Today was a special day for me…playing my 300th course across the State of Minnesota. The vast majority of disc golfers out there will probably never play three hundred total courses in their life, and there are actually only six states in the United States that even have three hundred courses in the ground:
467 – Texas
347 – Wisconsin
334 – California
334 – Minnesota
315 – Michigan
303 – Iowa
The honor in my life’s history goes to Milk & Honey Ciders, who recently installed and opened a disc golf course on the North side of their property, thanks to help from local disc golfers from the St. Cloud, Minnesota area. A super short course, at 1,545 feet, they say that the fee to play is you buying one of their ciders to enjoy before, during or after your round. 🙂 I chose a Flora to enjoy during the ride home to Springfield, while my 17-year old daughter got to be my “designated driver” (hehe) as she enjoyed one of their non-alcoholic apple ciders. The first alcohol that I had consumed in probably 2+ years. But I wanted the full “Milk & Honey” experience, since they would hold a special place in my heart going forward, being Minnesota course #300 in my course collecting adventure.
I missed putts I could/should have made on Holes 1 and 2, keeping me from shooting a -9 (18) on this super short, easy course. A -7 (20) wasn’t terrible! But my estimated round rating of 936 felt a little generous, as the course only measured 1,545 feet in length. A couple of tee shots were probably glorified long putts for a few players on the pro tour! 🙂 But a course is a course is a course. And I’ll probably keep my (now empty) bottle of Flora as a memento from my special round.
I’m back in my course collecting “desert,” with no new courses to play within about 120 miles. But I had not expected to be able to sneak in ANY new courses this week, much less six! So I feel blessed to have had that surprise opportunity.
Magic Number = 405 (1,595 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.