smarkquart
* Ace Member *
Why did they change the qualify system? If I remember right you needed at least 1000 pts to qualify up until a few years ago. Then they changed it to 500? You can get 500 pts pretty easly, by finishing in the middle of the pack at an A tier or placing at a B tier or two.
I would much rather see the points total requirement be higher than necessarily a rating cap. Someone like me who is constantly hovering between 940 and 925 because of great rounds mixed with an occasional bad enough rounds to lower it are still going to play Advanced instead of Intermediate. I am definitely going to gain some points as long as I played consistent enough over those players who truly have no business playing advanced (outside of having fun and or playing up for the experience), but if that is the only way I am going to make points, then I will definitely need to put in my time in numerous tournaments.
The incentive for me to play better is not to necessarily raise my rating, but to play well in that particular tournament to play better than a majority of my competition. Ratings will likely take care of itself, but if someone who wins with a monster round, they will effectively lower my rating, but compared to the rest of the field I can still do well if I am only concerned about points.
I do see a difference between Intermediate and Advanced, the difference between an occasional bad round or one hole that absolutely destroys a round versus regular inconsistency and multiple holes that blow up in your face. However, I do not think 935 is that number. I would definitely argue that 920 to 925 is a better threshold.