Trophy only or payout

[joshmo65]

I know this is opening a can of worms, but I searched through the site and could not find any polls that would give me exact numbers.

The question is, would you play in an amateur tournament with a $45 entry fee if you received a players pack valued at $70 with no payouts except for a nice trophy? In addition, would you travel up to two hours to play this event if the courses were nice?

 

[ScottishDiscman]

Poll?

 

[joshmo65]

Poll?

Sorry. Was making it. Up now.

 

[Pbmercil]

Most of the am events I played this year last year were true am, AKA "trophy only". I wasn't sure how I would feel about it, but I actually really liked it a lot. I would have "cashed" in a couple of those, but I have very little need for more plastic I won't throw. I travelled for several of those events and it was worth it.

 

[Aim For The Chains]

Here are some older threads you might like reading.

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83630

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31531


http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117675

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94133

 

[bradharris]

One of New England's most popular events, The Amateur Challenge Tournament (http://www.actdg.com/) uses this format. It sells out quickly, with 180 total players.

 

[joshmo65]

Here are some older threads you might like reading.

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83630

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31531


http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117675

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94133

Thank you! I had looked at a couple of them, but none of them had a poll. It seems like there is a lot of people with opinions, so I wanted to easily compile the data.

 

[PWaggoner]

I like to win stuff for playing well.

Not a fan of players packs, prefer vendor bucks.

 

[thrembo]

I like a good players pack. I like getting something for my money vs donating it to better players.

 

[sidewinder22]

Two hour drive would depend more on the course.

 

[Putt for D'oh]

I've never played a DG tournament yet... or a weekly or any competitive round at all, nothing more than pride bets with my brother or friends.
BUT
I've played plenty of tournaments in other sports, some for fun some at very high levels of competition as an amateur. As well many running events and other types of races. Not in any single competition i've played in other sports were there payouts. I've traveled and spent thousands of dollars and vacation time to attend a competition that for all intents and purposes was purely for the enjoyment of the sport and if I won, a small medal and MAYBE a prize worth MAYBE $40-$50.
I would find it very odd if I were to get into DG on a competitive am level and find some expectation of payouts at all events.

 

[grotto]

I'd play. Why not? At $45 it sounds good compared to the fees of other tournaments.

Don't really care about a trophy, they're usually cheap and cheesy anyway.

 

[timj5304]

I like to win stuff for playing well.

Not a fan of players packs, prefer vendor bucks.

Play in the open division if you want payouts.

 

[smyith]

For me it would depend on a few factors; course(s), what's in the pack*, and to a lesser extent the tier. But to really answer your question, if it was within an hour I would consider it a value. Past that it starts to lose value quickly.
*not interested in a random tourn stamped disc, tho it's nice having them for sale. Personally prefer things like apparel, towels, minis, unique things to title sponsor, and useful things to have. For example at Sakuna matata we got a nail file, it's really quite useful to have for multiple needs and I would have never thought to use one. (Sponsored by disc diva)

 

[Stable]

I voted 'No, I do not play tournaments.' because that is my current state with the game. I am willing to travel to play tournaments. Just really having an issue with the current system of having to buy a player's pack that I don't want or need. I just want to play a tournament. Don't need any more discs or t-shirts. For a seasoned am it gets old buying player's packs.

 

[DavidSauls]

With a good enough course and event, I'd pay $45 and drive 2 hours if there was no payout or players pack at all.

So my answer is, Yes, I would, but not because of the $70 players pack.

 

[JC17393]

I voted 'No, I do not play tournaments.' because that is my current state with the game. I am willing to travel to play tournaments. Just really having an issue with the current system of having to buy a player's pack that I don't want or need. I just want to play a tournament. Don't need any more discs or t-shirts. For a seasoned am it gets old buying player's packs.

Just out of curiosity, because I'm sure you're not alone in how you feel, would you get (back) into tournament play if tournaments offered a "bare bones" package? Say we're talking about the hypothetical event in the OP and instead of $45 you could enter the same tournament for just $10. And that $10 would cover whatever per player expenses the TD had to cover (PDGA fees, use permits, insurance, etc) and nothing else. All you the player get is the opportunity to take part in the event and win a trophy if you place well enough...no player pack, no payouts, no side prizes (CTP, ace pool, ring of fire, etc). Would you do it?

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I think it's a logical off-shoot type question for the original premise.

 

[djcadence]

I'd play for just a pack, but I would rather have less of a players pack and get fed a decent lunch.

 

[PWaggoner]

Play in the open division if you want payouts.

Someday I hope. Started playing advanced last year. Need to refine my game this year some more haha.

I never played other sports for trophies so I think its awesome.

Its just my personal preference, if it was within 125 miles id go anyways.

And my club does players packs, i still play. I just like Delaware disc golf's jimi bucks. I get discs i actually use to practice and hoard until that day i go pro and will have to buy them again. Plus tournament experience. Win/win.

 

[AndyJB]

If you are recieving any sort of payout, that is not being an amateur. Sick of this fallacy in disc golf. Semi-Pro would be better, I guess.

I answered yes in the poll, but what I think a lot of people miss (especially here in Colorado) with trophy only is that it is supposed to be cheap. I dont much care for players packs unless it is something pretty useful or unique. Most discs I get for PPs I dont even throw.

If you keep the cost at, say, 25 bucks with a small players pack like maybe a shirt or one of those nifty little clipboards or one disc, I think you'll get a more varied group of folks. And its just an all around better value. Say your Am side is 90 people and you take just 2 bucks of that 25 towards trophies, you can still have some good looking trophies up for grabs.

I personally feel that disc golf has enough players now that we can do away with the "entry fee value" nonsense. The value should really be in the event itself. Of course in other areas it may be different.

Not that I ever see true sandbagging, but trophy only helps reduce that as well. You're pretty sad if you're bagging for just a trophy.