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Ben Calhoun's Blog (255)

First Freeze

I woke up to find a layer of frost all over my car, the first of the year. Sure beats back home, as it's now about 60 with the sun blazing.

I just finished rounds on WR Jackson and Steady Ed, will be uploading pics of both (Front 9 only on WR Jackson). Soon heading out to walk Jim Warner Memorial and take pictures there too, get a better feel of it for tomorrow.

Watching "Clash at Renny Gold" now.

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 17, 2008 at 12:54pm — 1 Comment

54 familiar holes

Today I played 3 of the 4 Worlds 2006 courses (having already played them). The Hippodrome had a locked gate blocking entry, but I could see baskets back there! I then ran into the guy responsible for that at Riverview, and he may be able to open it for me Wednesday and play it, and also a new course there which would be sweet. It's a whole new, mush easier layout I've heard but still anticipating that.

Just finished up my interview with Steve K at Pdga Radio, don't know when that… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 16, 2008 at 3:28pm — No Comments

No course to review

I didn't get to play anything new today, and won't for several more. Tomorrow I'll go re-play the 2006 Worlds courses. Today I spent 3 hours working on the course at IDGC again, then played 9 holes on WR Jackson with some guys. Then, followed a group to see how the new course plays and get an idea how to play it when Tuesday rolls on. I could not throw so it was frustrating, but I got some ideas.

That's it.

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 15, 2008 at 7:23pm — No Comments

Fruition

I have finally done it. Still have to call Greg and ask, but I believe he has 1 course to play on the way up before the round on Tuesday.

Today I played #999, putting me above Greg for the most courses played! It didn't really sink in that today would be the day that would happen, which is it's own milestone, until most of the way through the round.

I spent the thunderstorming morning working inside the IDGC, data-entry, cleaning, and most importantly watching the 2000 PAW… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 14, 2008 at 4:55pm — 2 Comments

Jim Warner Memorial course (the 1,000th course) is officially playable!

Everyone check out www.pdga.com for a new article about our round next Tuesday!

The baskets just went in last night, and it's already been played once. I spent most of the daytime working on it (getting paid too), fixing up teeing areas, moving debris, cutting trees etc. In the cold rain dripping wet. I cannot play it myself until the 18th with Hos, but now I can get the idea what I am in for.

After working on that and dodging rain off and on, I went out to play the… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 13, 2008 at 5:48pm — 1 Comment

IDGC

I've made it. After 3 rounds I made it to the IDGC this afternoon, where Karolyn Garlock, former fellow Michigander and now PDGA staffer offered to put me up for the week. Me and Brian Graham walked a few holes of the 30-minute old Jim Warner Memorial course (the 1000th round course), and everyone went to a Mexican restaurant for a local club meeting. Now I'm watching the new Knight Rider and burping beans.

Winder, GA- For Yargo State Park:TEE PADS: Horrible, maybe the worst… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 12, 2008 at 9:43pm — 1 Comment

Concrete and steel

The first half of the day was spent making money (50$) by helping mix and pour 34 -80lb bags of concrete for Kevin's dads garage. I decided to help with that rather than play to make the extra cash. It was fun and worthwhile.

Then me and Kevin went to Bishop. Played 2 rounds, second from shorts, me winning both.

Bishop, GA- Herman C. Micheal:Well done for the park it's in and for the purpose it's there to serve, beginners and short technical shots. Has dual tees,… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 11, 2008 at 6:50pm — No Comments

Getting closer every day

First, thank you Kevin Misiak for the hospitality today and tomorrow, and the job to make $ at tomorrow.

I pretty much the week set, tomorrow work in the morning then play either Maysville/Wilder/Athens. Next day the remaining 2/3. Next day Elberton, and down to IDGC.

Roswell, GA- East Roswell:Well marked, it has signs and a left-over from a tournament sign that describes each hole. Triple tees of crushed gravel boxes. Gets too tight often, not much reward for throwing… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 10, 2008 at 4:55pm — 1 Comment

Cha ching

Today was a great day. Nice weather, got to play with Kat, a local and good disc golf-her the first round, got 2nd in doubles with 2 ctp's (for 33$ profit) and found a place to stay tomorrow! My timing was just right, stopped for a sandwich between courses, and got there AS they were walking off with teams, one guy Barry left cali so I got a team and headed out to play blind.

Cumming, GA- Central: Right as I get to the tee, Kat pulled up to play a round so I joined her. Even with the… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 9, 2008 at 7:20pm — No Comments

Familiar Turf

Today I played a round at a course I last played 4 1/2 years ago with my dad when traveling to Atlanta for the Secret Squirrel Soiree, Sequoyah park in Canton. I've played something like 900 other courses since then, so I could barely recall any holes, but as soon as I pulled in I knew where to go and did recall about 1/3 of them to the letter. The course has been upgraded significantly overtime, nice to see!

Douglasville, GA- Deer Lick:Get the map at park office like it says,… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 8, 2008 at 5:10pm — No Comments

ATL

I saw this car and figured it's owned by a pretty serious disc golfer..

Turns out it was.

Stockbridge, GA- JO Moseley:Variety of landscapes. Begins with a 550' straight shot from open into a wide tunnel in the woods. Then 6 tight woods holes, these are nearly all shot-less, poke and pray. Worth just going from #2 to #7 and skipping those. Features a 700' and an 800' foot hole, the 800'er is flat… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 7, 2008 at 4:53pm — No Comments

No catchy title

987

Since I am taking it slow for 2 weeks, expect 1-2 courses a day now. I will be taking the back roads to eat up my time, and playing a few courses (Redan, Sequoyah) that I've played in the past.

Cordele, GA- Georgia Veteran's State Park:Based on reviews, I almost skipped it and I'm glad I didn't I will review it on dgcr to give it a boost. The only problem is maintenance- unmowed grass is up to a foot high, with lots of burrs to stick to your socks. As the grass… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 6, 2008 at 4:57pm — No Comments

Georgia on my mind

Thanks again to Chris for the wallet saving hook-up, even more so after spending 415$ this morning.

I got new tires, Goodyear Comfortred. After 250 miles, they feel like a dream, silent, smooth, less sporty but more grip. Waiting to see what they can do on fast corners and wet/snow hopefully before the 30 day trial period ends on them. I will know later tonight when I go fill-up whether I took a hit or a gain on MPG, if it's a hit I will return them even though they ride better than any… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 5, 2008 at 5:08pm — 3 Comments

It's official! MUST READ BLOG of the year

First off, I haven't been watching the news all day but I am confident Obama will win. So much else to write about now can't even turn on the news.

Thanks goes out to Chris Lenkiewicz for the hook-up, a free 6th floor room at a much classier hotel than motel 6. I am sitting on the balcony overlooking the waves crashing onto Daytona Beach right below me as I write this.

I met with Greg Hosfeld today, the other race-to-1,000 course guy, and for anyone… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 4, 2008 at 7:12pm — 18 Comments

Party Tomorrow

It's sad that when we elect Obama as the next president tomorrow, he won't be able to be as happy as the rest of us. This blog dedicated to his grandmother.

Do not play any of these courses after or during a rain, as today was all about casual water hazards and gore-tex socks. I didn't even know it had rained last night.

Fort Pierce, FL- Gordy Road:Isolated down a dead end road, between empty fields and a highway/lake. Must be a nice course, when actually playable.… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 3, 2008 at 5:30pm — 4 Comments

Nicer

Nice weather today, getting too hot at one point, 85, then a cool rain for just a few minutes, then mixed clouds and a breeze.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL- Easterlin:#1 is really just straight past office, slightly to the left. Tough to find as written in the guide, but the road back to lot is one way to the right. Front 9 more open, in grassy area around a pond, back 9 in tight cypress and palm forest, little to no rough but many tree trunks. A few poke and pray, but mostly fair… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 2, 2008 at 4:22pm — No Comments

Electric Avenue

*Interesting side note: The avg. star rating at DGCReview for these 3 courses is 1.66/5. The EAST is rated 3, while WEST is rated just 1 star.

Miami (Kendall), FL- Kendall Indian Hammocks EAST:Good and bad, no ugly. There are 2 holes that just don't belong on a disc golf course, forcing you to throw a huge shot over a jungle and crash down in plinko style, or throw around and not stand a chance of getting near the basket.… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on November 1, 2008 at 5:30pm — 2 Comments

Fairly disappointing set of courses

To anyone planning a FL disc golf tour, going south of Sarasota before heading to Miami is not necessary in my opinion. These 5 courses in SW Florida can be skipped and you won't miss much.

It got up into the 80's today, ridiculous.

North Ft. Myers, FL- North Ft. Myers Community:Note: About half the course IS decent. Sadly half is not. Way too many fairway-less (and I mean with NO fairway, just a forest of palmettos to throw over, with 1 hole forcing you to go over… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on October 31, 2008 at 6:00pm — 6 Comments

Top 10/"G's Discs"

I played one of must-be top 10 favorite HOLES today, not whole course. I played it 2 years ago as well. #18, Tocobaga. It's just sweet, check the pictures. Not well designed, kind of unfair and tight, but the shot is sick, it's beautiful, you throw AT the bay if you are RHBH and try to hyzer back and not flip over. Just awesome. There was a sea-creature exoskeleton on top of the basket even, and the beach within the 10m circle.

"Where's Joe, Joe are you here?"-… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on October 30, 2008 at 7:17pm — 5 Comments

Getting dark

Side notes:

For anyone wondering why I am 'skipping' some of the best courses, it's because I already played them before no worries.

Already played: Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Sarasota, Brandon, St. Petersburg, Most of Orlando, Daytona Beach and Jacksonville.

I will probably be at Cliff Stevens around 8-9am tomorrow morning to play there again. Anyone know what time G's opens? I need a golden retriever first!

Might even play Tocobaga again, then head to Ft Myer… Continue

Added by Ben Calhoun on October 29, 2008 at 7:30pm — 2 Comments