So last year I was able to play in 16 tournaments, 15 in Advanced and 1 in Open. I am not sure what the breakdown will be this year but I figured it would be interesting to at least post the schedule of tournaments I hope to play in this year. I think I mentioned it in a previous blog that my intention is to move up to Open at whatever teir level and below I am able to win an Advanced tournament in. Wait, that doesn't really make sense. If I win a C-tier tournament in advanced, the rest of the year I will play C-tier tournaments in Open. If I win a B-tier in advanced, I will play B and C-tier tournaments in open the rest of the year. Okay, alright, enough stalling, here is the schedule.
March 16, 17 - St. Patty's Day Meltdown - Fort Collins, CO
March 23, 24 - 303 Am Challenge - Denver, CO
April 6 - Spring Fling Ams - Arvada, CO
April 7 - Spring Fling Pro - Arvada, CO
April 11 - One Round Challenge @ Peter Pan - Emporia, KS
April 12, 13, 14 - Glass Blown Open - Emporia, KS
April 20, 21 - 303 Open - Denver, CO
May 4, 5 - Greatful Disc - Fort Collins, CO & Red Feather Lakes, CO
May 18, 19 - Colorado Open - Glenwood Springs, CO
June 1, 2 - Sakuna Matata - Black Forest, CO
June 7, 8, 9 - Foothill Flyers Tournament - Conifer, CO
June 22, 23 - High Plains Chalenge - Fort Morgan, CO
July 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 - Am Worlds - Emporia, KS
July 20, 21 - Red Feather Open - Red Feather Lakes, CO
August 3, 4 - Snow Mountain Challenge - Winter Park, CO
August 23, 24, 25 - Monster Energy Challenge @ Solitude - Salt Lake City, UT
August 31 - Mile High Classic - Denver, CO
September 28, 29 - Johnny Roberts Memorial - Denver, CO & Conifer, CO
October 4, 5, 6 - Colorado State Disc Golf Championships - Fort Collins, CO
October 19, 20 - Grand Valley Open - Pallisade, CO
This is all subject to change of course, but this is the plan for now. I will admit that I am very sad that it is not in the plans to make a trip out to McCook, NE for an event there. Unfortunately scheduling conflicts are making this not a possibility.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Double Digit Down Milestone
I am surprised that I forgot to post this earlier. It was a pretty big deal in my disc golf career. Back on Januaray 23rd, 2013, I shot my first ever round that was double digits below even. I did it fromt he Red tees at CHU, and sure most of the baskets were set short in preparation for the last Winter Warriors stop. CHU is not that easy of a course so even at its easiest, it is not something I ever thought would happen there. There are plenty of other courses that I would say that this would have been more likely to happen at. None the less, it happened at CHU and I am beyond elation about that. I claim CHU as my home course now since it is the one I find myself playing most often. It is not something I expect to repeat any time soon either. Still, I am hoping that this is good news for this year. It is really something to build off of and something to keep me motivated through this year. Since last year was a blah year, it is exciting to start the year off with something like this. Now, on to the other goals of the year.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Winter Warriors 8 Final Update
This past Saturday was the last Winter Warriors event. What an incredible winter season it was and what a great last experience for this years series at one of my favorite courses.
Some people I need to say, "Thank You" to:
Jeff & Ray for running the whole series.
All my partners, but especially those who gave me my useable scores.
Dale, Paige, Bob, Vinnie, Jake & Jeff
All the other competators. We raised a ton of stinking money and will feed a lot of people. Wow!
Alright, on to the goals that I previously posted. For the most part, I met or exceeded my goals. I was able to finish the series at -116. That would be 16 throws better than my target score. I also had a blast and learned to have more fun, even when I or my partner wasn't playing as well as we should have been. There were lost of missed putts, but in the end it really didn't matter. Maybe I would have played my mulligans better. Also, I feel like right near the end of the season, along with my putting practice, I was able to make some great strides in my game. I feel more ready for this tournament season and I know the process will continue but I can already tell it is going to be better than last year.
As for the one goal that I did not achieve, I did not make it into the top 10. -116 put me in 13th place overall and was 5 throws behind the person in 10th place. I would have won the tie breaker so literally it was just 5 throws from accomplishing even this goal. But, of course having achieved my goal of learning to have more fun again, this really seems to not be nearly as important as it could have been for someone else.
A few things that I am taking away from this whole experience.
1. I really enjoy the local disc golf community here in Colorado. These people are fun to be around and no matter how different we are, we can all come together and do something truly amazing. We are all there to do the best for ourselves but know that the community is just as important as we are as individuals.
2. I need to spend more time practicing, and in particular my putting. I am not sure that this will ever not be the case and I would imagine that the top pros are those who are practicing their putting everyday. Even then, there will still be missed putts that are usually makes and it really isn't worth getting upset about it. Let it live in its own moment then move forward and make the next one like you know how to do.
3. Playing doubles is a great way to learn that this game is more than you as an individual. I had moment where I had to rely on my partners and moments when my partners relied on me. I genuinely want to see these people do their best and it is a reminder that it is really not worth winning if we are not all playing our best.
With tournament season just around the corner, I am more excited than ever. Soon I will have to post my schedule but for now it is back to putting practice. Good thing I have space inside my house to do this.
Some people I need to say, "Thank You" to:
Jeff & Ray for running the whole series.
All my partners, but especially those who gave me my useable scores.
Dale, Paige, Bob, Vinnie, Jake & Jeff
All the other competators. We raised a ton of stinking money and will feed a lot of people. Wow!
Alright, on to the goals that I previously posted. For the most part, I met or exceeded my goals. I was able to finish the series at -116. That would be 16 throws better than my target score. I also had a blast and learned to have more fun, even when I or my partner wasn't playing as well as we should have been. There were lost of missed putts, but in the end it really didn't matter. Maybe I would have played my mulligans better. Also, I feel like right near the end of the season, along with my putting practice, I was able to make some great strides in my game. I feel more ready for this tournament season and I know the process will continue but I can already tell it is going to be better than last year.
As for the one goal that I did not achieve, I did not make it into the top 10. -116 put me in 13th place overall and was 5 throws behind the person in 10th place. I would have won the tie breaker so literally it was just 5 throws from accomplishing even this goal. But, of course having achieved my goal of learning to have more fun again, this really seems to not be nearly as important as it could have been for someone else.
A few things that I am taking away from this whole experience.
1. I really enjoy the local disc golf community here in Colorado. These people are fun to be around and no matter how different we are, we can all come together and do something truly amazing. We are all there to do the best for ourselves but know that the community is just as important as we are as individuals.
2. I need to spend more time practicing, and in particular my putting. I am not sure that this will ever not be the case and I would imagine that the top pros are those who are practicing their putting everyday. Even then, there will still be missed putts that are usually makes and it really isn't worth getting upset about it. Let it live in its own moment then move forward and make the next one like you know how to do.
3. Playing doubles is a great way to learn that this game is more than you as an individual. I had moment where I had to rely on my partners and moments when my partners relied on me. I genuinely want to see these people do their best and it is a reminder that it is really not worth winning if we are not all playing our best.
With tournament season just around the corner, I am more excited than ever. Soon I will have to post my schedule but for now it is back to putting practice. Good thing I have space inside my house to do this.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Some Thoughts On Putting
The off season is a tough thing, especially when a cold snap hits where you live. Sure you can go out and play some rounds with your long underwear on but that really isn't helpful for improving your game because you are thinking about how cold it is and hoping that you will be able to feel the disc in your hand. So, like last winter I have decided to practice my putting inside. I do not have a great place in my house to do this but have one hall that at its longest is about 25 ft long. Good enough.
In an amazing bit of discovery and brilliance I think I have discovered some things that might be helpful to the world as far as it depends on putting.
1. Your exact for is not as important as most putting videos have led you to believe. As you watch how the pros putt they all look a little bit different. I am not talking about the difference between spin and loft putters, I am talking about everyone in general. Lets face it, no two bodies are exactly alike and as such we are all going to putt differently.
2. The most important thing in regards to putting is simply keeping everything on line. Watch where your arm goes when you throw a putt. You will notice that your arm ends in a particular place when you make a putt, right on line. When you miss your arm will not be in the same place. Even more importantly think about the line when your arm is down next to your body as well. Then keep it all on line the entire time through your motion. This is the one common aspect of all the best putters in the world. Look at as many videos as you can and see for yourself.
I hope these things encourage you in your quest to become a better putter. I have already seen my putting game improve, but more importantly, my confidence in putting has gotten stronger. I can putt a number of different ways, but when my arm stays on line it goes in (sometimes maybe high and sometimes low, but always on line) and when it isn't on that line, I miss.
In an amazing bit of discovery and brilliance I think I have discovered some things that might be helpful to the world as far as it depends on putting.
1. Your exact for is not as important as most putting videos have led you to believe. As you watch how the pros putt they all look a little bit different. I am not talking about the difference between spin and loft putters, I am talking about everyone in general. Lets face it, no two bodies are exactly alike and as such we are all going to putt differently.
2. The most important thing in regards to putting is simply keeping everything on line. Watch where your arm goes when you throw a putt. You will notice that your arm ends in a particular place when you make a putt, right on line. When you miss your arm will not be in the same place. Even more importantly think about the line when your arm is down next to your body as well. Then keep it all on line the entire time through your motion. This is the one common aspect of all the best putters in the world. Look at as many videos as you can and see for yourself.
I hope these things encourage you in your quest to become a better putter. I have already seen my putting game improve, but more importantly, my confidence in putting has gotten stronger. I can putt a number of different ways, but when my arm stays on line it goes in (sometimes maybe high and sometimes low, but always on line) and when it isn't on that line, I miss.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Goals For 2013
Since we are less than an hours away from New Years Eve here in Colorado I figured it was about time to post my overall goals for Disc Golf in 2013. I am not really sure if I know what all my goals for the year are but we'll see what happens in the next few minutes as I write this post.
1. Have More Fun - I think I tend to be really hard on myself and I so strongly desire to see myself improve that ultimately I kill myself mentally. I recently completed a training course for my job in Child Care and have realized that Disc Golf has become more like work than my own job. In general I do not think that is a bad thing, but I really need to learn to be more like a kid again and play for the sake of playing. It is not about winning, it is about learning. It is not about the end result, it is about the process.
2. Contribute More To The Growth Of The Sport - I have been developing grand plans as far as this is concerned, but I think this is something that will really help me with my first goal. Last season my best Disc Golf tournaments came around the time I was teaching kids at the school I worked at how to play the game. I would like to help out in the local club I am a member of to make sure we are taking opportunities to help grow the sport in this way. I am also hoping to sit down with a local parks department to discuss the possibility of getting a Championship calibut course put in. There is still some more leg work to be done with this but I think it is a very real possibility.
3. To Qualify For Am Nationals - Finally, a goal that can only be achieved by playing in Disc Golf Tournaments. Based on my plans, I should have at least three opportunities to make this happen. I was rather close once last year and rather far away in the second opportunity that I had. Am Nats is the biggest Am event outside of Worlds and I had a blast this past year at Worlds so I can only imagine how much fun Am Nats will be.
4. To Finish Better At Am Worlds Than I Did In 2012 - This one is pretty straight forward. Better than 207th. It seems like it should be an achieveable goal.
5. To Win A Tournament In Advanced - I am sure there is a local tournament that I can get hot for and somehow pull out a win.
6. To Improve My Rating By 20+ Points - This is perhaps the toughest goal of the bunch right there along with qualifying for Am Nats. I am surrently rated 915 and 20 more points would put me at 935, which would mean that I officially would have to play advanced and could not drop down to intermediate if I so chose.
7. To Qualify For Pro Worlds in 2014 - A lot of things have to happen for this to occur. My plan for starting to play more pro events will be determined by when and how many wins I can come up with in Advanced this year. If I win a C-Tier event, my plan would be to play in the Pro division for all C-Tier events moving forward. If I win a B-Tier, then play pro in all B and C-Tier events moving forward. It takes 500 points in events that I play pro in to qualify for Pro Worlds. This is definately the goal that has to see a lot of things fall in place but I think it is entirely possible, especially if I can get an early win in 2013.
8. To Look Back At 2013 And Say, "Wow, I Improved So Much This Year!" - Of course it all the other goals happen there will be no way that I will not be able to say this.
Alright, that is it. Here's to a year of Happy Discin'!
1. Have More Fun - I think I tend to be really hard on myself and I so strongly desire to see myself improve that ultimately I kill myself mentally. I recently completed a training course for my job in Child Care and have realized that Disc Golf has become more like work than my own job. In general I do not think that is a bad thing, but I really need to learn to be more like a kid again and play for the sake of playing. It is not about winning, it is about learning. It is not about the end result, it is about the process.
2. Contribute More To The Growth Of The Sport - I have been developing grand plans as far as this is concerned, but I think this is something that will really help me with my first goal. Last season my best Disc Golf tournaments came around the time I was teaching kids at the school I worked at how to play the game. I would like to help out in the local club I am a member of to make sure we are taking opportunities to help grow the sport in this way. I am also hoping to sit down with a local parks department to discuss the possibility of getting a Championship calibut course put in. There is still some more leg work to be done with this but I think it is a very real possibility.
3. To Qualify For Am Nationals - Finally, a goal that can only be achieved by playing in Disc Golf Tournaments. Based on my plans, I should have at least three opportunities to make this happen. I was rather close once last year and rather far away in the second opportunity that I had. Am Nats is the biggest Am event outside of Worlds and I had a blast this past year at Worlds so I can only imagine how much fun Am Nats will be.
4. To Finish Better At Am Worlds Than I Did In 2012 - This one is pretty straight forward. Better than 207th. It seems like it should be an achieveable goal.
5. To Win A Tournament In Advanced - I am sure there is a local tournament that I can get hot for and somehow pull out a win.
6. To Improve My Rating By 20+ Points - This is perhaps the toughest goal of the bunch right there along with qualifying for Am Nats. I am surrently rated 915 and 20 more points would put me at 935, which would mean that I officially would have to play advanced and could not drop down to intermediate if I so chose.
7. To Qualify For Pro Worlds in 2014 - A lot of things have to happen for this to occur. My plan for starting to play more pro events will be determined by when and how many wins I can come up with in Advanced this year. If I win a C-Tier event, my plan would be to play in the Pro division for all C-Tier events moving forward. If I win a B-Tier, then play pro in all B and C-Tier events moving forward. It takes 500 points in events that I play pro in to qualify for Pro Worlds. This is definately the goal that has to see a lot of things fall in place but I think it is entirely possible, especially if I can get an early win in 2013.
8. To Look Back At 2013 And Say, "Wow, I Improved So Much This Year!" - Of course it all the other goals happen there will be no way that I will not be able to say this.
Alright, that is it. Here's to a year of Happy Discin'!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Winter Warriors 8 Update
So, after this last weekend of Winter Warriors at Expo Park in Aurora, I have officially met my biggest goal at Winter Warriors this season. My top 6 scores this year will all be double digit scores. I now have two rounds at -21, one at -16, one at -12 and two at -10. That puts me at -90 overall and sitting quite well in the overall standings.
With that being said, I have some new goals for the remainder of the Winter Warriors season.
1. To be at every event for the remainder of the year.
2. To finish with an overall score over -100.
3. To really use the events to help improve my accuracy and putting.
4. To relearn how to be a kid and have more fun while I am playing.
I know these goals will start to overlap in my goals for this next season, at least the last two, but I figure these are things that I need to start on now.
With that being said, I have some new goals for the remainder of the Winter Warriors season.
1. To be at every event for the remainder of the year.
2. To finish with an overall score over -100.
3. To really use the events to help improve my accuracy and putting.
4. To relearn how to be a kid and have more fun while I am playing.
I know these goals will start to overlap in my goals for this next season, at least the last two, but I figure these are things that I need to start on now.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Winter Warriors 8
No, I am not ready to write all my goals out for next years disc golf season, but I figured it was probably time to talk about Winter Warriors this year while I was doing well.
Winter Warriors is really the main way I am keeping up with the Disc Golf community here locally as we have this weekly event during November, December and January. Right now with a little less than half the season gone I am sitting in 10th place with things looking up.
I really like Winter Warriors for many reasons.
1. We are raising money for the Food Bank of the Rockies.
2. The rounds are more about having fun that winnig and oddly enough I play better with this mindset.
3. It is a chance to play many of the different great courses around the front range.
4. It keeps me focused on playing Disc Golf during the winter.
5. Weather has no way to cancel events, that is why they call it Winter Warriors.
Now, last winter was the first time I played in a full compliment of these events and we all know what kind of season I had the next Spring, Summer and Fall. But it makes no sesnse as to why this would be the case. Playing is one of the best ways to help you practice your form and is good mental practice for when the events become more serious. It is also a great way to try out some new things without the consequences being that serious. So far I have been taking advantage of this reality and I feel this will help more than last year. Also, while in the midst of changing my form this year, the more I play now, the more it will be ready for the next tournament season.
I have played with some great people this year, but I have learned that I am well established in my local disc golf community because there has only been one person that I have not known all that well that I have played with this season.
I really am writing myself this blog so that I can rememebr the reasons why I am playing in these events. I think it will help me keep focused to make this as fruitful as possible.
Winter Warriors is really the main way I am keeping up with the Disc Golf community here locally as we have this weekly event during November, December and January. Right now with a little less than half the season gone I am sitting in 10th place with things looking up.
I really like Winter Warriors for many reasons.
1. We are raising money for the Food Bank of the Rockies.
2. The rounds are more about having fun that winnig and oddly enough I play better with this mindset.
3. It is a chance to play many of the different great courses around the front range.
4. It keeps me focused on playing Disc Golf during the winter.
5. Weather has no way to cancel events, that is why they call it Winter Warriors.
Now, last winter was the first time I played in a full compliment of these events and we all know what kind of season I had the next Spring, Summer and Fall. But it makes no sesnse as to why this would be the case. Playing is one of the best ways to help you practice your form and is good mental practice for when the events become more serious. It is also a great way to try out some new things without the consequences being that serious. So far I have been taking advantage of this reality and I feel this will help more than last year. Also, while in the midst of changing my form this year, the more I play now, the more it will be ready for the next tournament season.
I have played with some great people this year, but I have learned that I am well established in my local disc golf community because there has only been one person that I have not known all that well that I have played with this season.
I really am writing myself this blog so that I can rememebr the reasons why I am playing in these events. I think it will help me keep focused to make this as fruitful as possible.
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