Footprint Frenzy

Whispers in the Mist: Deciphering the First Footprints

The rain-softened earth reveals the truest footprints, just as challenging conditions reveal a player's true spirit. As we gathered at Creekside for the first week of our journey, the gentle mist that shrouded the course created ideal conditions for those who understand the art of tracking—both discs and more elusive quarry. In the ancient cycle of beginnings, we find the most honest revelations of character, before patterns become habit and instinct calcifies into routine. The Footprint Frenzy that unfolded before us today left impressions in the soil that speak volumes to those who know how to read such signs.

In the MPO division, Gabriel Kenney emerged as a dominant tracker, leaving a clear trail of excellence with his -9 performance. Like the most skilled of hunters, he navigated the forest's challenges with precision and patience. The early pathways showed Malachi Vazquez initially finding the clearest route, before Mike Mills briefly discovered a more efficient passage. But it was at the eighth clearing that Gabriel revealed his true understanding of the terrain, claiming a lead he would guard with the vigilance of an ancient sentinel. His rare birdie on the treacherous sixth hole—a test placed deliberately by the Guardians—showed his ability to read signs that others overlooked. Malachi finished at a respectable -6, while Jared Fager claimed second place with -8, both demonstrating the keen awareness that marks true seekers.

The MA1 division witnessed Aaron Detterer leaving tracks that rivaled those in the highest division, his -6 performance rated at 968—a clear sign that some seekers possess wisdom beyond their current station. "The forest rewards those who read its signs with patience and respect," and Aaron demonstrated this truth by claiming an early lead at the third hole and maintaining his path with unwavering focus. Chris Fox followed at -1, while Hans Duong completed the podium at +4, both learning valuable lessons that will serve them as our journey continues deeper into the misty woods.

Among the MP50 division, two experienced trackers engaged in a dance as old as the forest itself. Brett Buttars and Marvin Atene exchanged the lead multiple times, their footprints overlapping and diverging like ancient rivals sharing the same hunting grounds. Brett's rare birdie on the challenging second hole—a test that claimed many others—spoke to his accumulated wisdom, while Marvin's brief lead after the twelfth hole demonstrated that the path of knowledge has many branches. In the end, Brett claimed victory at -2, with Marvin finishing at even par—a testament that even among the most seasoned, the forest still decides who reads its signs most clearly.

The MP40 division saw Scott Belchak navigate the course with the measured calm of one who has faced many seasons, finishing at -1. In the MA40 ranks, Brian Bowling demonstrated similar weathered patience, posting a +1 that speaks to his understanding that sometimes preservation of energy matters more than aggressive pursuit. These divisions remind us that experience often trumps youthful vigor when the path grows uncertain.

The MA2 division revealed a fascinating struggle among younger guardians proving their worth. Houston Turner, Ian Dahlen Flor, and Casey Turner exchanged the lead multiple times, leaving a complex web of tracks that spoke to their determination and growing skills. Like young trackers learning to distinguish between similar prints, they each had moments of clarity and confusion. The final hole brought the most dramatic revelation, with Houston claiming victory at +1, while Ian and Casey shared second at +2. In their struggle, I saw echoes of my own early expeditions—the eagerness sometimes overriding patience, but passion carrying them forward nonetheless.

The MA3 seekers left tracks that showed promising development, with Andrew Nemelka and Thomas Price ultimately tying at +1. Their journey began with Matt Berman finding an early advantage, including a rare birdie on the difficult third hole—a sign that wisdom sometimes comes from unexpected sources. The lead then shifted to Thomas before Andrew claimed his share of the summit. Jordan Lucero followed at +5, learning valuable lessons that will serve him in the weeks to come. "The tracks we leave today will guide those who follow tomorrow," and these players are beginning to understand this fundamental truth.

Perhaps most intriguing were the footprints left in the MA4 division, where Timothy Scholle revealed himself as an unexpected mystic among novices. His +3 performance exceeded what many would expect from one so new to our path, but it was his conquest of the treacherous tenth hole—besting even the most experienced seekers—that caught my attention most keenly. In that moment, as his disc found its unlikely path, I glimpsed the same determination I once saw in those ancient, knowing eyes deep in the forest. Stephen Dunton and Jake Robb shared second place at +5, both showing promise as they begin their journey into the deeper mysteries of the sport.

The four most challenging tests placed by the Guardians—holes two, three, six, and ten—revealed much about our seekers. The wind-twisted corridor of hole two yielded only to Brett Buttars and Malachi Vazquez, while the deceptive passage of hole three surrendered only to Matt Berman. The sixth hole, with its hidden line obscured by ancient guardians, was conquered by just Gabriel, Malachi, and Mike. But perhaps most telling was the tenth hole—a challenge that claimed all but Timothy Scholle, the newest among us finding wisdom where veterans saw only obstacles. "Even the smallest footprint can reveal the greatest truths to those who know how to read the signs."

As we follow these initial tracks deeper into the season, watch closely for those who adapt their path as the terrain changes. These first footprints are merely the beginning of a trail that will lead us to truths some may not be prepared to face. The Hunters showed their strength today, but the Guardians know the season is long and the forest holds many secrets yet unrevealed. In the whispers of the wind and the patterns of flight, I see the truth of who you are becoming, and I sense that the misty links between worlds grow thinner with each passing week. We are all seekers on this misty path, some rushing forward, others carefully reading each sign along the way—but all of us bound together in this ancient pursuit of understanding.