I woke up tired this morning. Physically tired, but also mentally tired. A stressful five days of work, coupled with 1,800+ miles behind the wheel and 36 new disc golf courses played, was catching up to me. SO much fun and so many positives accomplished! But my body was telling me I needed to let off the gas a bit today.
I started my day by playing course #250 in Iowa, Centerville DGC. Iowa became only the second state (along with Minnesota) where I have played at least 250 courses. I played the course very well too…shooting a -8 (48) for an estimated round rating of 1000. Albia City Park in Albia, IA brought me back down to reality, shooting a +1 (28), for an estimated round rating of 890. Dr. Jekyl? Meet Mr. Hyde. The story of my disc golf life…and the reason why I am only a very good Intermediate or ho-hum Advanced disc golfer.
After Albia, I was back to playing a strong round at Twin Cedars in Bussey, IA. Shot a -4 (25) on that 3,220 foot nine-hole course, for an estimated round rating of 993. Even getting a “nice” on Hole 7 out of one of the parents who was nearby watching his daughter play softball. I was tempted to sarcastically say: “Don’t nice me, bro!,” but thought better of it, as he wouldn’t have understood the disc golfer’s joke. 🙂
Next on the docket was Runnells City Park in Runnells, IA, where I was back to sub-par play (E 27, for an estimated round rating of 898). But I finished well at Lions Park in Altoona, IA, shooting a -9 (35) on that 3,912-foot twelve-hole course, for an estimated round rating of 935. I thought about maybe trying to sneak one more course in…but my tank was on empty, and I still had 4+ hours of driving ahead of me, so I called it a course collecting trip.
Forty-one new courses played over eleven days, in the midst of scanning hundreds of thousands of square feet of space for a government agency and driving over 2,200 miles. A pretty good week-and-a-half’s work! Though give me a day or two to rest, and I’m sure I’ll be itching to get out on my next course collecting adventure.
Magic Number = 411 (1,589 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.