I also would like to see speciality disc golf merchandise such as art be available to ams for payouts. I generally donate my prints, calendars and photography books for ctp's to tournaments where I have played and players then have to buy anything they like with cash if they do not win a ctp. I did donate 180prints to the Charleston Classic last year of local holes played at Hampton Park and Trophy Lakes and many people seemed happy to recieve those. If I had prints of holes in Emporia I would definitely donate them. For other tournaments not run by a disc manufacturer or vendor, I would like to see gas cards, gift cards, etc. for am payouts if this is legal to keep am status.
I do something similar often as well with artwork for CTPs, Raffles, door prizes. That is where they shine as a great value-added (better than commodity) prize or keepsake.
Unfortunately that doesn't seem to work as well for placing prizes. (good for trophies though) In our sport, like any activity, the
one and only common denominator in the community is that we play disc golf - thus disc golf merchandise has the
best chance to have universal perceived value. Even then, many don't like that as it isn't perfect for their tastes dujour. It might have even been a perfect match last year, but now... worthless. Moving target. But if you are running a big event, you go with what gives you the
best chance for success.
It's a funny thing, but the psychology difference of a "bonus" prize (CTP, Door prize) vs. an "earned" prize (placing) seems to exist.
That being said, a gracious winner/placer with class smiles regardless.
As to player packs, etc. Never underestimate the value seen by a traveling player to have something that says that they "were there" . For me, having a way of displaying back in my hometown that I "Was at worlds" or "played in worlds" is a big thing - regardless of the shirt cotton weight or color.