I first started playing in 2003 after a friend of mine walked me around the local course in the middle of the night. The next day another DG addict was born. I played only the local course for the first few years. I ran four half marathons that all went through disc golf courses (Pueblo CO, Las Vegas NV, and 2 separate races and courses in Ft. Collins CO). I got a glimpse of how cool other courses might be. I convinced myself that the world has better places to offer than the local course (which is actually an alright course). So as a distraction to get me through school without wigging out, I challenged myself to play 50 courses, which I completed in July of 08.
Innovadude, aka , Ben Calhoun with his 1000+ courses played is a total hero of mine. Playing as many different and a large variety of courses have become my main concern with this sport. I sacrifice sharpening my own skills with this crazy game. I think the evidence is in the fact that I have played almost as many subpar courses as I have top notch courses. That's what happens when you are bagging courses. For me its quantity over quality because I strive to play as many courses as possible. I totally enjoy a top quality courses, but I have an almost equal desire to see the bad along with the good, a curious nature to discover what's around the corner. I spend hours reading atlases, imagining myself in exotic and mundane places alike.
What I like….
A natural setting! Any unique feature that is local to the area, if I'm in Arizona I expect to throw around a cactus, In Texas a cedar, In Colorado a crisp mountain view. Variety in shots. I also appreciate a good scene; courses packed full of people all celebrating disc golf. Great scenes like Delavega, Seymour Smith in Omaha and Pease (RIP) in Austin. I also appreciate the efforts of anyone designing, planning, and going through all the trouble to build a course.
What I don't like…
A plain old park course. I prefer to get dirty when I play, a little bushwacking doesn't bother me. I dislike being bored in a park. Unmarked courses, I would rather have signs and arrows before tee boxes. Getting lost. I try to be as fair and honest as possible. I would rather offend a designer than a fellow disc golf tourist. I don't aim to offend anyone; I hope my inner positive self comes through in my reviews. Like I said before, I appreciate the efforts of anyone designing, planning, and going through all the trouble to build a course. I understand many quirky things about a course are the result of limitations, local government wishes, and compromise.
Disc golf is like sex and pizza, when it's bad it's still pretty good.
My goals for 2011 are to get to 200 courses played and trade tags with as many DGCR members as I can meet up with.