After finishing up our responsibilities in Raleigh, North Carolina at Housesit #2 this morning, we made our way down to Wilmington, North Carolina to say “hello” to the Atlantic Ocean. We couldn’t remember the last time we had been to the Atlantic Ocean (probably in Maine, after completing a housesit in Boston?). But Ellie (15) thought it was about time to visit it again. Especially since we had a few days until starting our third housesit on this trip. So we did.
Of course, I had never played any disc golf in the Wilmington area before. So I asked my travel companions if they would mind if I snuck in at LEAST a quick nine holes. They wanted to pick up a few supplies at a store across the street from our hotel, so they encouraged me to go out and find a short/quick one to enjoy. So I got out my trusty UDisc app, and looked for a course that was close to our location, ideally being no more than nine holes.
The winner ended up being Leland Municipal Park in Leland, North Carolina. Nine holes, and only 2,044 feet in length, it looked like the PERFECT course to quickly play and then get back to our hotel…in time to allow plenty of enjoyment at one of the area beaches. The course was VERY generous in being considered a Par-29! I managed a 21, deucing Holes 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8, for an estimated round rating of 972. Most good players would have no trouble shooting a 19 or maybe 20 on that course (I screwed up my attempt at a deuce on Hole 2). But I’ll take the +1 on my Courses Played Collection.
After my quick round, we ended up enjoying a couple of hours wading in the ocean, looking for lots of interesting shells. Ellie was right, it was the perfect break after our second housesit! Just enough of a recharge to our batteries to head up to The Triad for a couple of days tomorrow.
Magic Number = 167 (1,833 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’s (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.