It had been nearly 48 hours since I had the opportunity to get any new courses played, and I was starting to twitch and get jittery, showing classic signs of withdrawals from my disc golf addiction (ha). So Becky, my wife, took pity on me this morning and agreed to stop at a new course on our drive up to Northern Minnesota to prepare some property that we have there for sale. Becky, Libby (18) and Ellie (15) tolerate my disc golf obsession…but none of them have much/any interest in the sport. Ellie, in particular, has SKILLS! Naturally athletic, she’s played a few courses with me in Oregon and has all the makings of an excellent player. But she has many other wonderful interests in life besides disc golf.
“That is Dad’s/Derek’s thing.” Which is ENTIRELY okay! It just means that when I have any of the three of them traveling with me, I need to choose my requests to stop and play courses carefully. Strategically. Stick to mostly nine-hole courses…so nobody gets too bored/frustrated waiting around for me to finish up my round(s).
Since I was only asking to play one short, recreational nine-hole course that recently opened up literally adjacent to the road we would be taking North? And since Becky said it would be a good chance to fill our van with gas and have a quick restroom break? Planets aligned, with me getting to add Course #1,801 to my courses played list.
Willow Creek Park is a quick nine. 2,348 feet in length. Though it was not at all what I had envisioned in my mind before arriving to play. It was better! Lots of big, mature trees and just enough elevation change to make a few of the holes more challenging than you might otherwise expect for shorter distances. I ended up shooting a -2 (25), for an estimated round rating of 945. A quick, fun round! And about 90 seconds after Becky was back in the parking area by the Holes 1 and 3 tees? I was walking back from the Hole 9 basket and ready to continue on our way to the Iron Range.
In the words of John “Hannibal” Smith from the TV show “The A-Team” back when I was in high school: “I love it when a plan comes together.”
Magic Number = 199 (1,801 Courses Played)
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.