I am a 933 player who can on several occasions string together 980 or so rounds on my local courses. Am Worlds is here next year. I hope Mr. 1000 is moving up afterwards because I want my chances of winning to increase, that way I can prove that I am the best of the remaining amateurs around. De-Fault, the two best words in the English language.
In all seriousness, unless it is a rating or age protected division, you should play in the division that brings out the best competitive game you have. This year I have two Int victories, my first two ever, and one being the MN Am Int Championship. Second place and I were neck and neck going into the last dozen holes because we were doing a great job pushing each other. If you took my final score, I would have been mid pack in advanced. However, that stress at that time may have made me play worse because I might not have felt I was playing competitive with those around me. The last time I played advanced in a major tournament, I finished last by over 20 throws.
Now that was two years ago. For the last three years I have been traditionally finishing 3rd to 6th in mid-sized int fields, mid-20s in large fields, so this year's jump was pleasantly unexpected but also likely fueled because I felt was being competitive with the top players in my division. Despite a hiccup at the Majestic where I finished 11th out of 90 in int (I had a horrendous first round, but my second and third were tremendously better and enough to salvage 11th), I am going to challenge myself to play the remainder of the year in advance to prepare for next year. I am hoping my recent upswing in my play will make me rise even higher if I can be competitive, but I also fear that if I let it sink in that I am not competitive with this upper group of players that I will sink just as hard as I did two years ago.
On Monday I played at a local league as advanced. It is a course I know well but I have not played in this particular league before. I took first in advanced, making me feel good, especially since one other on my card was pushing me to make critical shots, but I temper this win with that a few of the better advanced players who might have played this league are down at the Am Championship right now.
Basically, I do not necessarily fault Mr. 1000 since I do not know him personally. If playing in this division helps him rise to the occasion and brings out the best in his game, then everyone just needs to enjoy the show and see what he can do. It is a totally different matter if he shoots the same when stacked up against higher level competition and he is under the stress to perform better in order to be competitive. I know that I likely would not have shot as well if I had played up at the MN Am Championship and I would likely not have shot as well if I had played down at Monday's local league. Again, it is a matter of where you feel the best competition is for you.
