Junior Worlds – An Account from Hayden Wiebusch’s Perspective

Day 1 – Monday, July 5, 2021

4 am, or maybe earlier in the morning, we woke up and started the big drive down to Kansas. I didn’t like that we had to get up so early. When we got to Emporia, KS it was around lunchtime. I couldn’t wait to eat!

After we ate lunch, we drove down to the event. I competed in field events including putting, long drive, and mini-golf. I threw a Throw Pink Star Mako3 109 feet for my longest drive!

I was sweating up a storm after the field events. After the field events, we went to check out our hotel room.

Day 2 – Tuesday, July 6, 2021

The first thing I did, after waking up, of course, was go to the check-in center. There I received my competitor necklace, 4 discs, a hat, a new Disc Golf bag, and T-shirts! The best part? I got to stamp my own disc at the Dynamic Discs warehouse!

Afterward, I did a practice round at Soden Grove. Then I had lunch with MJ, another junior Throw Pink team member. It was so much fun! We celebrated Tuesday by eating lots of tacos.

The last thing I did was go to the player’s meeting. That’s where we went over tee times and I got to hang out with MJ some more!

Day 3 – Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Today was the official first day of the competition! I did a practice round at Hammond Park to prepare. Right after, MJ and I met up at the hotel to play in the pool! I had fun. 

Afterward, we ate Freddy’s together. Followed by round 1! I finished round 1 in 4th place. I was happy with that. After the round, MJ and I went to a disc design contest where we colored discs. I really liked that!

That evening, my dad took me to the Family Fun Center where we rode go-karts and played Putt-Putt.

 Day 4 – Thursday, July 8, 2021

For Round 2, I played two rounds at Hammond Park. One of my discs barely stayed in bounds! I ended the round in 4th place. Only 2 more rounds to go!

Later, we went to the Emporia Zoo. I did a scavenger hunt and got a disc with a picture of a peacock on it. I played a mini disc golf round at Bourbon Cowboy with MJ and Hannah. I played in the pool afterward. 

Day 5 – Friday, July 9, 2021

I did pretty well in the 3rd round. I really had fun watching my Throw Pink teammate, Lauren, play her round at Jones West. 

Afterward, I stepped into the pool to cool off. The water felt great! Then, I went to the carnival. 

In the evening, there was a Block Party. At the Block Party, I gave somebody their disc that I found, which made me happy. I played a few games too. I jumped or ducked under the log to avoid getting eaten by an alligator, I threw axes (fake ones), and played throw the basketball into the hoop with Lauren. I also tried to climb a rock wall. I made it about halfway before I decided to jump off backward. I better stick to disc golf. 

I also got the chance to talk to some professional disc golfers, including World Champion Eric McCabe. 

Day 6 – Saturday, July 10, 2021

On the final day, I played at Soden’s Grove again. We had a playoff for fourth place and I won it! I made it into the top four, and got to play at the Emporia Country Club with Poppy, MJ, and Hannah… yay! 

The first hole was tough for me and I ended up with a 10. However, on the rest of the holes, I was able to keep up with them. 

Later on, they made the announcements. I won the field events and I got a glass fourth place plaque. Doug Bjerkaas was the announcer. I felt like a pro player when Mr. Bjerkass announced my name!

After the ceremony was over, we went back to the hotel to pack. Then ate dinner with the boys. One of them was an eight-year-old champion who also is from Minnesota. 

Afterward, I went to the Dynamic Discs shop to use my money from winning the three field events. I got my mom a polo to match the one I was wearing, which I had got from the player’s pack. I also got her another shirt. When leaving the store, I was given a custom-dyed Maverick from Kustom Staxx Disc, a supporter of disc golf kids! Thank you!

I also went to The Sweet Granada for small chocolate bars for my brothers and me. I thought we could share them when I got home.

The next morning, when I got home, I put up my Kansas pin on the bullet board from Disc Golf Pins. Someday the entire board will be filled up!