So many people give up right before a breakthrough-right before a win... And it can be sad and defeating all at the same time. This weekend I participated in the Discraft Ace Race at Birds Nest in Arvada CO. It was an interesting Disc Golf weekend, I also played my first professional round at Scott Stokely's Blue Power event in Widefield (more on that later).
For those of you who may not know, a Discraft Ace Race is a tournament designed to introduce prototype discs into possible production. The event is two-rounds of 18 holes (baskets) with one throw at each basket. Winners are decided by how many Aces and Metal Hits (discs that strike baskets but do not go in). This was my fourth Ace Race, all with Dave Slocum and the guys at Bird's Nest.
The rounds go very fast, averaging under an hour based on the number of participants. Today I got to play with my sons (Jack, Samuel and Andrew) along with a good friend and his son. As I get older, the company around me is more important than the event...
We finished the first round of play with no metal hits and no Ace's among our group. There were a few bids, a couple of exciting flyovers, but no hits. We took a break and round two started underway. We could see some improvement, closer looks and Sammy drew the first metal hit. We were on the board. I got a metal hit a few holes later and another just a bit after that.
Now we are facing the last two holes, 35 and 36. Hole #3 (35th shot) was a 120 foot uphill basket with a treeline blocking right-handed hyzer run. I had just buzzed by this one on the first round, and I decided to make the same run again. The throw came out of my hand, traveled up hill and banked left to right and smashed chains and stayed in the basket. This Ace run would be just enough to win the event, and my first Ace Run in tournament play.
It's all about not quitting. Life is best served trying and pushing, never giving up to feeling tired, sad, overwhelmed or not the right person for the job... It's about still playing heard even when you are down to two holes left... if you haven't heard a word I have said so far... please remember this,,,,
“You may run out of time, but never run out of effort”
David Fournier
A very wise friend told me, “The first time you think about quitting, entertain the idea of quitting, it will be the hardest thing you have ever done. After that, quitting is gets easier”
Don't quit, don't give up. Be your magical moment, be someone's magical moment. Create your own comeback for the ages.
And whatever you do, don't be the guy sitting in your car when the magic happens...
