Would you allow 10 dollars out of your membership to goto a Pro-Only tour? Or maybe an additional 5 - 10 on top of current PDGA? Honestly think that I would. That way at least your regular disc golfers could bring friends and family to watch. Maybe it would a kick start that they need?
Let me relate it like this.
2 nights ago, Michael Angelo Batio came to my small little village of a town. MAB is a world class talent. If you do not know, he is considered the fastest guitar player in the world.
Now with this world class talent, he still has to come to little towns, like mine, and still has to give sales pitches for Dean Guitars. I seriously doubt he is making $millions$ doing guitar workshops.
On the + side, he is doing what he loves, and is very passionate about doing. He travels the world, and is celebrated as a hero.
On the -, maybe he could make more $ in other areas and ways.
And these are the choices we make in life.
Now, concerning Disc Golf pros, you are winning, and you have world class talent, because you are competing against the best in the world. Ignore the haters who say derogatory things about DG.
That said, you have to make a choice:
-Make a modest-decent living, depending on how good you are at self promotion, doing what you love and are passionate about, DG.
-Drop DG to a hobby, and invest your energy and talent into finding a good paying job or investment opportunity.
I am new to this forum, and already hearing about 'growing' the sport has grown old. You want to know who would go watch a tour of pro DGers? Us. The DG ams.
Nobody watches DG for entertainment. You are either a player who enjoys watching the game performed at a high level.
You know, ESPN shows poker. I don't watch it. I don't play poker. You know who does watch poker on ESPN? Poker players.
And my full circle. If you want to grow the sport, invest in the ams, not into the pros. Engler park in Farmington, MO is building a course. Gateway is building it. You know who will show when it opens? The DG players. You know who will show if they invite Nikko there opening day, and give free DG lessons? The same DG players. Outside of the DG world, no one knows who Nikko, Ken Climo, Feldberg, or Nate Doss is, just like how many of you do not know who Michael Angelo Batio is.
DG is a growing sport. It sells itself. Relax, it will get there, eventually. THEN you will sit around and reflect, and wish you were back in the 'good old days'.