I'll chime in and help with the bump.
The Memorial is first, but one week later the first DGWT event at La Mirada, March 10-12.
Looks like everyone playing the Memorial will be there, plus a couple extra International players (13 total, I think.)
http://www.pdga.com/tour/event/24917
The St Pats Am is the same weekend. Won't that affect the gallery size at the DGWT??
Personally, as someone who has played St. Patty's Am repeatedly, I don't forsee it being a spectator detraction. Where it might affect is volunteer numbers, but truthfully NorCal and SoCal scenes don't intermix that often. When they do it's usually at tournaments in Bakersfield, Fresno, Monterey, or Santa Cruz (closer to the middle). When you get as far away as LaMi and OV are it's less of an issue.
I could be totally wrong, but that's what my gut says.
I think the main issue at this point is that the tourney runs Thursday through Saturday, meaning that most people will have to work for the first two days of the tourney. Want a bigger crowd? Make the majority of the event fall on the weekend, not just the final day.
Also, I appreciate the membership thing and that it is a way for people to support the tour. But it's another example of disc golf being funded by disc golfers, which means we still have a ways to go.
Actually I respectfully disagree with you here (not in any official capacity, as I do not hold any official position with the DGWT, but my personal thoughts). Here's why:
- Livestreams typically have their biggest audiences on Fridays, so a that being the "semifinal" round I think is better than the 2nd round of 4. This is important also because it says that most disc golfers would still rather play than watch. (aka they watch at work, but when given the opportunity on saturday...). Having Sunday free theoretically allows them to see a final round and still play on Sunday.
-If you consider also the typical "white picket fence" lifestyle (sunday night family dinners, etc.) Saturdays are more acceptable to be out later, and with awards going on in the 5:30-6:30 timeframe you don't have as much of a conflict.
- (please remember my disclaimer above) This could allow for spectator days on Sunday like at USDGC, pay-to-play rounds on the pro layouts.
Overall, your critique is valid, but I think it's a "future" vs "now" debate. Since at this point in time it's free to attend, and the tour is geared towards the top tier player (noting now that we're turning the corner where more players are full time athletes) I don't see a large conflict with 2 weekday rounds (for any tour). Gentlemen's Club Challenge has a similar schedule (+1 day, 4 day total) and has 400+ people registered.