Distance of #1 at Quakers challenge in feet: 242
Elevation change for #1: +105
Number of pin positions at Quaker's Challenge that were created just for the event: 5
Ounces of Coke Zero, Gatorade, and water drank from time I woke to time I finished round: 50,32, 70
Number of times I had to pee during round: 30
Times I used a disc that is faster than my Leopards in round: 1
Par for course: 69
Total for round: +18
Total of worse hole among the four players from the MA1 semifinal lead card played the following morning: +5
Shots worse than rating: 1
Listed par at Boulder Woods: 54
Number of holes where a 3 would have felt like a birdie: 4
Birdies in round: 3
Mandatories on course: 5
Mandatories used for the round: 3
Holes #1 player in the world Paul McBeth played during an interview on you tube: 8
Number of holes where my drive was closer to the basket than his: 2
Total for round: +8
Shots worse than rating: 2
Overall finish out of 58: 53rd.
Shots behind leader: 101
People at PA Turnpike rest area who asked if I needed medical assistance as I staggered around in pain getting to the bathroom and food court: 3
Miles driven from course before I realized I needed a hotel: 140
People at hotel that convinced me to get a handicap room due to how I was walking: 2
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Thursday by the numbers
Blocks walked uphill to get a "real" breakfast: 6
Discs purchased at Infinite Disc tent set up at Coyote Hills: 2
Shots in a row hitting a tree on #4: 4
Times I threw a provisional shot unsure if my shot would be found after it was significantly off line: 3
OB shots that were retrieved by someone who was watching or spotting: 2
Birdies: 1
More shots taken on front nine compared to when I practiced it on Sunday: 7
Shots over par: 15
Shots below rating: 5
People in line in front of me at ballpark for players party: 100
Illinois players whom I met there: 3
Distance to CTP target from the stands to win a disc: 280
Farthest I could throw the midrange disc provided for the contest: 260
Mini disc golf holes set up in area behind centerfield wall: 9
Professional world champions seen while waiting in line to play mini disc golf: 1
Discs purchased at Infinite Disc tent set up at Coyote Hills: 2
Shots in a row hitting a tree on #4: 4
Times I threw a provisional shot unsure if my shot would be found after it was significantly off line: 3
OB shots that were retrieved by someone who was watching or spotting: 2
Birdies: 1
More shots taken on front nine compared to when I practiced it on Sunday: 7
Shots over par: 15
Shots below rating: 5
People in line in front of me at ballpark for players party: 100
Illinois players whom I met there: 3
Distance to CTP target from the stands to win a disc: 280
Farthest I could throw the midrange disc provided for the contest: 260
Mini disc golf holes set up in area behind centerfield wall: 9
Professional world champions seen while waiting in line to play mini disc golf: 1
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Wednesday by the numbers
Trees hit on 243 foot downhill first hole of day: 3
Trees hit during first round: 18
Trees between tee and basket on #11: 30
Trees hit by those in my threesome: 0
Distance in feet of birdie putt made: 45
Distance in feet of missed putt in #4 having already conceded it in my mind: 10
Distance in feet of approach shot on #13 that clanked off cage: 150
My score on #18: 5
Score by lead card members who I watched play the hole: 4,5,6,7
Shots over par: 13
Shots below rating: 5
Distance of round two bogey putt made after shanking third into lake: 45
Distance in feet of slightly uphill #7 that requires landing disc in an "island" to avoid a hazard penalty shot: 265
Distance in inches short of island on my shot: 18
Failed attempts after round to reach island: 10
Distance in feet from basket on par 5 #10 in five shots: 50
Elevation above basket in feet: 8
Times shot to that basket drew metal and rolled away (including first attempt which was a layup): 3
Times the putt rolled completely down the 12 foot hill OB: 2
Score on the hole: 12
Putts within 20 feet missed after that: 3
Shots over par: 14
Shots below rating: 5.5
Trees hit during first round: 18
Trees between tee and basket on #11: 30
Trees hit by those in my threesome: 0
Distance in feet of birdie putt made: 45
Distance in feet of missed putt in #4 having already conceded it in my mind: 10
Distance in feet of approach shot on #13 that clanked off cage: 150
My score on #18: 5
Score by lead card members who I watched play the hole: 4,5,6,7
Shots over par: 13
Shots below rating: 5
Distance of round two bogey putt made after shanking third into lake: 45
Distance in feet of slightly uphill #7 that requires landing disc in an "island" to avoid a hazard penalty shot: 265
Distance in inches short of island on my shot: 18
Failed attempts after round to reach island: 10
Distance in feet from basket on par 5 #10 in five shots: 50
Elevation above basket in feet: 8
Times shot to that basket drew metal and rolled away (including first attempt which was a layup): 3
Times the putt rolled completely down the 12 foot hill OB: 2
Score on the hole: 12
Putts within 20 feet missed after that: 3
Shots over par: 14
Shots below rating: 5.5
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Two days by the numbers
Shirts in player pack: 2
Discs in player pack: 3
Tick remover in player pack that was needed on Tuesday: 1
Countries outside US represented here: 10
US states here: 41
Amish at Tuesday course: 24
Times I said, OOKKAAYY Weaver to person working there: 2
Distance of Tue course: 8678
Score first 11: +3
Score next 6: +10
Times not needing approach shot: 1
Approach shots not in 10 meter circle: 7
Approach shots 5-10 meter: 9
Approach shots parked (under 5m): 1
Putts 25 ft or longer made: 5
Shots below rating: 3
Place out of 58: 55
Phones dropped in hotel toilet: 1
Verizon locations visited before three workers stayed 45 minutes after close to replace: 3
Hotel residents who turn tricks: 1
Cost per 1/2 hour in dollars: 125
People shot in hotel as I was asleep on a different floor: 1
Discs in player pack: 3
Tick remover in player pack that was needed on Tuesday: 1
Countries outside US represented here: 10
US states here: 41
Amish at Tuesday course: 24
Times I said, OOKKAAYY Weaver to person working there: 2
Distance of Tue course: 8678
Score first 11: +3
Score next 6: +10
Times not needing approach shot: 1
Approach shots not in 10 meter circle: 7
Approach shots 5-10 meter: 9
Approach shots parked (under 5m): 1
Putts 25 ft or longer made: 5
Shots below rating: 3
Place out of 58: 55
Phones dropped in hotel toilet: 1
Verizon locations visited before three workers stayed 45 minutes after close to replace: 3
Hotel residents who turn tricks: 1
Cost per 1/2 hour in dollars: 125
People shot in hotel as I was asleep on a different floor: 1
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Last Christmas travel day by the numbers
Time on road 450AM CDT
Miles directly to hotel: 697
Miles directly to Coyote Hills DGC where I practiced: 666
Miles to get to Indiana border: 42
Mile marker on I 80/90 in Indiana when Tommy ended: 42
Miles left on direct trip to hotel when a Proclaimers song played: 500
Times I had trouble singing with music due to being overwhelmed with emotion: 5
Cost of gas per gal at Toledo, OH Speedway: $2.65
Total construction zones on 243 mile drive through Ohio Turnpike: 9
Total mountain tunnels driven through on PA Turnpike: 4
Minutes driving off PA Turnpike to find a Shell Station to use my $100 gift card: 40
Players met at course and hotel: 5
Divisions they are in: 4
Time at hotel: 840PM EDT
Total miles: 718
Miles directly to hotel: 697
Miles directly to Coyote Hills DGC where I practiced: 666
Miles to get to Indiana border: 42
Mile marker on I 80/90 in Indiana when Tommy ended: 42
Miles left on direct trip to hotel when a Proclaimers song played: 500
Times I had trouble singing with music due to being overwhelmed with emotion: 5
Cost of gas per gal at Toledo, OH Speedway: $2.65
Total construction zones on 243 mile drive through Ohio Turnpike: 9
Total mountain tunnels driven through on PA Turnpike: 4
Minutes driving off PA Turnpike to find a Shell Station to use my $100 gift card: 40
Players met at course and hotel: 5
Divisions they are in: 4
Time at hotel: 840PM EDT
Total miles: 718
Last in a lifetime event
This is scheduled to post shortly before I leave for York County, PA to play in the 2019 PDGA Amateur Worlds. I want to thank my sister for her help in getting me there and everyone else for putting up with me over the past 6 plus months talking and writing about the event.
This trip is the culmination of my decision in 2016 to dedicate time, energy, and funds for something I can do as opposed to watching people do things I can't and is why I have given up other things I want to do and attend while driving my beat up car thousands of miles through all types of weather (rain, snow, 90+°, -20°) to deliver food even on days I am tired and or sore from my regular job.
Though I refer this as a last in a lifetime trip to the Amateur Worlds, there are circumstances where I would play in this event again.
One: My game is worthy. My 2018 season was good enough to justify a first trip. However, to justify another week long trip within 15 years, my game would have to even be better than that.
From fatigue, physical discomfort, pain, and injury along with multiple brain failures in strategy, rules, and even adding scores, to way more often than acceptable having to ask myself how the **** did I throw the disc where it went, my 2019 season has been poor. Had I not played well the two weeks before registering (the only time I have not sucked to this point in 2019), I might have decided to not do so. Having woken the Friday before the trip with a right knee that lost much of its function is a somber reminder of the limit of my ability to perform.
I am a long way from being good enough to warrant a second road trip to this event and my goal as far as playing is to not be in the bottom group of 4 in my division (of the 60 currently entered) for the final round.
Two: Commuting. Most disc golf majors rotate among areas. From 2015 through 2017, the three world ams that I could not play were held less 200 miles from where I live but still far enough away to require a multiple night hotel stay.
There are some local areas that could hold an event where I could commute but the only plausible one in the near future is Joliet. Dellwood, located in Lockport, has the #1 ranked course in Illinois and is currently building an additional gold level course (which is what the York County, PA area did to get this year's event). There are also plenty of courses within 25 miles of Dellwood that have hosted tournaments and it is possible that with 6-8 other local courses they could host the Am Worlds a few years down the road.
If they are successful in getting the Am Worlds, 2025 would be best for me as that is the year I would turn *gulp* 60.
Three: 2035. If my instinct and calculations are incorrect or if I cheat death again, I could play in 70+ but doubt my body would be up for it in 16 years.
When I state this is a "last in a lifetime event", I am being realistic, not negative.
This trip is the culmination of my decision in 2016 to dedicate time, energy, and funds for something I can do as opposed to watching people do things I can't and is why I have given up other things I want to do and attend while driving my beat up car thousands of miles through all types of weather (rain, snow, 90+°, -20°) to deliver food even on days I am tired and or sore from my regular job.
Though I refer this as a last in a lifetime trip to the Amateur Worlds, there are circumstances where I would play in this event again.
One: My game is worthy. My 2018 season was good enough to justify a first trip. However, to justify another week long trip within 15 years, my game would have to even be better than that.
From fatigue, physical discomfort, pain, and injury along with multiple brain failures in strategy, rules, and even adding scores, to way more often than acceptable having to ask myself how the **** did I throw the disc where it went, my 2019 season has been poor. Had I not played well the two weeks before registering (the only time I have not sucked to this point in 2019), I might have decided to not do so. Having woken the Friday before the trip with a right knee that lost much of its function is a somber reminder of the limit of my ability to perform.
I am a long way from being good enough to warrant a second road trip to this event and my goal as far as playing is to not be in the bottom group of 4 in my division (of the 60 currently entered) for the final round.
Two: Commuting. Most disc golf majors rotate among areas. From 2015 through 2017, the three world ams that I could not play were held less 200 miles from where I live but still far enough away to require a multiple night hotel stay.
There are some local areas that could hold an event where I could commute but the only plausible one in the near future is Joliet. Dellwood, located in Lockport, has the #1 ranked course in Illinois and is currently building an additional gold level course (which is what the York County, PA area did to get this year's event). There are also plenty of courses within 25 miles of Dellwood that have hosted tournaments and it is possible that with 6-8 other local courses they could host the Am Worlds a few years down the road.
If they are successful in getting the Am Worlds, 2025 would be best for me as that is the year I would turn *gulp* 60.
Three: 2035. If my instinct and calculations are incorrect or if I cheat death again, I could play in 70+ but doubt my body would be up for it in 16 years.
When I state this is a "last in a lifetime event", I am being realistic, not negative.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Two score and .... just two score ago
I really wanted to go to the twi night doubleheader between the White Sox and Tigers on July 12, 1979 but my mom would not let me go.
It had nothing to do with watching the team that finished 73-87 with player/manager Don Kessinger (who was replaced by Tony LaRussa less than a month later).
It was to attend Disco Demolition Night as local DJ Steve Dahl destroyed a bunch of "evil" disco records on the field between games.
As most know, those in the overcrowded ballpark ended up rioting on the field and the White Sox ended up forfeiting the second game.
Today in the Dr. Demento Show Facebook page, someone posted a link about the event and since Steve Dahl has recorded parodies (and even performed at St. Rita HS when I was a sophomore), it was appropriate.
What was interesting was the reply Dr. Demento posted. He stated that the disco sucks movement was not necessarily about the music but the non Christian lifestyle exhibited by those who enjoyed the music.
Though I find the idea of a God non plausible, I still found the ideals preached necessary and was against all disco stood for.
When I was 13, I knew I had a 1% intellect and expected to end up like the 1% is today and had the same thoughts then that the rich people who are putting profit over humanity have today.
Forty years later, I know that person was an asshole. I believe that had I solved phase 2 to profit in phase 3, that I would still be that person. Even today, I have to fight my learned instincts in certain situations knowing they are wrong.
During the 1980 presidential campaign my sister asked me who would get my vote between a qualified woman and an unqualified man.
I stated I would find a reason to consider her unqualified and vote for the man. Just enough people in certain states made that exact decision in November, 2016 and we are currently living in the dystopia that it has created.
It had nothing to do with watching the team that finished 73-87 with player/manager Don Kessinger (who was replaced by Tony LaRussa less than a month later).
It was to attend Disco Demolition Night as local DJ Steve Dahl destroyed a bunch of "evil" disco records on the field between games.
As most know, those in the overcrowded ballpark ended up rioting on the field and the White Sox ended up forfeiting the second game.
Today in the Dr. Demento Show Facebook page, someone posted a link about the event and since Steve Dahl has recorded parodies (and even performed at St. Rita HS when I was a sophomore), it was appropriate.
What was interesting was the reply Dr. Demento posted. He stated that the disco sucks movement was not necessarily about the music but the non Christian lifestyle exhibited by those who enjoyed the music.
Though I find the idea of a God non plausible, I still found the ideals preached necessary and was against all disco stood for.
When I was 13, I knew I had a 1% intellect and expected to end up like the 1% is today and had the same thoughts then that the rich people who are putting profit over humanity have today.
Forty years later, I know that person was an asshole. I believe that had I solved phase 2 to profit in phase 3, that I would still be that person. Even today, I have to fight my learned instincts in certain situations knowing they are wrong.
During the 1980 presidential campaign my sister asked me who would get my vote between a qualified woman and an unqualified man.
I stated I would find a reason to consider her unqualified and vote for the man. Just enough people in certain states made that exact decision in November, 2016 and we are currently living in the dystopia that it has created.
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Playing in the void
I often state that when playing disc golf that I have a "1050 demand of myself" but "850 ability". Treating myself like the top players in the world usually produces dissatisfaction when playing especially when things go worse than normal during and between events. Granted, this will occasionally allow myself to play above my level for a short period of time but in the long run, talent takes over.
This is a common theme for everything I have done in life. I am better than the average person but not up to standards with the elite players and the only way I have ever performed anything is by putting the same demands of myself that the best would do.
When bowling with those who don't understand why I put a stopper after a "Brooklyn" strike or tell me I am lucky when carrying a thin pocket hit (where the ball hits the 5), or golfing with someone who screamed "HOW YOU'RE DOING, LYNN?" while someone is swinging or "playing hockey" on the 9th green as someone has a 4 foot putt for a one over 37 (30 years ago today), it gets frustrating especially when accused of "not having fun". Of course, when I had fun playing, I would be accused of "showing off".
They are the same people who don't understand that my best round of golf produced an 83 on a hard course in 50 degree rain as opposed to a 78 in perfect conditions on an easier course or that the score in the best game I bowled is 240 (where every shot was executed exactly as I wanted it to be) while my high score is 277 (in two games where I did not execute 3 and 2 shots like I wanted).
In disc golf the same thing happens in "casual play" when I put a simple 80 foot approach shot 18 feet off target and told it is a good shot and when the following putt hits the basket without going in, that is a bad break.
That is why I prefer tournament and high end league play since those there know the game and can relate to a bad shot getting a good result and vice versa. Unfortunately, my body often does not have what it takes to participate consistently in it at that level. That causes me to put more effort into things which in multiple occasions causes my body to struggle which causes me to practice and try even harder and eventually I have to stop and possibly get medical help.
I have also stated that my dream foursome is me and any three other people who had car trouble on the way to the course causing me to play on an empty course by myself. I still reminisce about the time after work in May, 1996 where I carried my golf clubs and played all 36 holes at White Pines in 50 degree weather while a light drizzle was falling.
Though I occasionally have days where I find a compatible person (like I did today), those are few and far between. That is why I enjoy sports best playing alone in the void.
This is a common theme for everything I have done in life. I am better than the average person but not up to standards with the elite players and the only way I have ever performed anything is by putting the same demands of myself that the best would do.
When bowling with those who don't understand why I put a stopper after a "Brooklyn" strike or tell me I am lucky when carrying a thin pocket hit (where the ball hits the 5), or golfing with someone who screamed "HOW YOU'RE DOING, LYNN?" while someone is swinging or "playing hockey" on the 9th green as someone has a 4 foot putt for a one over 37 (30 years ago today), it gets frustrating especially when accused of "not having fun". Of course, when I had fun playing, I would be accused of "showing off".
They are the same people who don't understand that my best round of golf produced an 83 on a hard course in 50 degree rain as opposed to a 78 in perfect conditions on an easier course or that the score in the best game I bowled is 240 (where every shot was executed exactly as I wanted it to be) while my high score is 277 (in two games where I did not execute 3 and 2 shots like I wanted).
In disc golf the same thing happens in "casual play" when I put a simple 80 foot approach shot 18 feet off target and told it is a good shot and when the following putt hits the basket without going in, that is a bad break.
That is why I prefer tournament and high end league play since those there know the game and can relate to a bad shot getting a good result and vice versa. Unfortunately, my body often does not have what it takes to participate consistently in it at that level. That causes me to put more effort into things which in multiple occasions causes my body to struggle which causes me to practice and try even harder and eventually I have to stop and possibly get medical help.
I have also stated that my dream foursome is me and any three other people who had car trouble on the way to the course causing me to play on an empty course by myself. I still reminisce about the time after work in May, 1996 where I carried my golf clubs and played all 36 holes at White Pines in 50 degree weather while a light drizzle was falling.
Though I occasionally have days where I find a compatible person (like I did today), those are few and far between. That is why I enjoy sports best playing alone in the void.
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