Disc Golf Newbie Doubles at McDade Park Disc Golf Course

This morning, a few friends and I met up at McDade Park Disc Golf Course in Conroe, Texas in order to introduce some new guys to the sport we love so much. The original plan was for Albert B., and his friend (who played his first round of disc golf last week), to meet up with Dallin L. (played a long time ago when in the military, and just started again 2 weeks ago with me), my son Khalil, and me at the course. We went ahead and made an open invitation on the Disc Golf Underground Facebook page, and John B., Dave H., and Reese O. decided to join us. A last minute military friend of Dallin L. came into town, and he was recruited to be introduced to disc golf as well. 

We decided that the “experienced” players would each be partnered with the friend they brought, and the teams were as follows: Albert/Chase (the friend, not me), Dave/John, Dallin/Deeds (military friend)/Reese, and Khalil/Chase (me). McDade Park Disc Golf Course is a nice place to take newbies. Water and out of bounds (OB) are minimal, and there are a few very birdie-able holes, even for people that cannot throw very far (ie. 189, 205, etc).

We started at 8:00 am, and finished around 10:30 am. Not to shabby for a card of 9 people, and some disc golf rookies! Before the round we decided to go ahead and play for tags, even though we generally do not use tags in doubles events. To be honest, Khalil was the motivation behind it, and I do not think any of the adults could tell him, “No.”  For the most part Khalil did pretty well, though by the end of the 15th hole, he decided that he did not want to play anymore, and he left me to fend for myself. On the two short holes (189/205), he parked his drives and gave me a chance to run the basket for an ace which was helpful. I did not take advantage of the opportunity though.) As we were about to putt on hole 14, Khalil decided that he didn’t want to play anymore, and that he just wanted to walk around with me. I lined up for a 25′ putt, but missed short, and hit the chastity belt. I asked him to go ahead and made the putt, and he did, saving the 2.  That is what partners are for…

The guys that were new to disc golf seemed to have a good time. The experienced guys were able to provide some discs for them to keep, and their distance and accuracy got better and better throughout the round. The best part about the round for me was that it reminded me of when I started playing disc golf. Learning how to throw, hanging out in herds when playing, and just having a nice casual round. Generally speaking, when I play now, I am either in a league or a tournament, and I don’t really get a chance to meet up with all of the guys and spend time catching up and playing like we used to. Many of the original Disc Golf Underground guys are still playing, but we are now more spread out throughout the Houston area. Many of us have more kids, and different professions that keep us from meeting up as often as we used to. Today was a good reminder of the past, and how it used to be. I look forward to getting more rounds like we had today in again, and trying to get the guys together again before the annual Labor Day and Christmas events. But in the mean time, the days like today will be an opportunity to #GrowTheSport with a bunch of new guys that will allow them to go off and make their own memories like we all have had a chance to do.

Oh ya.. as for the tag match that Khalil instigated, our team won, so I let him take the lowest tag. I told him not to get used to it though, and that I was going to challenge him for it this week. His response, “You can only challenge me after I challenge Tyson… I need a shot at the #1 tag.” That’s my boy… welcome to the Disc Golf Underground.