Being a Saturday, I thought it wise to look for any more K-12 schools with courses in the Asheville, North Carolina area that I haven’t played. As other than tomorrow (Sunday)? Today would be my last chance to play them, apart from in the late afternoon or early evening, before we start our long march back to Minnesota. And thanks to UDisc, I was able to find two more nine-hole courses I could add to my courses played collection.
My first course played this morning was Hall Fletcher Elementary School in Asheville. And I must say that it was SO much more fun than I expected it to be! A super-short course, only being 1,704 feet over nine holes, it isn’t the type of course you would ever want to have multiple groups playing at the same time (safety issues). It also has a few tee shots that could bring adjacent pedestrians or park/field users into play. But if you’re out there alone, on a quiet sunny morning (like I was)? I had a lot of fun. And there was lots of art/sculpture worked into the grounds, adding a sense of whimsy and fun to the round.
I ended up shooting a -8 (19), only screwing up my tee shot on Hole 2 (being too far from the basket to have a reasonable chance of making my deuce putt). I tried my darnedest to see if I could ace any of the other short holes that came after it, to get back on a pace of shooting 18 over nine holes. But alas, it was not meant to be. 🙂
After spending time as a family exploring Triple Falls this afternoon, Ellie (15) wanted to check out another Goodwill store while “Dad” wanted to see if he could squeeze in one more disc golf course before calling it a day. So planets aligned, with me being able to check out the nine-hole course at Flat Rock Middle School in Flat Rock, North Carolina.
The course at the middle school wasn’t overly long (2,615 feet). But with an event happening on some fields, along with dozens of cars parked adjacent to a couple of the disc golf holes, I had to be very careful on the tee…laying up or missing well-right of where I would normally have aimed. To make sure I did not hit any vehicles. My score was more underwhelming as a result, a -2 (25) and an estimated round rating of 931. But I got my +1 on my courses played collection, which was all that really mattered.
Here’s to hoping I can get a couple more courses played on campuses in the area tomorrow (Sunday) too! Getting two more played today makes me happy.
Magic Number = 142 (1,858 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.