Spring Training: D-golfers report

In preparation for the 09 season (beginning 03/20/09), players have begun to shake off the winter rust on familiar fairways.  The 08 season was significant in its lack of an ace.  Team "Ace Run" crafted innumerable usefully agressive chain runs, but came up empty for the season.  The lack of an 08 ace has left the team deflated with the Chief taking it hardest.  He's left his bag untouched for so long that his disks are actively being divvied amongst the remaining team members.  The more mentally durable members of the team are parlaying the emptiness of last season into motivation for the 09 season.

Team members Koons and Calvin got in a round at BB Owen on Saturday, February 28th.  Weather was a significant factor; temps were below 35, wind advisories in effect, and both players inadequately clothed.  In the face of powerful wind gusts, putting was understandably shaky and overall scores were poor.  On the upside, both players demonstrated excellent control off the tee; their past experience in West Texas winds on full display: low, strong, deliberate hyzers and safe mid-range shots with heavy plastic.

Considering the youth of the season and the antagonistic weather, the players performed well, but scores don't reflect it (and the players conveniently can't remember anyway).  Calvin lost track of his inflated score first, so the win is conceded to Koons, which seems accurate to both players.  

Playing against Hurrican Ike

Koons and I made a run at BB Owen at 11 AM on Saturday despite the threat of Ike. There were very strong gusts which psyched us out and caused a few errant throws, but on the whole we put purpose on our throws and had a good time of it. There were even a couple of ace runs out there. The wind forced a greater focus and encouraged more direct angles of approach which actually improved my play on a few holes. I knew my focus was off.

Anyway, we didn't keep score in any traditional fashion. We just played for a win on each hole, and made a good time of it. Score would have been pretty close though.

Plus, this is further evidence that DG can be achieved in nearly all weather situations. Already this season, we have taken on heat, humidity, rain, wind, and darkness. Today, we took on a tropical storm. Good times.

Throwing gutters and getting frustrated

Call it a slump.  Mid-season form is firmly in the rear view mirror.  I'm ripping some ugly throws out there.  It's not a total loss by any means; I've got a few pretty drives mixed in and a few meaningful mid-range attacks as well, but it's been a discouraging month for my game.  There have been many changes in the bag.  Most changes have been upgrades to be honest, but it affects the game nonetheless.  But, let's cut to the chase here: my confidence is shot, my focus is poor, and I'm logging fewer course hours.  Not a combination for winning.

Anyway, the latest round news is a win over Koons at Greenbelt last Saturday, and a loss to Koons today at BB Owen.  I don't remember the exact scores at Greenbelt, but think I threw 1 or 2 over.  Today, at BB Owen I threw a 5 to Koons's 2 (I think he had a 2, but the point is I lost).

Side note: some punk kids were drinking Bud Ice 32 ouncers and kicking the sign on 12.  You know, the "Birdie Alley" sign?  These kids didn't even have bags or discs or anything.  They were just out there drinking.  That's ghetto.  Koons and I should have confronted them, but didn't since we were clearly outnumbered and not looking for stab wounds.  What's the deal?  I've got no problem with disc golfers enjoying a frosty beverage or passing a J, but these punk losers don't even play.  I do have a problem with assholes with no intent to play loitering, drinking, and destroying park property.  I was heartily discouraged by the scene; brought on philosophical notions on the plight of modern society.  No wonder my focus is off.

Don't worry: I'm still chuckin plastics!

Way behind on posting rounds. Let's get back into it with some course notes:

1. All pin placements are short except #12, so go throw a personal best!
2. A smoking bench has been added next the tee box on #18. If you're looking to blow your herb and not be seen, consider 18.
3. Some rubbish fairies from the city have added trash bins. Now there are two bins on each stand. It makes me happy to know that some of my tax dollars made it to the course.

Recent rounds: I don't remember the dates for these, so give me a break.

Lost a round to Koons by one stroke about a week ago.

Lost a round to Mitchell by one stroke also about a week ago.

Joe and I lost a team round to Mitchell and Koons by several strokes on Friday. I think the score was -4 to -1.

Koons and I tied on a round we were both eager to forget yesterday. We both threw 3 over with so many poor putts that I can't forget about it fast enough.

That's it. Too much for a single post, so I'll have to be more disciplined with posting. Apologies.

A Personal Best!

Played a round of team golf on Saturday morning. The winning team consisted of me and Koons; Mitchell and Chief rounded out the other team. Both teams played pretty well. Mitchell and Chief notched a 1 under, while Koons and I played 5 under. Considering the viciously hot temps lately, I consider it a victory to have survived.

Hopefully, will be able to post some video of my terrible throw on 15 soon.

Tuesday Afternoon Round & Note on Course Etiquette

Koons and I got in a round on Tuesday. Round wasn't too bad until the 18th hole. I had some nice birdies and a couple of ace runs, but tripled 18 due to 3 penalty strokes (2 for playing wrong side of mando and 1 for playing on the sidewalk).

Koons played a subpar round with the leftover discs in his truck. The man's no genius and left his golf bag at the house. So, he was forced to play with the oldie goldie discs on the floorboards. Considering the situation, it wasn't a bad round.

Note on course etiquette:
This subject really requires more thought and its own post (I'll try to get to it soon). Anyway, there's noticeably poor etiquette on the course. Examples of poor etiquette include: cutting off a group by starting at the middle of a course, planning a mini tournament during peak weekday golf hours, spectators with no concept of golf wandering onto fairways, people generally being rude.

It's unfortunate that the sport attracts new participants at the expense of the course etiquette. More on this to come...

Ugly Round - Note on Pin Placements

Joe, Mitchell and I got a round in today. Interesting play today. I finished at 4 over; thanks mostly to a triple boge on 15. My drive on 15 was high and ugly. It dove off into the woods, and we never found it. I followed that shot with some ugly approach action and short-armed the put to complete my triple. Whatever. I also had three birds on birdie alley (12, 13, 14), so you take the good with the bad and play on.

The course has been on the hard setting for the past month or so. Most of the pins are at the long placements. Number 8 was at the long placement, but was returned to the short placement. Anyway, with holes 2, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17, and 18 at the long placements we get two results : (1) worse scores, (2) more lost discs. Of course, more lost discs equals more found discs, so if you lose one chalk up the loss and know you're due to find one at some point. I've donated several this summer already! My brother found 3 discs today, and a couple others the last time he played. Lesson learned: discs come and go, birds and boges, keep your eyes on the chains.