Ben Calhoun's 2006 Disc Golf Road Trip

[terrycalhoun]

Ben took off early Monday morning on a 3-4-month disc golf road trip. He played a couple of new Michigan courses as he drove west and ended up late last week in Pickard, Iowa.

There, he played a C-Tier on Saturday and took first place in the Men's Open Division by four strokes over 25 competitors, although you cannot see the scores online yet (http://www.pdga.com/schedule/event.php?TournID=5708).

He declined the cash, though, as he intends to maintain Amateur status through the summer. I bet that startled whoever at Pickard took second place. :)

Next week he'll be at the St. Louis Open Am, A-Tier, and the following week at the Greater Des Moines Challenge, Am, A-Tier.

[davidbihl]

That sounds like a dream come true! Awesome news Terry. What kinda vehicle did he take?

[DSproAVIAR]

WOW! Nice Ben!!!!

[Luke Butch]

I am guessing he learned how to putt well??

[terrycalhoun]

Arthrodesis, he's got a 4-door Subaru, which he claims he can sleep well in at rest areas. It was packed to the ceiling when he left.

He called in last night from a Motel 6 in St. Louis, complaining that the courses next weekend's tournaments are on are not in very good condition, or well-marked + tons of poison ivy.

[terrycalhoun]

Luke, he did learn to putt well. He moved to a straddle putt which is doing well for him. I think this is the year, finally, when he gets so much better than me that I no longer stand a chance against him.

[davidbihl]

Arthrodesis, he's got a 4-door Subaru, which he claims he can sleep well in at rest areas. It was packed to the ceiling when he left.

He called in last night from a Motel 6 in St. Louis, complaining that the courses next weekend's tournaments are on are not in very good condition, or well-marked + tons of poison ivy.



HEy Terry
Ahh, the life of the vagabond.... sounds nice doesn't it. Sure will improve his organizational skills won't it. Did he have a tent? I hope he gets out of this incessant rain and grey, could get kinda funky in the car if everything is wet!!! Is he following the supertours?

[terrycalhoun]

Yeah, he's got a tent. And his org skills are superb; it's kind of a "thing" with him.

[davidbihl]

I see, so organization is not an issue for him. What kinda discs did he take with him? does he throw a midrange alot?

[klemrock]

Is this the same Ben Calhoun of Chicago Public Radio/National Public Radio?

[bruce_brakel]

Here's public radio's Ben Calhoun: http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/programs/specials/chicagomatters/images/cm04_calhoun.jpg

Here's Terry's Ben Calhoun: http://www.amnationals.com/gallery/images/Ben%20Calhoun.jpgDifferent people.

[DSproAVIAR]

Ben Calhoun of Cottage Inn Pizza.
http://www.a3disc.org/2000/terryben.jpg
The title of this pic on A3's site was "To embarass Ben" :D

[terrycalhoun]

Ha! That's when I won Am Grand Master Worlds in 2000 but Ben took home three trophies to my one: Juniors 3rd place, Juniors doubles 1st place, and Am Mini-Golf 1st place.

[terrycalhoun]

Here's the photo collection on line: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/innovagolfer/my_photos

[jHarr]

I see he's a pre-reg for the KC wide open as well... we lived there for 2yrs (Lansing now) when the wife started medskool in '00- which is where I was first introduced to organized golf on deluxe courses, waterworks park 6mi from our "hood" digs was an oasis for sure...

met Ben at shanty creek last summer, he picked some good michigan weather to be missin lately but looks like st louie's wet today too- good luck to him...

[terrycalhoun]

Yep. He's going to the Minnesota Majestic, too, but they've got my name on the pre-reg list :)

Heard from him after the first round today. He's in second place going into the final round, but the local leader has a BIG lead. Second place gets a basket, but I don't think he can fit one into his car!

[terrycalhoun]

Ben ended up in third place (Adv Ams) at the St. Louis A-Tier. He stopped by Kansas City earliler this week and then went on nto Des Moines for the A-Tier their, this weekend.

He tells me that Jeff Bennett and Peter Wyngaard are driving to Des Moines and that they'll share a room this weekend.

[jHarr]

nice finish (2nd) in des moines- makin the most of the trip
guess he had enough room in the car to pack a can of whoopass

[terrycalhoun]

Ben was interviewed by Brian Sullivan for this week's PDGA Radio News. I am amazed that he did it, but it's pretty good: http://www.pdga.com/pdgaradio/

[DSproAVIAR]

That is sweet. Congratulations Ben.

[terrycalhoun]

Ben tied for first with two other players at the Minnesota Majestic A-Tier (advanced).

During the playoff, one player parked a 450-foot hole (against the wind) the other was 100 feet out, Ben missed a 40-footer. So that took care of first place. :(

On the next hole, the other remaining player and Ben were both about 40-to-50-feet out, Ben ran the putt, hit the basket and rolled away so far that he missed his par. The other player parred.

So Ben picked up third place.

He's on his way today to Kansas City again for the Wide Open this weekend. He'll be playing Open.

Summary so far:

Open Division C-Tier: first place, declined cash
Advanced A-Tier: third
Advanced A-Tier: second
Advanced A-Tier: third

[bruce_brakel]

At the Minnesota Majestic Ben officially tied for second. Under the rules, ties for places other than first are officially recorded as ties. There is a playoff or CTP if there is a trophy, but officially Ben tied for second. The payout should have been combined and split and Ben will get PDGA points for tying for second.

:DJoin the PFDGA: Proud Fathers' Disc Golf Association :D