Player Preference for Sanctioned Events

[ru4por]

Originally Posted by Golden Tuna

I'm collecting data for an upcoming A-Tier and would like the format to be as player-oriented as possible so we can plan within the preferences of our target audience. If you do not play sanctioned events, feel free to provide your reason(s) why.

Specifically:

1. Would you prefer to play 3 rounds (Fri, Sat, Sun) or 4 (Fri, Sat 1, Sat 2, Sun)

Sat/Sat/Sun I work, not interested in taking a day off.

2. Would you prefer to play 1 course, 2 courses, or a new course each round?

I like the challenge and enjoy a new course each round, or a least a couple different courses.

3. How far are you willing to travel for an event?

1000 miles

4. What would entice you to put an event (outside your home town) on your calendar?

Interesting course, PDGA points opportunity. Unique location, interesting area outside of golf. Things for my wife to do. Good food, beer, entertainment. Someplace I have never been before.


5. What (specific) types of items do you like to see in player's packs?

Stuff I don't have a ton of. How about some socks, a unique non-glass beer glass, a real terry cloth towel, a visor, a kneeling pad...

6. Based on the events you've attended, what makes them memorable (good or bad)?

Well run, good player guides, well marked, get me out of there quickly. Stop with the ring of fire and side games. Make a CTP for the ace money, I am not going to put down my beer after the tournament for a throw off. Concise, informative players meetings.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[Arisugawa]

Originally Posted by Golden Tuna

Why do I get the feeling we're not going to please everyone? lol.

Oh my. What a conundrum.

[Nova P]

Print a Chik-Fil-A voucher on a mini and take it out of the pro purse for the trifecta.

edit: OR PUT IT ON A WHITE COTTON MEN'S XL UNDERSHIRT

[filobedo]

1. Would you prefer to play 3 rounds (Fri, Sat, Sun) or 4 (Fri, Sat 1, Sat 2, Sun)
Occasionally for the right event say at the IDGC and Langley or Charlotte, US Masters. I prefer one day, two rounds in SC because I like a relaxing weekend and being able to go out with old friends in towns where the tournaments are held that are not necessarily disc golfers always. I understand if I am going to some events that the guys I travel with may bring along someone that only wants to talk dg which is rare, but our traveling group have many interests and we usually go to bars and restaurants to watch ballgames or just hang out after the rounds.

2. Would you prefer to play 1 course, 2 courses, or a new course each round?
1 course most often unless at IDGC, Charlotte, Maple Hill and other great courses closer together.

3. How far are you willing to travel for an event?
I would travel to US Masters almost anywhere. I have played tournaments in PA, NJ, WI, MA, IN and AL because of the courses and events.

4. What would entice you to put an event (outside your home town) on your calendar?
Quality of course and interesting things to do outside of dg in the area. I am not a dg starf****r so I could care less about seeing the best players playing for the most part but if a great band is in the area, I would travel to see them and also play.

5. What (specific) types of items do you like to see in player's packs?
I could care less about player's packs but wish more tournaments had player's parties where everyone gets a drink or food in a public place. Many events are doing this now because even if people do not drink breweries will occasionally have baskets for putting contests.

6. Based on the events you've attended, what makes them memorable (good or bad)?
- Mountain Disc Golf Experience - one of the best TDs around (James Nichols), fun events before and after the rounds, players party,
- US Masters - great courses, players parties, ability to travel to see other areas of the country and go to a baseball game, national park, etc. during the trip. The US Masters at Maple Hill, 501 and the park downtown were held on great courses but the organization was lacking. It appeared all of the volunteers from the MVP Open had no interests and the TD did a poor job with some of the logistics like spotters, bathrooms, players party, meal, etc.
- Hilton Head Invitational - great atmosphere on a golf course with designed by Tim Barr and going to dinners with old friends I rarely see.
- I am also a huge foodie and my degree is in History (American) so I like to check out restaurants, battlefields, museums, plantations, etc. on my travels.

[Golden Tuna]

Originally Posted by Arisugawa

Oh my. What a conundrum.

I see you're in KC. Did you, by chance, leave a white Pro Valkyrie here back in June?

Originally Posted by filobedo

- I am also a huge foodie and my degree is in History (American) so I like to check out restaurants, battlefields, museums, plantations, etc. on my travels.

Sounds like our event is right up your alley. Hope you can make it this year!

[Three Putt]

Originally Posted by Golden Tuna

I'm collecting data for an upcoming A-Tier and would like the format to be as player-oriented as possible so we can plan within the preferences of our target audience. If you do not play sanctioned events, feel free to provide your reason(s) why.

Specifically:

1. Would you prefer to play 3 rounds (Fri, Sat, Sun) or 4 (Fri, Sat 1, Sat 2, Sun)

I think the younger crowd you get for Open and Advanced probably like three day tee time events, but I hate them.

Mid Am did 3 rounds Fri/Sat/Sun at Harmony Bends for Open/Advanced and everybody else did 2 Sat/1 Sun at AO except rec and Jrs that only played two rounds. It's problematic for Columbia since everybody wants to play Harmony Bends, but in St. Louis with no real standout course that people will be mad about not playing I think the Mid Am format has real potential. That keeps somebody like me from needing to commit to a day off to play. For people who travel with Open/Adv people they can spectate or practice on Friday. Mid Am has really bumped up in profile here in the last few years, so I'd keep an eye on what they are doing.

Originally Posted by Golden Tuna

2. Would you prefer to play 1 course, 2 courses, or a new course each round?

You have the Carrollton/Sioux/JB three headed monster so I'd use all three. Your problem is how far away JB is, how remote Sioux is and the travel issues they create. I'd rather play any of them twice before I'd want to play Sioux and JB in the same day. So you are kinda damned if you do/damned if you don't. You kinda have to mix in Endicott or Wilmore for travel reasons, which is a lot of course to get ready.

I really wouldn't mind a Sioux/Endicott or Carrollton/Endicot Saturday and then JB Sunday, or a JB/Wilmore Saturday and Sioux or Carrollton on Sunday, though. I think you can sell those kind of combos to Int/Rec/Ad Masters/Jr's and keep them happy.

Originally Posted by Golden Tuna

3. How far are you willing to travel for an event?

300ish miles; the road trip is basically anyplace where we can leave at midnight and be there in time for check in Sat morning.

Originally Posted by Golden Tuna

4. What would entice you to put an event (outside your home town) on your calendar?

Really it's courses, which is bad for St. Louis. St. Louis has a lot of really good courses but no great courses. The variety there is really good, but there is no real "must play" course there. That's another point in favor of figuring out the travel hassle using a lot of courses, as it's the amount of good courses that is the strength of the scene.

Originally Posted by Golden Tuna

5. What (specific) types of items do you like to see in player's packs?

DX Roc. I'm pretty easy that way.

Originally Posted by Golden Tuna

6. Based on the events you've attended, what makes them memorable (good or bad)?

It's actually intangible stuff outside your control. Being on a card with decent guys, good weather, stuff like that makes it more enjoyable. Bad weather/douchebags are also memorable, but you don't want to make those memories.

Really just having staff at all the courses prepared to deal with weirdness is the best you can do. Anecdotally that's the biggest reason I hear from people here about why they don't go to St. Louis, that reputation the scene has for not dealing with people who are douchebags and just letting them get away with it. It may or may not be a fair reputation, but out here in the boonies that's what I hear.

Originally Posted by Golden Tuna

Thanks in advance for your input!

Your welcome.

[Nova P]

Originally Posted by Golden Tuna

I see you're in KC. Did you, by chance, leave a white Pro Valkyrie here back in June?

She's on Team MVP, so I'm going to guess "no."

[VictorB]

1. Would you prefer to play 3 rounds (Fri, Sat, Sun) or 4 (Fri, Sat 1, Sat 2, Sun)
Fri-Sat-Sun split is preferred, depending on the answer to #2

2. Would you prefer to play 1 course, 2 courses, or a new course each round?
Same course each round, if it's a gold level course (this would be the 1F/1Sa/1Su split)
2 courses is fine if they are blue level (this would be better for a 2Sa/1Su split)

3. How far are you willing to travel for an event?
I will travel ~8hrs if it's for a top tier gold level course. However, I don't get to do this more than 2-3 times a year, so there has to be a significant reason to swap out events at this point.

4. What would entice you to put an event (outside your home town) on your calendar?
Gold level courses, reasonable entry fee (not like $200+), and if I can get people to travel/split costs for lodging

5. What (specific) types of items do you like to see in player's packs?
Personally don't care about players packs. I almost never use any of it and would opt out of dry fits at this point, because I have way too many of them already

6. Based on the events you've attended, what makes them memorable (good or bad)?

All I really expect is that the courses are in good shape - if they aren't groomed at all that kind of leaves me wondering about the effort put in to showcase the course(s). Tee times staying on schedule and no major backups. I don't particularly care about players parties either, since I don't drink anymore and certainly not during tournament weekends.

If the payouts seem incredibly disorganized, that also makes for a bad feeling.

[Steve West]

Originally Posted by Golden Tuna

Why do I get the feeling we're not going to please everyone? lol
Thanks again for the feedback gang. Keep it coming.

To be clear, I would prefer no minis to minis. But, if I have to get something, it's a lot easier to dump minis than anything else.

(You should see the look I got from a Mom when I tried to introduce a little kid to disc golf by giving him a TickKey.)

Also, I will be pleased if the event is held, I get to play, and I get a rating. That's enough; good job and thank you. Anything else is offering condiments which may or may not be to my taste.

[puck'n'disc5]

Originally Posted by Steve West

As an MA60 who actually did travel to play last year, part of the appeal was to play multiple courses. So don't put us on the same ones we played this year.

If there are to be two rounds in one day, they'd better be at the same course with lunch provided or really convenient. (And not at one of those way out of town).

There is nothing I would rather have in a player's pack than NOTHING. I don't need coupons forced on me. No one should ever give out stickers (which mostly get attached to baskets). I won't wear that shirt. I don't throw max weight anything. Not everyone drinks alcohol (well, not everyone who lives elsewhere than STL). I won't drive to a local shop to cash in any sized voucher, or worse, pay shipping for my "paid for" discs.

Maybe you could raise funds to replace some of those old baskets and call my "donation" to that fund the player's pack.

If someone wants to foist ads, souvenirs, trophies, or coupons on me, the only tolerable medium would be to print them on minis.

WTF is that supposed to mean?