teemkey
* Ace Member *
I'd like to run an event this coming summer; however, I've never done it before. Can I get some first time TD advice?
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Run an Ace Race or Birdie Bash.
Format is less complex than a divisional event.
It gets your feet wet and gives you good experience.
Try not to be a first time TD. Help out at as many events as you can before doing your own.
Thanks, but I'd really like to run an event focused on kids & geezers, since when I complain about the lack of events offering divisions for kids & geezers I always get the smart asses saying "Quit whining! If you don't like it, run your own damn tournament."
Keep it simple. Pick a date, pick a course, set your format and pricing, and go.
I think the biggest mistake that people make running their first or first few tournaments is they get bogged down in trying to make it the biggest bestest tournament ever. There's nothing wrong with baby steps as a TD. Don't try to do anything that is beyond your means or your capabilities.
Make no promises other than a day of fun competitive play. Keep entries low but high enough to cover your expenses. If you do players packs and/or prizes, try to find a local vendor to work with you even if it's just handing out gift certificates that your players can redeem on their own time.
Above all, keep in mind that it is your event. Run your event your way. Don't let people push you around, especially if they're pushing you in a direction you don't want to go. If people aren't happy about something, they're free to step up and do it themselves.
IMO, the best events are the ones where it's clear that the TD (and staff) are passionate about the event and doing the best they can with it. It doesn't have to be the richest or the highest attended events to be great. Those that are the richest and highest attended rarely get that way overnight.
This is the best advice so far IMO^^
Learning by doing is good, but you better start it in a position where you dont have 100% of the responsability
just know you will never make disc golfers happy.
disc golfers are miserable creatures