Nevertheless, disc is on the menu. First course, Brandywine Creek State Park outside of Wilmingtion, DE. As I pull into the parking lot, Saito is in the midst of a 12 step post-putting-practice stretching routine. Now here is an opponent whose enthusiasm never wanes, god bless him and his family. And the course is incredibly nice, wide open rolling hills surrounded by lush farmlands and mammoth estates. Oh beautiful day. I play pretty well out of the gate too, reveling in being able to attack every drive without worrying about hitting a tree ten feet in front of the tee. Not too worried about a dramatic upset today, Saito's threat potential is greatest on a technical course whereas this is more of a bomber. I wont bore you with the details, primarily because i dont remember them as it has been too long but I think I won two rounds with the second reasonably close. Saito played well but for me his most memorable feat was prompting that I throw one of the new discs I have been sitting on: the Surge. Like a match made in heaven this disc and I joined in some fundamental way. I am not talking about the superficial closeness some competitors may be attempting to obtain with their discs in the shower, rather an irresistable and powerful metaphysical bond. We immediately struck a deal. I throw, disc goes where i want or beyond 80% of the time. The other 20% of the times it is allowed to horribly shank or hit a tree. Pretty good deal for me i think. Anyway you'll be hearing about The Surge much more in posts to come, dont worry..
Sunday. Headed down (or up rather as i've been relegated to the basement cause my old room has been converted to a pied a terre for the baby) to the stocked fridge chez parents and cop a nice breakfast. Putz around, go for a bike ride and then, once the heat of day becomes near unbearable, make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Champion, that hallowed course where the Champ first learned the game and honed his now formidable skills: Burke Lake. I managed to drag Shana along through old fashined big brotherly threats and we braved the memorial day reveling masses out onto the course. As it turns out, Shana proved to be the most game opponent i faced over the weekend. Probably something to do with my apparent determination to reacquaint my discs, intimately, with every tree on the course. It was so bad that Shana was clearly unimpressed with my skills, wondering alound "I thought you were supposed to be good?" and clearly confused (or was it pity?) as to how i could have a trunk full of plastic and still suck so muck. Nevertheless, fun, and ice cream, were had so it all worked out in t
he end.Shana lines it up....
Lets it fly....
And watches with trepidation as it narrowly avoids a family picnic enjoying their prime spot in the middle of the 11th fairway...
Monday. Crap. The weekend is over already. Time to head back to NY. Well after another quick round at Burke versus Mickey of course. The difference between yesterday and today is astonishing. Mickey didnt stand a chance, poor guy, as my drives are soaring long and true with the trees showing proper respect. Micker's jaw dropped a few times. I ended up with a tidy -7 to his +2 or +3. Still, for not playing for almost a year Mickey was surprisingly good - sticking many a long putt with aplomb. I have not a doubt that were he a regular participant in the tour, he would be mixing it up with the A tier inside of a few months. So now it is really time to go back to NY. Okay one more stop. Back to Brandywine where Saito and the dynamic Tomoko await. Some nice disc was played by all. I do love watching those discs soar over the rolling hills, hanging in the air for seemingly minutes at a time, preferably in the general direction of the basket but i'm not all that picky. Everyone is playing pretty well. I am in the lead on 17th when a proposition is made, negotiations are entered into and it is decided that if Tomoko can drain the 30 foot putt she faces for par, she will be declared automatic winner. She steps up, winks once, and rings chains, taking home the victory. If there was a gallery, it would have gone wild. Anyway we head up to Media, PA, for some celebratory brews and pub food. And then, really, back to brooklyn.
