I Survived My First Worlds!

In July of this year my son, Danny, and I attended the 2013 PDGA Amateur Disc Golf World Championships in Emporia, KS.  This was the first major tournament I had ever participated in.  

I had no idea what to expect as I prepared for the event.  I was pretty sure that most of the players would be way out of my league, and that proved to be correct.  But that was not a concern for me.  All I wanted to do was survive.

Just 10 weeks before the tournament, I had my left kidney removed after a lengthy illness.  We had made the decision to go to Worlds way before I knew that I was going to need surgery, or I probably would not have gone so soon after that procedure. 

There were moments when I was preparing for the competition when I fretted about whether I could survive all the walking and all the throwing that was involved in a six round disc golf tournament.  I knew that the weather would play a big part in my ability to play all six rounds.  I was hoping for sunny weather, so that I didn’t have to deal with lugging an umbrella, or alternatively, playing in rain-drenched clothes.

The number of discs I took to Emporia was more than I needed, but I did not know how many I might lose in lakes, ponds, or streams along the various courses we played.  During the actual competition I limited my bag to six discs, two Leopards, two Kites, one Putter and a spare disc that I was willing to risk losing if it landed in water.

Most of the other competitors had far more discs with them than I did.  However, I was concerned about carrying anything too heavy.  I also carried a water bottle that I could refill at numerous places along the course, and a tri-pod stool, so that I could rest my legs and feet while waiting for someone to throw.

What I wasn’t figuring on was that the weather would be nice—too nice!  It was sunny and hot during the whole tournament.  The first day it was over 105 degrees by the time we got off the disc golf course.  There was a point during that first day when I thought I might not make it the full 18 holes of the afternoon’s session. 

The morning session was at a course with a good amount of shade trees.  It was fairly flat with small elevation changes, and some holes wound their way or near some woods and a small stream.  This was nothing out of the ordinary for me.

The course that afternoon was rolling hills and long fairways.  It was super-imposed over a ball golf course just for this tournament. However, we weren’t allowed to use golf carts to transport ourselves. We were constantly going up one hill and down another. 

The 18^th hole was a hole where the basket was located on this small island in the middle of a small lake.  I had some bad dreams the night before I played that course.  I had no idea how I was going to get across the lake.  I have never had a strong arm that could throw a long drive.  But in my post-surgical state, throwing across all that water was something of a nightmare for me.  I thought I may have to throw every one of my discs in the water.

Just at my moment of deepest doubt when I reached hole 13 Danny showed up to caddy for me!  He had completed his round for the day and came to help.  He carried not only his bag, but mine as well, and ran for water for me, and carried my stool while I was throwing.  It was so encouraging to have him there.

Once I got to the dreaded 18^th hole, I threw my first disc in the water, and then had to throw from the drop zone.  But I made it across to the island from there!  When that hole was done a good friend, Ken Franks, was there driving all competitors up this large hill back to hole one.  That, too, was such a blessing!  There is no way I could have walked up that huge hill.

After that there were just six more holes for that afternoon.  By the time I was done, I was giddy with relief.  I knew right then that I could make it for the rest of the tournament. 

The second day I only had to play one course, and while it was the same, long, hilly course from the day before, I knew that once I was done, I had the afternoon off.  On the third day, I had to once again do a double session.  The morning course was easy and familiar as it was a repeat of the first day.

The afternoon course I had to play sight unseen.  My head kept telling me, just keep moving forward, and throwing in the middle of the fairway.  It, too, proved to be a very long, very hot, afternoon.  I was approaching my 30^th hole of the day when suddenly, I began to get very dizzy.  My biggest fear was looming in my face – that my body would fail me and I wouldn’t be able to continue.

Thankfully, one of the other women on my card, Kim, ran back to the group behind us.  One of those ladies had some nursing and emergency care training, and she told Kim what to do for me.  While I had been drinking plenty of fluids, apparently my body temperature was just getting too high.  They wrapped a pack of ice in a small scarf and placed it on the small of my back.  In about 10 or 15 minutes, I had relief from the heat.

The following day I just had one more round to play, and at that point, I figured that either I was going to complete the journey, or they would have to drive me away in an ambulance.  I was so determined to get it done, and so thrilled when I did!

I told people later that it was the biggest physical challenge of my life.  To make it through the surgery, and recovery, to push myself to be ready to compete, was difficult.  And then to have enough strength to make it through Worlds was no small task, but I had done it!

That’s why I’m so determined this year to be fully trained and ready for the 2014 Worlds.  It isn’t going to be enough just to survive.  This year I want to really compete.  Last year it was OK to say, “I’ve just had surgery.”  

This coming year I’m going to be strong, and be able to throw as far as my competitors did last year.  I’m going to be a real contender this year!  Are you hearing those strains of “Rocky” in the background?  I am!