The man behind the bullying just sent me this e-mail...again, I've changed the name of the TD for his benefit (since this guy has no relation to the TD, and the TD is stuck in the middle of all this)...how's this for a classic case of a non-apology?
"Well, I just talked with TD about you and I gotta say, I am sorry. I just reread what I wrote and I guess it was kinda bad? But then again, i did say from the beginning that it was going to be said straight up.
Once again, I share the same opinion as others. Its not a problem for you to come and play. That was never the issue. The only issue was the division. The funny thing is, the divisions in Korea are elevated as you know. there is no way id be playing MPO back home. Therefore, the TD and I are going to push to rename the divisions here because we should follow the proper guidelines set forth by the PDGA.
People do want to have a fair shot at the tourney, and I know that things did not go well during nationals (not our tourney). Things are messed up here in so many ways, and the TD and I, amongst others, are trying to make it better. There have been many other issues that we have dealt with in the past, and we have tried to quell these matters. Obviously, we have a long way to go in pushing the sport in the right direction. It is a big pain in our butts, but were trying to respect the culture here and pointing out major flaws when it interferes with a western standpoint of how things should be run. Last year's tourney was a debacle and since, we have been trying to mend fences, although it was not our fault at all.
That is why people had an opinion about you playing in MA2, regardless of your reasons.
Just recently, we had an issue with a player who played beginner and ended up winning the division, long distance comp and ctp contest. That is also another reason people were heated up over this. We are wanting to set a great example and when your situation popped up, it kinda made us uneasy and a little upset because we felt that you of all people should be able to understand that this isn't right.
However, you found a way, through a loophole in the rules, to make a valid point that MA2 is MA2. What got me is that you know MA2 here is not the same. Anyways, we will try to resolve this issue.
All being said, I hope that we can continue without ill will and I'm hoping you will forgive me. Of course you are welcome to come and play in the tourney. I have enjoyed the past two times meeting and playing with you and also talking about discs, which i have become such a big nerd. I hope that we can communicate about this and I am sorry for offending you from the above messages. I just didn't want to give you a line of bs, that's all. If you know me, you'd know that I'm straightforward. Didn't mean to offend you but did want to make my point clear.
I don't know if this will change your mind about me at all, but it is worth a try. I hope you can find a way to attend our tourney before you leave."
He brings up some interesting and fair points, but then buries it with lines like: "However, you found a way, through a loophole in the rules, to make a valid point that MA2 is MA2."
This is one of the many problems here, and in other places as well. That is not a loophole. Rating protected divisions ARE the rules. I am already choosing to play above my rating, so how is this a loophole? Simply tell your "begginer" players to play down in MA3, like they should in the first place. I would also like to point out that of the 90 registered players for this event, a grand total of FOUR...FOUR are PDGA members. You know who isn't one of the aforementioned PDGA members? The guy who has been sending me these e-mails and apparently knows the rules so well that he has found "loopholes."
The other line that really stands out is this one: " Therefore, the TD and I are going to push to rename the divisions here because we should follow the proper guidelines set forth by the PDGA.
"
So just do it! Before, I wasn't upset with the TD but this kind of puts things in perspective. You are running a tournament. You are a PDGA official. You know people are playing in the wrong division. WHY WOULD YOU NOT JUST MOVE THEM? Why not make an MA4 if this is such a big issue? You have ninety players registered already...adding more divisions will do no harm, whatsoever. Their goal of "growing the sport in Korea" is clearly shown here to be doing nothing but holding it back, at best.
Then I received a follow-on Facebook message from the same guy...here he goes again: "Another straight up thing, though. I know I said I hope you come down but now you see my point, and why you have to play in MPO. Dont come down and try to play in MA2, obviously you see now why that is stupid, right?"
I have now blocked him and removed myself from any association with the so-called KPDGA. That last message was the straw that broke the camel's back for me, and I have finally filed a report with the PDGA proper. This is my third report to them regarding the KPDGA. It's sad to see it go down like this, it really is, because all it is hurting is the players. But, at the same time, I stand by the PDGA and if you are going to associate with them, you have to follow the rules...not make up your own.
but not if your an AM rated at 1000?
