After not getting to play disc golf yesterday, due to our needing to take care of Disc Golf Foundation business all day and evening, we finally got out to play a little disc golf as a Board today at Blue Valley Park Championship Course in Kansas City, Missouri. A behemoth 18-hole course that weighs in at 11,220 feet in length, that course and all its length and hills was about all I could handle on a hot and humid Summer day. I started out fairly strong, looking good off the tee and in my approach game. But the longer the round went on, the more the wheels started coming off. And by the 18th hole, I finished with three shots within 100 feet of the basket. Could barely even raise my left arm above shoulder level (left-handed), with a final score of 77. Not one of my proudest moments…as I felt as though I was merely trying to survive the round, versus playing well. But it was a great time with great people regardless, as well as another course added to my collection.
After one final meal together as a Board, as well as an hour’s drive North, I decided I would muster the strength to play a couple more courses on my route home: a nine-hole course in Cameron, Missouri, and an 18-hole course at Missouri Western University. I actually played both courses well, which surprised me. Hitting landing zones in my tee and approach shots. Though 45 holes on the day was PLENTY. Especially considering how hard that Blue Valley Park kicked my butt. It reminded me of that famous scene from the movie The Princess Bride…competing to the pain. 🙂
Tomorrow I will do my best to play a few more courses as I push my way into Southwestern Iowa. The weather looks iffy, but I will hope for the best.
Magic Number = 603 (1,397 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.