One ace. One tournament win. One stroke away from a trophy… and we didn’t take a single picture.
I’ve been a little quiet lately, waiting for the next adventure worth sharing.
With the exciting news that we’re expecting baby #3, Trey and I decided to keep our tournament schedule a little closer to home this year, sticking around Florida and Georgia. That brought us to Rage Against the Trees at Gum Branch Park in Waycross, Georgia.
Since we were both competing, we didn’t get any photos or videos.
Honestly though…
This weekend gave us a story that’s better than any picture could have captured.
Let’s just say…
🌲 The trees definitely lived up to the tournament name.
🥏 Someone hit an ace.
🏆 Someone went home with a tournament win.
😅 Someone missed a trophy by just one stroke.
And somehow…
History repeated itself.
Welcome to Gum Branch
The moment we pulled into Gum Branch, I remembered why we’ve started making the drive over whenever we can.
If you’ve never played here, I highly recommend adding it to your must-play list.
Gum Branch is an 18-hole wooded course that rewards accuracy just as much as distance. The fairways weave through tall pines with tight gaps that make you think about every shot. There are a few water hazards to keep things interesting, but they’re fair and add just enough risk to make good shots feel even more rewarding.
One thing we’ve really enjoyed lately is making it over for the Saturday league at 8:00 a.m.
The local players have been incredibly welcoming, and it’s become one of our favorite ways to spend a Saturday morning. Wooded golf forces you to shape lines, throw creative shots, and trust discs you might not normally pull out of your bag. Whether you shoot your personal best or spend the day bouncing off first available, you’ll leave a better player than when you arrived.
The park itself is another reason we enjoy coming here. If you’re bringing family, there’s a playground for the kids, pickleball courts, clean restrooms, and plenty of space to relax before or after your round. It’s the kind of place where everyone can enjoy the day—even if they’re not playing disc golf.
Apparently, we’re not the only ones who love it.
Seventy-two players filled this tournament, creating an awesome atmosphere from the first tee to the final putt.
Rage Against the Trees… Literally
The tournament name couldn’t have been more accurate.
I think every single player had at least one conversation with a tree they weren’t planning on having.
Sometimes the trees gave you a lucky kick back into the fairway.
Other times…
Well…
Let’s just say the trees reminded us who really owns the course.
That’s what makes Gum Branch so much fun. Every hole asks a different question, and every shot challenges you to think before you throw.
The Moment We’ll Never Forget
Then came one of those moments we’ll be talking about for years.
Trey stepped onto a familiar tee pad and threw a shot that looked perfect the second it left his hand.
Chains.
ACE!
But here’s the unbelievable part…
This wasn’t just his second tournament ace.
It happened on the exact same hole as his first tournament ace.
Using the exact same mold of disc…
Just a newer version.
What are the chances?
As if that wasn’t enough excitement, Trey stayed focused the rest of the weekend and finished by taking home the tournament win.
Needless to say, it was a pretty special day.
One Stroke…
As for me…
I decided to challenge myself by playing in the men’s division.
I battled all weekend, had some great shots, hit a few trees I’d rather forget, and finished…
One stroke away from bringing home a trophy.
One stroke.
Those are the tournaments that don’t discourage you—they motivate you.
Every round teaches you something.
Every tournament helps you grow.
And every close finish makes you hungry for the next one.
I’m still chasing my dream of pulling an Ohn Scoggins and taking down an MA division one day.
Who knows…
Maybe I’ll even do it while pregnant.
Why I Love Disc Golf
Weekends like this remind me why I fell in love with disc golf in the first place.
Sure, we all want to shoot well.
But it’s also about the people.
The laughs after hitting first available.
The excitement of watching someone else throw an ace.
The conversations walking down the fairway.
The encouragement after a bad hole.
And the memories you make with friends and family that you’ll still be talking about years later.
Those moments are worth more than any scorecard.
Disc Golf Bug Course Card
Your Turn!
Have you ever played Gum Branch?
Which hole is your favorite… or which tree gave you the hardest time?
I’d love to hear your stories in the comments.
And if you haven’t been yet, maybe we’ll see you at the Saturday league at 8:00 a.m.
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