2014/10/25 - Springfield and the dreaded Canal

  As Rick "Bushie" Pike had expected, Puma was a bit tired after the hard partying from the night before.  His plan was falling into place.  Simon "the Beast" had run 3 miles at 7 am, and frankly, Darrell "Mr. Wiz" was not a morning person.  The 0900 start time was perfect.  Waiting blissfully ignorant at Springfield park, were Rusty Randy and his son Awesome Ethan.  Ethan sporting a large cast on his left hand while the bones healed from a recent football injury was making a noble effort to play.  Randy and Ethan had also decided to make the trip to meet with their beloved fantasy
football commissioner, Puma, as well as play some disc golf.  Rick's plan also involved a diversionary tactic aimed directly at this intrepid, unbiased, honest reporter.  Rick exhibiting a powerful influence on Becky "DOC" Pike convinced DOC not to play disc golf this fine morning
but instead drag the reporter's eyes and ears away on another "hot" story.  However, unbeknownst to Rick, the national press had gotten wind of this match and many eyes and ears were covering this match, including the MetLife blimp, Snoppy 2, which was over head to provide aerial coverage of
the event.

   The first few holes went normally.  Puma, was beginning to return to form as Bushie put the third part of his plan, "Operation Canal" into effect.  On the 7th hole, as Puma was just about to launch his drive, Rick blurted out something about geese and the canal.  This outburst had the desired effect as Puma let go a wee bit early and watched as his beloved Undertow disc flew a long and graceful path along the left hand edge before fading into the canal.  Puma was as devastated as Rick was delighted.
Rick then worked the psychological aspect as he feigned concern and searched for the now   underwater disc, making sure to point out how dangerous the canal was and how far from shore the disc had landed.  Puma had no choice but to take a drop and start playing with his backup 2013 Ace Race Mantis disc.  Darrell also got tied up into Ricks' tactics when he threw his starting driver into the canal on the next hole as Rick no empathy but only glee with this turn of events.

   After the first 9 holes, Rick's plan was working.  Rick was surprisingly, in the lead, 2 strokes ahead of Darrell and Puma with only 9 holes to play.  Simon still recovering from the early morning run, had some awesome drives on the front 9 but suffering from putting performance difficulties was
another 4 strokes back, followed by Randy and Ethan, who was learning how to throw a disc with a heavy counter weight on his opposite arm.  Even with a 2 stroke lead, Rick wasn't completely comfortable.  On the 10th hole (also along the canal), he inexplicably coughed during Puma tee shot which had the desired effect of yet another early throw and yet another disc casualty.  Darrell noticing the rising canal casualty counts tried to be careful but sadly also lost his second disc to the waterway.  Rick was overjoyed and started to relax. However, ever the competitors, the others
marched onward.  Simon started righting the ship when he threw a marvelous birdie on the tight, tree lined 12th hole.  This seemed to spark the competitive juices of most of the others. Rick, however, started getting nervous and began to falter under the onslaught.  Puma, Simon and Darrell started racking up pars at a furious pace as Rick went on several walkabouts and tree inspection tours.

   Rick fought to stay ahead of the surging pack and had to make some remarkable recovery shots to settle for bogies.  After the 15th holes, things were all tied up with Rick, Puma and Darrell in the lead and Simon charging up on the outside.  Randy tried to stay with the surging pack as Ethan struggling to learn a new throwing style fell off the grueling pace.

   Puma sensing the surge launched a beautiful drive on #16 as did Darrell.  Rick trying desperately to keep pace released his disc a tad late and went for yet another walkabout.  Darrell launched a wonderful second throw from 50 feet out and watched as his disc faded gracefully into the basket for his first birdie to stake his claim for the lead.  On #17, Puma, now having to pay attention to both Rick and Darrell while keeping a watchful eye on Simon launched yet another spectacular drive and
then made an spectacular 45 foot birdie putt for his first birdie of the day.  Rick suffering yet another bogey fell 2 shots behind.  Simon sadly missed yet another putt and fell another shot off the lead.  On the 18th, as was the original plan, DOC showed back up to watch what had been expected to be Rick's victory march.  Instead as Rick made yet another bogey, the match had come down to a thrilling finish with Puma and Darrell tied for the lead.  Both had impressive drives.  Darrell's second shot was actually closer to the basket but he missed his par putt wide right.  Puma trying to build on his momentum from the previous hole, sensed victory as his threw his 15 foot par put into the chains, only to watch in horror as it came out the other side.  Both players settled for drop in bogeys to
finished in a tie with a score of 63.  Rick was heartbroken that his dastardly plan had failed as he finished with a 66. Simon finished with 68, Randy at 69 and one armed, two disc Ethan with a commendable 77.

   There is a rumor that yet another match (the 3rd in 3 days) is to take place tomorrow.  As usual, this unbiased, honest, caring, truthful, intrepid reporter with be on the course if it takes place.