Yesterday’s weather forecast said that today might have hurricane-force winds. You know how news media seems to too-often sensationalize the news…in order to keep you glued to your TV (and watching the ads for the people that help keep them on the air)? Well today, I got to experience playing disc golf in the strongest winds I have ever played in. Sustained winds over 45-50 MPH, and wind gusts of over 70 MPH. CRAZY wind! I would throw a disc a foot off the ground, then it would climb 20+ feet in the air before taking a 90-degree turn, left or right. It probably wasn’t smart to be playing in that kind of wind, which proved costly.
I did okay on the first three holes at Sheltered Acres DGC in Sheridan, Wyoming, somehow deucing Holes 1-3! But my luck ran out on Hole 4 (above), as my attempt to throw my ProLine Pipeline well right of the basket (7-8 feet from a river bank) took a hard left turn out of my hand in the right-to-left crosswind (the opposite direction it wants to fly) and wound up in the adjacent river. I climbed down the river bank, and could see the blue disc at the bottom of the river…4-5 feet from shore! But the water was COLD and would have been waist-deep if I climbed in. And each time I tried to reach down to the disc to scoop it out of the water, the strong current would push it another 5-6 feet downstream. So after 10-15 minutes of trying to get that disc back into my bag, I had to reluctantly leave it behind. 🙁 If anyone passing through Sheridan, Wyoming stumbles across that blue Pipeline, I would LOVE to get it back into my bag.
After saying farewell to my Pipeline, I finished the rest of my round on that short course, managing a -5 (22) and an estimated round rating of 939. But in that wind?! That felt like a 1000+ rated round! I don’t think I’ve ever played in wind like that before…and I’ve played in some crazy wind across the plains and prairies over the years. And minus one disc in my bag? I decided I had better call it a day on the courses before losing any more plastic.
Magic Number = 50 (1,950 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.