WORLD FIASCO

[Loomis]

So who had the bright idea to limit the fields at Pro Worlds? Perhaps the PRO OPEN field should hold their own tournament while the Masters, Grandmasters, Legends, etc. go down the road and hold their own so all who want to play can do so?

A field of 8 for Masters Women? What idiot came up with that idea? Is this what they mean by "growing the sport?"

 

[Star Shark]

The BSF is a very popular tournament with well respected courses, so this was gonna fill up quick. Add in that it attracts alot more of the west coast locals who might not travel to a midwest/east const tourney.

I kind of like the idea of having an open championship for worlds and then do the age protected divs elsewhere for the reason you've stated plus it cuts down on explaining to people why there's an 74 year old shoting 60 over par competing for a world title. The random spectators are there to see the best in the world play, not necessarily the past greats.

 

[Loomis]

Masters Men: ...72
Masters Women: ...8.

This is a huge insult. Given the spineless demeanor of the PDGA as of late I doubt anything will be done about this. I guess we are going to chalk this up as another one of those, "...still no idea how to do this" moments in our sport.

 

[lbond]

I kind of like the idea of having an open championship for worlds and then do the age protected divs elsewhere for the reason you've stated plus it cuts down on explaining to people why there's an 74 year old shoting 60 over par competing for a world title. The random spectators are there to see the best in the world play, not necessarily the past greats.

I agree. Nobody is sticking around to watch Joe Blow play OK to poor golf. It's boring.

 

[Loomis]

If everyone thinks the age protected divisions should play elsewhere, someone should propose it to the board.

 

[Anon]

Is there a demand for that many Masters Women?

If they manage to fill those 8 spots... godbless.

Seems like a bunch of unnecessary rage and salt from the OP.

 

[Loomis]

There IS a demand for the Masters AND Grandmasters Women's division. Doesn't seem to matter to the TD or the PDGA.

And all rage is necessary. A lack of rage allows mediocrity and banality to reign. Hence a division of 8 at a World Championship.

 

[New013]

i think you should have to accumulate a certain amount of points in open to play in an event as big as worlds. it's kind of a joke that MJ is on the wait list while some 920 guy can be playing.

this is another place where should take a page from golf. average golfers aren't playing in the us open. to get there you had to do well on tour or go through insane qualifying.

 

[Anon]

Hence a division of 8 at a World Championship.

But its a division of 8 in a division that, frankly, nobody really cares that much about.

MJ on the waiting list is much more of an issue with this tournament than the few Master's women that get left out.

Sorry for the 'real talk.' But it is what it is.

 

[Columbia gorge]

^^^ I 100% agree with you on this point. I emailed the PDGA last year about at least making a window where only PDGA registered pros were allowed to sign up for popular events. Very frustrating to pay the $75 annually and get shut out because somebody wanted to "play up". It seems to be happening more and more. You really have to be quick on the draw for some events, AM1 sells out fast and then they flood the pro side.

I was responding to New013.

 

[Loomis]

It does matter. Maybe not to you.

It doesn't matter if the "viewing public" cares that much about the division, it's a World Championship and the women who play in that division DO care about it. They want to play and they have ever right to be involved. They pay their fees to the PDGA, they passed the test, they play the tournaments and they should be allowed a full field like the rest of the divisions.

This isn't a spectator sport as of yet (we have yet to cross that threshold into sports entertainment) and so it still remains a sport of participation. Does anyone in your hypothetical "viewing public" care about Masters, Grandmasters, Legends or any of the AM divisions? Why do they have fields larger than 8?

If it's just an issue of interest, then let's just hold an OPEN Worlds for the top thirty players and be done with it.

I feel bad for MJ. He's a strong competitor and he deserves a spot. But so do all of those other players.

This is Worlds.

Let them all play.

 

[lbond]

i think you should have to accumulate a certain amount of points in open to play in an event as big as worlds. it's kind of a joke that MJ is on the wait list while some 920 guy can be playing.

this is another place where should take a page from golf. average golfers aren't playing in the us open. to get there you had to do well on tour or go through insane qualifying.

Double agree. If anybody on here works for the PDGA and can comment on the actual demand for Masters Women at Worlds then please do, but until then I think we just have speculation on that point. I hope there is a ton of demand but who knows.

Regardless, if they were forced to play a separate tournament that anyone can enter without qualifying for anything then I feel like it would be just that, a different tournament. They wouldn't really be playing Worlds anymore.

PGA majors don't hurt for spectators, popularity, sponsorships or payouts and 99.9% of golfers aren't allowed in. That's what makes it interesting.

 

[tomsdiscs]

6 - 2013
9 - 2012
6 - 2011

 

[Vonbeezy1]

It does matter. Maybe not to you.

It doesn't matter if the "viewing public" cares that much about the division, it's a World Championship and the women who play in that division DO care about it. They want to play and they have ever right to be involved. They pay their fees to the PDGA, they passed the test, they play the tournaments and they should be allowed a full field like the rest of the divisions.

This isn't a spectator sport as of yet (we have yet to cross that threshold into sports entertainment) and so it still remains a sport of participation. Does anyone in your hypothetical "viewing public" care about Masters, Grandmasters, Legends or any of the AM divisions? Why do they have fields larger than 8?

If it's just an issue of interest, then let's just hold an OPEN Worlds for the top thirty players and be done with it.

I feel bad for MJ. He's a strong competitor and he deserves a spot. But so do all of those other players.

This is Worlds.

Let them all play.

Why should everyone be allowed to play in a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP? It should be the best of the best and the remaining spots going out to either other low level pros or high level ams that could be dark horses. No one wants to watch a 900 rated player at worlds.

 

[Mr. Anderson]

I'm pretty sure the PDGA looks at historical attendance figures from years past to determine the number of participants allowed in different divisions.

As far as "let them all play" argument. It would take more courses and more volunteers to make that happen. (courses are easier to come by than volunteers)

I think the qualification system is broken. It sucks that a player can sign up for an NT and get enough points to get an invite to a World Championships. But it is, what it is.

 

[BC Product]

8 would seem to be a small limit, but there were only 6 competitors in last years event. Apparently that "idiot" that came up with the limit number was someone who actually did some homework. Go figure...

 

[teemkey]

Having a series of qualifying events makes a lot of sense.

That said, we're talking about the PDGA Professional World Championships, so including all professional divisions in which players pay dues to the PDGA also makes sense. Most objections above are concerned with age protected divisions, with no mention of gender protected divisions ... why's that?

 

[onemilemore]

"Fiasco" is a bit dramatic, yes?

 

[Loomis]

25 - 2013
30 - 2012
36 - 2011

Mr. Tom. Using data from the last three Worlds to complete your formula the PRO women's field at this year's event should be capped off at 20. Maybe 25 if we want to be generous. Yet, the PRO women's field at this year's event is 40. So had the Portland TD capped the women off at 25 to keep with the prevailing trend, we could have potentially missed out on Catrina, Paige, Ragna, Sarah, Des, Liz and nine other women getting a spot.

It's foolish math to assume that last year or the year before or the year before that has anything to do with the potential sign up. The sport is supposed to be GROWING... not being stifled.

 

[Loomis]

And No... The idiot in question has been adequately labeled.