Heider’s Hike – Tonn’s Travels

Today the planets aligned for me with work, health, family, etc. So I had the opportunity to hit the road for a few hours to check out three new courses in Oregon. Although my first two courses played were slick with mud, and more than a little wet. I was nervous the entire time about my back, ribs, right knee and right ankle…which have all been tender since before I left Minnesota. But there was ZERO chance I wasn’t taking advantage of the opportunity to check out a few more new courses! 🙂

My first stop this morning was at Wennerberg Park in Carlton, Oregon. I would have been lost without UDisc‘s course map to guide me, and there was a lot of mud and slick spots in the grass to contend with. But the one big negative surprise I found while playing at this park were all the dogs! It seriously felt like playing in the midst of an off-leash dog park. 🙁 There must have been at LEAST 7-8 dogs running around the park while I was there, with barely any leashes in sight. Big dogs. Being aggressive with other dogs. Being aggressive with other PEOPLE! And 1-2 dogs seemed to think that thrown discs were an invitation to play! I was just happy to survive my round with any bite marks on me or my discs, managing a -5 (31) on the twelve-hole course, for an estimated round rating of 948.

My next stop this morning was at Wortman Park in McMinnville, Oregon. I hoped things would be better on this course, and at least I wasn’t playing in the midst of off-leash aggressive dogs! 🙂 But the course was also very swampy/wet (I later talked with a local who said: “That’s why we never play that course in the Winter!”), and the park had a few homeless folks who seemed a little less than excited to see me.

Already wet and muddy from my round in Carlton, as well as three holes at Wortman Park, I put my tee shot on Hole 4 precariously close to the edge of a small creek. And as I got close to my disc? The edge of the creek bank collapsed, and I found myself up to my knees in COLD water. I was thankful that my phone and wallet didn’t fall out of my pockets as I went for a little ride down the bank, but I had to spend a few minutes taking bath/shower #2 on the morning, so I didn’t get the inside of our van full of mud. I was ready to leave after Hole 4 as a result! But I actually played the rest of the course okay! Shooting a -2 (34) for an estimated round rating of 959.

Not in the greatest of moods, being wet/cold/muddy, I made my way to my third course on the day and EVERYTHING changed for the better! I had sent Dave Heider a message a couple of days ago, asking if I would have permission to come and play the eighteen-hole course on his private property (Heider’s Hike). He said “absolutely,” and when I arrived at his property this morning, he came out to meet me and talk for a while. Then he sent me on my way to enjoy his private slice of heaven.

What a marvelous course! I had seen photos of the course on DGCourseReview.com from 2014 that made the course appear a little rough around the edges! But the landscaping and upkeep on Dave’s course is every bit as good as you will find on most public property. I told him that after playing the course, I added it to my Favorites in DGCR! Something I have done for less than ten percent of the courses I have played. It really deserved that type of acknowledgment from me too…as that is easily one of the top courses I have played in the greater Portland and Salem (Oregon) areas. An obvious labor of love, and something Dave has done an amazing job bringing (and keeping) in existence.

I ended up shooting a -3 (54) on the round, for my best estimated rating on the day (978). The more I play on this trip, the more I think I am playing up/down to the caliber of the courses! Bringing my A-game on the better courses in the region, while shooting some forgettable rounds on a few of the forgettable courses. That is something I need to work on though, playing up/down to my competition! Should I ever elect to try and get back into competitive league/tournament play.

Magic Number = 69 (1,931 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.