Reunited and it feels... alright

Reunited at last.  

No doubt it’s been a long time since the Circle Three blog has been active.  For some folks, that’s probably just fine.  The endless speculation and continued disappointment involved in following this blog isn't for everyone. 

But I’ll be damned if people don’t keep telling me that they want to read more.  Posts made online, conversations in real life, text messages to my cell.  It just doesn't stop.  I guess, like me, many of you have covered every inch of the internet.  Let’s admit it, it’s boring out there.  We've seen it all, maybe twice.  At this point, if you’re going to spend your time reading some useless drivel, you might as well read the guy who might at least mention your name. 

Since the last time we all got together, a lot has happened.  It’s not really because things are happening fast, but mainly because I haven’t written about disc golf in a while.  So, to make up for it, I’m just going to run down things one by one.  I might cover something you've been thinking about, I might not.  Feel free to let me know if I've missed something you want to talk about.

1.  Jeff Spring.  I say god damn.  There was a time that Jeff Spring was just a pretty regular guy, kind of like you, but just a little better at disc golf.  He was clean shaven and his feet touched the ground when he walked.  Now, he’s the King of the Vermont Disc Golf World.  He’s won everything in sight during the past year.  The Lincoln Peak Open, the Twin Falls Money Game Point Series, multiple Money Game events, the Green Mountain Point Series, the best beard contest, everything.  Spring had an epic year in 2012 and really deserves credit for holding back the attacks of Previous Champ Chris Young, the Up and Coming Mike Habets and the Money Game Final Day Winner Sean Bleything.  Spring stayed cool and hung on in seemingly every single round of the season.  Long, smooth throws and clutch putting will win you lots of tournaments, and money, as he proved this year. 

2.  And let us not forget that two years ago this blog started its life with a long shot, two-years-in-advance (now perfectly accurate) prediction of the Year of the Spring.  I predicted it and then we all lived it together.  You’ll be telling your grand kids about where you were during the YotS.  Hopefully when you tell them the legend of the Spring you’ll be kind enough to mention to them your favorite blog. 

3.  I saw Matt Idol hit a Circle Three during a Twin Falls round during the early March thaw.  You won’t believe me, but I predicted that too, right before he threw it in.  Unfortunately, he doesn't use the internet, so he won’t be able to verify this for me.  Whether or not you believe that part, it was still a pretty glorious shot and I’m glad I got to see it.  Idol joins a pretty heady group of folks to Circle Three that hole.  Jeff Spring (of course).  This Guy.  And now Idol.  That’s good company.  Lest I not forget, James Sweat has hit a legendary, filmed ace on the same hole, which is pretty serious bidness.

4.  This blog was named after the famous (and unique) ace-like re-tee Circle Three shot on Hole 18 at Twin Falls, in case you didn't know.  Now you know. 

5.  Who do you think is a bigger hippie, by the way, Mr. Sweat or Spencer Weatherholt?  Feel free to let me know your answer in the comments section.

6.  Those of you who know me in real life know that I've lived in a Disc Golf Fraternity House for the past two years.  It’s been a legendary run of disc golf, company business, website writing, poker, pool, backyard putting contests, a garage and living room filled with disc golf merch, and disc golf bags lining the entrance way.  But it’s all coming to an end very soon.  So, tip a bit of your FiddleheadSecond Fiddle double IPA for your fallen brethren.

7.  We’re going to have to talk a little bit about the 2013 season.  At this point, I’m not really sure if the Circle Three Blog is really in the elaborate prediction business.  Frankly, I don’t even know if Circle Three is really in business that much.  But maybe in the next week or so we can all talk about our 2013 thoughts.  I’ll see what I can arrange.

8.  Right off the top of my head, though, here’s what I bet.  No one can touch Spring this year.  I think he might be ready to challenge Betts for the consecutive wins streak.  I’m probably ahead of myself, but that’s what I think.  At this point, he’s still getting better every year.  Soon, he’ll be like Young Bucks and myself, and he won’t get better any more.  But for now, until he proves otherwise, Spring is still on the rise.  And if he’s rising none of us will be able to beat him.

9.  At the same time, Mike Habets play is really, really on the rise.  He’s also gotten better every year.  Plus, he’s younger and hungrier than Spring.  But, I have to think that the Point Series is still Spring’s to lose.  And he doesn't seem like much of a loser right now.  Habets will contend again this year, but he won’t be winning a Point Series.

10.  Personally, I think playing in a full season Point Series is a very expensive undertaking.  Even at $25 a tournament, that's $250 to play the full series.  That's not taking into consideration that some tournaments cost more that $25 and it's not taking into consideration that Pro is even more expensive.  It's certainly not taking into consideration the $30 lunch at the tournament at some unnamed ski resort tournament that we have in mid July.  So, iff someone's looking for a Circle Three internship, I'd love to know what it costs to play Pro for the full 2013 season.  Feel free to apply for an internship via email.  

11.  Wow, that’s been a lot of Circle Three for one night.  My fingers are sore from typing.  I can’t really remember anymore why I sat down to write this.  So it’s probably time to stop.  So, until next time, make sure to check the forum and see what Spencer has to say.  He’s on a roll right now and you should read it all before someone deletes it.  God bless the First Amendment. 

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Finale at Twin Falls

The season finale of Twin Fall's Money Game series proved to be an epic battle. The weather was pretty amazing, considering it was mid-November. The talent and competition was second-to-none and the hospitality of the house was simply amazing.

Holmes sinks the tournament winner

Todd Holmes won the day, posting a first round score of 54 and a second round score of 55. He was the uncontested winner of the day's Overall Best Score prize, but had to go to a playoff for the Lowest Single Round of the Day prize. The playoff only took one hole, with Holmes besting Dave Frothingham when Frothy failed to convert the elusive Circle Three on hole 17.

The Host and the Doctor

The real story of the day, though, belongs to Amy and Matt Cohen. My words here can't describe the hospitality and generosity they show to the Vermont disc golf community. From course maintenance, to cooking, to cleaning up, and generally taking care of us all, they deserve amazing thanks and praise. They truly are the First Family of Vermont Disc Golf. Thank you.

Leftovers:

*CTP prizes made for an exciting and lucrative day for some local disc golfers. Seth McQuade parked hole 2 and Matt Idol grabbed the prize on hole 5 for some nice prizes. Sean Bleything stole a very impressive CTP on hole 13 for a slightly larger prize and Jon Moorer simply parked hole 18 to take down the big prize.  (If you take a look at the picture of Holmes' winning putt, you'll see how close Moorer's CTP was...it's marked with the American flag.)

*Speaking of Jon Moorer, he also took down a prize for the Most Birdies in One Round. He and Frothy both had 5 birdies in a round and had to playoff for the prize, the day's second playoff. Moorer's soon-to-be legendary approach from the crowd on the deck knocked out Frothy after one playoff hole, for the second time it happened to Frothy on the day.      

*Speaking of hole 18, did you see that chump who set the single hole score record on hole 18? For those of you scoring at home, that was a Seven Circle 18. If you're interested in starting your own website, I might recommend that for your name.

The beauty of Twin Falls and the cool hand of Dr. Holmes

*Chris Young didn't win, for once. Very surprising. The reason I bring it up is that I thought Young Bucks was the most blogged about disc golfer. I think the Dr. may be giving him a run for his money. Evidence here and here.

*Brock. I didn't know you were leaving town. Not that I can blame you, but you're now the second real deal player to blow in and out of our lives here in Vermont. Anyway, don't forget, aloha means hello and goodbye. So, aloha.

*The final word this time goes to the Cohens. Matt, Amy, Noah, thank you, thank you, thank you.   

These guys are thankful for yesterday's hospitality

Also, thanks to Christian Keidel for the first winning putt photo and Matt Cohen for the second.

    

Your Next Pro?

We've talked about it before. The year 2011 was a pretty epic one for the Vermont disc golf scene. Chris Young stole the show. However, the Am group may provide us with the most drama in the off-season. Who's going to move up? Who's going to stay in the Am category and bag it next year? Is anyone going to make the huge leap from Am 2 to Pro?

Well, keep asking the questions and I'll keep finding the answers. Circle Three is proud to announce our very first Am to Pro jump of 2011.

He looks unassuming, but don't be fooled.

Bachnein's own Rang Duce is going Pro for 2012. He'll officially become the first GMDGC Am to move to Pro this year. He'll be the first Twin Falls player to go Pro. And he'll become Bachnein's first ever sponsored Pro. Wow. Pretty heady stuff.

Bachnein partner Taylor Johnson and Rang Duce

Rang told me that he was worried about playing poorly in Pro next year and getting beat up by the veterans. But then he just decided he wouldn't. Not that he wouldn't play Pro. Just that he wouldn't play poorly and get beat up. I love it. That's the kind of confidence he'll need in next year's top division. Admit it, the man knows how to handle stress. He battled last year and he battled this year.

His career highlight tells a little about Rang Duce's overall mindset. This past year he ended up on the second card at Black Falls V. A stellar score of 51 on Gold to Gold in the final round not only catapulted him off the second card but actually gave him the win with an 8 stroke lead over the next closest finisher. He's not one to give up and can't ever be counted out of a tournament.

Rang Duce (center) and a few of his loyal supporters

Of course, in Pro, it won't be so easy. But I think Rang Duce is ready for the next challenge. He got his Am win and in a very noble fashion he's going to make the Pro jump. I'll miss him in the Am division, but its nice to see him move up. Good luck, Rang Duce.  

A Donation to the Doctor

Last summer it seemed like Chris Young was a sure thing at the Money Game. He had his fair share of wins, and then some, and also won the season finale. Let's just say he took home a bunch of cash last year. There were some rumors and jokes floating around that he had worked the twice-monthly payout into his budget.

This year, we've all been donating our money to Emmett. Ben Parker won a Money Game early on and made a great showing the other times he played. Jon Moorer (has he turned Pro yet?) won week 2 with the first under-par Money Game round this year. But, really, we've all been giving our weekly entry fees directly to Emmett. And good for him, but it was really starting to get old.

Last night's Money Game provided some new excitement. When the pressure of top card got to Emmett, Chris Young, Jon Moorer, Jeff Spring, and Justin Kaulius, two second card players were able to shoot 51 (-3). Dave Frothingham and Todd Holmes both carded those season-low Money Game rounds to send it to a playoff.

With the full crowd watching, The Frothecy and Dr. Ice Water made the march to hole 17. Holmes put his drive close and Frothy chopped one off the tee into the bushes. From there it was all but a formality until Holmes putted out and took down the win.

I know I was thinking it, so you probably were too. Half the field is unemployed and we're going to let the Dr. take home the money. That stings, right? I thought so. But, how wrong I was. After an epic re-cap by Matty O., Todd claimed his prize and immediately told the crowd that he'd be putting all of his winnings into some secret course that he's constructing somewhere in Vermont. Bravo.

That's the kind of donation I like to make.

Extras:

*It looked like Dave was a little upset when he lost last night. Maybe a little more than a little upset. I think I saw a DFMD. And I think I just coined that phrase. Two weeks ago I also saw a DCMD. Did you see that one?

*Scott Moulton killed it. Shot a hot round, collected tags, dealt with the tag distribution, and as always brought good food. Nice work, Scott.

*Matt Zabawa also shot hot. Watch out for those AM 2 players, they're coming on strong. Oh, wait, haven't we heard about that? Someone might have mentioned that before, but I can't remember who.