Spoiled disc golfers?

[WestsoundBT]

Originally Posted by Chuck Kennedy

I reject the initial premise that ams are specifically the ones spoiled in the sport. It's also the pseudo pros who have been spoiled by expecting 100%+ payouts with little or no contribution towards event expenses and little rationale for why they should be able to play for cash (i.e. paying spectators) versus winning merch like all of the other semi-pros (not ams) who play for merch.

If anything, there should be no cash payouts in any division and potentially even larger merch payouts (with sponsorship) that include a significant selection of prizes outside of disc golf merchandise where the retail/wholesale differential is used to cover tourney expenses including compensation for the TD team.

Yes, our current tournament structure has produced spoiled players but it's both players we call ams and pros although neither fit the conventional definitions. It's not "am" payouts per se that are the root of the problem. If the sport and our original TDs started with conventional am divisions like many other developing sports rather than pros with cash payouts, and events were run by Parks Depts, our current structure where TDs feel compelled to cater to the pros with cash payouts and even added cash would likely have materialized more conventionally (if at all) like other sports where payouts only came from spectator income and external sponsorship, not mostly from am retail/wholesale differential. But that's where we're at for now. The fault lies not with all players who have been spoiled and prefer to continue those expectations but more the administrative side of tournament structure that has evolved from the culture and traditions that produced it.

As usual, Chuck brings some good reflection. Chuck, I find the idea of non disc golf related prizes interesting, as it keeps the wholesale/retail model intact, which seems to appeal to event directors. Trouble is, of course, in any crowd of disc golfers, the only one thing you know they like in common...is disc golf.

The other factor you put in nicely was that the expectations are there... because we've trained our attenders to that end.

What starts as a bonus and draw, within three years (or less) becomes granted.

If I was tempted to draw a political cartoon of the modern disc golf event structure... it would be a stacked tiered pyramid of players, with the whole thing propped up on a shakey base pile of plastic.

[Lund]

Originally Posted by WestsoundBT

If I was tempted to draw a political cartoon of the modern disc golf event structure... it would be a stacked tiered pyramid of players, with the whole thing propped up on a shakey base pile of plastic.

I have found that if I spread my plastic into many short stacks (discs arranged vertically on foam supports and rotated frequently of course) that they can support any size of pyramid, metaphoric or literal.

Just kidding, I like this image/analogy. Also I think it would make a great theme for your next tourny poster, BT.

[WestsoundBT]

Hmmm... Maybe it could for a match play bracket tourney...

That'd be pyramid form - just sideways!

[Flatroc]

Originally Posted by Chuck Kennedy

The fault lies not with all players who have been spoiled and prefer to continue those expectations but more the administrative side of tournament structure that has evolved from the culture and traditions that produced it.

Chuck,
Golly gee man, so all the old pioneer TD's are at fault because they weren't sure which way to direct this new sport.
There was another post in this thread about TD BLAME, but I can't seem to find it now. I think it even stated something about TD burnout in the same paragraph.
I think it's safe to say that most of the pioneer TD's were into promoting the sport in the best way they could, considering the times.
I have seen a lot of good culture and tradition evolve from this fantastic sport!
I think that if a disc golfer, or anyone for that matter, is considered to be spoiled, then you should go back to the first years of their life.
Dang moms, dads and grandparents anyway!
FWIW, I paid out half the field to amateurs in 1992 and still do to this day.
Yose

[Chuck Kennedy]

Flatroc- I agree "fault" isn't the proper word. It's more about the conditions at the time in the 80s, i.e., cash was easier to play for with no merch available and if you played for cash it meant you were a "pro." That started us down the path that lead to where we are, which has been good in many ways to build our sport, just less conventional than the way other sports have developed where their ams and pros better fit the traditional definitions.

[CMC206]

This is my 3rd year back after 20 years. I have been hitting every tourney I can. A, B, C, NT. I can say that as an AM player in most of the C tiers I have played I got pretty sweet players packs. It just gets better from B to A tier tourneys. I have no complaints. Look at your self and why your not satisfied. For me it MY GAME that needs to improve. God speed to all the TD's out there putting on events to compete in. In 2013 I plan on playing a few less tourneys. I predict like 10 instead of 17.

CMC
12298
www.rewindb.com

[Flatroc]

Originally Posted by Chuck Kennedy

Flatroc- I agree "fault" isn't the proper word. It's more about the conditions at the time in the 80s, i.e., cash was easier to play for with no merch available and if you played for cash it meant you were a "pro." That started us down the path that lead to where we are, which has been good in many ways to build our sport, just less conventional than the way other sports have developed where their ams and pros better fit the traditional definitions.

Well worded!
There are a lot of the older old-timers who have never played in an amateur division as there were none when they started.
If we only knew know, what we didn't know then, eh?