Peanuts In My Pocket

I started playing disc golf in 1975. Over the thousands of games I’ve played, I’ve only managed three aces: Hole 3 at Liberty Park in Cerritos, Hole 9 at the Lakeside course at La Mirada Regional, and Hole 13 at El Dorado Regional Park, on my birthday, no less. I’ve also had hundreds of near-misses and frustrating bounce-outs. Aces, disc golf’s version of a hole-in-one, are incredibly rare. When they happen, it’s like getting struck by lightning.

Today, lightning struck again in Cerritos, on the 153-foot Hole 2, but not for me. My grandson Churchill, in just his second season and maybe his 10th game ever, threw a towering shot that dropped in straight from overhead after clipping the tree above the basket. Had he missed that tree, the disc might have sailed another 50 to 100 feet. It was incredible. He had never thrown a disc that far before, and he did it effortlessly.

Liberty Park is a beginner-friendly, 9-hole course with most holes under 200 feet, making it ideal for practicing short game skills like approach shots and putting.

My sister Lisa and I witnessed Churchill’s ace. Ironically, I also once witnessed Lisa’s only ball golf ace, many years ago on a short course in Long Beach. That day, we jumped around and shouted like we’d just won the lottery. Naturally, I took the traditional ace photo of Churchill and signed his disc. We moved on to Hole 3, and that’s when I got a bit of a surprise.

I’ve played so many games that I’ve lost count. Since the late ’90s, I’ve been on a casual winning streak, broken only once. I even played against a future female pro when she was just 13. She crushed El Dorado with a score better than my personal best, and beat me handily. Other than that, I’ve usually come out on top in friendly matches.

But today, something shifted.

By the time we got to Hole 3, Churchill began matching or out-throwing me. This trend continued throughout the round. On Hole 9, he threw farther than I did. I finished the round at -3; Churchill shot a +2. If he could putt, the match would’ve been competitive, and he might’ve even beaten me. He’s 13 and a raw talent. My winning streak might soon be in jeopardy.

Disc golf is the perfect sport for retirement. With the right course, like a public park layout, it’s just energetic enough, but how hard you push is up to you. You can take a relaxed walk, throw lightly, and still rack up a few thousand steps while strolling through trees and sunshine. It’s not as mindless as walking, but just as soothing.

Today, I introduced my little sister Lisa to the sport in hopes she’ll add it to her exercise routine. A friend even suggested I teach a senior class, charge a few bucks, give them a disc, and walk them through the game. But honestly? I already do that… for free.