Masters of the Mountain Recap
This past weekend, the disc golf community gathered with excitement for the Masters of the Mountain B Tier Tournament at the picturesque Wasatch Wunder. The event was a resounding success, filled with competitive spirit, camaraderie, the majesty of nature, and good vibes. Shot well enough to earn second place in MA40 with a couple rounds rated over 900. Had my father on the bag second day which was special. Some great learning experiences out there as a player and a person.
Tournament Strategy:
Friday: Practice Day
3PM - I arrive with my family to the campsite at Wasatch Mountain State campgrounds. Haven’t played the course since last year, which even then was only a few times.
4:45PM - Camp is set up. Family is gracious to give me the time to go practice the layout. Head out to course for first practice round. With no pressure, throw some really nice shots. I’m taking notes on my phone of which discs work out best for each hole. Noting which holes to play for par. Throw a couple in the water on 15, get one back lose the other (MVP Resistor with 2023 UT States stamp) to the raging river. Hypothetically shoot -1 :)
Saturday: DGMT Tournament Day 1
6AM - Wake up, normal early bird time. Coffee and reddit in the camping chair surrounded by the mighty Wasatch wilderness. Everyone else is sleeping. Tee time is scheduled for 1:20PM.
8AM - Walk out to course realizing I can get an early morning warm up. Play 9 holes. Throws feel good. See a few other heads out there.
9AM - Go to tournament central and talk shop about course signs and glow minis with some interested folk. Look forward to collaberating with Neon Grit Events out of Las Vegas.
9:30AM - Head back to camp, breakfast and hang with family.
11AM - Spectate from hole 8, great vantage point to see 4 holes from one spot.
12PM - Head up to hole 1 to be early and watch some cards tee off. Check in on app to see tee time has been bumped from 1:20PM to 2PM! Oh no I’m WAY early. Head back to camp, have a cliff bar.
12:45PM - Find a practice basket near tournament central to warm up. Confidence is feeling decent.
2PM - Start round. Go OB into the water twice on hole 2, take a double. Playing catch up after that. Some nice shots here and there. Feel like there were about 2 strokes lost from C1 misses, and at least 2-3 strokes lost from errant approach shots. Finish the day with 4 birdies but end up with +2.
Sunday: DGMT Tournament Day 2
5:45AM - Wake up, coffee, reddit, nature. Game plan is conserve energy until tee time better, and try to play free and fun, avoid the tournament nerves I was feeling on day 1. Girlfriend and kids are heading back to town for work and supervision. Make breakfast.
6:45AM - Family departs for home. I break down camp.
8:30AM - Go to the course to dink around and do some putting. Putting feels great, can’t miss from 33”. See a family of dear. The omens are pointing towards a zen round.
Pack of deer vibing with my dialed C1 warm up putts.
Hot shower with tall nozzle and modern styling.
10AM - Realize there are showers available at these campsites. Go back to camp to see it’s already being cleaned by staff. I take a hot shower. Game changer.
10:15AM - Decide to drive down to Heber. Oh ok, it’s only 15 minutes away, very convenient. Get some early lunch from the local market. Delicious and great value on some tacos and watermelon.
11:20AM - Decide to check out Southfield DGC which is just 7 minutes down the road. Strategy is not to exert too much, just throw some slow speeds and do some putting. Run into some fellow Birdie Bastards before their round.
12:30AM - Head back to the Wasatch Wunder course to be there in time for my Father who’s flying in from CA for the weekend. He’s agreed to caddie for me.
1PM - Reunite with my father at tournament central, and go spectate hole 8, 9, and 12 from the lot. Head our way up to hole 1 around 1:45PM
2PM - Tee off! End up with a +1 for the day. Birdied my last whole with a nice 33” footer. I secured second place in the MA40 division. Special day with my dad on the bag who is learning about disc golf for the first time. A big shoutout to Mountain Air Disc Golf’s Jason Ramirez, who was on my card both days and took first place in the MA40 division with a commanding lead and consistent play.
Hole 8: Fun downhill shot over 400’
Community Shoutouts:
Thank you to Elevate Utah for everything they are doing to lift the local disc golf community. Truly inspiring.
Thanks to Grit Discs Events putting on the tournament and for their ongoing support of the disc golf community.
Special mention to Party Shirt’s ambassador Ian Dahlen for representing in style. It was great to see Fly Design’s 2023 Creekside Open party shirt out and about in the field.
Hole 9: Clear the marsh just past the road and make the island. Really fun backhand turnover that requires some trust. Party Shirt sighting!
Thanks to photographer Joe Gocong for covering the event. Download event photos here. Tips to Joe are welcome here.
The Wasatch Mountain State campgrounds offered an excellent stay for my family, with scenic views, adequate shade, running rivers, hot showers and clean bathrooms, making the entire weekend comfortable and enjoyable.