A Winnicrew Update
by Dave Feldberg

Touring isn’t always just throwing frisbees. After Todd’s impressive second place finish in Bowling Green we decided to check out one of the seven modern day wonders of the world: the Mammoth Caves. We took the historic tour which lead us 360 feet down into this cave, I guess we know where we are hiding if there is a WW III.

Afterward we headed to a campsite so Al could start one of his patented campfires, but decided not to stay the night and headed to Dave McCormack’s in St. Louis. Staying with Dave for the Ozark Mountain Open was Geoff and Johnny Lissaman, Shawn Sinclair, Ron Russell and of course the Winnicrew.

I knew that I was going to have my work cut out for me against these top pros on a par 70, 9,200 foot course, so I started soaking in information as quickly as I could. First things first.... putting! I took a crash course in weight balance from the Lissamans. I learned not to throw the putter, but instead to let it become an extension of my body. I think that the trick to learning good golf is the application of one lesson at a time. So Al, Geoff, Johnny, Ron, and I went to play Creve Coeur, a wide open course in 40-60 mph winds. I thought I could practice my new form. This wasn't the case at all. Just getting a disc to stay in the basket from five feet was more than a challenge for even these four world class players. By the time we got to the back nine it was just Al and me toughing it out.

I had never seen Dave’s monster Ozark course. Turns out the course plays 9,200 feet, but hazards allow 400 foot tee shots on only five holes. Dave told me to practice 150-250 foot midrange shots if I wanted to do well this weekend. Friday the Winnie headed to Bluebird park, a nice nine hole course I was told would play similar to the Ozark course. Not a soul was at Bluebird, which was a shame because it offers elevation changes and a good mixture of open and wooded shots. Al carded in the hot score of +8 on the long nine. This was challenging golf, I guess a little too challenging for the locals.

It's now Saturday morning and we are headed to the Ozarks course for Easter and the tournament. We knew the phone wouldn't work in the mountains so everybody called and wished friends and family a happy Easter. I called Diane (my missing puzzle piece), but forgot to call my parents. Sorry Mom and Dad.... Happy Easter!

If I didn't know where we were going, I might have thought we were headed to the movie set of Deliverance. After a long drive on a bumpy dirt two-track road we made it to the course. My first look at the layout was during the singles money round. If you think that you have disc golf skills.... play this course! One round will let you know what parts of your game need work. After my 73, which was supposedly a good round, I found out how bad my 200 foot approach game really was. The course is unbelievable.

The entire Ozark course plays more with your brain than your arm. My favorite hole is # 8, a true par five. You drive, and then based on how far you threw you’re stuck with the choice of throwing over the pond for an eagle attempt or a 150 foot lay up in front of the pond. Getting across the water on your second or third shot doesn't guarantee you an eagle or a birdie because once across the water the green drops 20 feet and continues another 50 feet to a basket with pine trees on your right and an O.B. creek on your left. It’s a tough up and down for any skill level.

We decided to camp down by the river, which entailed taking the Winnie down the side of a mountain on a dirt road that any sane person wouldn’t normally attempt. Scraping through tree limbs all the way, we somehow made it without rolling and exploding into a huge fireball of Winnie parts and melted plastic. Juliana and Randy Bower tried the same route in their new motorhome, but gave up halfway through. Nothing is too tough for the Winnie!

In the morning everybody was complaining about ticks. Their lives are so hard. Davey Mac decided to run tee times instead of a shotgun start. Al carded in a new course record of 64 the first round to sit in the lead. He was followed closely by Johnny and Ron who carded respectable 66's. Todd shot 72 and I shot 73. That put us on the third card. In the women’s match Juliana shot 82. Sue wasn't far behind at 89. At this course you could lose seven strokes on one hole.

Shawn Sinclair shot another new course record of 62 in the second round, but Sugar held him off with a consistent 65 for the win Todd threw 71 this time, 72 for me. Sue shot 91 and Juliana chalked up another win. Todd and I didn't shoot bad at +3 and +5 for the day, but definitely didn't cash. Look at this leader board:

1. Al Schack $400
2. Shawn Sinclair $285
3. Ron Russell $225
4. Johnny Lissaman $200
5. Geoff Lissaman $175
6. George Smith $ 100

- Dave

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