Woo Hoo! I finally made it back home to Minnesota to see Becky and the girls after a week on the road. But not before sneaking in three additional new courses in Southwestern Wisconsin.
My first course on the day was Hillsboro Centennial DGC in Hillsboro, Wisconsin. The footing on the course was absolutely horrible, likely due to the heavy rain from last night. But every shot that wasn’t made from rubber mats on the tee was a bit of an adventure…slipping and sliding my way up and down hills.
The second course on the day, La Farge DGC, had even more treacherous footing, as the course was built upon low-lying land next to water. And to add insult to injury, the course had no map, no numbered tees, and no numbers that I could find on any of the baskets. Not a great experience, though as one needs to do when dealt the occasional “lemon” in life, I made lemonade and enjoyed a safari round, as best I could.
Thankfully, the last course on my day, on my trip to Michigan, was a very positive experience. The Pines in Cashton, Wisconsin was a beautifully-maintained course, with numbered posts at every tee, along with numbered baskets. Felt okay posting a -2 (25) there as well, so it was a good way to end my trip, in a disc golf sense.
My most interesting memory on the day? Driving through Amish country, and seeing literally dozens of school-aged children walking to school in traditional clothing, but each carrying what appeared to be Igloo coolers. I have seen Amish families on numerous occasions in the past, driving through parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, etc. But that was the first time I’ve seen dozens of Amish children carrying plastic coolers to school!
My trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan is now complete. Twenty-eight new courses over eight days, in addition to attending and exhibiting at a conference for work, as well as meeting one of our illustrators in Michigan. I’ll call it a success!
Magic Number = 561 (1,439 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.