I had a great night’s sleep last night, which was just what the doctor ordered after four hours of meetings and 36 holes of disc golf yesterday in Coos Bay. So after consuming my 7th and 8th cup of coffee in the past 36 hours (a la Fry from Futurama), I started my trek North, back to Hillsboro, Oregon.
On my drive North, my plan had been to check out the eighteen-hole North Regional Park in Cottage Grove. However, when I arrived at the park, it was just me and a van that looked like it had been sitting in the parking lot for several days. With no other people around for probably 125-150+ yards in any direction. In the passenger seat of the van, I saw a young man who looked like he was trying desperately not to be seen by me! Then I happened to notice a pair of feet on the driver’s side of the van. A second person hiding behind (outside) the van, not wanting me to know they were there.
My “spidey senses” were tingling…as though the situation was not safe, and/or how those two people might try and break into my van while I was out on the course. So I reluctantly got back in my van and continued on my way. It isn’t often that I will arrive at a course I haven’t played and leave without playing it! But a +1 in my Courses Played Collection isn’t worth an unsafe encounter, an injury, having my vehicle damaged and/or broken into with a bunch of items stolen…so I decided to live to fight another day.
Needing to quickly pivot and locate a “Plan B” via UDisc, I decided to visit Garden Lake Park in Creswell, Oregon. It was only a nine-hole course, so I knew I wanted to try and find at LEAST one more nine-hole course after that one! But I was also on a bit of a time crunch, needing to make sure I was back to Hillsboro in time to pick up my youngest daughter from school. So I quickly made my way around the course to shoot a -2 (24) for an estimated round rating of 920, then hopped back in van and continued heading North.
After a bit, I decided I needed to play another course in a Springfield! 🙂 According to the U.S. Geological Survey there are currently 34 populated places named Springfield in 25 U.S. states, including five in Wisconsin. There are also at least 36 Springfield Townships, including eleven in Ohio. I live in one of those 25 towns/states with a Springfield (Minnesota), so I think it is fun to visit others when I get the chance.
Clearwater Park in Springfield was a lot of fun! One of the better nine-hole courses I have played on this trip, in fact. Good tee pads, good signage, and just enough variety in the hole designs to make the round fun. I shot a -2 (25), for an estimated round rating of 938. Then I needed to hustle to get back to Hillsboro, so I wouldn’t be in trouble for being late. 🙂
Magic Number = 75 (1,925 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.