well i must say it is a subject that has been swept under the rug for a while and I personally feel that players give too much pressure to TD's to pay out the most possible and if the players find out the TD's kept some money to compensate for their time and effort, they will be lynched... There are so many tournaments that I go to that are supposed to be fundraisers and yet I see the TD's apologizing to players who win prizes or money, that it wasn't as much as it could be. Really? The TD put on a tournament and did the work, why are they apologizing to the players and why should the TD feel any pressure from players to give 100 percent back to the players especially at C tiers and FUNDRAISERS.
Focus for any TD should be Maps, course preparation, tournament central presentation, useful player pack items like snacks or something we can really use on the course.
As a TD myself, I have never kept cash, but kept left over prizes and used these in future events, gave them away to newbies or as sponsorship to other events, or sold them to compensate for my time, because I felt the pressure if I kept any cash, I would be publically lynched, even if the PDGA says I can keep up to $100.
There are too many disc golfers out there that think everything should be dirt cheap and free, and too many disc golfers who think the payout should be 200+%... TD's want to please as many people as possible but it's impossible because some want this, some want that... Jub is just trying to see what is preferred by the people in the NW...
As a TD, I strive to present a quick and efficient tournament central, meaning quick sign ups, player packs, quick meetings, get out and get the rounds in, smooth lunch with no extension, then quick wrap up and awards so people can hit the road home. Putting in time on the course prep and maps is important long before the tournament... Hole sponsorships are very important to cover the expenses of the tournament. Left over cash can be used as the TD needs to maximize their tournament.
For example, for the 2nd annual Camp Taloali fundraiser coming up in May, I have already fronted over 1 thousand dollars of my own money for the tournament and spent at least 30 hours on course prep, and that is not counting what more i will invest in the next month. I just hope I will make back all that money back and that people will have a great time during the tournament; yet I expect people to question my work and think being a TD is a easy job and so forth...
Just thought I would add a perspective regardless of what or what did not happen at the CSI and Jub... What did happen is that he did put on a tournament and you guys went and played... dont like something, fill out a TD feedback form that is printable off the PDGA website so he can improve...
Thanks to Chase and Jason Back for putting on great fundraisers recently!