We made our way from Kentucky back to Chicago today, to say “hi” to our oldest daughter at college for about sixteen hours, before making our final push for home tomorrow. We all are getting to the point of being road-weary, with over 3,000 miles spent in our van over the past five weeks (with another 400 miles yet to go). It’s been a great trip! But it’ll be nice to not live out of a suitcase for a while.
After a short stop in Indianapolis, Indiana for lunch, we decided that we would stop in West Lafayette, Indiana for a “stretch break” and a chance for Ellie (15) to check out an area Goodwill store while I found a course or two to play. I hadn’t disc golfed in West Lafayette before, so I thought I had better use the opportunity to check and see how some tee signs we designed WAY back around 2015 were holding up at Pickett Park, on the Purdue University campus. They still look great, which made me smile. 🙂
I had already forgotten how spoiled I was in North Carolina, not needing to worry about much (if any) wind on those courses. It was WINDY in West Lafayette today! To the point where I occasionally needed to reach for overstable plastic in my backpack. I know, I know…blasphemy from this left-handed backhanded disc golfer whose discs usually have stability numbers of zero to negative. But it was the only way I could contend with the wind on that 3,545 foot, mostly-open course. Though I managed a -4 (27), for an estimated round rating of 981.
After finishing up over at Purdue, I still had about an hour to kill before my wife and youngest daughter would be done at Goodwill, so I quickly headed over into Lafayette to play Wabash Woods. That course was a BEAST! 7,784 feet over eighteen holes (an average of 432 feet per hole), in the wind! I thought I might need to request being carried off the course (ha) after half-jogging my round…as I didn’t realize that I would need all of that hour of leeway I had to finish 18 holes (I can usually play 18 holes in ~40-45 minutes when I am by myself). But after carding a -4 (61) and an estimated round rating of 981, then trying not to break TOO many speed limits as I hustled my way back to Goodwill, I made it back right as they were coming out of the store, wondering where I was.
The next day or so is all about Libby (our oldest), but maybe I can sneak in a couple of courses tomorrow before everyone is awake.
Magic Number = 133 (1,867 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.