PDGA to focus on the grassroots of the sport. yay!

[Flatroc]

As a 21 year member of the PDGA, I can't tell you how glad I am that the PDGA is planning on putting more focus towards the grassroots of our great sport.
I am all on board, as this has been my main goal for over 20 years.
Please let me know what I can do.
Steven "Yoseman" Wright
#4438

[Bullseye]

As a 21 year member of the PDGA, I can't tell you how glad I am that the PDGA is planning on putting more focus towards the grassroots of our great sport.
I am all on board, as this has been my main goal for over 20 years.
Please let me know what I can do.
Steven "Yoseman" Wright
#4438

I dont think they're talking about the same "grass" roots, dude. :laughing:

[Flatroc]

I dont think they're talking about the same "grass" roots, dude. :laughing:
Are you just blowing smoke?
Oh well, if the PDGA decides to get off the pot and focus on the other one, I'll be there.

[Bullseye]

All jokes aside, I agree. I like the fact that they're acknowledging this as important. For a while there it appeared all focus was on "Pros" and growing the "Show". I think both are important to the future of the sport.

[JMan]

It will be interesting how they, the pdga, defines "grass roots" and what they are prepared to do to promote the sport at that defined level. We'll see...

[Chuck Kennedy]

Innova fired the opening shot in this grassroots redirection by going to the handicapped format for USDGC every other year.

[Flash]

Innova fired the opening shot in this grassroots redirection by going to the handicapped format for USDGC every other year.

Don't fool yourself that was profit motivated not grassroots grow the sport motivated.

[Chuck Kennedy]

Don't fool yourself either. It would be hard to find an initiative to address grassroots growth that was not profit oriented because that's where the money is. It certainly isn't at the top.

[Scott]

When I think of grassroots, I think small weeklies and one day tournaments aimed at beginning players and youth. I don't think of tournaments like USDGC which is clearly aimed at established players.

[Adam Schneider]

When I think of grassroots, I don't think of tournaments at all. They should be putting on clinics for families.

Most ball-golfers and tennis players do not play in tournaments; it's not how most people think about recreational sports.

[LJ Jubner]

Innova fired the opening shot in this grassroots redirection by going to the handicapped format for USDGC every other year.

It's funny really Innova is interested in growing the sport in it's direction first!!!! Remember for the manufactures it's a PROFIT DEAL. The most expensive event of the year is not the venue for first timers.

Want to get more players involved?
lower the membership fees
Dump the non member fee
Quit charging for decals, rule books and such
maybe even opt out of Mag is an option.
Why is it there are tourneys every weekend but only one Worlds Biggest?

[Ol' Bob]

I'm pretty sure that Innova hired the guy who used to come up with the new names for blender speeds to name discs for them. That guy has to cost them a lot.

Whoa, it's lonely at the top...

[Joshua Olmsted]

I hope the PDGA decides to move in the grassroots direction, I agree with Scott, I also think of weeklies and small events, clinics as well. I was a very casual disc golfer for 2 years until I found the Rockwood Winter series, playing in that well run series was what made me want to pursue disc golf further, not big PDGA events with major sponsors.

I think over the last few years there's been too much of a focus on major corporate sponsors and the National Tour, not on building up organization nationwide to grow the sport.

[Chuck Kennedy]

Much of the delay in moving toward grassroots programs and perhaps alternative lower cost memberships was caused by lack of resources being applied to developing the technical infrastructure to support it. Technical efforts behind the scenes in the past few years were accelerated when the outside contractor was brought in to help revamp the website and database foundation. Now, the PDGA is in position to start moving in some new directions, especially once the new Tour Manager is onboard in the spring.

[The Ombudsman]

How does the elimination of the Grandmaster division at some NT events fit into the scheme of this?

[The Ombudsman]

I'm pretty sure that Innova hired the guy who used to come up with the new names for blender speeds to name discs for them. That guy has to cost them a lot.

Whoa, it's lonely at the top...

I would love to get ahold of a First Run Aerate or CE Frappe

[Chuck Kennedy]

How does the elimination of the Grandmaster division at some NT events fit into the scheme of this?
There never were supposed to be any other divisions besides Open at NTs. Of course, no pro divisions at any age would be considered grassroots divisions anway.

[Ol' Bob]

I would love to get ahold of a First Run Aerate or CE Frappe

Henh.

Them guys are earning their keep. I'm willing to bet they won't hold up in R-Pro.

[JMan]

Well I can't help but acknowledge a grass roots connection around pdx, DGOD. Those guys rock! So how will the pdga connect with groups like DGOD who are actively growing the game at the grass roots level? DGOD members really love and support the game, for the sake of the game, not monetary profit. It will be interesting to see how the motivation of money, which the pdga needs to survive, compromises in order to connect with grass roots groups like DGOD who are not profit based.

[LJ Jubner]

.... It will be interesting to see how the motivation of money, which the pdga needs to survive, compromises in order to connect with grass roots groups like DGOD who are not profit based.

I seriously doubt the pDGA will compromise on anything regarding revenue. They are just looking for new members to replace the ones who give up on the sport because of their money grubbing attitude

I like the new revenue stream off certified officials.
Why not just go for it and say ALL Tournament Players must (renew yearly) their certified official status.

[mine all mine]

JMan, Non-Profit does not mean you don't need money! Red Cross is non-profit, but they need billions of dollars to support their operations. This DGOD you speak of would need money to survive if they were as large as the PDGA. The PDGA is non-profit, but their operations need money to provide tournament support, ratings updates, a website, and things like that. I am sure that there isn't some huge vault full of money that the PDGA board members roll around in during their quarterly meetings. I agree that it has gotten expensive over the years, but so has everything else we do.

[LJ Jubner]

JMan, Non-Profit does not mean you don't need money! Red Cross is non-profit, but they need billions of dollars to support their operations. This DGOD you speak of would need money to survive if they were as large as the PDGA. The PDGA is non-profit, but their operations need money to provide tournament support, ratings updates, a website, and things like that.

You forgot the full time employees their wages and bennies And don't forget the money pit that is the national headquarters

I thought I read somewhere that the pDGA has 6 month budget surplus. Isnt that kinda of like "gilding the Lilly" (and no not spider Dan).

[mine all mine]

You forgot the full time employees their wages and bennies And don't forget the money pit that is the national headquarters

I thought I read somewhere that the pDGA has 6 month budget surplus. Isnt that kinda of like "gilding the Lilly" (and no not spider Dan).

I figured the employee and headquarter cost was obvious, as with most non-profit entities that operate at a national level.

Evidently you haven't ever owned your own business before, or you would understand that a business should have a minimum of six months worth of operating costs on hand. In these times, I would actually recommend a one year surplus. You never know what the future will hold!

[LJ Jubner]

...Evidently you haven't ever owned your own business before, or you would understand that a business should have a minimum of six months worth of operating costs on hand. In these times, I would actually recommend a one year surplus. You never know what the future will hold!

Actually I do own my own business and having a cash surplus is totally a pipe dream. I know most businesses operate on a much tighter budget then non profits do. The only reason why a group that is showing growth would need a cash buffer is for long term capitol improvements. And If you ask me developing a national headquarters is a huge speculation with those resources. This just another example of top loading and doing on the backs of the new rank and file.

We are clearly not the only revenue stream, what happens to the others . Like the ad's that are overwhelming the site? With the net and the weekly newsletter do we really even need the Mag?

Or better yet do we really need the weeklies and the salaried positions that generates it?

[Chuck Kennedy]

Hardly any membership or tour income goes to support the National HQ building and course construction (separate from payroll). Most of that development was from corporate and private donations plus the million$$ or so contributed by the taxpayers in the county to build the facility for us. In fact, the onsite Pro Shop is doing so well, its profits may be coming close to or exceeding the monthly operating costs for the HQ including rent.

[Flatroc]

How does the elimination of the Grandmaster division at some NT events fit into the scheme of this?

You say some?
I'm curious as to which ones and even more curious as to why?

[mine all mine]

Actually I do own my own business and having a cash surplus is totally a pipe dream.

A pipe dream?...so what you are saying is all the businesses who budget properly so they can afford a few setbacks without closing their doors is living in a pipe dream? Sounds like someone has figured out how to use drugs responsibly.

And on a separate note, where does your hatred for the Magazine come from?

[all2common]

...what happens to the others .

Who gives a fuck?! Sayid say kill them!