Staying in Walcott, Iowa last night, West of Quad Cities, I knew I wouldn’t be playing much (if any) disc golf today. And while I always want to get as many courses played when I am on the road as I can? Three consecutive days of being wet (all day), being hurt, and having a mountain of work waiting for me when I got home was making the adult in me think it was time to get back to “the 56087.” Though before I called it a trip, I wanted to get one more course played a little West of Quad Cities: Fuller Park in Muscatine, Iowa.
I wanted to play that course today for a few reasons:
1. I’ve heard it is a tough, challenging 18 holes, and playing it as my one and only course on the day meant I could throw everything I had left in my tank at it.
2. I’ve heard that later in the year, the areas off the fairways can be an excellent, excellent chance to lose some discs. As can be seen in the image I have shared at the top of this post.
The course lived up to its reputation, measuring in at 6,488 feet over eighteen holes from the gold (long) tees. I wanted to (and did) play the longs, since it would be my only round on the day, but I was TIRED (and wet) by the time I got back to the car. Though I thought I played it pretty well. Carding a +5 (61) for an estimated round rating of 980. A nice way to put a pretty bow on my course collecting trip.
Thirty-six new courses and 494 unique holes played across eight days, along with winning my division at a C-Tier in North Carolina for the second year in a row. But that all takes a back seat to my hour with those kids at our disc golf basics clinic with Epilepsy Alliance North Carolina. Such a great group of people! I am so happy that they asked me back for their 2021 event.
Magic Number = 261 (1,739 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.