Join Date:
December 2nd, 2009
Location:
Roseburg, Oregon
Posts:
182
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My apologies . . .
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My name is Derek A. Brown. Some of you may recognize my name for several different reasons, or just one. I am the Vice-President of Disc Golf Oregon (Discgolforegon.com), in charge of media and public relations. I was on site at the Beaver State Fling, Lava Launch, and Eugene Celebration this summer filming and interviewing, not playing. I have released dozens of edited and produced videos online besides these events on discgolforegon.com and discgolfersrus, as well. Unfortunately, some may know my name from an incident that occurred at the 2009 Great Northwest Open. 
There were mistakes made on my scorecard in my favor while I was taking scores. I had no ill-intention in these mistakes; I was there just to have fun, getting in at the last minute even. I would never intentionally circumvent the rules. I love our sport very much, but I love what it can be even more.
The situation is completely my fault, and I'd like to apologize for the mistakes that I made that have caused the discussions, to begin with. I am apologizing to all who attended the GNO 09. I am apologizing to all Oregon and NW disc golfers for the embarrassment. I am apologizing to all my disc golf buddies for the embarrassment, as well (I know where you guys stand, thank you). And I am apologizing to the PDGA for my lack of expedience in addressing the situation.
Following is a copy of my final letter to the PDGA addressing this very issue. If you would like a copy of my original (much,much longer) letter, please PM or email me. Please accept my apologies and my concerns.
Quote:
To whom it may concern,
It has been brought to my attention that my original letter outlining the events surrounding my disqualification at the 2009 GNO may have contained far too many details, preventing the intended message from being communicated. Please, consider this a more "to-the-point" addition to the aforementioned.
I must make it clear that this entire incident is my fault; no one else is to blame, period. I am the person whom recorded the scores wrong, no one else. Unfortunately, there is a difference in some recollections of events that happened at Tournament Central that day; however, these differences aside, it is I and only I that made the mistakes leading to my disqualification.
Then again, it was I who originally asked to have my card reviewed, as well.
The main point here is that I made a mistake, a very regretful mistake. I did not make this mistake on purpose or with ill-intention. At the time, I was not familiar with PDGA tournament protocol, at all. It shows. It's amazing how stupid an intelligent person can be at times; it truly is. I do not regret asking to review my card at Whistlers Bend, that day, eventually bringing my mistakes to light. I do regret trying to reinvent the wheel with my original letter, taking the entire summer to do so. I had assumed that much more information was needed than actually was. My biggest fault in the time delay was simply not taking the situation seriously, feeling that I had made an innocent mistake due to my lack of attention to my surroundings.
Nonetheless, I am ready to accept the punishment deemed appropriate for my actions. I would request that any intended form of punishment be enacted immediately upon final decision of such, if possible. My intention within this request is due to my desire to continue playing the game I love, but specifically playing PDGA sanctioned events. Beyond my desire to play and my well-known desire to film large events, I have a different love and respect for the game, and the the game's growth. As I have been, I intend and have intended on being involved at a level beyond showing up and playing, up to and including course design and video production. This mistake of mine has put a definite hindrance on these desires.
In closing, please understand that I blame no one but myself. I would like to make it perfectly clear that the mistakes in question were an accident, and nothing but. Please accept my apologies for my complete lack of respect shown by my sluggish attention to the subject at hand. It was VERY unprofessional of me to not take the accusations seriously. Most of all, please accept my apologies for the mistakes that were made on my behalf at the 2009 Great Northwest Open. I look forward to having an opportunity to prove myself in the coming years with my words and most importantly my actions in play and in promoting the sport we love.
Derek A. Brown
PDGA # 42048
discgolforegon3@gmail.com
(541) 643-0774
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Thank you, for taking the time to ponder this discussion. And a special thank you to all my friends who have been so encouraging, the people who know me best.  Please, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thanks again.
-Derek 
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Last edited by DiscGolfOregon3; December 28th, 2009 at 06:00 AM.
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December 23rd, 2009, 04:40 PM
Thank you
