has been DGA’s partner in the development of disc golf tee signage since 2012. The longer our two companies have worked together, and the more Derek has gotten to know all the great folks at DGA the more he has wanted to formally sing the company’s praises. The more he has realized that “Steady” Ed the father of disc golf and the modern day Frisbee vision for the sport and his company perfectly describes his own interests and priorities related to disc golf, and the more Derek has recently been encouraged to share his story.