The 17th Annual San Francisco Safari will be Aug 20 & 21, 2005 in the Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA.
The flyer will be on Tour page soon.

Can't wait!

Sorry about the website confusion. The flyer for the Safari can be found on the Norcal Site. Click on this link http://norcalseries.com/2005/Flyers/SanFranciscoSafari_2005.doc
Thank you Steve Ganz :D

Now you're talkin' :D

The Safari is always an epic event.

Be sure to bring sun screen :cool:& a parka. :o

WHERE in the Park is it?

Safari Tournament Central is 25th and Lincoln Ave in Golden Gate Park. It is posted on the flyer.

I had a prompt about failure of a conversion filter. The only address is 120 2nd 94118. The time is missing, also.

Is it just me; anyone else have this problem with info?

...where is the COURSE going to be? :confused:

p.s. There is no intersection of 25th and Lincoln Ave. :D

Slo -- I am not really sure what the problem is. We have not heard of anyone else having problems downloading the flyer -- but here is an alternate location for it:
web page (http://www.sfdiscgolf.net/safari/SFsafari2005.pdf)
The time, address to send checks to etc. are all on that flyer -- and believe me, 25th and Lincoln do intersect. Let us know if you have any more problems.

Thanks for the link; I still got an error prompt, but more info was there. The logo was in a different spot, too.

slo, mapquest, and google must insist: that intersection does not exist, nor does Grant Street run through Chinatown. /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Marx, my words: Is it a secret where the course is located? :DAnd why 20 baskets?

Thanks for the link; I still got an error prompt, but more info was there. The logo was in a different spot, too.

slo, mapquest, and google must insist: that intersection does not exist, nor does Grant Street run through Chinatown. /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Marx, my words: Is it a secret where the course is located? :DAnd why 20 baskets?



1st find Golden Gate Park, Then find Lincoln & 25th its a piece of Cake :DUnless of course your a little "Slo" :D

20 Baskets for Temp courses....Last year there were 3 courses played. With only 1 permanent course of 9 baskets, they will need EXTRAS. The NorCal Temp Baskets are REALLY OLD and Nicer, Newer models would be prefered.......

*ahem* Lincoln Way. :D

Yes, there is a Lincoln Blvd in San Francisco - it's in the Presidio, but it doesn't run near Golden Gate Park. There is a 25th Street, but it's nowhere near Golden Gate Park either.

Tournament Central will be just northwest of the corner of 25th AVENUE and Lincoln WAY.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=25th+ave+and+lincoln+way,+san+francisco,+ca&spn=0.027137,0.034002&hl=en

Also: There is no Grant Street in SF. You're thinking of Grant Avenue, which runs from Union Square, through Chinatown, through North Beach and terminates up by Pier 39.

http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/attractions/grant.html

Can you tell I was a cab driver for 10 years?

Do you know the way to Helyer? :D

Nice sewing-up there Matt. Was it 'there' you cabbied?

...and I thought the park had 12 baskets, not 9. :confused:

Ya, San Francisco is always sweet, I enjoy the course layouts, the only problems i think are the litterbox tee's. (sand)
I hope they have all the cool games this year again, I thought that was one of the best things about SF. they always have somthing extra, Stick isn't running it, but I hope that Rob can carry on the tradition.

It should be pointed out that Gregg won last year, defeating some of Norcal's best players, so obviously the tee boxes didn't bother him that much :D

Yeah, I was a cabbie in SF for a very long time.

Looking back at my description -- actually TC will be just NorthEAST of 25th Ave and Lincoln.

Now it looks like I have to decide between the Safari and Full Sail's Mt. Shasta tournament. Decisions... decisions...

No worlds for you this year Matt.

Rad! Do you ever get flashbacks watching "Streets of San Francisco"? :cool: http://www.noehill.com/sf/russian/images/san_francisco_macondray_sign_thumb.jpg


How do you pronounce "Geary"? I've heard two different ways... :confused:

yeah, no worlds. Nationals instead.

Geary Blvd and Geary Street. Named after John Geary, 1st Postmaster, 1st Mayor of San Francisco.

I've heard Geery and Gary. I say Geery.

I actually record "Streets of San Francisco" on Tivo.

So, not a "j" sound? Like the second "g" in garage? JEE-ry.

Seemingly de-diphongated, regardless [not gEAr-y].

I've criss-crossed through the City by Bicycle, Muni, Bart, Cable Car, Green Tortoise, personal Car, and Taxi, but the best way by far is by foot. :p One thing about the event is, the venue doesn't need selling. :cool:

SLO in SF: Ah, excuse me mister, can you tell me how to get to the Jolden Jate Bridge? :p

Try 101 N!

The Golden Gate, slo, and Bob Dylan all share the same birthday... :)

(from Rob Byers):

There's a better version of the flyer now out. Check out this one on the Norcal Series Website:
http://norcalseries.com/2005/Flyers/SanFranciscoSafari_2005.pdf
Let me know if you have any problems or questions

So, not a "j" sound? Like the second "g" in garage? JEE-ry.

Seemingly de- diphongated , regardless [not gEAr-y].



It's diphthong, you dip....

I know the noun; I created a verb meaning "to eschew using a dipthong sound where one is usually indicated. Like in the word, "gear". The phenomena of de-dipthongization removes any "A" sound from 'Geary'. :)
Exactly the same as what happens in KeArney, Nebraska, just different.

I was just thinking of this, when "PorGy and Bess" came on the Jazz station...that's a better example of the "G" used.

I know the noun; I created a verb meaning "to eschew using a dipthong sound where one is usually indicated. Like in the word, "gear". The phenomena of de- dipthongization removes any "A" sound from 'Geary'. :)
Exactly the same as what happens in KeArney, Nebraska, just different.

I was just thinking of this, when "PorGy and Bess" came on the Jazz station...that's a better example of the "G" used.



It's diphthong...I know you understand the word, you're just misspelling it.

Ummm, you guys want to start a new thread in Miscellaneous?

Like I said, disc golf in Golden Gate Park -- 3 courses, lots of fun! Hope to see everyone there.

http://www.bomers.de/gallery/2004/06/7989.jpg

Ummm, you guys want to start a new thread in Miscellaneous?

Like I said, disc golf in Golden Gate Park -- 3 courses, lots of fun! Hope to see everyone there.


Umm, no. But I will pimp the tourney for you.

REGISTRATION FORM (http://norcalseries.com/2005/Flyers/SanFranciscoSafari_2005.pdf)

http://www.bomers.de/gallery/2004/06/7989.jpg

Thanks for the pimpin'!

Registration is now up at:
http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=4784

A final reminder to register for the SF Safari disc golf tournment to take place in Golden Gate Park August 20-21. We'll have 3 great courses set up and a variety of fun between-round extra-curricular activities. This event *always* sells out so get your registration in now.

****ALSO, WE NEED TOURNAMENT QUALITY BASKETS FOR THE WEEKEND***. Even if you are not planning on playing we could use your basket. If you would be willing to lend yours, please contact Tournament Director Rob Byers at 415-516-5385 (rob.byers@db.com).

A registration form is available at:
http://norcalseries.com/2005/Flyers/SanFranciscoSafari_2005.pdf

A list of who has already registered is available at:
http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=4784

Hope to see you all there!

Ross Hammond
SF Disc Golf Club
www.sfdiscgolf.org (http://www.sfdiscgolf.org)

Forgot to mention: $1,000 guaranteed for 1st place in Open, $500 in Masters.

Jonah and George are gonna kill it!! (it better be in open though ;) )

They're already signed up for Advanced if you can believe it. If you seem them in AZ give'em a nudge!

This better be their last year in advanced, Jonah and George have got the skills for Open baby!! :cool:Especially on the SF courses!

Speaking there of, are there any marked tees and hole locations on the courses open players will be on that I can go up next weekend and check out? :confused:

Hey Jonathon I'm hoping to have tees prepped and and holes staked for both temp courses by Sun Morning 8/14. I'll put up a post when we've marked the course.
By the way Where are the Santa Cruz boys?

Hey Rob, Sweet, I appreciate your efforts and I will plan on going up next Sunday to see all the fun shots. The SC boys are all livin large :cool: You looking for anyone in particular?

JB

The Champ! Bring us the Champ! (of course I'm not playing Open so I can say that) :D

The Champ! Bring us the Champ! (of course I'm not playing Open so I can say that) :D



You'd better check with his Agent.
There might be an Appearance Fee /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

:D

I think for $90 he'll be allowed to play :D :cool:;)

I think for $90 he'll be allowed to play :D :cool:;)


Doh! :eek:
:D

Well we had a little party/bbq for The Champ yesterday at lower DeLaveaga park and he is planning on playing the Safari. So my question is, how many am's are going to step up to pro just to get a chance to play with him??? Any takers? :cool:

Want to play against the Champ, you'll have to go Pro. At this time all the amateur divisions of The San Francisco Safari are filled.
I'm really sorry to any who didn't get in especially any of the Worlds players that may have wanted to play.
We'll be here next year, please join us. :)

Hey Walter Langford Where are you? Seriously the San Francisco Safari is and has been sold out. I received Walter's registration after the cutoff. If anyone knows him, tell him he's not in and have him contact me. 415 221 4744 or robbyers1@aol.com. I've been trying to reach him but haven't gotten through. I don't want him to drive down to SF for nothing. Thanks all

The map for the East/West courses are posted here (http://tinyurl.com/9yntc) and the Marx Meadow map here (http://tinyurl.com/9kl8g). Rob will be out at tournament central at 25th and Lincoln Friday from 3:00 til 7:00 checking players in and handing out players packs. The courses will be marked for pre-tourney play.

The OB lines on the Marx Meadow course have been put in and the baskets are in their correct position for Saturday.

Good news: Nice shootin', Marty with a sweet 44!

Bad news: Steve Ganz was hit between the eyes with a disc between rounds. I think he had to go to the hospital for some stitches. Heal quickly, Steve.

Wish I could be there, but I'm still hurtin' from the worlds. Waaaaaaaaa......

Bad news: Steve Ganz was hit between the eyes with a disc between rounds. I think he had to go to the hospital for some stitches. Heal quickly, Steve.




Steve took 4 stitches to the bridge of the nose... :(

There will be a nice picture up at <font color="blue"> The NorCal Series Web Site </font> (http://www.norcalseries.com) :)

So then Steve comes back to tournament central from the emergency room, continues to upload scores and ends the night by saying " Could I jump in and play a round tomorrow"
You're the best Steve
Thanks for all the help today

'Twas merely a flesh wound! ;)
http://photos26.flickr.com/35743274_63af73e84e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveganz/35743274/)

OUCH!!!

Heal quickly, Steve.

Bad news: Steve Ganz was hit between the eyes with a disc between rounds. I think he had to go to the hospital for some stitches.


And just for the record....It was ME who hit the DISC! :D

Sheesh; don't you know there's a penalty for interference? :o:confused: Heal, heal! :D

THird Round Scores! (http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=4784)

Final Scores! (http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=4784)

(Ratings aren't working. Please ignore)

'Twas merely a flesh wound! ;)
http://photos26.flickr.com/35743274_63af73e84e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveganz/35743274/)

Dam Steve get welll sooooon.

Final Scores! (http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=4784)

(Ratings aren't working. Please ignore)



How did Adam (Rating 919) get into Intermediate??

How did Adam (Rating 919) get into Intermediate??

It's a shame. Another one slips through the cracks. We decided to give him the merch, but the trophies went to the second, third and fourth place finishers. He was pretty upset and we all felt bad about it.

Looks like he earned merch about equal to what his score would have earned in Advanced, assuming they played the same tees.

They all played from the same tees. The merch thing wasn't a problem. It was the trophy that meant the most to the players involved.

The problem was that there were three pools and each pool played a different course twice. We had a chance to get him on the Advanced track before the third round, but I had figured all of this out the night before while recovering from my run-in with a disc. I ended up getting to the course well after they had teed off and completely forgot about it until the fourth place Intermediate player came up and mentioned it to me after the third round.

How did Adam (Rating 919) get into Intermediate??

It's a shame. Another one slips through the cracks. We decided to give him the merch, but the trophies went to the second, third and fourth place finishers. He was pretty upset and we all felt bad about it.



Par Infinity STRIKES Again......He knows he's not allowed to play..I had to bump him up at the KOA when he tried to enter Int. /msgboard/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
THEN he didnt show up at all :(

Does this guy Adam frequent the board? If so, I have an avatar for him... http://www.indyprops.com/pp-sandbag7.jpg

what a rude awakening
... :eek: :D

So does that mean Les Swift won 1st place in intermediate? That would be karma given how hard he has worked as a volunteer.

Also, I missed the end of the raffle. Who won the basket?

Bondy won the basket AND one of Rob's carts!

Yeah, Adam played Marx Meadow twice, while the Am1s only played it once. We played the West course twice.

I had a fantastic time this year. It was brutal and grueling, but that's why we keep coming back. Congrats to the SF Disc Golf Club on a fine-fine tournament.

I think Neil Bondy got the basket. Well deserved too. :D

Safari rocked this year.

-Teri

The raffle was another karma deal in the works, as Mr. Bondy walked away with it. VERY deserving if you ask me. I am stunned about Steve Ganz though, the man goes to the emergency room poring blood from between his eyes following getting smacked from a disc and yet ends up back on the course spotting and getting scores entered the same afternoon!!! He was almost knocked clean out from less than 50 ft. away. and still takes cell pictures of himself from the hospital bed... just for us! Serious endless acts of kindness...

And the safety award goes to....


:p

Rob Byers ran his first tourny very well, hats off to him and his wife for such a great time. The basket crew was amazing, 45 baskets to place all over the park each day was incredible to say the least. If anybody knows the park arborist, I would like to have a chat with him or her. We have far too many trees in that park (according to my score).

I saw it all in slow motion...I was thinking in my head, "Hey, Steve is running back to finish the scores and He is speeding right through the Empty your bag competition, :owhere dozens and dozens of sharp drivers and approach discs are racing through the air at head height, /msgboard/images/graemlins/ooo.gif as Steve hunkers down,still running, :eek: <font color="black"> </font> one just misses his head but the next one. :p....WATCHOUT, someone yells... :( :(oh the sound!!KNOCK.... :o....and he is flying off his feet...glasses one direction...common sense in another :D:D<font color="red"> </font>
Yes, there was alot of blood.

Good times
Good times

Rob Byers ran his first tourny very well, hats off to him and his wife for such a great time. The basket crew was amazing, 45 baskets to place all over the park each day was incredible to say the least.



ditto a very well run tourney, not many groups out there could have 2 1/2 temp courses thrown up like that nice job..only thing I didn't like was the park..it's such a beautiful park it's a shame the city doesn't keep it cleaner..most citys wouldn't allow that kind of trash but hey they do have probably a couple hundred full time residents living in the park..

Jay

Serious endless acts of kindness...

Serious acts of stupidity is more like it. ;)

Sorry to here about that Steve. I wish I was there to play the tournment I am all ready missing NorCal. Good luck everyone.

Ditto on the trash. We are a big city, we've got our homeless, but I do get bummed when I'm setting up the courses and I see the trash. And by the way hats off to all you players. You packed out your trash. :D I walked the courses today to pick up stakes and tee flags and only found 1 Rock Star can. Thanks again, that makes life with Parks Dept much much easier.

you know if those courses became perm....all the trash would be cleaned up by the locals.

Killer courses, good times...mant thanks to all!

Wow ..............Loved that tournament !!!!!

NorCal guys are the Best !!!!!

Good times , great people , excellent run tournament.
http://jm.g.free.fr/smileys/halm.gif

Steve Ganz..............that guy............takes a Head Shot.........comes back to tournament central and kicks asss on scores and spoting !!!!!! Insane man !!!!!!!!http://jm.g.free.fr/smileys/halm.gif


I like the green golf cart Neil Bondy won !!!!! How do I get one of those ?

Great job Neil and the rest of the tournament staff !!!!!!!
Nicely deserved Basket prize !!!!!

A Special thanks to Rob Byers. Your personal involvement and desire to run a fun event for all , is world class !!!!!

That's the way to run a tournament !!!!!!http://jm.g.free.fr/smileys/halm.gif


Thanks again , for allowing me to be a part of an awesome event !!!!!!

Donny Olow

Oh , one thing......................did anyone fess up to Steve on the Disc thrown ?

I hope Steve is feeling better. It was an honor to meet you in person !!!!

The 2005 San Francisco Safari greeted a vast crowd of 201 visitors to beautiful Golden Gate Park with Mother Nature's signature natural air conditioning, a nice, thick blanket of fog that stayed with us all weekend long. The shorts and t-shirts were quickly replaced with pants and jackets on a typical San Francisco August day. Although it was a bit of an adjustment for those coming from the Central Valley and down South, I think most people would take foggy and 65 over a scorching 100+ any time. The players managed to raise temperatures themselves with some hot scoring.

Leading the fire brigade was our re-elected Chief of the Department, Gregg Barsby, extinguishing the competition for the grand $1,000 prize in the Pro Men's division. He led another strong campaign, going to the banque de Safari, just like he did last year, for another $1,000 as the Open Champion. Having walked away with the CTP DFL Full Sail Snowboard at last year's Safari, Brad Armstrong decided to buy some lift tickets this year, with a 2nd place and $500. The reigning World Champion Nate Doss graced us with his presence, and we were happy to award him 3rd place and $350, while John Child rolled to an 18 under finish for $270. Matt Scott carded the hot shot round for the tournament with a 9 under on the West course, gaining him $220 for his long awaited coming out party in the Open division. Chris Archer also carded a 9 under 45 at Marx Meadow, but Marx played to a 51.14 average for the pros, compared to a 52.90 on the tougher West course, so Matt still claims the Open hot shot. However, Matt and Chris have nothing on Marty Hapner in the Pro Masters division, winning the prestigious Jeckyl and Hyde award. He managed to card the tournament's best score of 10 under 44 at Marx Meadow, followed by a 61, the highest score in all pro divisions, all weekend long. Personally, I liked it much better when I saw Marty's name at the top of the list.

Speaking of the Pro Masters, Peter Sontag comes fresh off his marriage to Heather last weekend, honeymooning to $510 in 1st place. Donny Olow stormed from the 2nd Master's card the last round into a tie for 2nd, with a final round 48, 4 strokes better than all other Masters. However, Donny lost the playoff for the trophy, yielding to Billy "Pain" Lane for the 2nd place trophy, splitting $500. Scott Riley's 11 under on the weekend is good for $140 in 4th, while Rich Koski and Bob Montes clean up the remaining Pro Master cash.

In Grandmasters, Dave Malolepszy skates to an even par weekend, earning $180 in 1st, followed by Michael Travers at $90 in 2nd and Dave Melton in 3rd.

The Pro Women's division was a tight, exciting race all weekend. Alyssa Densen started out with a one stroke lead and maintained that over Ruth Steele and Anni Kreml all weekend, until the last round when she increased her lead to 2 for 1st place and $130. Ruth edges Anni for $72 in 2nd.

Scott Aaron lives up to the name of his home town in the Advanced division, Rough and Ready (for the Open division), outpacing the field by 6 strokes, with a 16 under on the weekend, taking home $170 in script in 1st. Desmond Knibbs was a solid 10 down on the weekend for a nice 2nd place finish, while Matt Kelly represents team EBDGC with a tie for 3rd with Gabriel Cota. Things were getting a little fuzzy there towards the end, but I'm pretty sure Matt won the playoff for the trophy. While the EBDGC can't technically claim a single participant in the Pro Men's division this year :-( the future is still bright with George Ross and Greywing Cooper in a tie for 5th with Stan Pratt.

The trend in the Advanced Women's division over the past 4 years is nothing but positive with a field of 3 in 2002, 5 in 2003, 8 in 2004, and a voluptuous 12 this year. Many thanks to all the Goddesses participating, especially Eva Schmidt with her considerable skills in tank-top sales. Jennifer Smith took home the top prize, winning $80 in script, followed by Kristine King, and Gayle Baker.

The Advanced Masters also had a healthy field of 33 for the weekend. However, the outcome wasn't exactly surprising as the top finisher had a player rating of 968, 32 points higher than the anyone else in the division. This makes it 6 wins in 7 recorded tournaments for Doug Werner this year, winning $140 in script at the top spot. Its either time to go pro for Doug, or at least beat up on the kiddies in Advanced for a while. Stephen Jackson was 6 strokes off the lead in 2nd, followed by Dave Thomas, Bob Diamond, and Steve Gillett.

The Intermediate Men's division had a similar, yet less clear-cut situation as the Am Masters at the top. Adam Minkus had played a total of 3 tournaments prior to the Safari, a 4th and 11th place finish in Intermediate, and a 16th out of 20 in one Advanced appearance, earning a 919 rating. Unlike the infinite ceiling that the PDGA has created for going pro in terms of ratings, they actually have rules that force Intermediates to play Advanced if their rating is above 915. Its not at all surprising that one slips through the cracks with the un-ending duties of a tournament director before the event, leaving the TD in a tough situation he doesn't deserve to be in. It really makes me miss the days of the Norcal bump rule, when you knew the people who had been bumped that year. Instead the TD's load of work is added to by having to check ratings on 150+ players, which is practically impossible when you've got a line of 50+ players waiting to check-in/sign-up Saturday morning. I understand the logic of not-enforcing a ratings cut-off for the pro divisions, but hope the PDGA changes that policy, and would also like to see some refinement in the bump policy for Am2's and Am3's. Perhaps a minimum number of tournaments played before the bump, official notice by the PDGA to players that have been bumped, and a list sent to tournament directors of players recently bumped. Rumor has it that Mike Ruzicka may be running for competition director, and if so, I say vote Ruzicka all the way. Anyways, I'll get off my soap box now, and report the rest of the up-and-comers in Intermediate.

Adam did indeed turn in the best Intermediate score at 3 under on the weekend, so we decided to give him first place cash in merchandise worth $110, but not the 1st place trophy. The 1st place trophy was instead awarded to the 2nd place finisher, Les Swift, which was certainly well deserved. Les helped out big-time with the tournament, and has generally been a key SFDGC volunteer over the last couple years. His enthusiasm is reflected in his tournament finishes this year, as he just keeps getting better with respective finishes of 31st, 23rd, 17th, 5th, and a quasi-1st/2nd at the Safari. Keep up the good work Les. Scott Miller nets 3rd place and $104, while John Rawdon claims 4th.

For those of you that have been involved with this tournament, you should know the San Francisco Safari is a very challenging, time consuming, expensive tournament to run. I'd wager to say that at its current level, its close to the top in hardest tournaments to run, excluding perhaps a few NT/A tier events and Worlds. Where else do you have to set up and take down 43 temporary holes Saturday and Sunday, in order to host 200+ players? I have been involved with the tournament for the last six years, and have seen nothing but improvements in tournament organization every year. Rob and Marybeth Byers have been the key ingredient for Safari success over the last few years, in combination with Stick's enthusiasm, but with Stick moving to Texas this year, Rob thankfully volunteered to step up to the plate and run the show. He did an incredible job, in his first time as an official TD, running a tight ship in getting the course setup, players checked in, and rounds started and finished faster, than any year previous that I've been a part of, even sending smiling players on their way home after the awards ceremony with plenty of light to spare.

The key was Rob taking care of pretty much every conceivable detail himself prior to the tournament, a laptop, printer, trailer, and generator on-site, having around 10 non-playing volunteers helping out, and probably 30+ playing volunteers on basket crew. Many thanks to our strong tournament support crew Marybeth, Pete D'Agostino, Neal Hoellwarth, Steve Ganz, Lynn Costa, Laura, Michelle, Chris, Scott Shambron, and the other key people I'm forgetting. Basket crew handled set-up and take-down in record time. Many thanks to all the members of the crew as led by D'Agostino and Rob, and the rest of you who should give yourselves a big pat-on-the-back for lugging baskets. They had 3 courses set-up and ready to go by 8:30, whereas we've been lucky to have 2 courses set-up by 9:30 in years past.

Driven by his remarkable desire to volunteer his time to the disc golf community and efficiently report tournament scores, Steve Ganz also decided to follow the Frisbee mantra of Play Frisbee, Invent Games, with a new game I thankfully haven't seen before, Disc Golf Frogger. With 50 or so golfers lined up, across a 100 feet wide teeing zone, all throwing at a target 200 feet away at the same time in the mid-round, ace race competition, Steve Ganz decided the time he could save running through the target zone was well worth the extra 30-45 seconds it would have taken to run around everybody, in order to get those scores taken care of in a timely fashion. He made it past level 4, dodging drivers left and right, but then he got to the level where the slow 18-wheeler makes you wait and then jump through quickly to avoid both the semi and the speeding race car in the next lane of traffic. He made it past the semi, but the speeding race car caught up with him in a head on collision, right between the eyes. The driver, still near top speed upon impact, took him down, but Steve got right back up after a hazy minute or so, blood streaming from the face. He goes to the emergency room, get 4 stitches in short order by doctors and nurses who either had played ultimate, disc golf, or where at least familiar with the game, and is back to enter scores and get them posted on the internet before most players even make it home. Then he comes back the next day, and does it again. The man is simply incredible.

When Rob busted out his 2 custom-made pull charts for the raffle, me and D'Agostino's eye's lit up, and wallets immediately opened. Knowing my history in raffles I wasn't optimistic, with probably my best raffle winnings ever a Juliana autographed XL, followed by a plastic basket I had donated that I was trying to remove from my studio apartment. I was absolutely ecstatic when my name was called for one of Rob's beautiful pull-carts. As we wrapped things up and pulled the final ticket for the basket, official raffle bagger status was achieved when my name was called for the basket. Don't worry, you'll have another shot at it in 6 months when the Berzerkeley Best Pairs Bash rolls around, and it will go towards a more worthy cause in the food bank.

According to the PDGA records on the internet, the Safari purse has gone from $2500 in 2002, $3500 in 2003, $8500 in 2004, to $11,000+ this year. We couldn't have done it without our wonderful sponsors. One of my favorite moments of the tournament was when the screaming I had heard earlier was confirmed as Arek Whitmyer, Mr. Full Sail, getting his first ever ace on the short water hole on the East course. Full Sail Brewing Company kicked in a generous $2000+ in cash &amp; prizes. Many thanks to Full Sail, Discraft, the DGA, Innova, and all the others. Hats off to all involved, Rob, the volunteers, players, and sponsors. See you again next year.

~Neil Bondy

Oh , one thing......................did anyone fess up to Steve on the Disc thrown ?

I hope Steve is feeling better. It was an honor to meet you in person !!!!

Thanks, Don. Whoever it was that knocked some sense into me remains a mystery.

It was great to meet you as well. Thanks for making the trip!

http://norcalseries.com/2005/images/safari-bondy-basket.jpg
Hi, Marybeth here! Neil - I just want to say that you are the best! You provide an amazing sense of calm during these events. Your moral support, in addition to your hands-on contributions, are so valuable to the TD and tournament central. During the planning, I can't tell you how many times I heard "Thank God Neil's going to be there!" Thank you for keeping my husband sane (?) and for always being there. -mb

http://norcalseries.com/2005/images/safari-bondy-basket.jpg
Hi, Marybeth here! Neil - I just want to say that you are the best! You provide an amazing sense of calm during these events. Your moral support, in addition to your hands-on contributions, are so valuable to the TD and tournament central. During the planning, I can't tell you how many times I heard "Thank God Neil's going to be there!" Thank you for keeping my husband sane (?) and for always being there. -mb



Hi Marybeth ,

Any more pictures you could post from the tournament ?

That would be awesome !!!!!

Thanks ,

Donny Olow