Today was a BIG day of course collecting! I played nine more new courses, but that included four eighteen-holers. A total of 114 holes of disc golf, which is one of the highest total number of holes I have played since being diagnosed with epilepsy.
Here are the courses I can now count as being played in my courses played collection:
- Iron Bridges DGC in Mayetta, Kansas
- The Barn B&B in Valley Falls, Kansas
- Ozawkie DGC in Ozawkie, Kansas
- Rose Park in McLouth, Kansas
- Riverfront DGC in Lawrence, Kansas
- Quail Run Elementary School in Lawrence, Kansas
- Centennial Park in Lawrence, Kansas
- Edgewood Park in Lawrence, Kansas
- Bluejacket DGC in Eudora, Kansas
My day started at one of the best courses I have played in Kansas, and the highest estimated round I shot on the day. Iron Bridges DGC in Mayetta, Kansas was a fantastic course! I am so glad I got to play there, as I would easily say it is one of my top 3-5 courses I have played in Kansas! Quite a bit of variety, and lots to challenge players of various abilities, though not a lot of chances to lose discs (so you can really attack several of the tee shots and baskets). I managed to shoot a -3 (51) too, for an estimated round rating of 978.
After Iron Bridges, I made my way over to The Barn Bed & Breakfast, to see if I could play their nine-hole course. What a beautiful property! They have a number of great amenities on-site! After calling ahead to make sure I would be able to play this morning (something they ask all disc golfers to do, versus just showing up and expecting to be able to play)? I saw that they easily have room to add three, six, possibly nine more holes on the property. And with the lodging, food services, and other guest amenities on-site? I could easily see them hosting a great C-Tier tournament here in the future.
I also had fun today at Rose Park in McLouth, Kansas. That course challenged me. Some tricky shots to contend with, plus I was also playing in a pretty heavy rain. I screwed up a few shots that I should have executed better, but despite giving away 2-3 shots on the card, I still managed to shoot a -1 (56), for an estimated round rating of 949.
My most disappointing experience on the day came at Centennial Park in Lawrence, Kansas. After one hole, I asked the group of four in front of me if I could play with them the rest of the round. They said sure, and we had a good time together (four great guys)! But I found myself apologizing and making excuses for my inferior play. 🙁
I didn’t play terrible, to the tune of an even-par 57 (estimated rating of 948). But all four guys could BOMB their drivers off the tee! A seemingly easy flick of the wrist, and they were throwing their discs 350-400+ feet! Meanwhile, my terrible form (due to injury) was resulting in me throwing my drivers MAYBE 250-275 feet off the tee. I’d say “sorry,” having to be the first player to throw my second shot on seemingly every hole, and they would hear me grunt/moan in pain after every shot where I had to throw it more than ~200 feet! But I thought about it for hours afterward. Why did I feel the need to apologize for my lack of power off the tee?
They could see I was hurt without my need to even tell them, limping my way around the course. I had played hundreds of holes of disc golf (hurt) the past three days. AND I was shooting estimated ratings in the 940s, despite giving up 50-75+ feet on the tee (sticking most of my approach shots)! But I take representing DGA seriously. So my not getting my drives out there a reasonable distance made me feel as though I wasn’t doing a good job of representing DGA on the tee today. If anything, shooting rounds in the 940s when my injuries probably would have kept most players from playing at all was pretty incredible! But I expect better from myself.
I am in the same hotel room in Olathe (Oh-LAY-th-a), Kansas for the next three nights, so that will hopefully help me get a little more R&R as I try to muster the energy to play hundreds more holes in Kansas City. I’m excited to be here! I just hope the weather and my body cooperate.
Magic Number = 233 (1,767 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.