Amateur Tournament Series

[Jay Dub]

Good luck, Tom and keep us updated.

 

[discgolftom]

Good luck, Tom and keep us updated.

Will do . . .

 

[ToddL]

Doesn't matter what he/TD makes as long as he delivers what he promises to the field which is 90% of entries plus player pack value.

10k is a lofty goal, but frankly Tom is 100% correct on that. TDs complain all the time that the PDGA makes it impossible for them to make a profit on running a tournament. This is completely wrong. If the TD raises $5000 in sponsorship, he's absolutely free to keep $4000 for himself, put $500 toward tournament supplies, and put $500 into the payout purse, as long as he's not breaking any promises. He told the sponsors they'd get a banner at HQ, some signs on the course, and a shout out at the player meeting. He told the players there would be $500 added to the purse. Done and done. The players don't have to know how much money the sponsor gave the TD, and the sponsor doesn't have to know what the TD is using their money for.

 

[Cgkdisc]

10k is a lofty goal, but frankly Tom is 100% correct on that. TDs complain all the time that the PDGA makes it impossible for them to make a profit on running a tournament. This is completely wrong. If the TD raises $5000 in sponsorship, he's absolutely free to keep $4000 for himself, put $500 toward tournament supplies, and put $500 into the payout purse, as long as he's not breaking any promises. He told the sponsors they'd get a banner at HQ, some signs on the course, and a shout out at the player meeting. He told the players there would be $500 added to the purse. Done and done. The players don't have to know how much money the sponsor gave the TD, and the sponsor doesn't have to know what the TD is using their money for.

Although transparency can be good, it might not be necessary or the wisest idea to share that you kept $10k for the host team from the $12K you raised.

 

[ru4por]

I have been in the tournament game, via my local club, for a couple years. We are nearly all successful professionals, well educated and highly motivated. We are all veterans of disc golf and tournament play. It took about 10 of us, a couple years to figure out a successful formula, to make far less than 10K, all to be funneled back into the disc golf community. Sponsorship is hard to hold onto. The ROI from the game is less than desirable.

I have no doubt, no lack of faith in your ability to pull off year one....the real challenge will be in getting band back together for a return engagement. Those in the game for money. seem to be less vested in my interests as a player. You are far from the first venture opportunist to see gold in these hills. Few are left standing after year one. Sadly, in this area, many sponsorship bridges get burnt this way, leaving far less "meat on the bone" for the clubs that have been supporting the disc golf community for years...and will still be here after.

Best of luck. I too will look forward to hearing how it goes. Always a chance for me to learn.

 

[DatRedDude]

Not sure how we'll handle the Ace Pot yet.

Yes - we will open Registration for all Qualifiers at the same time. Hopefully they will all fill up quickly . . .

however you handle the ace pot just make sure you are up front out the gates of what the plan is. transparency is key.

 

[discgolftom]

10k is a lofty goal, but frankly Tom is 100% correct on that. TDs complain all the time that the PDGA makes it impossible for them to make a profit on running a tournament. This is completely wrong. If the TD raises $5000 in sponsorship, he's absolutely free to keep $4000 for himself, put $500 toward tournament supplies, and put $500 into the payout purse, as long as he's not breaking any promises. He told the sponsors they'd get a banner at HQ, some signs on the course, and a shout out at the player meeting. He told the players there would be $500 added to the purse. Done and done. The players don't have to know how much money the sponsor gave the TD, and the sponsor doesn't have to know what the TD is using their money for.

This is a business venture. A fun way to make money while providing competitive entertainment for the Players and Fans.

I imagine Sponsorships will be bargain priced for the initial Series. But they will most def get bang for their buck.

Sneak Peek into pricing [ subject to change ]:

Vendor / Brand - $25 per Event. $100 for all 4 Qualifiers and Championship. Bring your own table, chairs, tent, etc.

Will have more details on the Sponsor Packages [below] in a few weeks. Table and 2 chairs provided. Bring your own Tent, etc.

Silver Sponsor [ unlimited ] - Logo on Silver Co-Op Banner @ Main Area + Sign on 1 tee box. Small Logo & Mention on all marketing materials. $250 for all 4 Qualifiers and Championship.

Gold Sponsor [8] - Custom 3' x 6' Banner @ Main Area + Sign on 2 tee boxes. Medium Logo & Mention on all marketing materials. $500 for all 4 Qualifiers and Championship.

Diamond Sponsor [4] - 2 Custom 3' x 6' Banners - 1 @ Main Area + 1 On-Course + Sign on 4 tee boxes. Large Logo & Mention on all marketing materials. $1000 for all 4 Qualifiers and Championship.

Title Sponsor [1] - 4 Custom 3' x 6' Banners - 2 @ Main Area + 2 On-Course + Sign on all tee boxes. Small Logo & Mention on all marketing materials. $2500 for all 4 Qualifiers and Championship. [ this will probably be whatever Brand the 4wheeler, Jetski is . . . ]

 

[discgolftom]

I have no doubt, no lack of faith in your ability to pull off year one....the real challenge will be in getting band back together for a return engagement.

True. This is why we really, really have to develop a great product / brand.

If we make it fun for the Players & Fans and provide awesome Prizes - they should come back. If they come back - the Sponsors will too!

Best of luck. I too will look forward to hearing how it goes.

Thanks!

 

[discgolftom]

however you handle the ace pot just make sure you are up front out the gates of what the plan is. transparency is key.

Agreed. We are most def going to be a transparent Tournament. We just have to do what we say we are going to do and under promise and over deliver . . .

Still not sure on Ace Pot. After reading some comments - may do some sort of "putt" for those that entered. Give everyone 2 throws at a Basket from a certain distance and keep backing them up until only 1 player remains -or- the last two can chop if they desire.

 

[Cgkdisc]

Still not sure on Ace Pot. After reading some comments - may do some sort of "putt" for those that entered. Give everyone 2 throws at a Basket from a certain distance and keep backing them up until only 1 player remains -or- the last two can chop if they desire.

You certainly don't have to follow standard practice. But giving players two throws to a basket 150-200 feet away, with closest to the pin or sinking it winning the ace pool, is a common way ace pots are cleared.

 

[ToddL]

Still not sure on Ace Pot. After reading some comments - may do some sort of "putt" for those that entered. Give everyone 2 throws at a Basket from a certain distance and keep backing them up until only 1 player remains -or- the last two can chop if they desire.

General comment:
Sometimes it's great to think outside the box and try new things. I wrote an article this year on changing up tournament procedures, because "that's the way we've always done it" isn't necessarily a good reason to do things the same way over and over.
On the other hand, sometimes people do things the way they do because the community has thrown out all the bad ideas. The trick is finding out which ones are which.

Specific comment:
This way to award the ace pool sounds awful. It's the end of the day, people are ready to get out of there and go home. This would take forever. A simple CTP throw off with 1 try per player from about 150' takes 5-10 minutes to cycle everyone through. As a TD, I even hate having to do this. Making it any more complicated sounds dreadful.

 

[discgolftom]

Specific comment:
This way to award the ace pool sounds awful. It's the end of the day, people are ready to get out of there and go home. This would take forever. A simple CTP throw off with 1 try per player from about 150' takes 5-10 minutes to cycle everyone through. As a TD, I even hate having to do this. Making it any more complicated sounds dreadful.

Is having an Ace Pot even necessary?

 

[Cgkdisc]

Is having an Ace Pot even necessary?

Ace pots and CTP prizes are a way to engage players who may not be in contention for qualifying.

 

[ToddL]

Not at all. It's just a fun side game that's very common.

 

[ejvogie]

Any unclaimed ace pot money from a qualifier gets rolled into the championship. Maybe it gets donated to charity. Maybe they throw off for it after both rounds are done. It doesn't matter which as long as it's communicated beforehand.

 

[ru4por]

You certainly don't have to follow standard practice. But giving players two throws to a basket 150-200 feet away, with closest to the pin or sinking it winning the ace pool, is a common way ace pots are cleared.

And honestly, Chuck...one of my least favorite things in a tournament. In COVID times, this is an awful idea. In the best of times, you are dragging me off my lawn chair, after my discs are stowed, my boots off and my first cold one in hand.

We have started adopting an Ace Pool CTP. A designated CTP, fair to all levels of play, to use for the Ace Pool monies. If an ace is hit, regular rules apply and we will give out a nice disc to the winner of the Ace CTP. If no ace, the closest to the pin wins a pre designated amount of the Ace Pool. We generally pay out 100% of the Ace Pool, charity gigs withstanding. But occasionally might only pay out 80% for the Ace CTP, with 20% going to the course improvement fund...maybe not. Either way will be spelled out in the About section of the tournament and with the check box for registration.

 

[Cgkdisc]

And honestly, Chuck...one of my least favorite things in a tournament. In COVID times, this is an awful idea. In the best of times, you are dragging me off my lawn chair, after my discs are stowed, my boots off and my first cold one in hand.

We have started adopting an Ace Pool CTP. A designated CTP, fair to all levels of play, to use for the Ace Pool monies. If an ace is hit, regular rules apply and we will give out a nice disc to the winner of the Ace CTP. If no ace, the closest to the pin wins a pre designated amount of the Ace Pool. We generally pay out 100% of the Ace Pool, charity gigs withstanding. But occasionally might only pay out 80% for the Ace CTP, with 20% going to the course improvement fund...maybe not. Either way will be spelled out in the About section of the tournament and with the check box for registration.

I agree this is a better way in Covid times. Taking the idea farther, our winter league (not able to start yet this year) has two pre-selected holes each week where players optionally buy-in ($1) to either hole or both to win the cash paid-in to that hole if they get the CTP.

 

[discgolftom]

And honestly, Chuck...one of my least favorite things in a tournament. In COVID times, this is an awful idea. In the best of times, you are dragging me off my lawn chair, after my discs are stowed, my boots off and my first cold one in hand.

We have started adopting an Ace Pool CTP. A designated CTP, fair to all levels of play, to use for the Ace Pool monies. If an ace is hit, regular rules apply and we will give out a nice disc to the winner of the Ace CTP. If no ace, the closest to the pin wins a pre designated amount of the Ace Pool. We generally pay out 100% of the Ace Pool, charity gigs withstanding. But occasionally might only pay out 80% for the Ace CTP, with 20% going to the course improvement fund...maybe not. Either way will be spelled out in the About section of the tournament and with the check box for registration.

" But occasionally might only pay out 80% for the Ace CTP, with 20% going to the course improvement fund "

I like this idea. Gives the Course some additional money . . .

Could do the same 80 / 20 on the CTP.

What about Longest Drive? Any interest from Players?

 

[Karl]

IFF on a specific hole during the event, long drive may be VERY hard / time consuming to measure. Could be done but could also really slow down a group or two...and thus EVERYONE.

 

[discgolftom]

IFF on a specific hole during the event, long drive may be VERY hard / time consuming to measure. Could be done but could also really slow down a group or two...and thus EVERYONE.

Makes sense . . .