By Sean Warley / DiscLife.com
Monday, July 30

photo illustration: Chuck Kennedy

It’s the night before THE World Disc Gold Championship, a term that take on new meaning like never before. As I right this, more than 800 professional and amateur disc golfers from all over the world are gathered in one place to test their skills against friends and countless others that they have never met before for five days of pure golf heaven and the perhap occasional torturous round from hell.

I cannot tell you how many golfers I’ve talked to that tell me that this is their first Worlds. Many are here to experience the excitement that you can only find at a tournament of this magnitude. 800 plus golfers playing 44,794 feet of golf in four days and a bonus day for those who prevail as the best in their division. That’s a total of 126 holes averaging 355 feet a hole. The longest, Hudson Mills Monster hole 14 at 1038 feet and the smallest, Kensington Tunnel Hole 8 at 168. What is most impressive to me as a golfer who has never been here is the amazing variety the six courses offer.

• Elevation? Check.
• Distance? Check.
• Punishing roughs? Check.
• Doglegs? Check.
• Lefty Holes? Check.
• Windy conditions? Check.
• Field holes? Check.
• Tight wooded holes? Check.
• Short technical holes? Check.
• Blind Shots? Check.
• Elevated greens? Check.
• Fast greens? Check.
• Danger? Check.
• Competition? CHECK!

I am honored to cover what is always been known as the most enjoyable golfers in the land, amateurs! Over 400 ams have gathered and it is a task that is as overwhelming as it is exciting. How can I possibly cover the many stories that have brought all these golfers to one place? Well, I guess I’ll just dive right in and ask! I’ll get a chance to meet people from all corners of the worlds. Players of all ages and races. Golfers aspiring to pro tours and big prizes. But this week, they will battle it out for the right to be the best amateur in the world!

Unlike most tournaments, you’ll only get one chance per hole. There are no B or C pins and there is no second chance to right yourself from a poorly played hole. And unlike any Am Worlds before, am players also get a chance to meet and see nearly every professional that has made this game the sport it is today. More than enough to distract even the most concentrated amateur.

Over the next two days I’m going to hang around what is said to be the most challenging course at the tournament, Kensington Toboggan. Averaging 459 feet per hole, this course features severe elevation changes. How severe? I’ve only heard of courses in Colorado that can compare to it. It’s a temporary course that has been set up on a toboggan/ski area on a small mountain. 50-60 foot elevation changes are not uncommon. It will take golfers to their limits, testing their physical and mental state with every climb up the slopes and every throw off the tee box. They say it will make or break your week. They say you have to be part mountain goat to play it conquer it. Well it’s time to stop the talk and start the play. I’ll have a chance to see the best Advanced Amateur Women, Master Women, Juniors, Masters, Grandmasters and Advanced Men (the largest field at the tournament) start their week here, and your're invited to follow along. It’s Worlds Michigan style and from all indications, it’s gonna be a week to remember. I can’t wait for tomorrow to begin!