One of my biggest cheerleaders and sources of support in my life and disc golf course collecting journey is my mom. After my parents divorced several years ago, she moved down to Springfield, Minnesota. To be closer to two of her granddaughters (my daughters), but to also be closer to her boy. 🙂 And ever since? She has spent hundreds of hours by my side. Be it our tireless effort to keep our home course, The Links of Springfield, open and available to the public. Or my criss-crossing the Upper Midwest to check out new courses when my wife and daughters might have made plans with other family and friends. She has probably been there while I’ve played at least one hundred of the courses I have played over the years, and she is always encouraging me to stop and play “one more.”
With me heading to Norfolk, Virginia for a work conference, and my mom’s sister (my aunt) recently moving to South Carolina, my mom asked without asking (you know how moms can be) if she might be able to tag along, so I could drop her off “on the way to Virginia.” Actually, a few hundred miles out of my way! But for all my mom has done for me over the years, and all the unconditional love she has shown, how could I not help her spend a little more time with one of her sisters? So she’s been my traveling companion on this trip…at least until today.
After spending some time chatting-up the Furman University cross country coach and enjoying some beautiful scenery while playing a nine-hole course at Furman University, as well as sneaking in a short eighteen holes at Timmons Park in Greenville, it was time to say hello to my aunt, uncle and cousin while telling my mom goodbye for a few days, while I continued my journey to Norfolk. I was glad to have three days to talk with her in the car, and will enjoy the conversation after picking her up to head back toward Minnesota after my conference.
I enjoyed Timmons Park a lot! I’ve been to Greenville, South Carolina a few times in the past, but had never been able to play that particular course. Played it pretty well too, to the tune of a -6 (48). Now I don’t need to have that course sticking out like a sore thumb when I am looking at unplayed courses in areas where I have traveled in the past.
After lunch with family and saying my goodbyes, I needed to make tracks toward Norfolk…making tomorrow’s drive before the opening sessions of the conference a bit more manageable. I made it as far as Durham, North Carolina, and had JUST enough time to squeeze in a round of 22 holes at Valley Springs Park. A fun short course! Though I was in such a hurry to finish my round before dark that I didn’t have as much time to truly enjoy the round as I might have liked.
Tomorrow I’ll be in Norfolk! Not as much time to disc golf over the next 3+ days! But there is at least one I’ll need to sneak-in before/during/after my conference.
Magic Number = 543 (1,457 Courses Played)
About Tonn’s Travels
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.