After another quick trip this weekend down to Oregon’s Adventure Coast, I asked my wife if she would mind me making another attempt at playing North Regional Park in Cottage Grove, Oregon this afternoon. That was the course I tried to play 3-4 weeks ago on my way back from Coos Bay, where I saw one dirty, lonely van in the parking lot, with two people in/near the van trying their hardest to not let me see them (with no one else anywhere close to us in the park).
My “spidey senses” were tingling that there was danger that day, so I decided to leave without playing the course. But today, a weekend, I thought the chances of having a bunch of people out on that course were pretty good. So as we made our way up to Cottage Grove on the I-5, we decided to give the park one more try. And I was happy to see about a half-dozen cars and about 7-8 disc golfers near Holes 1 and 18 when we arrived. Hooray! I would get my chance to play this course!
The course was worth the effort…coming back a second time. I don’t think it was nearly good enough to be considered one of my “favorites!” But it was fun, with just enough of a mix of open and wooded, flat and elevation, to keep me entertained. I ended up shooting a -4 (51) for an estimated round rating of 986. But I think my favorite memory was a brief encounter we had while walking up to the Hole 18 tee.
As my wife and I came up to the Hole 18 tee, there was a man there with his backpack of discs standing next to the tee talking on the phone. He seemed to not want to acknowledge us at first! But my not wanting to be rude, I worked to get his attention, to ask if he was waiting to play Hole 18, and if I could play through. He smiled and said: “Yeah, but go ahead…I am on the phone in the middle of an interview right now. I’m running for Congress.” 🙂
I probably shouldn’t say who it is, though it made me wonder which radio station I was on…him interviewing with some regional (or national?) radio show host, then everyone hearing a redheaded huckleberry from Minnesota interrupt their interview, asking: “Do you mind if I play through?!” LOL. Oh well. If I lived in your district, I suppose you’d have my vote, sir! I don’t know all of your specific positions on hundreds of various issues, but I know which party you are running to represent (so I know our values and beliefs must align pretty closely). AND you disc golf, so you must be “good people,” right?! 🙂
Magic Number = 60 (1,940 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.