2006 Greater Des Moines Challenge

[Mukey]

Hey all!

I know we've got Fairfield Dubs, IOS#1, and Oly all coming up, but I wanted to start this thread early.

Anyone else planning on going? I've already taken time off of work to go up there a day early & play, and will be sending my pre-reg $ in tomorrow. It's about a 5 hour drive from Downers Grove, so it'll probably be 6 from the Northern Suburbs. That's a lot of driving, so I hope we can work out a carpool between a few of us.

Has anyone played this event before? What was your take on the tourney, courses, payout, etc.

[mirth]

Well, Des Moines was where PDGA Pro Worlds was held in 2004.... that should give you an idea about the area courses

[mamaclark]

You can find more information about the Challenge at http://groups.msn.com/TheGreaterDesMoinesChallenge/_whatsnew.msnw.

You can also e-mail me with any questions that aren't answered by the website.

Tina Clark,
Tournament Director
Greater Des Moines Challenge
arcintina@msn.com

[Mukey]

Pre-reg check is in the mail & hotel room reserved. I'm going and will have room in my truck for 1 other person if anyone is interested in sharing the drive. I plan to leave Friday morning to get there in time for doubles at Ewing that afternoon.

[SERG]

Carla and I have been thinking of playing...but we also noticed that our June schedule is filled each weekend. We might have to pass on this one for financial reasons. As of today we have two tournaments in May (Mayhem and Capitol Cup), then four in June. I'll let you know if we change our mind.

[tjdub42]

I played this tourney last year, my first multi-day tournament.  The courses are amazing.  Walnut Ridge, Ewing, & Pickard rank in the top 10 I've played.  The distances and elevation changes really tire out you arm, not to mention your legs, so try to get plenty of rest leading up to the tourney.  Great players pack and well-organized, I didn't cash (not even close!) so I couldn't comment on the payouts.

I would recommend an early arrival to check out the courses, Ewing & Walnut especially (Pickard is a bit of a hike from the other courses, but if you get time, check it out early too).  Maybe leave Thursday night and camp somewhere along the way (maybe my parents back yard in Davenport ) so you can get good prep time on Friday.

Playing intermediate, I didn't get to see the top pros at all since they played a different schedule.  If you play bad enough, you may be tempted to bail on the last round and watch the pros final round.

[UMphreak]

I'm planning on playing that one this year

[UMphreak]

Does anyone know why you can't see the pre-reg for this tourney on the PDGA web site?

[Mukey]

If you click on the website there's a link there to a list of pre-registered players, but not a direct link like usual.

[UMphreak]

Why isn't there a link to register over the internet?

[Dan Michler]

Why isn't there a link to register over the internet?

go to the tournament website.  or u can register at the event the day before up to 9pm.

[UMphreak]

I just can't seem to find a link to pay online at the web site.

[Mukey]

I just can't seem to find a link to pay online at the web site.

Just e-mail Tina: arcintina@msn.com, she's very helpful & usually responds the same day you e-mail her.

[CEValkyrie]

http://www.dsmdiscgolf.org/

[Tom McManus]

How many Discontinuum members are planning on playing this tourney?

[badger1190]

discontinuum repersenting well, adrian jr in first in advanced, neal in 3rd in advanced, and kenny g in 2nd in rec, keep up the good work

[Bruce Brakel]

Nice shooting Adrian!  What kind of basket did you win?

[CEValkyrie]

Good turnout of DISContinuum members out in Des Moiines. Dan M., Neal S., Adrain Jr & Sr., Tom M., Kenny G., Rocky P., Alex B., & myself made the trip. Congrats to Junior for tearing it up. I heard his putting was lights out. I didnt' get to see Kenny all weekend but it looks like he ripped it up. Way to go buddy!

If you want to spend a week of playing disc golf, Des Moines is the place to go. They have some fantastic courses. Big Creek, Ewing, Walnut Ridge, Grandview, & Pickard were used to the DM Challenge. All 5 are very unique and will exploit every weakness in your game. They also have several others like Carroll Marty, Iowa St, & Waterworks. I have yet to play Iowa St & Waterworks. I would take anyone of these courses in our area in a trade for every course in Lake County.

I was able to meet and see many great golfers this weekend. I got to play with three 1000 rated players who were Timmy Gill, Matt Orum, & Tanner Duncan. I was able to talk to Timmy about the ESPN2 experience. Tanner was a very cool guy a played great in the wind at Ewing. Matt is a young kid from Alabama touring. He tore it up at Big Creek.

I opened up at Pickard with a very solid round of 58.  I was throwing well and hitting most of my upshots. I bogied 2 birdie holes and missed a putt on #3 that hit dead center . I did have 5 birdies which really pumped me up since I had 0 in practice on Friday. As Donald Trump would say "You are a total disaster" describes my round at Ewing in the afternoon. That course has torn me up in both tournament rounds i've played there. I shot a +9 in 2004 & a +9 this year. I just totally sucked. I thought for sure I was going to be double digits over par. I birdied my last 2 holes to get it back to single digits. On Sunday I headed out to Big Creek. I really like this course & was very confident. I started out on the toughest hole on the course and 6'd it after being in position for an easy 5. A 5 is par on that hole. I got off to such a horrible start it was ridiculous. I went 6-5-3-5 to start. I finished at +8 with 4 birdies. In the afternoon we headed out for the final round at Walnut Ridge or Ballbuster Ridge as Dan & I like to describe it. In 2004 I shot +7 & +11 out there. I once again got off to a meltdown start. 6-5-4 to start. Nothing like being at +6 after 3 holes. I got a little pissed off & went on a tear from there. I missed birdie putts on 17 & 18. On the front 9 I birdied 5 holes. I finished +5. I finished +26 for the weekend. I was able to walk away with a biride on #1 at Walnut Ridge. I'm 3 for 3 on that hole in competition. Good times!

[Bruce Brakel]

Every hole at Crystal Lake will be like an upshot on Ewing or Big Creek.  You should practice Crystal Lake thinking every hole is par 2, and see if you can get your score down to +5 or so!   

[Dan Michler]

shot an 813 rated round....still had a blast and would advise everybody to go try these courses cuz they are defintely among the elite in the world.  i hope to hit this one again next year,