After several weeks of ice, snow and cold, yesterday was FINALLY the day that my wife, youngest daughter and I were able to begin our 1,400+ mile trek West. Embarking upon a nine-week housesit in Hillsboro, Oregon (near Portland). It couldn’t come any sooner, as I personally struggle both physically and mentally in the Winter. It getting dark SO early in the afternoon, and constantly worrying about finding the wrong patch of ice and injuring an ankle or a knee (missing out on some disc golf in the Spring).
We made it as far as Mitchell, South Dakota last night. Pretty good time, considering the fact that I had meetings in my office until around 3:00pm. Today our goal was to make it to Billings, Montana, which we did! But not until after I had a chance to sneak in one nine-hole course in Sturgis, South Dakota.
Sturgis DGC was a very straightforward nine-hole course. A bit of elevation change on holes that averaged approximately 275 feet. The wind was kicking up a bit during my round, so I tried to be careful not to turn my easy par threes into bogey fours. My ProLine Squall was rock solid the entire round, and I ended up deucing three of the four shortest holes (3, 6 and 9) while blowing an EASY deuce opportunity on Hole 5, carding a -3 (24) and an estimated round rating of 937.
It was my 72nd course played in South Dakota over the years, and a chance to let my friend Bryan James, a member of the 1,000+ courses played club from Texas, know that I have now also played the one course he has played in the state.
Tomorrow, my hope is to do something about the fact that I have only played a measly two courses in the State of Montana! 🙂 Even though this trip will primarily be spent in Oregon, I also need to do something about having only played two courses in Montana and two courses in Idaho over all these years…
Magic Number = 98 (1,902 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.