A month ago I injured  my pectoral muscle at the Canadian Open just before the final nine.  It was painful but I decided to play the finals anyway and although I finished second I lost more then I gained.   The injury side-lined me for the next couple of weeks which included the Skylands Classic (at Warwick my home course), Pittsburgh and the Brent Hambrick.  I planned on attending all of them especially since I've done very well at each of them in the past.  It was now three weeks and my injury wasn't getting much better.  I was starting to come to the realization that I might not  be able to play for a long time.  But then one day I forced myself to start throwing. I started off throwing only  50ft,  then 100ft, once the pain started, i would stop.  I went out every other day and tried to add 25ft or 50 ft. each day.  Now I'm up to 350ft and I'm basically pain free on hyzer shots.  Sooo I said I'm going to Worlds baby!  Its interesting because I've never been side-lined because of an injury.  Now I have such an appreciation for being able to play at all.  When I go to the course now I'm just happy to be playing.  Its a great feeling and hopefully that kind of attitude can lead me to a healthy and sucessful worlds.  See you on the course- steve

  Our fearless Huk Leader is out here in the midwest mounting an impressive finish to the 2007 AM Worlds in Milwaukee, WI!  Jay Harbour has shot three straight rounds above his player rating!  
 ~Your only 8 strokes back Jay, Keep it going!!!!~
  Congrats to Iowan Alan Wagner!  He's currently tied for 1st going into the semi-Finals!  Wow, another huge showing for the Iowa UP-N-COMERS!!!!!!!
  Now off to practice for my Worlds run!! 

  Des and Yeti have been working with the PDGA to start a National Tour Clinic program, and it looks as though it's starting to take hold. Fellow hucksters Avery Jenkins (forehand) and Dave Feldberg (throwing farther) preached their craft, while Des handled the approach game, and Kim Scott-Wood took care of putting. I guess they did it in a tag team style coaching method, with 50+ casual players in attendence! Nice

  I've always felt that the best way a "Professional" player can give back, is to help other players realize their potential and promote the sport from the grass roots.

Sounds like my kind of fun Robbie! Keep it going and make the most of the journey! It's kind of a dream vacation if you remember to take full advantage of the trip!

I've taken a little break from traveling, and have settled into the Quad Cities on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. It's only a two and a half hour drive to Des Moines, Iowa to see my family, so I feel right at home!

I've continuued to play tournaments, but I've had to limit it to a 6hour window, and I'm really enjoying it. As it turns out the Midwest golf scene is starting to take hold, the strong Amateurs have joined the Open division ranks, and the Ams from a couple years back are cashing and winning tournaments ( Adam Olsen, Chase Roberts, Alan Wagner, Mike Robinson). It's fun helping those guys take it to the next level!

     The past couple events have been Awesome!!!! Of course once again Beaver State Fling was off the Hook!! Great Courses Awesome People Oregon is Unbelieveable, The Beaver State Fling Is Tops of the National Tour i will be there every year no Doubt! 2007 DGLO was my first time in Michigan and i must say i was impressed. The Toboggan is Unbelieveable, Green Lush Fairways and Lines. The Monster is Tight And Nasty both sweet courses!!! This Weekend Kansas City Baby!!!!!! and then Skylands!!!!! i'll keep you posted! HOLLA

      Last Two!

     Kansas City Was off the Hook!!!! Lots of Huk representing as Well!! If you ever get the chance to go to KC go!! Blue Valley is a must play! That course is unbelieveable super long and super sweet!!! Last Year Was my first TRip to Skylands Classic in Beautiful Urban New York! Once again i was impressed the Tournament ran well weather was perfect! Fellow Team member Avery Jenkins brought the pain and took home the W. He played some sick golf! I'm off to Worlds! its going to be huge this year yall look for me HOLLA

Its been a great couple of months on the road..

Starting in May i won my first National Tour in Los Angeles and to top it off i finally turned 21! It was a great tournament! Surrounded by great friends and celebrated to the max!

 We then traveled up to Grass Valley to play Motherlode.. The strong womens division consisted of only Burl, Kathy Manley, and I.. but as usual it was a battle until the end. Burl and I tied, but Burl pulled out strong in the Rock Paper Scissors and got the points for the tourney.

 Next stop was Masters Cup in Santa Cruz. I love coming here every year. You've got the great DeLa course, the beach, and Tacos Moreno! What more could you ask for? We camped out at the Hardings house, and had a blast every night. They ended up housing about 10 people for the weekend, definately the place to be that weekend. I struggled with my putting but i kept my mental game together, and tried to maintain. When playing at DeLa you can have all the skill in the world, but when it comes down to the cliffs, roots, and elevation much luck is needed. You DO NOT want to get DeLa-ed. I had some trouble during my last few holes of the tournament and ended up taking 4th.

This past weekend was one of my favorite tournaments on one of my favorite courses, Zebulon, located just 30 minutes from my house.  The field was tough and the weather was hot.  The dry huk raglan and the dry huk two tone I wore wicked sweat away no problem and my cool mesh hat shielded my eyes from the sun.  I played pretty good day one shooting a -3 and a -7 leaving me in a four way tie for 5th but on the lead card because of my second round.  I struggled to make pars in the 3rd round.  On my first ten holes I had six birdies and four bogies.  I settled down making some pars down the stretch and finished -1, although I knew that was not what I needed to stay on the lead card.  The last round I played pretty solid but not real hot like I needed to jump up some spaces.  On the final hole I threw short into a creek bed and took a circle 4 costing me one place.  I finished ninth which wasn't the top five finish I was hoping for but I still cashed.   Brian Schweberger paced the field once again with a wire to wire victory.  Next week I travel up to New York with Schwebby to play the Skylands Classic on the famed Warwick course.

This seems like the best way I can think to let everyone know what I've got goin on here in the Mid-West.

I flew into to the very hot St. Louis, MO last night around 11:45 pm. I'm staying with Dave McCormack at his pretty sweet little bachelor pad but not the whole month I'm here. Justin Bunnell is on his way over to pick me up for a trek to Kansas City for the Kansas City Wide Open.

http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=6271

I will keep you informed on the progress of my tour. I have four tournaments on the schedule, as well as some factory/shop time for Gateway.

Sorry for the delay between blogs!  I'm currently without a computer, but with some luck I should be able to get access to one here soon.  I'm working towards purchasing a lab top, and with any luck I'll have one sooner than later.
I really appreciate all of the support I've been given from my fellow disc golfers, thanks again!  

Look for more blogs in the near future!

Chris Sprague #16425

PS

My plan is to retro fit the site with blogs from last years tour.  I'm also working on a personal dvd of sorts to bring the sights and sounds of the blogs to your living room.  (beta version of my commercial)

    The past couple of weeks have been crazy. First played the Philly Open  and won in a three way playoff on the second hole.  It was a hard fought batttle against both other players and the conditions.( we got 3+ inches of rain on sunday)  Then went back home for two days.   Finished the sculpture that I was doing for the International Disc Golf Center.    John Lyksett was nice enough to commission me  to do the piece for the center and I was honored that it found its way just inside the main entrance doors.  The IDGC courses were really nice  and it was great to be there for such an occassion.  I didn't play all that good but the trip felt like it was a success and the 14hr drive didn't seem that bad on Monday.