well, if you thought disc golf would never invade montana, you were wrong, although the growth is just getting started. there's a few diehards, but mostly we just have recreational players at the local courses. i was just wondering if anyone has suggestions on what's worked in the past to generate interest in the pdga in communities and states where there's interest in disc golf, but really only as a form of outdoor recreation (i.e. drinking/herbal refreshment game). especially if you are from a place where you've seen this happen! it definitely is on its way here, but it can never happen too fast and it sucks getting rated on only one tournament out of the bunch that we play :) we have some great, montana-sized courses that are as beautiful as you'd expect, and they are REALLY popular, but pretty much everyone save the local small club, most of whom aren't pdga members, are "folfers," as everybody calls it around here. so, suggestions appreciated! :) see you at an event soon when disc golf lures a few of us to make the long drive to get outside the state borders...
christian

Get the herb off the course so that the community can embrace you. I believe that is the key to real growth. If you guys are just getting started organizing then you have a better chance of breaking the stereotype.

I'm not telling anybody to not do anything they enjoy, but to just do it at home instead of out in public on the course.

Christian,

While it's true that Texas is not PDGA deprived, the area of Texas where I live is very far removed from other PDGA hotspots, and has been since I started getting involved in Disc Golf competitions in the 80's. I know very well what you mean about having to travel a long way to attend PDGA tournaments. Just keep thinking positive. Try to keep in sight what the (our) PDGA stands for and what you want Disc Golf to be in your area. It takes someone to step up and put forth the effort to plant the seeds of growth, and then to stand by and keep watering those seeds, fertilizing the roots, and culling out the bad weeds. It sounds like you may have some people willing to help with those tasks, just keep it up. This game is too much fun to not take hold and grow like crazy.

I'm not telling anybody to not do anything they enjoy, but to just do it at home instead of out in public on the course.



God forbid we do anything we enjoy out in public on the course...

LOL! :)

I'm not telling anybody to not do anything they enjoy, but to just do it at home instead of out in public on the course.



God forbid we do anything we enjoy out in public on the course...

LOL! :)



Huh? Since when does Nick Kight endorse illegal drug use on the disc golf course?

I'm not telling anybody to not do anything they enjoy, but to just do it at home instead of out in public on the course.



God forbid we do anything we enjoy out in public on the course...

LOL! :)



Huh? Since when does Nick Kight endorse illegal drug use on the disc golf course?



The thing we enjoy is disc golf Jeff. Get it?

Probably not...

Nick,

Why did you choose to quote me out of context on a serious thread with a serious topic? Yours was not funny, and only detracts from useful discussion.

Nick,

Why did you choose to quote me out of context on a serious thread with a serious topic? Yours was not funny, and only detracts from useful discussion.



1) Karma
2) I still think it was pretty funny, that you don't only makes it funnier...

Back to the bit-bucket for you.

If you step up and run good PDGA events for amateurs, you'll get them excited about PDGA sanctioned events. In 2003 and before the PDGA had nothing going on in the north and western suburban areas of Chicago. Now it has several tournaments there drawing 200 players because Brett Comicioli and my brother Jon decided to step up and make them happen. It just takes one guy choosing to lead rather than follow.

Christian, there is no easy solution; you just have to step up and make it happen. Find folks that feel the same way you do. Set an example that others can easily follow; the main one being that you can do something and make a difference.

I don't know if an all out war on the folfers is the ticket; better to talk with them about how their behavior is a direct threat to the existance of the course. Tell them your story about the other course you know that got pulled (if I interpretted your post correctly). Talk about the benefits of presenting a positive profesional image to the parks people and the users of the park.

I'd also suggest directly contacting the PDGA about getting information and possible assistance in getting PDGA Golf going in your corner of the woods. At the top of each webpage here is a link to the "Contact" list. Contact your PDGA State Coordinator, the PDGA Regional Director (who lives in Idaho), and the PDGA Communication Director. I assure you that they will do everything they are able to to help you get started and succeed.

Every group considering getting organized should read our PDGA Constitution. There are great ideas for how to put together a highly functional organization and focus your efforts to areas that need the most attention.

Lastly, network with surrounding regions and states that may already be up and functioning at full throttle. They will likely be your single greatest source of useful and practical information, not to mention be close enough to possibly offer direct assistance.

Hope this was helpful.

Christian,

At most PDGA events in Utah, Idaho and surrounding states there are a few players from Montana. Doug and Carter Allen put on a C-tier in Helana in 2004. Out of the 53 players only 15 were PDGA members (%28). Montana, like many other states in our area is in its disc golf infancy. However, 53 players at a C-tier is a decent turnout. Its too bad that there was not a PDGA event in Montana in 20005.

It looks like Montana may need somone like yourself to step up and run a sanctioned tournament or two. It is alot of work but I think you would find it worth while. If you give players quality PDGA tournaments, they will join. I would enjoy going to Montana for an event next year.

there are definitely people in MT that are motivated and interested in PDGA stuff who are older and wiser than me (i'm 23), and have some experience in PDGA tournaments and whatnot. Carter just moved out of the state (Doug a little earlier) to NC, but he's been great for MT disc golf, as have the few other people who have some out-of-state PDGA experience (cary silberman, james ledyard, john willard, a few others). our club president in missoula brian bjortomt has been awesome in getting stuff rolling around here as well and put on a great state tournament this last year that could have easily been a C-Tier (80 people, $1500, and some good players like dario re, jeremy thornton, glen whitlock). the people we do have are great and will definitley put MT on the right track. Next year we should have at least three sanctioned events, so the challenge is how to really drum up interest among the disc golfing crowd who's not really aware of how big disc golf is as a "real sport" elsewhere in the country. there's plenty of people who know more than me in MT about how to run a tournament, etc., but i think we'll also be able to use younger guys like myself who have the free time and obsession with disc golf to do some grunt work to get interest going...what's lacking is the know-how on how to put our time and effort to the best use i guess. again, no shortage of interest in "folf," just kind of a total lack of awareness on what Disc Golf really is in the rest of the US. any other suggestions? and everyone can count on montana putting on a few of the most fun tournaments around on some beautiful courses next year! :)
christian

Run D-tiers so players don't have to pay PDGA nonmember fees. Then, use PDGA memberships as some of the Am prizes to generate more members.

and advertise,advertise,advertise,etc...