01-24-10
Chad Greer, my WCDGD partner, and I were pleasantly encouraged when we took a run out to the Mount Dora course yesterday just to be certain it was ready for today’s event. Over the span of the 3 hours we spent out there, we saw no less than 7 groups playing the course. Some local, some from other parts of Florida, checking it out for the 1st time.
We asked a little kid, who had to be 8, if he wanted to throw with us. He did. I handed him my most beat O-Roc. He lined up, did a little golf waggle and threw a bee-line about 100 feet! It was no fluke. He repeated the feat consistently! In fact, he out-threw Fred, a 50ish gentleman who had accompanied Stan, a friend of mine who is Recreation Director for Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. Stan had mistakenly thought that the Grand Opening was on Saturday and made the drive up. He missed the event but we had fun nonetheless. And, he donated a box of marker minis for the event.
This AM, I arrived about an hour in advance, set up some temp baskets, my microphone and laid out some magazines, discs, and other info. There were 50-70 people present as the Mayor of Mount Dora cut the ribbon and officially opened the course. I had already given a brief introduction to the game and showed some of my “Frisbee Museum” to borrow a phrase from my buddy Gary Auerbach.
We moved the sound system to a more open part of the course and I gave a clinic on stretching and putting. Afterward, the more accomplished players demonstrated a round of “Ring-of-fire” where everyone circles the basket and putts at the same time. Those who make it advance while the others sit out. We keep whittling it down until only ONE person makes it. If no one makes it… EVERYONE is back in.
We held two games simultaneously. One for the players and one for the newbees.
Prizes were handed out to the winners of each round… with exceptions in the players circle… because Climo would inevitably win almost every time. Shirts, discs and stickers were doled out, courtesy of discgolfcenter.com.
The Champ then did his clinic, focusing on balance, foot work, grips, angles and various flight lines.
Jack Fahle and Chris Engle, two members of the Central Florida Disc Dog Club, also gave a fine K9 demonstration while I stepped aside and was interviewed by Benjamin Roode for his podcast as well as an article for the Daily Commercial newspaper in Leesburg.
I was approached by a parks guy from Leesburg who seemed a bit put out that we have not yet targeted his town for a course. (This can be easily remedied) We also spoke to a woman from Longwood who was equally interested in finding a way to get disc golf into the parks she oversees.
The clouds barked all day but did not bite, though they did drool on us a bit at this point, which thinned out the fairer-weather folks. By consensus, Ken and I decided to forego the freestyle demonstration. So the two disc golf powerhouses (OK, one powerhouse and an outhouse) played a head-to-head round on the short but technical (kind of) course. The course is across the street from a middle school and is designed for that demographic.
Hole 1 is 224’ that bends to the right at the end. Both KC and I expected more headwind effects and overdrove the hole. I bagged a return 50 footer and Ken drained his 45’
Hole 2 is 233’ with a split fairway. KC was about 8’ right of the pin. Again, I over drove by 35 and again, I drained it.
Hole 3 is 228’ with low oak branches and a basket between some goal posts. Both slid in to within 20 and easily found the heart of the chains.
Hole 4 is a mere 136’ and screams for an ace run, which I tried. The stout wind had its way with my hammer but dropped me less than 15’ from the pin. KC’s laser to the pole may have been 3” off-line at one point, but hit the pole solidly. Double deuce.
Hole 5 is 200’ with another split route. Lower on the lefty line and wider on the righty lane. My hyzer skip shot landed a tad late and went 25’ long directly behind a tree. KC was within 12’. My straddle putt struck solid bark for my first “par” 3.
Hole 6 is 180’ and offers few other options than a light anhyzer. Both parked & putted.
Hole 7 is 156’ with a straight-on window. Climo, now knowing that I had to “Ace” to catch him slid one up to the basket. I followed suit easily, not going for the sucker-bet ace attempt.
Hole 8 is a blind 152’ hole with the basket hiding behind a tree. Climo threw a hyzer lay-up as did I. Though mine was unnecessarily wide, clipped moss and dropped 35 short. My putter had apparently clocked out for the day and failed to make his appointment with the chains.
Hole 9 is a 290’ (considered par 4 at this design level) anhyzer. KC’s Roc easily glided to within 15. My CE Stingray easily glided into the first tree it could find and caromed 50’ right. I got up and down, but mostly down, as Kenny proceeded to lay waste to my course record by shooting a perfect –9/18 on the 9 holer.
I’ve shot a –9 on 22 different 9 holers, many tougher than this one, but, thus far, I’ve not held it together well enough on LAPW to get past –7. Good thing we weren’t playing for car titles (this time)
It was an excellent day on the course. Thanks to all who made this such a great day! Let’s do it again in YOUR town!!!
Tomorrow: The search for liability ins, follow-up phone calls to various parks folks and maybe a little night golf (dark meet)