Cgkdisc
.:Hall of Fame Member:.
The main thing holding back the PDGA from changing to Players which has been discussed for years (seriously discussed in a 2010 internal Board/Staff survey) has been its financial success with the current name and competition sanctioning model. Even though PDGA members comprise 3-5% (various insider estimates) of all players, their model has continued to keep pace with annual growth in the 15% range, before social media, video and elite pros became more of a thing in the past 5 years or so (DGPT/DGWT/NT). Volunteer Board members don't risk renaming a successful model whether a non-profit or for-profit business.
The fact that it was/is the Professional association appealed to competitive amateurs in the 90s, 00s and 10s, who discovered they could be "pros", i.e., play for cash right away or within a few years, especially in unsanctioned local events. Even though around 80% of membership are amateurs, your fun hobby sounds more legit-credible-important-a real sport, when you say you're a member of a Professional org with a pro tour and now with a pro who owns a McLaren. "Professional" association with rules and standards also sounds like a more legit when designers and players are trying to pry money out of Park Departments to build free courses.
The fact that it was/is the Professional association appealed to competitive amateurs in the 90s, 00s and 10s, who discovered they could be "pros", i.e., play for cash right away or within a few years, especially in unsanctioned local events. Even though around 80% of membership are amateurs, your fun hobby sounds more legit-credible-important-a real sport, when you say you're a member of a Professional org with a pro tour and now with a pro who owns a McLaren. "Professional" association with rules and standards also sounds like a more legit when designers and players are trying to pry money out of Park Departments to build free courses.
