A lot of mixed emotions today, as I got to spend my morning enjoying 27 more holes of disc golf, only to spend the afternoon meeting with a neurosurgeon in Springfield, Oregon. But the happy news first…27 more holes of disc golf.
I started my morning at what I think is one of the 2-3 best courses I have played in the greater Eugene, Oregon area: Dexter Park. Multiple people told me to play this course, and that I would love it. They weren’t lying! 🙂 What a fun mix of open and wooded. “Bombs away” and technical! The type of course I can often excel at playing.
I started out slow on the first two holes, only to get my deuces on Holes 3, 4 and 5. Those were the only deuces I got during my round, however, as the course presented enough challenge where I didn’t want to take (m)any chances off the tee.
I thought I was going to play an entirely clean round until not being able to get “tee shot #2” from the fairway (ha) on the 594-foot hole close enough to the Hole 18 basket to make my putt for three. But even with a four on Hole 18, I managed to card a -2 (52) for an estimated round rating of 983. My best round of this mini disc golf trip.
After thoroughly enjoying my round in Dexter (having visions of potentially playing sanctioned events here to represent DGA well in the future), it was on to Jasper Park in Pleasant Hill, Oregon for my sixth and final course on the trip. Compared to Dexter Park, Jasper Park was a bit of a letdown. Although most courses in Oregon that I have played would be a letdown compared to Dexter Park. Jasper Park was essentially about getting a +1 in my course collection. And after a quick, underwhelming -1 (26) on the card (for an estimated round rating of 902)? Mission accomplished.
After Jasper Park, it was on to PeaceHealth in Springfield, Oregon to talk with a neurosurgeon about whether or not I will need brain surgery for an issue that Mayo Clinic in Minnesota first identified in the 2000s. And in that appointment, I received good news and bad news:
GOOD NEWS: I won’t be having brain surgery! One of the more serious procedures a person can have.
BAD NEWS: I would be having brain surgery, if the issue wasn’t in a place in my brain where surgery could kill me. 🙁
It isn’t necessarily new information, as Mayo Clinic told me that what I have could very well kill me before I reach the age of 70 (I am 51). But still, it was a reminder that I have a very serious condition that might kill me before I reach retirement age. So instead of waiting for retirement to relax and have fun? I need to get a lifetime of fun in now…like I have tried to do since first learning about my condition in my early 30s.
The BIG question is: “How many courses will I get to play before I kick the bucket?” I know I’ll get at least 2,015 played…ha! But here’s to hoping I have a LOT more courses yet to collect.
Magic Number = -15 (2,015 Courses Played)
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.