I bid Oak Ridge, Tennessee adieu this morning, hoping to make it somewhere around Southeastern Missouri before calling it a night. And I did something that comes unnaturally to me in the process: driving past dozens of unplayed courses!
I did this in effort to make sure that I could play one of H.B. Clark’s designs in Kentucky: War Memorial Park. I also did this in hopes of avoiding becoming drenched in rain while still attempting to play a few courses today. I batted .500 on the day. 🙂
While I was successful in making it to War Memorial Park? I could wring the water out of every bit of clothing I was wearing before I finished playing Holes 6-7. The rain briefly became a heavy sprinkle, giving me hope of being able to finish my round without a second soaking! But by the time I was playing Holes 12-13, the skies opened up and I was even more wet than before. Turning the heat on in the car to keep from shivering…even though it had been in the mid-80s Fahrenheit before the rain started. Despite it all, I managed to shoot under par (-3, 51), for an estimated round rating of 951.
Thinking my soakings for the day were behind me, I headed up to Benton, Kentucky, to play Mike Miller County Park DGC. But a few holes into my round, the skies opened up AGAIN! Ugh. My shoes and socks were gross. My shirt, shorts and underwear were soaked. And the combination of being wet, being dirty (mud), and the high dewpoints made the rental car smell. Yuck. Though I was glad I was traveling alone…so nobody else needed to share said smells. Yet despite it all? I managed to card a -8 (46), for an estimated round rating of 990. Drops mic. 🙂
Needing some time to dry out and warm up (as much as a person needs to warm up when it is in the mid to upper 80s outside), I pushed for Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where I played Capaha Park. I had my shot of the trip (so far) on Hole 2, throwing my Squall into the chains from about 100 feet away. Sweet, sweet deuce. Though there was no one around to celebrate it with. Which sucks, as you sometimes ask yourself: “Did I just do what I think I did?” Oh well.
I thought I would quit playing after that, being tired and stanky (more than stinky, ha!), but I decided that I would sneak one more 18-holer in before calling it an evening: Scott City Community Park. I’m glad I did, as it was a fun course to play! That, and I also got to meet Derek Dickerson, a Technical Director at one of the local TV stations. What a nice guy! We must have talked for 20+ minutes, and he let me play the last 3-4 holes of my round with him. Thanks Derek!
After playing in Scott City, I decided it was time to look for a hotel for the night, and wouldn’t you know it? EVERY hotel room within an hour of Cape Girardeau was booked due to some softball/baseball tournament. So before I could get a much-needed shower, I was forced to drive all the way to Festus, Missouri to find a room. Bad for tonight, but good for tomorrow’s course collecting. *IF* the weather will cooperate.
Magic Number = 424 (1,576 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.