rnance7
Par Member
Maybe this year they will have water coolers at the courses....last year=no water
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BG AMS!!! April 12, 13, 14
- Thread starter DarrellR
- Start date
I've never gone to any tournament expecting them to provide water. I have two bottles in the bag and a jug in the car to refill. If they have water on the course, that's a nice touch, but counting on it or being disappointed that it's not there seems a little petty to me.
Sure, let's kick out all the 980+ players from MA1, push them into pro where they're not going to be all that competitive, and just let them drop out of playing tournaments because they don't have a division to play in. Then we can be mad at the 970-979 rated players for being at the top and kick them out too. When we're done with that, the 960s rated players will be ruining things for everyone by being the highest rated in the field so let's get rid of them...
Rating mean nothing. Im 977, compete as a pro and I actually compete and not donate.
gdub58
Birdie Member
Good explanation. I agree that by the numbers there is only 4-5 throws/round between you and the average Advanced player, just as there is only 4-5 throws/round between you and the world's best pros.
I respect your decision and was just curious what your thinking was. As I said, I got tired of hearing all the yapping from people (much like what has been posted by some here), but it seems different in the age-protected divisions because there's only two choices - open or advanced. Can you imagine how much grief you'd get if that was the case overall and you were playing in an Am division with Intermediate and Rec - rated players along with those in Advanced?
Then why did you have a problem with Paul playing with his 990 something rating?
KenTyburski
Eagle Member
Yes, I am. Yes, it's still a hell of a lot of fun. And I have. It was nice meeting you at Deep Creek Dreams back in August, by the way.
For me, I enjoy disc golf no matter what. It's about getting out and doing something I enjoy and I happen to be pretty good at (just not great, yet). There are a few pieces to my competitive puzzle, some grounded in goals, and some in reality. Realistically, I haven't been able to get in the practice I need to become competitive at the Open level. Maybe I'm not destined to cash at the Open level. But that doesn't mean I still can't enjoy not winning. I played my two most recent tournaments in Open, and I will be playing another one in January. At these last two tournaments, I would have won Advanced by 8 and 3 throws, respectively. Instead, I finished 14 and 4 throws out of the Open cash, respectively. My average round ratings for both tourneys were at or just above 973, so it's not like I shot poorly. But my level of play isn't consistently high enough (yet) to crack into the strata of the guys like MJ, Koling, Schwebe, etc., that I would end up playing in Open around here every week. So instead of gaining plastic I don't need, I donated to the pros. Does that bother me? Eh, a little. It's not like I have unlimited resources as a schoolteacher, so at least "breaking even" with plastic has been nice. But I'm not all hurt over it. Played a round each with Jeremy Koling, Terry Gallops, and Barry Schultz over those two tourneys, and had a pretty good time. Even learned a little.
After what was, for me, a pretty successful Am Worlds in Charlotte, I decided to make a goal for myself. I didn't start playing until 3 years ago; I'm 38 now. I would like to improve my game and play at a consistently high enough level to have a legitimate shot to win Am Masters at Worlds in my 40th birthday year (2014). If I get far better before then, maybe I decide to officially make the jump sooner. Who knows? But that's what I had in mind. After that, we'll see. Chastise me if you want for it.
So no, I'm not just puttering around in MA1, and I've got goals. I've enjoyed meeting people and making a name for myself around my area for playing. My colleagues ask me about my latest disc golf ventures all the time. In fact, I'd love it if someday this little hobby of mine helps to get the girls I teach interested in and playing disc golf. I'm slowly building up support for a course here on campus, so I can host some tournaments. Maybe I'll offer disc golf as an afternoon activity in the fall. So maybe my goals will change.
Honestly, I appreciate the commentary, and I know Mark does, too. The questions and suggestions make sense, but alas, it's nobody's business but ours. Thanks to some of you for understanding that it has very little to do with "feeling good" about winning or taking home a bunch of plastic, or about being butt hurt for "donating" to the pros. I love playing Am tourneys. There are more of them and they're cheaper to enter. I find the aura to be more relaxed and more fun. And there are plenty of excellent Ams out there with whom I like to compete.
Ultimately, I've got a job - a good one that I love. I'm actually still in my classroom after a night of required holiday events, study hall, and getting ready for exams this week. So at the moment, I really don't have enough time to try to be a professional in something else. Maybe that will change tomorrow.
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KenTyburski
Eagle Member
I've been underwhelmed by Mark many times. And most of those times, he beats me.
KenTyburski
Eagle Member
And even with all that being said, chances are 3 to 1 against that I won't be able to play because of some required school functions that weekend. Bless all of you who have more free weekends than I do during the academic year.
that WOULD be nice.
Interesting point. I've only played 1 tournament that had water at any spot on the course (aside from public parks that have the fountains sporadically) is this a turn off for the big tourneys? This will be my largest tourney i've played in, so I was planning on packing a crap-ton of water and gatorade for the long tourney rounds.
jobwilson
Eagle Member
Water is nice, but I never expect water. I do feel like the tournament directors have their s**t together when there is water, but it's not going to make or break a tournament for me.
Now in running the Evansville Open last summer, we supplied roughly 1200 bottles of water. This was mainly spurred by the 105+ temperature all weekend long and the fact that I didn't want any of my competitors to die. Literally, die.
jobwilson
Eagle Member
Super 8 North. Late night drunken poker games in the lobby and CTPs from the ground to the third floor windows.
100% agree - A few years ago at a tourney I overheard a well known Pro go on a rant because he "was an athlete" and how dare people not have water for him on the course. He came across as a real @$$ and my thought was that as "an athlete" why was he so stupid to plan on playing a tourney without proper preparation (water).
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2009
- Messages
- 6,838
Thanks for the warning.
I just think the AM cap should be like someone else on this thread said. If ur over 975 or have cashed then ur AM status goes bye bye.
Mattallica
* Ace Member *
man, advanced fields in NC would look waaaaaaaaay different
