American Disc Golf Tour

[AndyJB]

Theyve dispatched their Salient Squad members all across Facebook to try and win people over. Sadly, most of them are using the same aggressive, cyber-bully type tactics that Kilgus and Poland are also known for, which is just sad.

Mostly its Squad members (nearly all of whom xame aboard AFTER the Catalyst fiasco) saying "well my shoes didnt fall apart and my bag didnt fall apart so you are wrong." They also seem to have developed a cult of personality around Salient's lone pro, Luis Nava whom, while a far better player than I'll ever be, is still an unknown local pro. He's hardly the all star they make him out to be.

Of course when confronted with the ultimate trump card, the fake lawsuit, Squad members either say its a lie or simply nothing at all. The latter is more respectable.

They are also fond of trying to turn it on you with the classic tropes of "you must be against change" "youre close minded" "you dont want to grow the sport" without grasping the concept that its on the makers of a product to convince people to try it. Blind faith isnt enough. They also wont list any of these great changes Salient is making.

This whole thing is a black eye on disc golf, even if that black eye is only seen by a small number of hardcore disc golfers like us.

 

[klmdg]

Talk about a tempest in a teapot. An almost-2-year-old post from a Salient-non-owner that their discs weren't made in China, when it would matter very little if they are?

I agree with AndyJB that this isn't a top-100 issue with the ADGT. There's so much good stuff to bash, why bash this?

I want to complain that I've defended them many times, and kept my criticism off their Facebook page, and nevertheless been blocked from it. But I won't.

You may not care that their discs are made in China, or think it's a big deal, but obviously some dude who dropped real money on a pair thinking he was supporting an American brand and tour does.

And what difference does it make how old the thread was and who made the comment?

Here's another old one where Kilgus himself states several times that Salient Discs are molded in the USA:

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109467

If you've ever been in a Trilogy thread, you'd be well aware of the fact that a few people on DGCR have issues with supporting a foreign manufacturer. From the outset of their relationship with Yikun, Salient made it clear, both here and elsewhere, that all their discs were molded in the USA in order to appease this 'Merica faction. It's just another example that the company behind this absolute cluster called the ADGT lies at every turn, and that makes it relevant to what is being discussed here, even if it's not the most earth shattering news that broke this week.

 

[AndyJB]

Like I said: I challenge anyone to find an example of these idiots actually telling the truth.

 

[DavidSauls]

You may not care that their discs are made in China, or think it's a big deal, but obviously some dude who dropped real money on a pair thinking he was supporting an American brand and tour does.

And what difference does it make how old the thread was and who made the comment?

Here's another old one where Kilgus himself states several times that Salient Discs are molded in the USA:

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109467

If you've ever been in a Trilogy thread, you'd be well aware of the fact that a few people on DGCR have issues with supporting a foreign manufacturer. From the outset of their relationship with Yikun, Salient made it clear, both here and elsewhere, that all their discs were molded in the USA in order to appease this 'Merica faction. It's just another example that the company behind this absolute cluster called the ADGT lies at every turn, and that makes it relevant to what is being discussed here, even if it's not the most earth shattering news that broke this week.

I don't disagree, except to the degree. In relation to everything else about the ADGT, it's not a big deal. Very few disc buyers are buying Salient discs, and very few of them would care where they were made---so it's a big deal to those people, fair enough, but not overall. And a statement from 2 years ago, from a non-owner, could have been wrong then, or could have been correct then but wrong now.

 

[ToddL]

I should footnote that it's still 2 1/2 months away. Who knows what will happen in that time. When Columbia gets past its big tournament, the Earlewood Classic, on two weekends in March, everyone may jump on the American Open bandwagon.

I've been hoping that the ADGT would change their model, and thought they've made some tweaks and concessions, it's still mostly the original formula.

Including the extremely whitewashed Facebook page.

You guys have 120 people signed up for Earlewood in March. We have 120 people signed up for Central the week after ADGT (2 hours away from Cobblestone). Lots of overlap on those players - lots of Columbia, lots of Upstate, lots of Rock Hill, lots of Augusta. Yet very few of these folks have signed up for ADGT.

Not to say either of us are necessarily better than ADGT, but there are a few things working in our favor:
1 - Established tournaments with established TDs/Clubs.
2 - Established courses that people know and enjoy (though I have no doubt the course at Cobblestone will be pretty sweet)
3 - Established tournament and payout procedures. When we say we're an A-tier, the pros know what to expect.
4 - Reasonable entry fees. I'd be a lot more willing to try something new run by new people with new rules if it wasn't a $300 gamble.

Things that ADGT has working in its favor:
1 - It'll be broadcast on ESPN3.
2 - Nice players' pack.

 

[AndyJB]

Well its a players pack full of Salient products so.....not that nice.

 

[filobedo]

You guys have 120 people signed up for Earlewood in March. We have 120 people signed up for Central the week after ADGT (2 hours away from Cobblestone). Lots of overlap on those players - lots of Columbia, lots of Upstate, lots of Rock Hill, lots of Augusta. Yet very few of these folks have signed up for ADGT.

Not to say either of us are necessarily better than ADGT, but there are a few things working in our favor:
1 - Established tournaments with established TDs/Clubs.
2 - Established courses that people know and enjoy (though I have no doubt the course at Cobblestone will be pretty sweet)
3 - Established tournament and payout procedures. When we say we're an A-tier, the pros know what to expect.
4 - Reasonable entry fees. I'd be a lot more willing to try something new run by new people with new rules if it wasn't a $300 gamble.

Things that ADGT has working in its favor:
1 - It'll be broadcast on ESPN3.
2 - Nice players' pack.

If the course is anything like the way Ballentyne was set up last weekend, it will make it worth it. Henry and Jeremy's design was phenominal and Cobblestone has more elevation in spots. My only fear is with so much hate for Steve and Chris right now from the locals and other inland people on this thread, the haters may come out and heckle players or do something to have the event shut down in the middle of the tournament.

 

[DavidSauls]

If the course is anything like the way Ballentyne was set up last weekend, it will make it worth it. Henry and Jeremy's design was phenominal and Cobblestone has more elevation in spots. My only fear is with so much hate for Steve and Chris right now from the locals and other inland people on this thread, the haters may come out and heckle players or do something to have the event shut down in the middle of the tournament.

I said I wasn't going to go watch, but now that you mention it, I just might.

Just kidding, of course. Nobody's going to go to cause trouble.

If the entry fee were reasonable, I know some locals would go just to throw at Cobblestone, regardless of everything else.

 

[DavidSauls]

You guys have 120 people signed up for Earlewood in March. We have 120 people signed up for Central the week after ADGT (2 hours away from Cobblestone). Lots of overlap on those players - lots of Columbia, lots of Upstate, lots of Rock Hill, lots of Augusta. Yet very few of these folks have signed up for ADGT.

Not to say either of us are necessarily better than ADGT, but there are a few things working in our favor:
1 - Established tournaments with established TDs/Clubs.
2 - Established courses that people know and enjoy (though I have no doubt the course at Cobblestone will be pretty sweet)
3 - Established tournament and payout procedures. When we say we're an A-tier, the pros know what to expect.
4 - Reasonable entry fees. I'd be a lot more willing to try something new run by new people with new rules if it wasn't a $300 gamble.

Things that ADGT has working in its favor:
1 - It'll be broadcast on ESPN3.
2 - Nice players' pack.

Because our events are PDGA sanctioned, they also have the advantage of being on a freely-available events calendar. ADGT has to rely on Facebook and word-of-mouth.

Aside of the doubt whether "committed" means the same as "pre-registered and paid", I don't think the 40 is too bad. Especially since the end-of-February registration deadline seems to have vanished.

 

[filobedo]

I said I wasn't going to go watch, but now that you mention it, I just might.

Just kidding, of course. Nobody's going to go to cause trouble.

If the entry fee were reasonable, I know some locals would go just to throw at Cobblestone, regardless of everything else.

I am surprised that a crowdfunding site has not been set up for Andy and Consult20 to purchase plane tickets to fly to Columbia to protest the event or do other damage locally.

 

[lyleoross]

Bad sense of humor on: So, Salient makes their discs in the U.S. then stamps them with made in China? Wow, when your quality is so bad that you think that making them in China adds to their value, you're really hurting.... :Bad sense of humor off.

 

[AndyJB]

Might be joking but kind of insulting that you think myself or Consult would do that. Besides, they dont need my help to fail...they are doing a great job of that on their own.

 

[Chiefstang]

Might be joking but kind of insulting that you think myself or Consult would do that. Besides, they dont need my help to fail...they are doing a great job of that on their own.

Somebody needs a Snickers this morning!

 

[filobedo]

Might be joking but kind of insulting that you think myself or Consult would do that. Besides, they dont need my help to fail...they are doing a great job of that on their own.

It was not a joke, I am worried about everyone's safety with so much hate from people on this thread and locally. Also, it is being held in one of the most dangerous places in the US and law enforcement tends to turn a blind eye to gang violence in Columbia.

 

[Matt B.]

You guys have 120 people signed up for Earlewood in March. We have 120 people signed up for Central the week after ADGT (2 hours away from Cobblestone). Lots of overlap on those players - lots of Columbia, lots of Upstate, lots of Rock Hill, lots of Augusta. Yet very few of these folks have signed up for ADGT.

Not to say either of us are necessarily better than ADGT, but there are a few things working in our favor:
1 - Established tournaments with established TDs/Clubs.
2 - Established courses that people know and enjoy (though I have no doubt the course at Cobblestone will be pretty sweet)
3 - Established tournament and payout procedures. When we say we're an A-tier, the pros know what to expect.
4 - Reasonable entry fees. I'd be a lot more willing to try something new run by new people with new rules if it wasn't a $300 gamble.

Things that ADGT has working in its favor:
1 - It'll be broadcast on ESPN3.
2 - Nice players' pack.

Every time I see "broadcast" associated with ESPN3 I scratch my head.

 

[Chiefstang]

It was not a joke, I am worried about everyone's safety with so much hate from people on this thread and locally. Also, it is being held in one of the most dangerous places in the US and law enforcement tends to turn a blind eye to gang violence in Columbia.

Jaysus.

 

[Matt B.]

I am surprised that a crowdfunding site has not been set up for Andy and Consult20 to purchase plane tickets to fly to Columbia to protest the event or do other damage locally.

As a casual, non-invested observer, I think you may need to check your nappy.

 

[bradharris]

It was not a joke, I am worried about everyone's safety with so much hate from people on this thread and locally. Also, it is being held in one of the most dangerous places in the US and law enforcement tends to turn a blind eye to gang violence in Columbia.

Are you saying that people will be so incensed by this insult to the disc golf world that they're going to incite gang violence at Cobblestone?

 

[ToddL]

Every time I see "broadcast" associated with ESPN3 I scratch my head.

Cast on broadband? :\

 

[lyleoross]

It was not a joke, I am worried about everyone's safety with so much hate from people on this thread and locally. Also, it is being held in one of the most dangerous places in the US and law enforcement tends to turn a blind eye to gang violence in Columbia.

Somebody needs a Snickers....

Really, these guys are gonna fly to some event to protest? And that's not supposed to be a joke? And what does their activity have to do with gang violence? You are conflating two separate issues to make a point that hasn't much merit.