How many tournaments in 2009?

[CaptainAnhyzer]

I've already competed in 9 events, all sanctioned by NEFA and 4 sanctioned by the PDGA. I have 2 more upcoming that are already paid for. There's about 6 more i'd like to play but realistically i'll probably only play 4 of them.

Mt. Kisco Ice Bowl 1/10/2009 Mt Kisco, NY
Winter Winds 1/31/2009 Holyoke, MA
J Park Ice Bowl 2/7/2009 Coeymans, NY
Vineyard Social V 3/21/2009 Edgartown, MA
FDR Fools Fest 4/4/2009 Yorktown, NY
April Showers 4 4/25/2009 Saratoga Springs, NY
Mental State: Western MA Championships 5/9/2009 Northampton, MA
Sap Bucket Open VII 5/30/2009 Waterbury, VT
Hunt for a Cure - Charity Event 6/13/2009 Medfield, MA
J-Park Jammer 7/11/2009 Coeymans, NY
Pyramids 8/1/2009 Leicester, MA

My wish list for the rest of the year...
3rd Annual Summer Winds 8/8/2009 Holyoke, MA
Cranbury Classic 8/22/2009-8/23/2009 Norwalk, CT
Buffumville Dam Open X 9/5/2009 Charlton, MA
Pinnacle Fall Foliage FlipFest 10/3/2009 Newport, NH
Fall Finale 10/10/2009 Easton, MA
NEFA Points Finals 10/24/2009 Brunswick, ME

[CaptainAnhyzer]

one more for the wish list........

Green Jacket Invitational 11/7/2009 Amesbury, MA

[80playedin10states]

cmon jeff..show cny some love...states is in august and the cny champ. is in september..first weekend in novemeber is a great one in corning..

[80playedin10states]

i have only played in 3 pdga tourneys this year(cashed in 2) but a few others non-sanctioned...im hoping to hit at least 4 more sanctioned..strating next weekend in coeymans

[CaptainAnhyzer]

cmon jeff..show cny some love...states is in august and the cny champ. is in september..first weekend in novemeber is a great one in corning..

Damn........ forgot about States........add that one to the wish list too.

And tack in the Ace Race Oct 17th at the "J" too

[80playedin10states]

you mean the long putt race?...ha ha..i am down for that again...fun stuff

[cc0049]

I voted based on how many I plan to have played by the end of the year...hope that was what was intended.

[CaptainAnhyzer]

you mean the long putt race?...ha ha..i am down for that again...fun stuff
cool !

Check your PM at CNY or DisCap, Marty wants to know if you want to go to the Watkins Glen Race.

[CaptainAnhyzer]

I voted based on how many I plan to have played by the end of the year...hope that was what was intended.

Yes that was it........... looks like i can make 15 this year :eek:

[bazkitcase5]

I voted 10+, because, I've already played that many and then some... haha

[Adam Schneider]

Um, hello, where's the "zero" option?

[CaptainAnhyzer]

Um, hello, where's the "zero" option?
Right where you typed............. or no response at all. Guess i expected most people here play tournaments. You've been playing for 7 years and have a boatload of courses in the Portland area. Why no tourney play?

[SomeChump]

Another zero here.

I probably won't play in one, unless you count minis. Hard for me to justify forking out $40-100 for a real tourney. I don't need the plastic and am not good enough to win any dough. I like the cheap competition of a mini, and if you play up a division, it's like a cheap lesson.

10+ tourneys! Add an overnight stay and a lot of gas money and you're talking thousands of dollars. I hope you're winning money at at least some of those.

I suppose I could get into it enough to play 1 or 2 real two-day tourneys a year, but 15+, that's a tourney every weekend all summer. I thought I was addicted!

[CaptainAnhyzer]

10+ tourneys! Add an overnight stay and a lot of gas money and you're talking thousands of dollars. I hope you're winning money at at least some of those.

I suppose I could get into it enough to play 1 or 2 real two-day tourneys a year, but 15+, that's a tourney every weekend all summer. I thought I was addicted!

2 tourney wins this year so far. Playin' Am Masters so no cash but i can always use the plastic. It's definitely a money pit, starting off with a water pump failure returning from the first tourney(Kisco Ice Bowl, snowstorm started with 2-3 holes to go in the 2nd round:eek:). I've tried to limit myself to one tourney per month but the addiction just took over. :rolleyes:

[DavidSauls]

Another zero here.


10+ tourneys! Add an overnight stay and a lot of gas money and you're talking thousands of dollars. I hope you're winning money at at least some of those.

I suppose I could get into it enough to play 1 or 2 real two-day tourneys a year, but 15+, that's a tourney every weekend all summer. I thought I was addicted!

Oh, depends on where you are. Around here it would be easy to do without ever having an overnight stay.

[80playedin10states]

i try to hit the "cheapest" tourneys...one day, no overnight stay..the trick is winning more than you invested...still hard to do unless you are winning everytime..i like to think i am on the plus side this year..won over $200 in a non snactioned tourney for a $50 entry..when i was playing ams it was easier...cheaper to eneter and i wont tons of plastic..trade or sell and i made out, but like someone said, add in gas and blah blah..its all about fun and getting the troops together for me..I'M BROKE AND ALWAYS WILL BE, WHY NOT HAVE A DAM GOOD TIME!!

[Midnightbiker]

Because I work every Friday night, I can only play in about 7 tournaments a year. I have to request Fridays off to play on Saturdays. I get 3 weeks of vacation a year, and my boss lets me chop one of those up and use it for disc golf. I also get my birthday off, so I move that around as well to play. Last year when the 4th of July fell on a Friday it was perfect, because I got to lay in a tournament the next day

[scarpfish]

Right where you typed............. or no response at all. Guess i expected most people here play tournaments.
Some people who play tournaments are often surprised to learn about 90% of disc golfers don't play tournaments, or even compete in leagues.

Why no tourney play?
Not everybody has the luxury of having Saturday and Sunday off from work or other commitments. I have to take leave from my job to play them and in some cases that means missing out on some valuable shift differential.

Add an overnight stay and a lot of gas money and you're talking thousands of dollars.
Hardly. Except the two I played while on vacation, every tourney I've played this year was within a two hour drive of home. Even one of the two dayers I played was close enough to home to drive back. Also a lot of players ride together to split gas money/motel or opt to camp.

[CaptainAnhyzer]

Not everybody has the luxury of having Saturday and Sunday off from work or other commitments.

Yea i DO forget this fact sometimes........... 20+ years of 9 to 5 jobs will do that.

[bazkitcase5]

granted I've gotten to where I can play well enough to at least support my hobby, but the way I see it, I am so addicted to disc golf that even if I didn't play a tournament, I'd likely spend gas money to travel (20-30 minutes one way) to a nearby course and play anyway

plus I'm not married and after a while you meet enough people and make enough friends to land free places to crash when traveling to out of town tournaments

[craigg]

Looks like I'm heading towards my average of about 15 sanctioned events a year. I'm already at 15 if you count the unsanctioned events. Signed up for 3 more big ones - Pittsburgh, Vibram, and WVO - hoping to qualify for USDGC again.

I'm always surprised at how many avid players there are that don't play events.

[Ryan P.]

The only reason I don't play events is because I don't have the money. Spare cash for me usually equals events.

[80playedin10states]

and it is not geting any cheaper...i will miss our state championships most likely due to it being $75 to enter..that is not including meals, players party, etc...how can you justify charging that for a c tier?

[craigg]

Maybe the TD has a players pack in the works? Lunch included perhaps?

Not sure - but I'd agree $75 for a CTier is a bit high without any perks.

yes tournaments are getting more expensive all the time

[Midnightbiker]

The only reason I don't play events is because I don't have the money. Spare cash for me usually equals events.

You should see if that have some Mini tournaments in your area. They have them all year long here at the nine hole courses we have. Entry fee starts at about $5

[scarpfish]

and it is not geting any cheaper...i will miss our state championships most likely due to it being $75 to enter..that is not including meals, players party, etc...how can you justify charging that for a c tier?

yes tournaments are getting more expensive all the time

You want to know what the crazy part is? Despite this, fields at most of the PDGA events I've been to this year have either filled up or gotten within 80% of full. Even the non-PDGA guys in the lower divisions don't seem to be deterred by the $10 fee.

Strangely enough, its the considerably cheaper unsanctioned events around here we sometimes have trouble drawing numbers to. Supply and demand is strange sometimes I swear.

[DavidSauls]

Higher entry fees = higher payouts.

Higher payouts = more players.

Sadly, this seems to be the motivation for a lot of players, Pro & Am. Charge a lower entry fee and have lower payouts, and you'll hear a lot of griping about the payout, but very little feedback on the entry fee.

[biscoe]

Maybe the TD has a players pack in the works? Lunch included perhaps?

Not sure - but I'd agree $75 for a CTier is a bit high without any perks.

yes tournaments are getting more expensive all the time

hmmm... maybe i need to raise the price for the HHO- $65 gets you dinner, home brew contest, hot pepper eating contest, modest players pack,etc.

[craigg]

Yeah John, but the beer is gratis!!

[taxman]

there really aren't any events close to me. and i don't have the travel time otherwise i would go give one a shot.

[DannyM]

Played 11 so far this year, and by the end of 2009 I should have 17 in. As David pointed out, here in SC most are within driving distance <1-2 hrs>, so an overnight stay is not needed. My friend and I split up the 2 day events driving....I'll drive one day ,he the 2nd, so that saves the gas. OOPS...forgot about Border Wars...that'll be 18 then. It's not about the cash at the tourneys, I've only won one this year, and "cashed out" at about 80% that I play in, but I have fun at these events, I enjoy the competition, playing different courses, and just getting away. Last year at the 2008 doubles championship, I had the best time that I can remember. My partner and I went into the last round one stroke out of first, playing Captains choice. We took the other team to the limit the entire round, neither team bogeyed any hole....all par and birdie....and the result...both teams tied with a 49. So we ended up taking 2nd, and my partner and I got $110.00 EACH for merchandise, now neither of us needs any plastic, but the memories and the fun we had that tourney.....that was priceless. Beware SC Doubles teams....team Blowfly is coming back....and we want the title this year....

[jdggna]

I've only played one (first actual tourney) and I'll be in two more by the end of summer. I'm hoping to play in a lot more next year, since I'll be more aware of them and be able to plan for them in advance. I've always played pretty recreationally, but I loved the atmosphere of the tournament I was in. I'll be playing a lot more in the summer next year.

[Adam Schneider]

I have no desire to play in tournaments. For one thing, if I'm going to devote an entire day (or weekend!) to disc golf, I want to THROW, not sit around and wait for other people to throw.

Also, if my score is going to really count for something, and if I can't take 2nd and 3rd shots to see what they would've done instead, I simply won't have as much fun. I like to play well, but I don't want the pressure.


I think it's funny how so many people who play tournaments really can't understand that it's not fun for other people. How did disc golf get so event-oriented? Ball golfers and tennis players very rarely play in organized competitions.

[Adam Schneider]

How did disc golf get so event-oriented? Ball golfers and tennis players very rarely play in organized competitions.
To answer my own question, I think it's NOT necessarily all that event-oriented, for most players. Rather, I'd guess that people who play in leagues and tourneys are probably over-represented in on-line DG forums.

[ShaZaun]

sactioned tourneys only or do we count local club tourney's.............

[XxInnovaxX]

sactioned tourneys only or do we count local club tourney's.............

i have yet to EVER play a sanctioned tourney but i play local minis twice a week...waiting for the sanctioned tourney at my home course to come around...figure i should play my first one at a course im most comfortable with for a little boost in confidence...

[CaptainAnhyzer]

All but one on my list are sanctioned, with most of them double sanctioned(NEFA & PDGA).

[DavidSauls]

I have no desire to play in tournaments. For one thing, if I'm going to devote an entire day (or weekend!) to disc golf, I want to THROW, not sit around and wait for other people to throw.

Also, if my score is going to really count for something, and if I can't take 2nd and 3rd shots to see what they would've done instead, I simply won't have as much fun. I like to play well, but I don't want the pressure.


I think it's funny how so many people who play tournaments really can't understand that it's not fun for other people. How did disc golf get so event-oriented? Ball golfers and tennis players very rarely play in organized competitions.

You have lots of company in the non-event-playing community, and even on a lot of the threads here. Probably not on this "How many tournaments....?" thread, though.

Nothing wrong with being a non-event, casual player. Enjoy! For most, I'd suggest try a tournament before deciding it's not your cup of tea. I once scoffed at tournaments, and in fact after the first few I played I left each saying I wouldn't do it again, but eventually found them to be much fun, in a different way than casual play. Most casual players I've seen who finally tried a local mini or a tournament, got hooked....but I've known a few who tried it once, and stuck with casual play.

Event-players' parochial thinking is probably because we spend most of our time with other event-players. Even when we're just playing casually, we're doing it with other people who, at least from time-to-time, play tournaments.

[CaptainAnhyzer]

The tourney thrill for me is competing against all the guys from the New England area......... The Jammer tourney this weekend is only a C-tier(entry level sanctioning, basically) and we'll have players from Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, & New York. A Colorado & Michigan player too!!

Don't get me wrong, the casual play at the home course is fun also.........

[80playedin10states]

and someone from florida i think..maybe we will have a lil' rain to keep the bugs down?!! this will be only my 4th sanctioned event this year but my 7th tourney overall..

[CaptainAnhyzer]

and someone from florida i think..maybe we will have a lil' rain to keep the bugs down?!! this will be only my 4th sanctioned event this year but my 7th tourney overall..


Oh yea, Rick from Florida....... damn good Am player too !

[DavidSauls]

The tourney thrill for me is competing against all the guys from the New England area......... The Jammer tourney this weekend is only a C-tier(entry level sanctioning, basically) and we'll have players from Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, & New York. A Colorado & Michigan player too!!

Don't get me wrong, the casual play at the home course is fun also.........

Yes, among the things I didn't think about until I started playing tournaments were (1) the chance to meet lots of new people and play with folks from all over, and (2) after a while, the "family reunion" aspect of going to tournaments and spending the day or weekend with disc golfers I hadn't seen for months, or sometimes years.

[DannyM]

Have to say I agree with David.....yes, there are guys who are at just about every event<myself included>, but then you have guys that you haven't seen around in quite some time, and youi enjoy seeing, or playing with them as well.
As for David....if any of you do get a chance to make it over to the S. Carolina area, the Sauls' course is worth the drive, and David and his brothers are class guys.
NO...he didn't pay me to say that.....

[DavidSauls]

Thanks for your kind words. Stoney Hill course is, of course, why I can't answer "20" to the question posted in this thread's title.