I packed all my things in the truck at lunch because it was the last time I would see that area for at least five days. I kissed my lovely wife and children and out the door I went. I finished my work schedule a little early and was in touch with Ron, Barry Wayne and Ben pretty much all day because we were getting together as early as possibile to head out to Georgia.
I picked Barry Wayne up and we drove to Ben’s house where Ron and Ben were waiting. Barry Wayne and I unloaded my truck while Ben loaded the van. A few pictures later and we took off East bound and down. We arrived at Clyde Fant DGC in Shreveport, Louisiana around 9:00 o’clock for a leg stretcher that consisted of 18 holes of night golf on a lighted course. Awesome course and another one played in the books, Silliman won the first stop and we were already looking for our next stop as we headed East towards our destination. We lived on Truck stop food and rest area relief stops until our driver could not go on.
We had made it as far as Alabama before Ben had to have some shut eye so we pulled into a rest area and we got about an hour and a half of sleep. Awake when the sun hit the windshield, Ron, Barry Wayne and I shook the van until Ben finally woke up, not cruel just in a hurry! We pulled into a place for some breakfast and coffee before continuing on our journey.
Ben took us to a course in Alabama called Bowers Park located in Tuscaloosa for our morning eye opener. 18 holes later and Silliman won the second stop as well. I’m pretty sure He beat us so bad that you’d think we stole something! Worn out from lack of sleep and already exhausted breakfast we headed for some lunch, still going East. We arrived in Augusta Georgia at our hotel around 5 o’clock Thursday, freshened up and headed to the PDGA International Disc Golf Center where the Masters Tournament was being held. We walked and played some of the course called WR Jackson Memorial DGC and finally called it a day so we could get some rest before starting our rounds in the morning.
Friday rushed in like a flood of rain and before you knew it the two minutes was being echoed throughout the majestic pines. Finding the lines on the Jackson was the easy part, and hitting those lines perfectly as to not vary off the fairway the slightest was definitely the challenge at hand. The smallest variation off the fairway was usually an extra stroke or in my case two or three at times. 78 strokes for me and 77 strokes for Barry Wayne was not the start we had in mind for this PAR 69 course but it was for sure something that we could improve on. Ron shot on the Steady Ed Headrick Memorial and scored a 60 on a 64 par course. Ben played the Jim Warner Memorial DGC and scored a 74. Barry Wayne and I met Ben and Ron at the van to head to the hotel and to get some food. We got to the hotel and again we freshened up and went to play a course calledLake Olmstead Park. Flip doubles for 5 bucks a head was the game and the result was Barry Wayne and Ron Convers the victors. We left to finally get some food and back to the hotel for good nights rest.
5:30 am Saturday and Ron Covers, Ben and I were actively trying to get out the door and to the course in a timely manner. In the next room Ron Silliman, Barry Wayne and Tony Shirley were already to go so it was no problem dividing up for breakfast on the way to the course. Convers and Tony were headed to Waffle House and Ben, Barry Wayne, Silliman and I headed to Mc Donald’s. Thirty six holes later and everyone is feeling good about the day’s finish. Ron Silliman went off and shot a 986 round followed by a 1032 round of golf to edge him into 13th place. Barry Wayne moved up from 21st to 6th place and I also moved up from 25th place to 10th place. All in all it was a vast improvement from the previous day.
6 o’clock am Sunday was pretty much the same routine as we headed to the course for the final round of the Masters Tournament. Ron Silliman had another great round to finish the tournament, rating a 1011 rated round to put him into 12th place with a $350.00 pay out and19 strokes under par for the weekend.Ron bought dinner. Barry Wayne finished in 7th place with a $80.00 pay out and I finished in 18th with a pay out of $37.00. Great tournament and great courses, and now it’s time to go home.
We left the IDGC and headed west. Ben drove until about 12 am which put us somewhere in Mississippi for the night at a hotel. Monday am and Barry Wayne and Ron headed to the free breakfast bar while I was taking a shower. I knew it must of been a good breakfast if Barry Wayne hadn’t come back yet so I made my way to the kitchen. There sit Barry Wayne with an empty plate and rubbing his tummy. I was surprised to see such a layout at this kind of hotel but cool I pigged out. Full and headed west we stopped at a course called Hideaway Park located in Ruston, Louisiana to walk off some of that indulged breakfast. Flip doubles was the game at 5$ a head with Ron and Ray edging out Barry Wayne and Ben for a free lunch. West bound and down but not quite finished with the disc golf so Ron suggested we stop and play Ford Park for a finish on our road trip. Flip Dub’s again , this time it’s Barry Wayne and I against Ron and Ben and we played hard for 18 holes of golf to finish tied. With no and I mean no energy left we left the park tied and that was good enough. The trip was what I believe we all needed, we all learned a lesson or two and we all became much better friends. Thanks to Ron, Barry Wayne and Ben Cole for a wonderful trip, one filled with memories and smile that will last a life time.Get D-Q’ed!
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