Another goal reached

In 2020, I played my first Illinois Sate Championship still feeling confident from how 2019 ended and after almost 4 shots better than rating my first round, was expecting round two at Highland Park (in Joliet) to go from there. I was so pumped up, my opening drive with my 139g Katana which was capable of going 25 feet farther went 75 feet right of where I was aiming and was so off line, it could not be found and the round ended up worst in the field.

The next year was a similar outcome most remembered by hitting the same tree in my second round on Highland Park 15 three shots in a row.

In 2022, I signed up late knowing that I was heading to the worlds in Peoria after and woke up that day feeling awful and played a horrible first round and what I was worried might be COVID (which I tested negative) was actually caffeine withdrawal. Round two went well at Highland.

On the last half dozen holes during round one of the 2023 event, something clicked and with birdies on 5 of the last 8, took my first ever solo round one lead in a B tier event. For some reason, I was not listed first on the lead card for round two and that along with nerves wrecked me during an ugly round. The following weekend was when my right knee gave out and management of that joint became a priority along with having to change how I throw putts.

Eventually I figured out what I did right that day and can now consistently expect 25 more feet from my drives which is the main reason my game has improved over the past three years.

Since the Dellwood Masters event was the week before the 2024 IL States and I was avoiding back to back weeks of two round events, I decided it was best to not push my knee at that event.

As my rating was in the 890s in 2025 when I was eligible for MA60, states became my focus after the worlds and the two practice rounds at Highland were significantly better than any I had played either in practice or at the event. Though my first round at Highland Park was my second best there of the 5 played in the event, it was not good and I was 8 out of first. Round two at Dellwood was much better with birdies 3 of the first 4 and 6 of the first 11 but a couple bogeys sealed my finish as a distant fourth.

After I realized that with my work and potential family situation, playing Masters Worlds in late September 2026 was not a good idea, my focus became the 2 summer B tiers being the Dellwood Clash at the Canyons and the IL States. Clash went well after figuring out things the back nine of the flex start event the day before round one before and it took a nine birdie round two to beat me by one when my 40 foot attempt on the final hole to get into a playoff nicked a chain as it went by.

The 2026 IL States Championship was taken over by the Joliet area club which decided to add the Oaks course to allow for more players and the MA60 division was among those moved from Highland Park to the Oaks. Since the amateur divisions 60 and older were grouped with female amateurs and the lowest regular amateur level, both the Oaks and Dellwood were being played from the short tees for most holes. Playing Dellwood flex starts back to back weekends to start July which both included multiple red tees was a big help along with having the week before on vacation.

Though I threw multiple shots from the red tees at the Oaks the previous December 24th, I needed to practice there so the Saturday before was spent there playing the event layout and seeing what discs work and when done with the round, went back and played multiple holes again leaving fatigued. After I drove south to Elwood to visit my dad's spot, I headed home. At a red light a couple miles from home, I flexed my tired legs and the inside of my left knee popped loudly. Though it initially felt OK, I could tell later it was not well. The next morning, I needed a crutch to get out of bed to use the bathroom.

A lot of my vacation week was spent with ice packs on my knee needing a crutch to get out of bed every day through Thursday and I was seriously considering withdrawing from the State Championship. I had also spent a lot of time doing multiple leg stretches against the wall lying on the floor trying to free up the muscles in the leg and between that and the muscle relaxers I got after straining my back, it was functional on Friday morning so I went to the Dellwood for the flex event.

Confirming the event was all white tees, I got there shortly after sunrise to throw from multiple red tees including 12 to A pin which I never played before. I realized the inside gap would only be used if I needed and ace and that similar to the throw to the B pin, the outside shot around was best. The event went OK and I learned that the Comet off 16 to A won't work as the tree was now hanging too low for the disc to get there and that trying to throw a putt to break right won't work. I finished with birdies on three of the last four the only par on 11 hitting one of the small pine trees in the way which will make the hole play more difficult 10-20 years from now when I will likely no longer will be playing. My final drive on 12 white to A almost went in on a fly from 320 downslope and I knew I was ready.

Saturday morning was round one and I was focused. Someone in my group mentioned that my rating is better on easier layouts and examination of that will be made at the end of the season. Two 25 foot putts early hit chains then the rim falling the wrong way and a third was just short and though I was 3 under after 11 from three drives within 8 feet, it felt like it could have been better. 

The next drive was again within 8 feet and on the island hole which was not enforced for our division that I still made, I drained a 25 foot birdie putt. Though I missed another 25 foot birdie putt this time from weeds, I followed that with a uphill birdie make from 12 feet that barely got there and later another from 12 feet leaving me 7 under through 17. My final hole #27 was parked last December 24 from the red tee but in practice, I couldn't get close and I knew to not miss left so it was pulled right and after a bad roll, I was under a tree with a bad stance. I gingerly got to my lie and chucked it to 15 feet then nervously drained the putt to finish -7 with a three shot lead. Rating was 2 shots better than expected and the best in the entire D pool which would make sense since by rating, I had the highest one of anyone who had played a round in 2026.

My Sunday goal at Dellwood was a good start since that has yet to happen at an event I was leading after round one. My drive on 13 red to start was lower than I wanted but it stayed straight and ended up 20 feet below the basket to the left. It was difficult to get a comfortable stance and thinking don't miss left or low and roll back down the hill, it missed right. Hole 14 white which I was 6 for 6 birdies this year left me with another 20 foot birdie putt which I over corrected from the previous one missing low and left off cage while the other three got birdie. Hole 15 left me 30 feet downhill that hit center cage low and once again, the other three birdied.

I stood on 16 tee with my three shot lead down to one. I remembered my shot from Friday and used a faster disc to aim down to go under the tree and that almost went in and got a birdie as the other three parred. Unfortunately on 18, I changed from the disc I normally use, hit an early tree, and went OB followed by a mediocre third shot off a guardian rock. It was a relief to make the 30 foot bogey putt and end up tied for the lead as a person rated over 100 points below me birdied.

I had a chance to go up one on #3 but my 40 foot birdie attempt hit the front of the cage on center. When I got to 4 red tee, I realized a disc was missing from the bag leaving it behind on 18. After missing the shot badly left two weeks previously, I made sure the turn over shot held its line but it did too well sliding OB long and right by 8 inches. After missing the 35 foot par attempt facing OB off the front of the cage dead center, I was down one. Fortunately before walking down to five I discovered the group behind me found my disc from 18 and turned it into the pro shop.

On #5, my dx Leopard started left of target heading towards OB but had enough snap to turn over and end up safe on the line 18 feet away. The stance was uphill and I knew a short left putt could roll back and again missed high right. Somehow, everyone in our group missed the trees from 6 red through a different gap to get birdie and I was tied for second down one with 6 to play.

My drive on #7 red was exactly as I wanted and was hoping for a skip ace but it hit soft for an easy birdie to tie for the lead and one up on third. I needed a max distance drive to have a shot for a birdie on #8 but it didn't happen and the person one behind had a 25 foot attempt. However, the person tied for the lead hit a tree on his first two shots getting a bogey and the birdie attempt to tie me faded left as a missed right putt had potential to roll down a hill and I was up one with three to go. My drive on nine red barely hit a tree but the two down one each hit a tree the player whose rating was 100 below was in a bad spot getting another bogey. The person two down missed his 45 foot birdie putt OB and the other one down and I got up and down for par.

With the wind on 10, I considered discing up from my Athena but remembered the mistake from 18 and after hitting the rocks was 20 feet away almost basket high. The person down one threw too fast a disc to 25 feet but past the basket leaving no viable putt and had to lay up. Knowing what was at stake, I made sure to move my weight forward unlike the previous two putts with an uphill stance and drained the putt dead center to go up 2. I made sure on 11 to get the uphill drive off the ground and threw my 2020 IL States logo Star Shryke to make sure it didn't turn over and it ended up 45 feet short of the pin. The person down two hit a tree and had to layup and once again, my birdie putt hit cage dead center.

I knew on 12 the only chance to lose my lead was to hit a tree so I relaxed and threw a one step Undertaker that worked best in practice on Friday morning that skipped off the gravel path and stopped 12 feet away and made the putt to win by 2. The 5 under par round was only rated one shot better than expected but it was nice to win a B tier this year after missing a 16 foot final hole putt that would have won losing in a playoff and another by one.

After I got my found disc from the pro shop, I thanked the group for turning it in and in retrospect should have asked them to join me at the awards and each get two discs from the payout since I am trying to get rid of discs and getting the Buzzz SS back meant more to me than the six discs I got with the $120 merch I won. 

While thinking about this later, I know multiple shots were better due ones ones thrown earlier in the month. However, my biggest accomplishments in the past three years were assisted by spending extra time throwing discs at the courses before the day of the event.

Hot dogs for cancer

My sister who has survived cancer and completed an Ironman Triathlon raises money for cancer awareness on July 4th, her birthday, by eating as many hotdogs as she can for people to pledge per hog dog eaten.

Though I am tempted to join her as others do, I realize there are good reasons to not  even if I have multiple stereotypes of someone who would be expected to do well.

I realized I would be better off doing what I can do well to determine how much per hot dog. Last year, I stated I will donate 27 cents per player I was ahead at the world championship which I qualified last year on July 4 for the final as I was ahead of 41 of the other 71 players in the MA60 division.

This year, I decided to have my donation based on the July 3rd Dellwood flex start featuring 6 holes each from the red, white, and blue tees. I made it 13 cents per player in one of the ten divisions I could play who doesn't beat me score.

Though the official starting time was 8AM, I was there at 715 and surprised people were already starting which was a good thing since the more who play, the more I could beat and pledge. Eventually, I ended up in a group with three fellow 50+ players.

Though I started with two birdies, I knew most of the balance of the round would be a drive to 45 to 120 feet followed by an approach and a short par putt. My eighth hole (#5 blue to the B pin) involved a difficult drive with water left and I thought I threw it well but the wind died and since it was soft, it drifted into the weeks along the stream. Unfortunately, it went past them and was wet leaving me with an impossible shot to get close to save a bogey. I tried it and after it hit a tree on the other side and rolled away from the basket, the best I could do was throw to 40 feet followed by a missed uphill putt for a 6.

On my 16th (#11 red to A) an uphill reachable par 3, I tried throwing a disc too hard and literally threw it into the ground sixty feet in front of me which it landed on edge literally ending up under a 6 foot high pine leading me to another bogey finishing a disappointing +2 which was one more shot than someone with my rating would be expected to shoot.

Due to storms that started around noon, what I was hoping would be 250-275 total players ended up being 218. However, the storms caused many to not finish the event. Here is the breakdown of the other 217:

7 were in a division restricted to a female player

6 were in a division restricted by age I did not qualify to play

39 were in a division restricted by a maximum player rating which is below mine.

That leaves 165 players (div:players not me/DNF/score equal or worse)

MPO: 20/1/2

MP40: 5/1/2

MP50: 1/0/0

MP60: 2/0/1

MA1: 22/2/3

MA40: 16/3/6

MA50: 14/2/7

MA60: 2/0/1

MA2: 26/4/7

MA3: 57/10/30

Totals: 165/23/59

82 × .13 = $10.66 per hot dog

Five hot dogs eaten in ten minutes so total donation is $53.30.

Analyzing the success

Yesterday, at a short course over an hour away in a small rural town, I defeated 7 other players in MA3 in a one round flex start event with an 8 under par score playing it blind that by rating was my lifetime 4th best.

This morning while on a grocery run, I was going over what happened.

Good: 

Three long birdies 275 feet or further with my G* Mamba including an ace run on 14.

Two well thrown Hatchet shots that went left to right leading to birdies.

Four 25 foot or longer made putts and two just short most of which were the "follow flight" as they went high and straight. I changed my style due to back discomfort earlier this year and I have putted better than I have in a while.

Lifetime win #27

Bad:

Grip locked ten foot miss on one. I realized that after my drive, I should apply arthritis cream on my right inner thigh and it is very possible my hand could have been tacky from it. I will need to make sure to keep hands clean after applying anything to my body.

18 foot birdie putt on 18 short. This was similar to the one that cost me the win earlier this year in that I was farther away than I thought I was. I will have to remind myself what happened the next time on 18 as the last hole in my four final rounds did not go well.

Right leg. I have dealt with this since it first seized on Dec 24, 2024 (when I was told I was faking it). I needed physical therapy last year. This will limit practice and potentially cause me to not play next weekend's event.

Unpleasant:

I was in a real good mood yesterday while eating but had to get back home because I found out something I needed to do. The initial plan was to play a second round somewhere else but with my leg, it might have been best.

I will need to get my car checked out as it was not happy to go 65 mph or more.

As someone whose life revolves around disc golf, it is unsettling that my post about my event had 1/5 the reactions to two separate posts about my daughters birthday and a picture of my mom with the toilet paper holder from my bathroom in her bag.

Making the difficult choice

On April 15th at 9:30 CDT, general registration for the 2026 PDGA Masters World Championship goes live and unlike three of the previous four years, I won't be trying to get a spot. I am going to try to explain why.

Though I am not enthusiastic about Meggido and McNaughton (the courses scheduled) and am concerned about field size which would reduce the likelihood that I would make the cut as 21 players with a rating of 30+ points better than me were able to register early being in the top 5% of MA60 players, that and the cost are not the reason why.

Unfortunately it is my body. I was able to throw above 900 rated for two rounds on difficult courses last weekend but what happens physically after is the problem. 

Since the Monday round played on the way home from Marscon five weeks ago, I have been dealing with uncomfortable pain during and after rounds in different spots. For a while, putting became difficult as the legs/back weren't cooperating and I had to change how I putt. The right hip made picking up discs in Rockford difficult to do by the end of round two and the next morning I had to "Donald Duck it" at home unable to get on pants and it took five days after to feel fully functional again.

Last Saturday was the clincher. The walk up the hill on Grey Fox 6 and down it on 7 took a lot out of me and the legs were cramping by the time I got to my drive on 7 which was my final hole of the round. The underwhelming third shot and missed putt were definitely body related.

After lunch, walking from the parking lot to tee 8 at Siler Fox to start round two was also difficult due to the slope I had to navigate. I was definitely feeling fatigue on 18 and stopping at my car for water and food helped a bit but by the time I got to my drive on 4, I was feeling bad again and after a bad drive on 5 and leg cramps on 7 to finish the 36, was disappointed to be tied for second two shots behind the leader who still had one hole to play

The walk back to my car was not good. I had to stop and sit multiple times and wanted to call the TD to get someone to pick me up but I knew it would not be fair to do so until I was assured that my event was over. Then I got the result, the leader double bogeyed and it became a four way <Mora> PLAYOFFS </Mora>. Eventually, I waddle back to the parking lot and needed someone to pick up the coin I flipped to decide who goes first. My playoff drive on 18 was weak and after a bad kick off a tree, the disc was closer to the parking lot than the fairway.

On the drive home, my whole body started rebelling. I ended up pulling into a McDonald's dry heaving in the bathroom before getting some food and sitting in a chair for a half hour. Only my confusion with insurance and the US health care system prevented me from searching for the nearest ER. By late morning the following day, everything with me returned to what has become "normal".

Even after today's post work well played nine, I had trouble getting out of the car when home and out of my bed when going to the bathroom while writing this.

There are many who want to make the trip to Peoria in September and it would not be fair to other amateurs born from 1962 to 1966 for me to register when I am not 100% sure I could navigate 2 practice rounds followed by 4 or 5 tournament days five months from now.

Scale issues

On my way home from work today, I wondered if it were possible in a month to eat at a different place every day that I often frequent and realized easily yes. Though the idea of getting pills or a shot I would be unlikely to administer to myself that could cause digestive discomfort both ways was researched, it would be fair to first significantly limit eating from all the places I could stop and to get them out of my head, will list them by how I would regularly encounter them:

I am listing places I have gone the last 6 months locally (not including Marscon) and yes, some serve Pepsi but I only go there when I already had a consumable beverage with me. I am not going to list the half dozen Speedway gas stations where I could get pizza slices, hot dogs, or even a sandwich. 

Though some chains are listed multiple times, they are all unique locations I have eaten at the last six months.

Near my work: Subway, Culvers, Panda Express, Jimmy John's, Buona Beef, Portillos, Raisin Canes, Five Guys, Brandy's (high end fast food place)

Near my home: Subway, Burger King, Popeye's, McDonald's, Little Ceasars, Gina's hot dogs, Wing Stop, Hoys Chinese, Rose's Chinese, Joey D Deli.

Near or on way from work to one grocery store: Jersey Mike's, White Castle, McDonald's, Wendy's, Scooby's Red Hots, Mama Maria's pizza.

Near or on way from home to Sam's Club: Panda Express, Wing Stop, Culvers, Wendy's, Beef Shack, Portillos.

Near other grocery store: Five Guys, Noodles and co, Popeye's, McDonald's, Wendy's, Golden Corral

On way home from disc golf courses: Sammie's Red Hots, Brandy's, Charley's Cheesesteaks (2 locations), Wing Stop (2 different locations), Submarine City, Portillos (3 locations), Golden Corral, Fry the Coop (2 locations), Fireside BBQ, Beef Shack , Mod Pizza, Bacci Pizza, Dickey's BBQ, Rosati's pizza.

Other places I don't regularly encounter: Culvers, Arby's, Raisin Canes, Jersey Mike's, Noodles and co, Wing Stop, McDonald's.

It makes sense why I weigh so much.

Marscon 2026 by the numbers

Change in a gallon of gas from Jan 20, 2021 to Mar 4, 2026: +.34

Score for front nine/back nine on gold course at Fairfield: 0/+9

Shots worse than expected by rating: 4

Extra miles driving after missing exit in Lake Geneva: 12

Different Pizza Ranch locations I had visited/states before stopping at the one in the Wisconsin Dells only to walk out after discovering they switched from Coke to Pepsi: 4/3

Nine hole rounds played next to a church in Eau Claire: 3

Times I had to relieve myself against a building there: 2

Hours from leaving home to arriving at Hilton: 13.4

Stores in Mall of America I stopped on Friday: 4

People in Famous Footwear I babbled with about disc golf in the twin cities area: 2

Times over the years I have taken a picture of me flipping off a Pepsi sign in the south food court: 17

Times I correctly identified that food court as the south one and not the east: 2

Times on a toilet Friday afternoon likely because the different Arby's sandwich I got the day before caused issues: 6

Packages of girl scout cookies purchased: 3

Pictures of Robert O'Reilly available to be autographed/people I know who chose one specific to be autographed: 10/5

Alcoholic beverages consumed Friday night: 8

Age of That Lucky Panda when I attended my first Marscon: <1

His songs about a subject which I was not familiar that my daughter knew: 4

Times seeing Holy Bongwater perform/ albums released 4/0

Years since I saw Dino-Mike perform: 9 1/2

Times Dino Mike joined someone else on stage over the weekend: 3

New Meowmeme songs performed: 2

Days from the time I mentioned in the Doctor Who themed con suite "The Nightmare Begins" was the Doctor Who episode that premiered the day I was born to the announcement a copy of the long believed forgotten episode was found: 5

Minutes walked on a treadmill Saturday morning: 20

Minutes on the 12 minute drive to McDonald's to get food for Luke that I correctly realized their menu might not have the crispy chicken strips which is the only lunch/dinner item I would get from there: 6

Years since I saw a stand alone Carrie Dahlby Marscon concert that didn't have a song with or by her child: 11

Times Ross Childs guzzled a bottle of water without using his hands: 2

Number of words in the Eninem song Rap God which Devo Spice parodied on stage and got a standing ovation: 1,560

Completed percentage of the Luke Ski Darlene and Darius animatic that was shown at the concert: 72

Minutes Ian performed at his first Marscon 18 years ago where I drove him to the bus station afterwards to head home to Maryland: 9

Short songs on Ian's new EP: 11

Years ago during Marscon opening ceremonies "convention agent Luke Bauer" was notified that a madman on the loose was threatening to sing Mr. Tambourine Man in the karaoke room: 18

People I saw who did karaoke so bad, I almost went in the room to "sing" Mr. Tambourine Man (almost): 5

People who mentioned to me that the shirt I wore Saturday night has disc golf baskets on it: 2

Star Trek costumes worn in the burlesque show which I was too tired to stay up to watch: 3

Minutes from hotel to Sunday disc golf one round event I was going to attend until my right leg cramped while on the toilet: 15

Distance in feet of hole I aced after getting a massage and realizing that with an hour to spare, I could travel 8 minutes and play a quick nine: 126

People who asked questions of "vice president JD Vance" to open Sunday programming: 10

People at MOA Chipotle who called off that day due to the 60 degree day causing me to wait a half hour in line to get food for Luke: 2

Artists who decided to not perform in the Smackdown due to illness: 2

Years ago my daughter Erin performed Sleep Walking Zombies on stage with Carrie at Marscon: 16

Wait in minutes for the audio to get set up so Erin could perform the song with the 7 year old version of herself as background voice which helped her calm down while I was getting more nervous: 3

Songs performed at Marscon where my voice was in the background track that was played: 2

People from music track or fans of who ate at the MOA north food court after everything ended Sunday: 20

People who played rounds Boob tree which I wanted to join but knew I had zero processing energy to do so: 11/9

Score at Moir Park playing Monday morning twice assuming I two putt number one both times as the basket was missing and replaced with a temp one for the event: -10

Shots better than expected rating from Sunday event: 3

Sales tax money saved by purchasing clothes in Minnesota: $18

Walking distance in miles from Wisconsin Dells Pizza Ranch from Mac's where I ate on the trip home with my daughter and son in law: .25

Driving minutes from Mac's to course in Baraboo: 15

Hills to climb during round: 4

Different spots on the trip where I was on US 12: 5

Hours after leaving hotel to get home: 12.25

Artists of the ten who performed who tested positive for COVID after the event: 4

Being necessary

My department at work has the required number of people to function in normal situations and to survive when someone is sick or on vacation which turns out to be over half the year.

However, due to a medical situation that has a coworker out for a while, things at my job have not been normal especially when anyone is on their vacation. When I took one Friday off to move my mom, I came back the following Monday to 75 skids to put away.

In order to see my mom's new doctor and to recover from the extended weekend, I am currently scheduled off from the 4th through the 10th and have half joked at work stating the department might be better off closing at that time.

To get some of the thoughts out of my head, this is how I anticipate things could go:

Mar 2: After I change the three month calendar at my desk which shows the previous month unlike some who have the current month on top, some coworkers were surprised to see me thinking I scheduled the whole week off instead of three days this week and two the next.

Mar 3: I end up frustrated since other people in my department are able to leave on time or early before the day before heading on vacation. Though it is nice to see a review stating my dedication to my job, this sucks. I then leave detailed emails with potential situations that could happen when I am gone that no one will read.

Mar 4: People realize I am gone and try to figure out how to cover for me. If something significant happens, I will get a text or call asking for help and potentially am asked to work a half day late Wednesday or Thursday morning.

Mar 5: The plan is to play a league round in Round Lake then take US 12 to get back to I-90 possibly stopping in Lake Geneva which I pass to pick up something to take with me. If I have to work that morning, no disc golf.

Mar 6: If weather in Bloomington is ok, I drive 15 minutes from the hotel to a small nine hole disc golf course. After stopping at a DXL store to get clothes without paying sales tax, lunch at the Mall of America where I take a picture of me flipping off the giant Pepsi logo. Coworkers are relieved since there are no outbound trucks and ignore the vacation calendar by leaving things for "Ken to figure out Monday morning".

Mar 6 PM to Mar 8: I see a whole bunch of friends many who I haven't in at least a year. I watch awesome music performed. I explain what happened the last time I was in the twin cities. Multiple people comment on my shirt Saturday night on the same floor I will consume a years worth of alcoholic beverages with people I trust hopefully including my daughter. I play a flex start event Sunday morning at the same course I visited on Friday and watch people with talent draw pictures Sunday night.

Mar 9: When I wake up, I see a text message from someone who ignored the vacation calendar asking me when I expect to be at work that day. I then get breakfast at the hotel before heading home potentially stopping to throw discs somewhere. I will likely get asked if I can come back to work the day after instead of taking Tuesday off and I reluctantly agree to do so.

May 10: Back at work tired from the weekend and coworkers are asking why I am less agreeable than usual.

I am hoping things won't go that way at work and I am ignored by work for a week like the previous time in Minnesota and come back to minimal things to solve but by posting this, will hopefully get those thoughts out of my head.