Blog
Golf lately has really started to feel like my comfort zone. I've had some chaotic days and everything around me is changing but then I get out on the course and there's this calm unlike anywhere else. As my game continues to improve, my competitive rounds are feeling more and more comfortable and I just know this is what I want to do for the long-term foreseeable future.
I competed in the Maricopa Meadows A-tier the weekend before last (see the PDGA article HERE) and although my competition beat me by a size-able number, I still came in second and am mostly proud of it. Considering I popped a rib out of place earlier that week, I preformed as best I could and my putting really saved the day. This tournament was a great start to 2016 and I'm optimistic that it'll only get better as the year moves on. I've since recovered from my injury and feel better than ever, more confident and more smooth with my throws. My #2 best friend/boyfriend (Yes Erika, you're still winning) drove 6 hours from California to support and caddy for me. I don't think I would have made it through that tourney without him, especially since I packed my bag pretty heavily for 2 days of 27 holes! A huge thank you to him for that, it means the world to me. We were hosted by local hero's Javier and Amyjo, the warmest and most inviting people I've met in years. These two are part of this amazing disc golf community where a complete stranger can reach out for a place to sleep for the weekend and not think twice about it. I don't think I will ever get over how tight-knit disc golf is. It's such a remarkable family to be a part of. Speaking of accommodations, I've started to plan my 2016 tour and have found hospitality for every single event on my first 5 week leg. I have a lot to of pieces to figure out before the end of March (when that leg is over), mainly where I will live, how I will live and how I will sustain my life as a full-time disc golfer. I have had so much support through my Whale Sacs business, and as long as that continues to grow, I may be set up for this year. Next up, Whale Sacs stamped putters, visiting shops while on tour, and some more promotional items to really #spreadthewhales. New for the business, Terry Miller - The Disc Golf Guy is hiding an easter egg (whale logo) in each of his Video Blogs, if you spot the Whale Sac first, you win one! It's a fun way to reach the public and who doesn't love giveaways?! I can only hope it will help grow the business, which in turn helps me tour. I will continue to work as I have, and have faith that the rest will fall into place. In the mean time, I'm working hard to grow the sport for women, working hard to better my own game and working hard to stay true to myself and maintain as much happiness as possible. Keep smiling, keep breathing, keep throwing frisbees. Tina Oh. P.s. I GOT MY FIRST ACE LAST WEEK with my Discmania MD3! HAPPY! What a great couple weeks. I was out of Tucson for a majority of last month but I’m happy to be back for the start of this year. I’ve been training, a LOT and I think I’ve figured out many crucial parts of my game! To catch up, I spent 2 weeks in California for the holidays, in Ramona/San Diego and back in Rancho Cucamonga. We golfed every day except Christmas day (even then, I brought a putter to Disney World), either at a handful of local courses or doing field work. Somewhere in there, a few things clicked like never before. It was kind of like boot camp for me. I’m happy to say my skills have grown exponentially in the last 2 months and I’m starting to shoot even and negative scores more often than not. I truly (finally) feel like a great golfer, and that’s pretty rad. Also, my putt feels EASY! What?! I never in my life thought I’d be able to say putting was easy!!! Having these past few months off to focus on training has brought my game up to a level I hadn’t expected to reach already. I knew I’d get there some day, but to be here now is insanely exciting! I know that I have a lot of work to do still before I feel ready to play in the Open division, but at this rate, I have faith that it will happen this year! Other updates, I may take a job for a few months after the Memorial winds down, just to build a better foundation to tour this summer. I’ve accepted this, and I refuse to work year round but a few months in the spring will be a fine sacrifice. There’s a strong possibility I will be relocating to CA after my leg in Tucson is over, likely March or so before it gets too hot here. Which, by the way…it has NOT been Arizona here the last few weeks. Feels a lot like Portland without the constant clouds though there has been plenty. It snowed last week, not to far from where I live and most days haven’t gotten much over 50. I’ll still take it over Wisconsin winters, but just waiting for it to warm up again! Lastly, today I’m moving out of my spot in the desert. The long, though beautiful drive has started to wear on me and getting closer to town is a must for my sanity. It can certainly get lonely out here. SO…considering disc golfers are all amazing people…I am moving my rig to my friend’s house that’s about 5 blocks from our local course - Santa Cruz River Park. There’s also a field a block away to do all the field work I want. I’m excited for this change and it will save me a ton of money too! Another beautiful part of living the RV life, if you don’t like where you are, MOVE! Competition: I played in a Tucson Disc Golf Club tournament this weekend against 110 competitors. It was a great warm up for 2016’s first sanctioned event that I’m playing next weekend - Maricopa Meadows. I played in the intermediate men’s division and came out 7th in a field of 23. Considering the state of women’s disc golf at this point, there are very few tournament’s I’ve been able to compete against that many players. It was a killer experience and I may do that again in the near future. I guess the beauty of my placement is that just a few months ago, the scores I put up would have felt amazing! But since I’ve come so far with my practice, I know I could have played much much better. Regardless I’m very pleased with how I played. On a separate, but related note, Tucson is dolphinately finding a cozy home in my heart. This tournament weekend really solidified that these are my family, my people, my supporters and I couldn’t be happier about it. There’s a strong possibility that a place doesn’t feel like “home” until 1 day consists of at least 3 people yelling “WHALE SACS” when I walk by…a strange measuring stick, I know, but it makes me feel like I belong. I had so much support at this tournament, from some messages on Facebook, the Tournament Director, my boyfriend (of course), and every one of the locals. I am so fortunate to be a part of this scene. I’ve been surrounded with so much positivity and it rubs off on others, and seeing that flame burn like it does inspires me. I posted something Saturday morning before the tournament about staying positive and I’m happy to say I did that regardless of how I played. Sure that can be hard most days when you miss a putt or shank your midrange shot out of bounds and take a 5 on a hole you know you can get a 2…but these last two days were so easy. I have to honestly admit it had virtually nothing to do with me. It had almost everything to do with the positivity that surrounded me. I don’t think I could have been in a bad mood (I guess I could, but I’d have to try so hard!). Positivity is contagious. I encourage all of you to feel the energies around you, in life, in golf, wherever, and strive to be that positive light for both yourself and everyone else. It really can make all the difference. Then one day turns into 3 and then a week and before you know it, you’re living your every single day as the happiest you’ve ever been. Life can be a total dream, but you have to let it be. I’ll end my preachy-ness here. Love Life, Love Disc Golf, The Whale Sacs Girl |
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Author
Tina Stanaitis - Professional Disc Golfer (#68076), Entrepreneur, Full Time RVer, and Dream Follower Extraordinaire!
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