On the surface this may seem like a �Pro-centric� topic, but it is anything but.

Recently a friend of mine accused me of being anti-top player, saying that I use every opportunity to show how they are hurting our sport. I can see, on a certain level, why they think this. Often I point out the cannibalistic tendencies of the Pro Divisions; Or of the prolific �Move Up! Move Up! Move Out!� nature of our entire competitive system; Or of our self-propelling endoctrinization of �Pro-style� top-heavy payouts where seemingly all that matters is the top prize spot and even the other money spots are treated like old leftovers. Yeah, that�s me. I say and stand by all of those opinions and more. But deep down I dream of a day when the Brandywindjammer, carried live on ESPN awards the Open Champion with a check for $100,000.00!!! I just don�t want us to blindly sacrifice the boom of tomorrow for the shortsighted easy gratification of today.

In attempt to be brief (please save your applause until the end), I will try to put this clearly and as bluntly as possible: What may work to keep Top Pro Class players involved in organized disc golf fails miserably in keeping Amateur Class players involved. Heck it fails in keeping 66% of Pro Class players involved!

I ask that you consider what is within our immediate power to alter within our overall competitive system in order to increase participation across the board. Can we create a system provides immediate gratification for a greater number of it�s participants, that provides some sense of satisfaction with more than just the top competitive level within each division but throughout each division? If we cannot, then we are in my opinion going to remain in a holding pattern of cyclical player base numbers.

I have plenty of ideas on how to correct this trend, in fact the PDGA is already actively pursuing many of them, but I sometimes wonder if the majority of disc golfers out there can see, or want to see, beyond their own immediate needs.

In closing, it seems clear to me that for the Open division to really and finally break through and succeed, they will need to first step back and find tangible and meaningful ways to give back and built the sport for which they will someday make a living.

Nick, in regard to open (and other divisions) participation I am in total agreement that this is a vital issue for DG (although I bet we disagree on solutions.) It is my perception that the open division has stagnated or even declined since I joined it probably 15 years ago. That is sad.

I discussed this topic for a long time this past weekend. Many ideas were discussed and disagreed upon. It is not an easy problem to solve and like you have experienced, I suspect that effective solutions would be unwelcome to many in each division.

At any rate, other than a few people, I don't get the sense that many people think this is important. Therefore, I am resigned to the conclusion that disc golf will continue with the present day system, which I view as a difficult environment for nourishing large numbers.

Don't give up James! :eek: We can do it! :cool:

Even if we disagree on the how, we agree on the need. That is a start.

Are you a member of the DGLC? It's an egroup of organizers and promoters from around the country. Send me a message with your email and I'll send you an invite.

This is a great idea; for those of us who are of the uninitiated would you be willing to write a summary of the salient points and solutions.

Are you a member of the DGLC?



Disc Golf Liberation Corps?

SIGN ME UP!!!
:D

<font color="red">(Shameless self-promotion: Support PROACTIVE leadership for the PDGA. Vote for Jon Lyksett for Regional Director, 2004-2006)
</font>

Nick,

This is a situation that every sport in existance today has had to deal with at sometime in it's history. I agree that something must be done if Disc Golf is to reach the "Next Level". I'm sure, however, that those of us who think this way probably all have our own ideas as to what the "Best" path is and each particular path is just a bit different than the others. Regardless of the direction of each path, I am sure each has it's own merits and stumbling blocks.

I guess the point I'm attempting to make is, we must face the facts, (as you have stated them) that in order to advance our sport, retain the current players and gain additional players of all skill levels, measures must be taken to change the way our competative system operates.

I would like to hear your veiws and exchange ideas that regard making and implimenting changes. I have a few ideas personally, that are probably somewhat different from yours, however, I would enjoy having the opportunity to incorporate other views. :D

TDs often ask me how to increase the field size of their events and in response I have tried my best to offer helpful advice and point them in the direction of successful examples and TDs, but the truth is it is an elusive equation.

Take John Biscoe�s Old Dominion Showdown:
1) Experienced and proven TD and organizer.
2) 4 well above average courses.
3) A history of success.
4) Low entry fee ($60 Open Entry)
5) Central East Coast Location
6) USDGC right around the corner
7) PDGA A Tier
8) Part of a successful series (OD)

And yet:
1) With 3 days to go there are apparently many open spots left both Pro and Am.
2) Players with PDGA Ratings below 980 are conspicuously absent.

Why?
The open division averages 986 right now; are good open players their own worst enemy in getting people to participate in Majors, NTs, A Tiers and even B Tiers? Where do all those Open players between 980 and 945 go (particularly being that they are the second largest ratings range in all of disc golf)? Is it worth trying to get them to participate and how?

Note similar things can be said of the Soiree, Picnic, Brandywindjammer and many other events this year.

Perhaps I am looking at this arse backwards, the challenge isn't really with the Open division at all but with the flow of new players (and I am not talking about pushing up advanced players so save your breath :)).

Ideas?

I've played casually since I was about 10 or 11, but only started playing in tournaments last year (I'm 27). I find that my game has improved significantly since I started playing in tourneys, and this has led me to wonder why I hadn't started earlier. What I've come up with is that it was in large part due to the condescending attitudes (at least perceived condescension) from 'serious' golfers in regards to anything from etiquette, to throwing style, to knowledge of discs, courses, you name it. My feeling (and the feelings of my friends) was that if 'that' is what serious disc golfing was all about, then we didn't want any part of it. It was only when I finally felt able enough, and with the encouragement of a few very cool golfers, that I started playing tourneys and realized that most serious golfers had great welcoming attitudes. This being said, as a player rated well below 900, I often feel as if I'm simply donating my entry fees. My main motivation for playing is to improve my rating and collect points...when I've cashed in Am2, it has been a minimal reward. A recent local tourney offered only Am1, and I personally liked being challenged like that, and I finished far from the bottom, beating a few 900+ players. That felt really good, but I didn't come close to cashing. So I guess my point is that at the current moment, there is not a whole lot of incentive for lower division players to come out, except for experience, ratings, and points. If this was changed, I think you'd encourage a lot more casual players to make the jump to competitive play, as well as encourage Am1s and Am2s to play more frequently.

I know a lot of good open players that don't play in bigger events just because of the entry fee not to mention the higher caliber of players that come into town for those events.
If its not one thing its another.