Jake Maddox - Disc Golf Drive

CHAPTER ONE

Sam wasnt very happy. It was Sunday afternoon. The weather was perfect, and Sam was out on a bike ride. It should have been a great day.

But this wasnt just any Sunday afternoon. It was the last Sunday of the summer. School would start the next day.

The one piece of good news was that Ed, Sams best friend, was finally back from summer camp.

Ed had been gone for the last six weeks. The summer had gotten sort of boring.

Sam pedaled hard up the hill on Summit Street. From the top, he could see all of Dribble Creek, his hometown.

Sam stopped for a minute at the top and looked out at the town. Sure is a small town, he said to himself. He shook his head.

Past the edge of town, he could make out the bigger buildings of the River City skyline. He wondered how long it would take to bike all the way there.

Sam kept pedaling. Eds house wasnt much farther. Sam pushed off and coasted down the other side of Summit Street until he reached Sky View Avenue. He took a sharp right turn and skidded to a stop.

Eds front door banged open. Hey, Sam, Ed called out. He was holding a Frisbee. Took you long enough.

Sam got off his bike and gave Ed a high five. Welcome home, Sam replied. He pointed at the Frisbee. Are we going to play a little catch or something?

Ed shook his head. No, this is for something way more fun, he explained. Disc golf.

Golf? Sam said. That doesnt sound very fun to me. It sounds like something my grandpa plays down at Sun Coast Retirement Home.

Its not normal golf, Sam, Ed replied. Its disc golf. Way cooler.

Sam scratched his head. If you say so, he said. How do you play?

Come around back, Ed said. I set up a mini course.

Ed led Sam to the back of the house. Eds family had a big backyard. It was a double lot with plenty of trees surrounding it.

In the middle of the yard was a funny-looking metal thing, like a short pole with a giant metal basket hanging off it. There was another one over in the corner of the yard near some trees.

What are those metal things? Sam asked.

Those are the holes, Ed replied. Like in regular golf. Except in disc golf, you have to throw your disc into the chain basket. Ill show you.

He ran to the far side of the yard, far from either of the metal holes.

Ed took a few steps backward, then ran forward and flung his flying disc. It went soaring toward the chain basket near the trees and landed softly on the grass.

You missed, Sam said. He walked over and picked up the disc.

Its not basketball. That was just the drive, Ed said. Just like in normal golf. Now I throw again until I get it in the basket.

And this is supposed to be fun? Sam asked.

Ed rolled his eyes. On a real course, yes, he said. They wind through parks. Way more challenging than throwing across my backyard.

Sam looked down at the disc in his hand. Okay, he said. Let me have a try.

Sam ran over to where Ed had thrown from. He did his best to copy Ed, and flung the disc toward the chain basket.

The disc turned sharply to the right, though, and spiked into the grass. It was nowhere near the hole.

Wait, wait! Sam said. He ran over and picked up the disc. Let me try again.

Ed laughed. Youll be hooked in ten minutes, he said.

Sam smiled. Well see, he said. Then he flung the disc again. This time it soared much better, but still wasnt very close to the hole.

Sam nodded, pleased. That was better, he said proudly.

Yeah, it was, Ed agreed. We should find a real course to play on, though.

Sam chuckled. In Dribble Creek? he said. Not likely.

Ed shrugged. True, he said. Well have to make our own. Maybe at the high school.

Sams shoulders sagged. Ugh, did you have to say school? he asked.

Oh yeah, Ed said. Tomorrow morning, bright and early.

Sam picked up the disc and tossed it to Ed. Whats your mom making for supper? Sam asked.

Ed laughed. He said, Lets head inside. We still have thirteen hours of freedom, right?

CHAPTER TWO

The next morning, Sam biked slowly to school. It was too early and too depressing to move quickly. He was in no hurry to start classes again.

As he chained up his bike in front of the school building, Eds bus pulled up.

Hey, Sam, Ed said, walking over to him.

Hey, man, Sam replied. Ready for this?

Ed shook his head. Not even close, he said. High school.

Sam nodded. And were the new kids, the freshmen, he said flatly.

Lets just try to stay out of the way, Ed suggested. The two boys walked together toward the front doors.

I was thinking of trying something bigger than just staying invisible, Sam replied.

Really? What did you have in mind? Ed asked.

I thought about it last night, and then I realized the perfect thing to do, Sam told him. Weve got to try out for the football team. Its the only way well become popular and make friends, and not get picked on.

Ed nearly collapsed with laughter. You must be kidding me, he said. Us? Play football?

Why not? Sam asked. I think its a really good idea.

No way, Sam, Ed said. He forced himself to stop laughing. The closest youve ever come to playing football is on your brothers video game system. Youd get killed on a real football field.

We used to play in gym a few times a year, Sam pointed out. We know the basics.

Doesnt count, Ed said, shaking his head. That was with other dorks like us, and girls. And it was only for a week at a time. The football team is full of big dudes who love the sport.

Well, do you have a better idea? Sam asked. He was beginning to see that the football team plan probably wouldnt work out.

Ed patted Sam on the back. Lets just see what happens. Heres our homeroom, Ed said.

They walked in together. The room was full of kids. They had a mixed homeroom, so the class had students of all ages even seniors.

My suggestion to fit in? Ed said. We sit in the back, and keep quiet.

They found two empty desks in the back of the room. Sam sank into a chair and slouched.

This is so lame, he said. So lame. I cant wait until summer.

Ed chuckled as the bell rang. He leaned over to Sam and said in a whisper, Last night I found a good place for some disc golf near here.

Where? Sam asked.

The park next to the football field, Ed replied. Its not perfect, but itll work.

Sam shrugged. Okay, whatever, he said. Its not like I have anything else to look forward to.

CHAPTER THREE

I admit it, Sam said. This is pretty fun.

He and Ed had been playing disc golf in the park for an hour already. Using things that were already in the park, Ed had set up a five-hole course.

For example, one hole was the center of a seesaw, another was on the swings on the swing set, and another was a fire hydrant.

See? Ed said. I told you it was fun.