2023 Reviewer of the Year

Reviewer of the Year History - An epilogue because I'm back in the office and it's slow as hell.

As we near the halfway point of 2023, let's take a look at some final historical numbers.

We have had 412 possible spots in the top 25 lists over 16 years (including some ties). Sharing those 412 spots are exactly 200 reviewers, 79 of which have multiple appearances and 121 of which have made a single appearance to date.

When it comes to TR status, the breakdown of top 25 members break down as follows:

49 Diamond
78 Gold (Including all 18 CZ members)
20 Silver
14 Bronze
39 Without TR status

I have not looked too deep at all for any notable omissions from historical top 25 lists, but from what I can see (and seems pretty obvious), if you have written a lot of reviews on DGCR, you are likely on at least one list. 86 folks have written at least 100 reviews total, and most of them make an appearance. The biggest name that isn't present has to be the one Diamond Reviewer not to be on any list: BrotherDave. With 189 reviews, Dave is definitely up there within the top 40 reviewers by quantity; he's just a few short in multiple years.

I think that example shows a notable asterisk anyone using this experiment to see which reviewers are elite need to keep in mind; that number of appearances in top 25s doesn't necessarily signify how much someone has contributed when it comes to reviews. Mashnut for example has the 2nd most reviews written, but is tied for 6th all time in top 25 appearances. As for Sir Valk holding the record at 14 appearances....wait, yeah, that actually sounds about right.

This honestly has been a very fun topic to dig into; I'm not sure when I'll get the chance to explore a bunch of new courses again, so this has been a fun way to shoutout folks who have contributed to this beloved site, whether it be the big names or folks who may otherwise have been unknown. I look forward to seeing how this year's list pans out, and I have a couple of goofy stat ideas I'd like to explore next, hopefully sooner rather than later.

I'll close out with the ROTY Club, classes of 2007 to 2022, all in one place.

Username | TR if applicable | Appearances (years) if applicable

2007
prerube | D | 4 (07, 10, 11, 12, 15)
magictenor1 | G | 2 (07, 22)
Olorin | D | 2 (07, 08)
kevin | -- | 2 (07, 08)
Three Putt | D
jaymon1 | G
timg | G
adlacro | G
MattK | S
NIBSTOOLS
innovaetor
JoePublic
Raoul Duke
justin
Markus
shaggydabomb
mactavius
waywu2001
Ryno-5 DGT
maf763
rootc
Riecker2
CraigC
kvanorsdel
jim owens
ACurry916

2008
The Valkyrie Kid | D | 14 (08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
EricJ | D | 3 (08, 09, 11)
Donovan | D | 3 (08, 10, 11)
JR Stengele | D | 3 (08, 10, 11)
Texconsinite | G | 2 (08, 09)
DGtourist | D | 2 (08, 09)
Innovadude | D
FoleyT | G
ZMan44 | G
bazkitcase5 | G
denny ritner | G
sidewinding | G
SimonCarr | G
gwillim | G
martinb | G
cydisc | G
Doktor John | G
DirtyMittenDG | G
RustyP | S
Godard | S
NEWBY1151 | B
bryon
gravedigger

2009
mashnut | D | 6 (09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
swatso | D | 6 (09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
mndiscg | D | 6 (09, 10, 12, 13, 14, 21)
harr0410 | D | 5 (09, 10, 11, 12, 13)
sillybizz | D | 5 (09, 10, 11, 14, 22)
bjreagh | D | 4 (09, 10, 11, 18)
srm_520 | D | 3 (09, 10, 12)
optidscic | D | 2 (09, 10)
DSCJNKY | D | 2 (09, 10)
tallpaul | D | 2 (09, 10)
scarpfish | G | 2 (09, 10)
Dave242 | 2 (09, 11)
craigd | D
Roc1Time | G
hognosesucker | G
wolito | G
DaKineSurfer32 | G
superberry | G
DavidSauls | G
forehandfranz | G
craigg | G
Cradical | S

2010
DiscGolfCraig | D | 10 (10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
Jukeshoe | D | 6 (10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22)
notapro | D | 3 (10, 11, 12)
#19325 | D | 3 (10, 11, 12)
sloppydisc | D | 3 (10, 11, 12)
RussMB | D | 2 (10, 13)
jkdisc | G | 2 (10, 11)
Martin Dewgarita | G | 2 (10, 11)
tistoude | G
bcr123pcu | G
solomon.trenton | G
weeman | G
TxDiscGolfBoy | S
EddieBTrue

2011
Upshawt1979 | D | 9 (11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22)
dreadock86 | D | 4 (11, 14, 16, 17)
AdamE | D | 2 (11, 12)
BogeyNoMore | D | 2 (11, 14)
cefire | D
Brall | G
14erDisc | B
elton807 | B

2012
apdrvya | D | 5 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
sidewinder22 | D | 5 (12, 14, 15, 16, 18)
sisyphus | D | 5 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
c_a_miller | D | 4 (12, 13, 16, 19)
bobmcnelly | G | 3 (12, 15, 16)
New013 | D | 2 (12, 13)
ElementZ | D
BraveThrower43 | G
steven2361 | S
Iowa420DG | B
asjzn6
preludedrew
timbur3

2013
wolfhaley | D | 8 (13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
reposado | D | 3 ( 13, 14, 15)
BigAl724 | D | 3 (13, 14, 15)
Hector Chain | D | 3 (13, 15, 16)
Chained Evil | CZ | 3 (13, 14, 15)
ajbova | G | 2 (13, 15)
TheHipStick | 2 (13,18)
tkmcdougal | G
Wise Fool | G
rd.bittle | S
apparition | S
WSP420 | B
TheGrim | B
Golden Tuna | B
Eric troll Biscuits

2014
markmcc | D | 6 (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
Stardoggy | D | 3 (14, 15, 16)
Qikly | D | 2 (14, 18
S. Cann | G | 2 (14, 15)
JohtoVillage | G
splatbaseball51 | G
MidwestZest | G
Timeetyo | B
LeeLK

2015
KenanFlangler | CZ | 5 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
hotstang | B | 2 (15, 16)
Moose33 | CZ
jasnandsharon | G
nevets4433 | S
hoppedup | B
DiscChaserDoug
thespeedokid
Jiggy202
jamesdevin
sumo21

2016
wellsbranch250 | D | 7 (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
pmay5 | CZ | 6 (16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22)
Pizza God | D | 5 (16, 17, 18, 19, 21)
thrembo | D | 3 (16, 17, 18)
lazrman778 | G | 2 (16, 17)
Mr. Butlertron | G | 2 (16, 17)
mrbro855 | G | (16, 17)
enragedmullet | G
Shifty06 | S
jsemales
Joshwest
tangerinewarehouse

2017
ivanhenson | S | 6 (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
Bennybennybenny | D | 5 (17, 19, 20, 21, 22)
DiscinOhio | CZ | 3 (17, 18, 19)
jjtwinnova | G | 2 (17, 18)
Mike C | G
The Katana Kid | G
armiller | G
djtripp20 | S
lathama | B
sjroesinger
Jmk5704
TeebirdDan

2018
HyooMac | CZ | 5 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
aclay | CZ | 5 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
MrFrosty | D | 4 (18, 19, 20, 21)
Ryal | CZ | 4 (18, 19, 21, 22)
Breh | G | 3 ( 18, 19, 20)
blake833 | CZ | 2 (18, 19)
Schreuds2.0 | G | 2 (18, 19)
MadGame32 | G
mshelton | S

2019
DumfriesLizzie | G
aredoubles | G
Baysinger | S
Nate32 | S
william363 | B

2020
Shadrach3 | CZ | 3 (20, 21, 22)
knobby325 | CZ | 3 (20, 21, 22)
DFrah | CZ | 3 (20, 21, 22)
Surge5 | CZ | 3 (20, 21, 22)
EspressoPatronum | CZ | 3 (20, 21, 22)
kp_1024 | G | 3 (20, 21, 22)
Cerealman | G
Badgerman | S
Cujo | S
Mhageman4 | B
DiscGolfer80
samxyx

2021
lee76007 | CZ | 2 (21, 22)
Tyler J | CZ | 2 (21, 22)
dndelli | CZ
Mushin No Shin | G
TRoss886 | S

2022
Horsman | G
WD09 | G
Monocacy | G
lukedpt | S
kevdiv48 | S
playrecords | B
 
I think I rushed to get Gold cause I knew it was attainable living so close to so many courses, but now that is long past and I've settled into what I know will be a very long wait for Diamond.

I definitely think because of the app-that-must-not-be-named there is a big decline in newer users (not sure, I only started reviewing in 2020). But there are so many new players that hopefully they find this site catch the bagging/reviewing/upvoting bug as I did. Just recently Nate32 and RodneyTravis are examples of that. There's definitely a lot of lurkers, but I think with some old names getting votes out (shyguy30 popped a few of mine again) and some new names (thanks mrsthrembo) the site is in a fine spot. The glory days may be gone, but it's a great place to get real reviews and ratings and I'm glad to add to that.

Plus you lot are alright for disc golf chatter, I guess.
I belong to a DG club in a small town in Mississippi. Around 30 members. Not a single one I'm aware of actually uses or is active on here. They use that other site lol
 
My brother (aclay) turned me on to this thread today. (We have been doing DG camp this week). I've gotten to the point where I only write reviews for courses without them or where major changes have occurred, no review in several years etc. If a course has multiple good solid reviews I don't usually review.
 
I'm at 25 for the year with 9 in June. Watch out!

I forgot I hadn't posted my review from Springfield Park, which I played yesterday. It's up now, so I'm at 26 for the year with 10 in June.

D4sVvSVW4AcnPpa.jpg


:)
 
Looks like it'll be me and sillybizz battling to the death at this rate. My guess is Rodney takes this in the end though. Over/unders? :popcorn:
 
Looks like it'll be me and sillybizz battling to the death at this rate. My guess is Rodney takes this in the end though. Over/unders? :popcorn:

I'll set the over/under to win at 100. The current pace would go over that, but I assume the late fall and winter will cause some slow down. I also put the over/under at 50 to crack the top 10.
 
Looks like it'll be me and sillybizz battling to the death at this rate. My guess is Rodney takes this in the end though. Over/unders? :popcorn:

SillyBizz is about tapped out on courses played he hasn't reviewed. He'll need to bag a bunch. You have 400 courses you could churn reviews out for anytime.
 
Meanwhile, new reviews/reviewers are pushed off the front page, reducing their traction and ability to become trusted reviewers of the future. This "contest" is sort of stupid.
 
Meanwhile, new reviews/reviewers are pushed off the front page, reducing their traction and ability to become trusted reviewers of the future. This "contest" is sort of stupid.

That gets back to the question of why do you write reviews? Is it simply to get a click from the same 12 people?
 
Looks like it'll be me and sillybizz battling to the death at this rate. My guess is Rodney takes this in the end though. Over/unders? :popcorn:

I think the final podium is going to be the three of you in some order. :D

Beyond that, difficult to say.
 
Meanwhile, new reviews/reviewers are pushed off the front page, reducing their traction and ability to become trusted reviewers of the future. This "contest" is sort of stupid.

I respectfully disagree. In order to rise the ranks of being a trusted reviewer you need to put out both a good quantity and quality of reviews and it just takes time. It also helps to review courses that are popular courses which usually means courses in a major metropolitan area or are 4.5 or higher type of courses. If you do all of these things you will eventually become bronze, silver, and so on. I don't believe that more, quality reviews from trusted reviewers is some how hurting the site or others.

That gets back to the question of why do you write reviews? Is it simply to get a click from the same 12 people?

I write reviews because I enjoy writing reviews and helping others find courses they want to play. When I first starting course bagging in the early to mid 00's the only resource I had was the PDGA website which had very basic information and didn't really give you a sense of how the course was gonna be. When I found DGCR in early 2009 it was a revelation for me. It really helped me out and I read reviews for hours, planning my next course bagging trip. The Valkyrie Kid was THE reviewer in my area (Seattle) and I strived to do something similar. If I can help one person in the way that he and others did for me than I am happy to spend my time reviewing courses and posting them here. Frankly I've never cared much for thumbs up or thumbs down but more glad to know people are reading them.
 
I respectfully disagree. In order to rise the ranks of being a trusted reviewer you need to put out both a good quantity and quality of reviews and it just takes time. It also helps to review courses that are popular courses which usually means courses in a major metropolitan area or are 4.5 or higher type of courses. If you do all of these things you will eventually become bronze, silver, and so on. I don't believe that more, quality reviews from trusted reviewers is some how hurting the site or others.



I write reviews because I enjoy writing reviews and helping others find courses they want to play. When I first starting course bagging in the early to mid 00's the only resource I had was the PDGA website which had very basic information and didn't really give you a sense of how the course was gonna be. When I found DGCR in early 2009 it was a revelation for me. It really helped me out and I read reviews for hours, planning my next course bagging trip. The Valkyrie Kid was THE reviewer in my area (Seattle) and I strived to do something similar. If I can help one person in the way that he and others did for me than I am happy to spend my time reviewing courses and posting them here. Frankly I've never cared much for thumbs up or thumbs down but more glad to know people are reading them.

The Kid is THE reviewer in every area!
 
All new reviews stay in the recent reviews feed on the front page for 3 days, so they're not necessarily getting kicked early when someone spans a bunch of reviews in a row. You might just need to click "older" a couple of times to catch up on any reviews you may have missed.
 
SillyBizz is about tapped out on courses played he hasn't reviewed. He'll need to bag a bunch. You have 400 courses you could churn reviews out for anytime.

Looks like it'll be me and sillybizz battling to the death at this rate. My guess is Rodney takes this in the end though. Over/unders? :popcorn:

I think the final podium is going to be the three of you in some order. :D

Beyond that, difficult to say.

Yeah all of my recent reviews have been course bagging trips. At this point I have zero courses that I can review unless I go and bag them. I've played everything within a two hour drive of me besides a few in Yellowstone which I plan to get to in July. I may have a few more in Ogden/Salt Lake when I go back down there but other than that I'm about tapped out. I foresee maybe 10 more reviews from me this year unless something changes. Around 50 is where I'm gonna max out I'm afraid.
 
I'm not critical of the reviews themselves - they're very good.


And yeah, all reviews stay visible for three days - but front pages always get more views.


Hats off to aclay's comment about he same 12 guys liking reviews. You guys are great, and I appreciate every one of you that reads my stuff.


Have you ever been tooling along in the middle or left lane, going responsibly( but well above the speed limit), and a couple of guys pass on the inside doing about 90, weaving around the other traffic because they're in some kind of race with each other? It's tempting in the moment to hit the gas. But then I think "79mph is just fine. I'll be back here."
 
And to be clear with me this is mostly a result of moving to a new area last year. I got here in early August and the rest of the summer was moving in and I didn't get a chance to do any bagging. Now that the weather is nice I'm exploring the area, not really anything out of the norm it just so happens there is a friendly competition going on if you want to call it that. If this was going on in 2019 it wouldn't have changed the number of reviews I had that year - 0.
 
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