Jon Heath - Whatever.

“Dude, you gotta check this stuff out.” I sat on the hardwood in front of the bed, where Kristin had sprawled out the contents of the top shelf of Grandma’s closet. “Here, read this.” She handed me a leather journal, and she had already marked the page with the ribbon bound to the spine. I read a page and a half before I looked up. I must have had a look of disbelief painted on my face, as Kristin said “I know, right?” “My grandmother thought this place had a ghost?” Great. I hadn’t even spent the night in this new house and already it was haunted. “Yeah. And look at this.” She flipped a few pages, and pointed to a name. “She named him.” This page was a detailed description of a man named Henry that only appeared to my grandmother on the top floor of the house. He was apparently always dressed in an old Union blue uniform. “Creepy shit, huh?” Kristin seemed to enjoy this news more than me. “You’re smiling like it’s your birthday.” I wasn’t. Kristin quickly fixed her face. “So...

After playing in one of the hottest tournaments I've ever experienced a few weeks ago, I thought it would be a good idea to speak on my experiences, and how important it is to focus on diet, hydration, and sleep before and during a tournament. Sometimes you lose sight of just how physically demanding a disc golf tournament can be until mother nature adds its two cents and leaves you laying in the grass. The fact that I'm not as young as most of the players out there anymore doesn't help matters, but I could tell the heat was affecting everyone involved. The Knoxville Disc Golf Club hosted the Old City Open on July 22nd, and morning temperatures were surprisingly mild for July in Tennessee. I had eaten eggs and toast that morning, and hydrating on water and Gatorade since the night before. I must add that I'm 6'3" and 225 lbs, and don't have the best restraint when it comes to dietary choices. The OCO (Old City Open) was the most prepared I've ever be...

Disc Golf, like anything else, can hook a person in and never let go. It can also seem mundane and boring to some. For me, I can't get enough of it. And this week is the pinnacle of my competitive career to date. The Bowling Green Amateur Disc Golf Championships is one of the largest disc golf spectacles in North America. People come from far and wide to wade in the river of plastic and chains, and not just to play in the event. There are many that come to volunteer, sell their merchandise, or just spectate the hundreds of competitors. This year, over nine hundred golfers will try to win their respective divisions, and I will throw my hat in as one of the many. The event actually starts when the sponsors, vendors, and volunteers, including some major touring professionals, show up early in the week. There are clinics, doubles rounds, throw-off competitions, and much more that, sadly, I will be missing. A man has to work... This will be my first year attending, so I can'...

The first thing I acknowledge is pain. My ribs feel as if they've sustained a terrible impact, and the back of my head is throbbing. When I open my eyes, I notice the sky is full of smoke. People are screaming, and there are birds circling in the sky. Blood has pooled in my beard. Gathering my senses, I realize there is a battle going on, and I have no recollection of anything leading up to this moment. To my right, there is a floating white orb of light. There's something soothing about it. I feel as if I've lived this reality before. As I lift myself up to a sitting position, I quickly pan around looking for what to do first. Grabbing for my sword and shield, I wince in pain when I move my arm. Out of nowhere, a vial with a red liquid floats out from seemingly nowhere, and as if I don't have control of my own body, my hand reaches out for it, and I drink it. The taste, if only for a split second, takes me to a beautiful beach. I instantly feel better, and jump to my...

First Tee      The entry fee has been paid. You arrived early, as you always do. The stretches and practice putts are already completed. You feel tightness in your back again. This always happens at tournaments when you get started earlier than usual. After shaking hands with everyone on the card, you dive into your own thoughts and block the idle chatter around you. It's time to focus. You look down at your shoes, glad you went with the waterproof ones to fight the morning dew. It's time for the checklist. You made sure to pack extra towels, and you pull one out and fasten it to the outside of your bag. You dry your throwing hand, and then reach for your rosin bag. You look up at the basket in the distance, trying to decide if you want to play safe, or attack the first hole. Slow and easy to start,  you decide.      The tournament director has put your card on hole three to start. The worst hole on the course. There are many options to attack...