Winters are cold, so we get active in summer
One summer during college my friends and I dove deep into disc golf. We played at several Twin Cities courses, probably one a week. There was Highland Park in St. Paul, Kaposia Park in South Saint Paul, Bassett Creek in Crystal, and more. In fact, Minneapolis/St. Paul is the third ranked metro for disc golf in the country. Little did I know we were playing in bronze level territory.
Every course has its unique appeal. Highland Park is open, with nicely cut grass and some quaint structures. Wabun plays near the river bottoms, and I swear there is one along the airport fence, although the internet indicates it may be gone. Finally, Theodore Wirth is the preeminent urban park. It’s on the outskirts of Minneapolis and every hole is a par 3.
With my courage sufficiently high, I signed up for an amateur tournament that summer. It was the 2012 Piper Classic. This tournament has been held annually since 2008. Every year they raise funds for the Como Zoo and sponsor a particular animal. The animal becomes a theme of the tournament. This year is going to be a seahorse. In 2012, the orangutan took center stage.
C.P. Adams Park
The tournament location changes year to year. When I played it was at C.P. Adams Park in Hastings. This small town is on the border between the metropolitan Twin Cities and the Driftless Area. Here, the suburbs transition into blufflands and river towns. The course itself is forested with a few rolling hills. The fairways though are open, and I don’t remember too many tight lines through the trees.
We played in foursomes of people with relatively similar skill level. I was in the recreational division, which is the equivalent of “duffers” in golf. Although I didn’t wow anyone with my final score, I did make a spectacular shot. From the fairway, I drained an uphill shot from at least 50 yards. Everyone erupted in cheers. The sad part is, I don’t remember if I got a par or a birdie on the hole. Getting a birdie in golf always eluded me, and now I don’t even know if I recorded one in disc golf.
There aren’t any real water hazards on the course, but Bullfrog Lake is just across the road. As I mentioned earlier, Hastings is on the edge of the Driftless Area. Some of the small, forested hills give a taste of what’s to come further south. My favorite part of the day wasn’t actually the scenery, though, which is unusual for me. Instead, it was the afterparty. For some reason boxed wine was a big deal at this tournament. Folks took turns guzzling down the wine, like athletes drinking Gatorade.
Much of this information I wouldn’t have been able to remember if it hadn’t been for my prize, a disc. This trophy was not for a high score, it was for participation. The disc is orange and says 2012 Piper Classic on it. On the disc is engraved a peace sign, with four graphics embedded. The graphics include a tree branch, several yin/yang symbols, and a disc/basket. Last but not least is an orangutan holding a wooden staff.
