How can we improve the Western WA womens disc golf community?

[Tanya Spence]

I am starting this thread partially because of recent frustration but also because of my experience in the past year. I can't figure out if it's just the cliquey Seattle way of doing things or if something else is going on and we need to reach out.

I've started to play in tournaments but am finding it difficult due to some logistical issues as well as certain ladies divisions not having enough registered in order to have trophies or payouts. When there are not enough in a division I have also been made to play in the mens division for non sanctioned tournaments or have had to play my rounds with 12yr old boys or the mens beginners.

What can we do to get more ladies to play?
Or... What can we do to make sure that the women players that do sign up for tournament don't feel like they are put in a weird position for choosing to show up and play? Why should they be penalized for getting out there?

When it comes down to it I am going to play. I've signed up for several OR events because they have a lot of ladies playing. I am still signed up for WA tournaments but everytime I end up worried about not enough ladies registering, being contacted by TDs that tell me I can Play but won't receive payouts or trophies, or told that I have to play in a different division. I've also been contacted and offered a refund. That's no fun. It makes me feel like they dont really care if women play or not. I want to just be able to sign up and play without having to wonder all the time.

[CMC206]

That sucks but I would say just keep playing. I see more women playing now than when I started so it's definitely growing.. I would think that the B and A tier events would fill the various divisions. I have never won or even came close so payouts and trophies don't really concern me. I would think even if you show up by yourself they would have to accommodate your division. I say that because when I look at the women who played in the same tourney as I did I see like 1 name in a division and 3 in another. I might as well be playing alone anyway because I play to beat my personal best and try to improve my rating. As for the non sanctioned events they should not stick you with the Jr's that is bullshit.

[Tanya Spence]

That sucks but I would say just keep playing. I see more women playing now than when I started so it's definitely growing.. I would think that the B and A tier events would fill the various divisions. I have never won or even came close so payouts and trophies don't really concern me. I would think even if you show up by yourself they would have to accommodate your division. I say that because when I look at the women who played in the same tourney as I did I see like 1 name in a division and 3 in another. I might as well be playing alone anyway because I play to beat my personal best and try to improve my rating. As for the non sanctioned events they should not stick you with the Jr's that is bullshit.

Thanks,

I am totally gonna keep playing! I play for my personal best as well. I play Advaced Ams and most likely wont get anywhere near beating the other ladies in my division for awhile (; I'm not as concerned with payouts as I am with getting more ladies to play and making them feel welcome.

It has taken over a year to break into the disc golf community here.

Now that I've finally broken in it's pretty awesome.

[CMC206]

I have been playing here on and off for 20 years. There are a lot of cool people but there is also a lot of DBags for some reason... Just saying..

[Tanya Spence]

I have been playing here on and off for 20 years. There are a lot of cool people but there is also a lot of DBags for some reason... Just saying..

I hear you, definitely a lot of cool people out there. A lot of awesome ladies too!

What can I do to make it more of a community feel?

[Bullseye]

I would suggest talking to Cindy McMahan, Celeste Scandiffio and the other "Chick Flick" ladies. They've done an amazing job of bringing more women into the game.

Perhaps we need a Washington "Chick Flick" contingent.

[Tanya Spence]

I would suggest talking to Cindy McMahan, Celeste Scandiffio and the other "Chick Flick" ladies. They've done an amazing job of bringing more women into the game.

Perhaps we need a Washington "Chick Flick" contingent.

Funny you should mention... I have talked a little to Cindy! And I completely agree that we need a Seattle "Chick Flick" group.

...maybe I just volunteered to get a group going (:

[Tim]

FWIW, most of the ladies I see playing are casual/recreational players, so they probably a) haven't given much thought to tournament play and b) don't spend a lot of time on the internet reading about disc golf. I'd imagine the best way to reach most of the disc golfing women out there would be to post up flyers at the courses and Chainbangerz/Mando's.

[Scott]

I agree that a Chick Flick monthly gatherings are the way to go. I don't know the numbers, but I've got a feeling that a large number of Oregon's tournment gals started out playing monthlly CFs.

[LegoRules]

I am starting this thread partially because of recent frustration but also because of my experience in the past year. I can't figure out if it's just the cliquey Seattle way of doing things or if something else is going on and we need to reach out.

I've started to play in tournaments but am finding it difficult due to some logistical issues as well as certain ladies divisions not having enough registered in order to have trophies or payouts. When there are not enough in a division I have also been made to play in the mens division for non sanctioned tournaments or have had to play my rounds with 12yr old boys or the mens beginners.

What can we do to get more ladies to play?
Or... What can we do to make sure that the women players that do sign up for tournament don't feel like they are put in a weird position for choosing to show up and play? Why should they be penalized for getting out there?

When it comes down to it I am going to play. I've signed up for several OR events because they have a lot of ladies playing. I am still signed up for WA tournaments but every time I end up worried about not enough ladies registering, being contacted by TDs that tell me I can Play but won't receive payouts or trophies, or told that I have to play in a different division. I've also been contacted and offered a refund. That's no fun. It makes me feel like they don’t really care if women play or not. I want to just be able to sign up and play without having to wonder all the time.

That is so unfortunate. Even if just one or two women sign up they should be welcomed with open arms, and allowed to play in their own division. I realize that with small numbers they would have to combine cards, but women should not be forced to compete with men. Also even with one or two they should always get a payout. I mean they paid into the tournament just like the guys right. If women are feeling like they are not welcome they probably won't come back. :(

Scott is right a lot of the women now playing tournaments in our area started out playing the Chick Flick monthlies, and also their first tournament was the Chick Flick two day event in August. Like me my first disc golf group thing that I attended was one of the monthlies, and later that year my first tournament was the very first Chick Flick tournament in 2008. :rockon:

The monthlies are super easy low key just the ladies getting together to throw a few rounds together. To make it even easier this year we picked the 3rd Sunday of every month that way everyone knows when the monthly will be, and then we just pick a different course every month. Facebook, the disc golf scene, and this site are excellent ways to get the word out. Also one thing we do for our two day event is we make up business cards to carry in our bags to hand out to any ladies we see on the course. You guys up there could so that for monthlies. Also posting flyers are a good way to get the word out too. It would be awesome to see more ladies up north playing in tournaments. :trophy:

It really also comes down to someone, or maybe a few someones who are willing to put in the time to beat the bushes. It's a lot of work, but it is worth it to see all the ladies out there playing in the events. :yay:

Cindy :)

[couve discer]

One of the things that we are doing for our tournament is trying to get some ladies and juniors sponsored by places or people so that there can be more of them willing to come out that normally would not have played in the tournament already. Also I would like to see the weekly leagues have the women play for free until they start cashing in the weeklies. That would bring alot of people out that don't have the money to donate to a weekly league just to go play.

Thanks,
Josh
Huk For Independence

[Celeste]

One thing we did when we first started the monthly Chick Flicks was to invite the guys out to play on their own while their ladies played a round together. I think this made some of the ladies more comfortable with coming out to play with people they hadn't met.
The business cards have been a really convenient way to spread the word when we just run into women at the course. No searching for a pen and paper and hoping you remember the facebook group name correctly.
I played a tournament in Seattle last summer and had a blast with the ladies in my division, but there were only 3 of us. It has been really exciting to see women's golf grow in Oregon and wish you the best in growing up North. Cindy and I are totally available to help you out any way we can.

[Lyounger]

One thing we did when we first started the monthly Chick Flicks was to invite the guys out to play on their own while their ladies played a round together. I think this made some of the ladies more comfortable with coming out to play with people they hadn't met.
The business cards have been a really convenient way to spread the word when we just run into women at the course. No searching for a pen and paper and hoping you remember the facebook group name correctly.
I played a tournament in Seattle last summer and had a blast with the ladies in my division, but there were only 3 of us. It has been really exciting to see women's golf grow in Oregon and wish you the best in growing up North. Cindy and I are totally available to help you out any way we can.

We had a great deal of success with Ladies Nights in Spokane several years back. Jaymie and I were pretty solid about advetising and showing up every Tuesday evening at HighBridge to welcome new gals who wanted to play...or who's boyfriends wanted them to play better but didn't have the patience to coach them. (Sorry...just sayin)

We had a blast! Lot's of different ladies showed up after they realized how encouraging we were and how much they could improve with a little guidance.

We spread the word with flyers and word of mouth when ever we'd see gals on the course.

It takes a few dedicated individuals to make a committment but it's worth it.

Bout time to do it again in Spokane and give some of those ladies a chance to "give back" to new gals!!!

[emmarose]

tanya,

good job taking the reins on this girl! here's what i think... keep on keepin' on what you are doing playing in all these events... be the good example and shining star for other gals in your area. don't let "the man" get you down (hahaha!!! damn the man!!!). it's a simple reality that there are just less women involved in sports as a general rule than men... except for women's volleyball, of course... if you are inspired to run a chick flick style regular get together for gals... do it! and yes, do involve the boys in that, too... i think that is very key to focus on the fact that we want more gals to play... but we certainly aren't down with excluding the dudes anymore than we're down with being excluded...

... and then here's a message to the TD's... make a place for the womenfolk... if one woman shows up, for heaven's sake that's a division!!! use your discretion as it should be used! go the extra mile to save spots for women, actively recruit women to your events... if you've got one gal signed up, get in touch with her and ask if she has any ideas for how to get more women into your event... let her know you are genuinely happy that she is there... i have been so impressed and appreciative of the TD's in the events that i have played and how they truly want and enjoy the presence of the ladies...

... yes, i understand i'm asking for what is essentially "special treatment"... but that's maybe what the girls need to get over feeling intimidated by tournaments or to feel intrigued enough to want to play... hopefully in 5 years or so we won't need this kind of hand holding, but for now... c'mon boys, suck it up and treat us as special as we are... you know you love it... :p

[Tanya Spence]

Thanks for all of the input. This is really helpful. I got talking with a couple of local women that I see around often and we've got an email list started :)

I'm glad to report that we will be starting first (and eventually 2nd and 3rd depending on interest) Thursdays ladies rounds. Were planning on our first to be June.

Now all I need is a super cute name...



...Huzzah!

[emmarose]

dance parties and synchronized, choreographed dance routines a la janet jackson rythm nation... and karaoke...


hahahahaha... haha... ha!!!

[sillybizz]

Thanks for all of the input. This is really helpful. I got talking with a couple of local women that I see around often and we've got an email list started :)

I'm glad to report that we will be starting first (and eventually 2nd and 3rd depending on interest) Thursdays ladies rounds. Were planning on our first to be June.

Now all I need is a super cute name...



...Huzzah!

Way to take the initiative Tanya! Let me know if you need any help or advice.

P.S. There are still two champion birdies at the shop. :)

Thomas

[Tanya Spence]

It's amazing what can happen in 24hours

[Adam Schneider]

Now all I need is a super cute name...
Hmmm, "Chick Flick" is already taken... and I suppose "Girl Hurl" doesn't exactly qualify as super cute. ;)

[NWDiscer]

Hmmm, "Chick Flick" is already taken... and I suppose "Girl Hurl" doesn't exactly qualify as super cute. ;)

hmmm...

"Chick Chukkers"

"Wingin Women"

"Sister Slingers"

"Fraulein Flingers"

:dancing:

[Ol' Bob]

Chick Flick should go franchise. Any new names I can come up with don't work a fraction as well. You P-Town ladies should trademark that.

Today, Portland, tomorrow, the WORLD!!!

[emmarose]

... frankly i think the cute names are overrated, tanya... however i'm sure us oregon bitches got no problem with a western WA chick flick chapter...

... i also understand that i pretty much have the least amount of authority to hand out that permission as i'm only minimally involved in the chick flick stuff myself... but whatever...

[Adam Schneider]

That's actually not a bad idea. "Oregon Chick Flick" and "Washington Chick Flick" are pretty easily distinguishable.

But of course, it'd need the blessing of the Chicks In Charge down here.

[LegoRules]

That's actually not a bad idea. "Oregon Chick Flick" and "Washington Chick Flick" are pretty easily distinguishable.

But of course, it'd need the blessing of the Chicks In Charge down here.

Hum we would have to discuss that, but for sure here in Oregon the birth place and Mecca it would always have to be just the Chick Flick since we are the original.

Cindy :)

[Rideout]

Hey Tanya

I will be at the event this weekend and I would really like to talk with you face-to-face, because you have a lot of legitimate concerns that I would like to help you with. I am one of the people working on restoring our state series, and players that get moved around like you will be given a clear expaination of how you will earn points and be taken care of - we're working on it.

I am super stoked to hear that you would like to organize some women's events in western WA. I had a really hard time getting the ladies to come out to the Tiara Teardown last year. I had a guaranteed payout to Pro Open Women of $500 (only three ladies in that division) and a brand new Mach V portable basket to first place Women's Advanced (I think, four in that division). Anyway, if you can get the ladies to sign up, I'll help you with any administrative tasks you would like help with and, if you need help, help you run a smooth tourney.

Don't come down too hard on this weekends TD. He is stepping up for his first time and I know he is really stressing on putting together a quality event. I have been working closely with him on getting ready, but he is still learning some of the particulars about things like moving players around. His stepping up is actually a huge deal for me, because I finally get to play a tourney at my home course - it'll be the first one since the Fort Steilacoom Open in 2009. It's stressful being the only TD for a big course, but I know that for Mark, it is also very stressful going into your first big tourney and only kinda knowing what to expect.

Mike Rideout

[Toby Puttzinski]

Tanya,
I was chatting with Dana a few days ago at North Park and encouraged her to play this weekend; she seemed enthusiastic about it. Did you try to wrangle Amy into playing?

[p-nit]

IT IS HAPPENING! Please contact me for more info, the first casual Woman's Doubles at Northpark this Thursday at 5:30pm (let me know Tanya if you can make it, I still want to meet up with you to talk about the future of Northend Ladies DG anytime!) No fees for for the first few doubles just til we get a following going, then maybe (fingers crossed hopefully!) we can start offering payouts later this summer (yay!) wouldn't that be gas! Seeing the women counting their winnings at hole #9 for once...lol! Let me know, and it was great playing with you that day awhile back, look forward to the next round.~Dana