CaptainAnhyzer
* Ace Member *
Aside from the disciplinary rules, which he wants to have the DGPT regulate.
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Disc Golf Pro Tour
- Thread starter DGPT
- Start date
brutalbrutus
* Ace Member *
I think Dodge is working more towards the ADGT model....Bankruptcy. If I were the PDGA I would sue them every time a reference to "PDGA" rules was used by Dodge or any of his employees....
Whippetgood
Newbie
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2015
- Messages
- 20
History is just repeating itself. This is a story published on the PDGA Site earlier this year. Disc golf is better for the changes made by the protests in the early 80's. Disc Golf will be better for these protests happening now. I believe the Pro Tour is the future of professional disc golf.
Story by Matt Gregoire #28647, Joe Feidt #362, and Jim Palmeri #23
"Ed was a control freak. He liked being the man in control of the PDGA and resented attempts by players to control the direction of the organization. It's important to remember that, until 1982, he was doing essentially everything by himself. Considering how active he was—running a start-up company, traveling the country promoting a new sport, selling discs and baskets, installing courses—it's amazing he had any time at all to process memberships, write newsletters, and keep the PDGA going.
By 1980, a growing number of players began to challenge Ed's control of the PDGA. In 1981, a group of players started a new organization to be run by the players and invited Ed to be #001 of the new club. Ed declined the invitation, lashed out at the organizers in a flaming letter, and used his clout to extinguish the fledgling organization before it had time to grow. This particular incident alienated many people and his popularity suffered.
The next year, Ed decided to hold the first Disc Golf World Championships in Los Angeles. It was there before the event started at a meeting of his regional reps that Ed decreed players could throw only Wham-O discs (the brand he was selling at the time). This was another unpopular decision, as players had been lobbying Ed to allow other discs such as Jan Sobel's popular Super Puppy but he stood firm on his decision.
It was here at this raucous meeting that the first seeds of the present day PDGA were sown. Ed asked if anyone wanted to put together a pro tour for the next year. Future Disc Golf Hall of Fame (DGHOF) member Ted Smethers #1159, then a little known pro from Little Rock, Arkansas, volunteered.
Coincidentally, 1983 was also the year a new disc company called Champion Discs (now known as Innova) debuted with its new proto Aero, then called the Eagle. The Eagle, designed by another future DGHOF member Dave Dunipace #987, represented a quantum leap in technology and instantly became the hot new driver that everyone was throwing.
Later that year in Hunstville, before the tournament started, Tournament Directors Tom Monroe #33 and Lavone Wolfe #580 didn't ask Ed—they told Ed—that any legal-weight disc, including Eagles and Puppies, could be thrown. This was the first time the players prevailed in a contest of wills with Ed. It was this Huntsville controversy more than anything else that persuaded Ed to decide to slowly relinquish control of the PDGA to the players."
Story by Matt Gregoire #28647, Joe Feidt #362, and Jim Palmeri #23
"Ed was a control freak. He liked being the man in control of the PDGA and resented attempts by players to control the direction of the organization. It's important to remember that, until 1982, he was doing essentially everything by himself. Considering how active he was—running a start-up company, traveling the country promoting a new sport, selling discs and baskets, installing courses—it's amazing he had any time at all to process memberships, write newsletters, and keep the PDGA going.
By 1980, a growing number of players began to challenge Ed's control of the PDGA. In 1981, a group of players started a new organization to be run by the players and invited Ed to be #001 of the new club. Ed declined the invitation, lashed out at the organizers in a flaming letter, and used his clout to extinguish the fledgling organization before it had time to grow. This particular incident alienated many people and his popularity suffered.
The next year, Ed decided to hold the first Disc Golf World Championships in Los Angeles. It was there before the event started at a meeting of his regional reps that Ed decreed players could throw only Wham-O discs (the brand he was selling at the time). This was another unpopular decision, as players had been lobbying Ed to allow other discs such as Jan Sobel's popular Super Puppy but he stood firm on his decision.
It was here at this raucous meeting that the first seeds of the present day PDGA were sown. Ed asked if anyone wanted to put together a pro tour for the next year. Future Disc Golf Hall of Fame (DGHOF) member Ted Smethers #1159, then a little known pro from Little Rock, Arkansas, volunteered.
Coincidentally, 1983 was also the year a new disc company called Champion Discs (now known as Innova) debuted with its new proto Aero, then called the Eagle. The Eagle, designed by another future DGHOF member Dave Dunipace #987, represented a quantum leap in technology and instantly became the hot new driver that everyone was throwing.
Later that year in Hunstville, before the tournament started, Tournament Directors Tom Monroe #33 and Lavone Wolfe #580 didn't ask Ed—they told Ed—that any legal-weight disc, including Eagles and Puppies, could be thrown. This was the first time the players prevailed in a contest of wills with Ed. It was this Huntsville controversy more than anything else that persuaded Ed to decide to slowly relinquish control of the PDGA to the players."
I don't even know what Smashboxx is. But what I don't understand is with the small number of events that the DGPT has, what purpose or advantage do the touring pros gain from this split? And it is curious timing with the BW suspension being given. It just seems like they are trying to strong arm the PDGA, while conversely still using the PDGA for rules/standards. While I personally don't care either way as I haven't been a member of the PDGA since 2009 or 2010. It will be interesting to see if the PDGA will make an effort to work with them.
biscoe
* Ace Member *
that model only works because people want to pay money to see pro golf.
wims
Double Eagle Member
What's wrong with the World Tour?
Streets
* Ace Member *
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2012
- Messages
- 10,538
Not a fan of Jussi.
VictorB
* Ace Member *
So what tour do the PGA players play on in between events? Oh wait, they still play PGA events the whole time, because they have them every week, like the PDGA does.
Unless Dodge is going to greatly increase the number of pr only events, like having them nearly every week during the season, the Pros will still have to play PDGA events - which in turn means that the PDGA cannot become strictly am focused which is basically what the USGA is.
Lol, it's the disc golf civil war.
Governing body that doesn't want to delegate responsibilities, probably b/c of money: PDGA/USA
Organization that wants to secede from the above over no representation (scheduling): DGPT/CSA
Unpopular thing that becomes tipping point and is supported by secessionists despite unpopularity out of principle: Bradley Williams/slavery.
Steve Dodge/Jefferson Davis
Paul McBeth/uh, Robert E. Lee?
1st unsanctioned event = Ft. Sumter.
etc
The strokes shall rise again! No, wait, that would be a bad thing, score-wise.
Governing body that doesn't want to delegate responsibilities, probably b/c of money: PDGA/USA
Organization that wants to secede from the above over no representation (scheduling): DGPT/CSA
Unpopular thing that becomes tipping point and is supported by secessionists despite unpopularity out of principle: Bradley Williams/slavery.
Steve Dodge/Jefferson Davis
Paul McBeth/uh, Robert E. Lee?
1st unsanctioned event = Ft. Sumter.
etc
The strokes shall rise again! No, wait, that would be a bad thing, score-wise.
Brodysseus
* Ace Member *
I am #teamCasual. Also, #teamStreets
Streets
* Ace Member *
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2012
- Messages
- 10,538
:hfive:
CaptainAnhyzer
* Ace Member *
I have the perfect event for this situation...........The Battle of Saratoga !!
oh wait, already running that. :doh:
Don't count on that. Your PDGA events will still have pro divisions with local pros playing in them.
For the great majority of us, a divorce between the PDGA and these tours doesn't mean squat.
brutalbrutus
* Ace Member *
Yea I know but one can dream, right?
I for one, can understand Steve's frustration, but I would hope he knew when he started the DGPT that the PDGA has other masters to serve, whose agendas and vision for organized disc golf might be at odds with his own. Perhaps if he has the freedom to schedule where and when he pleases, and not have to deal with elements of the PDGA structure that he feels are holding him back, he can truly see if the DGPT can sink or swim on its own.
So the way I figure, disc golf gets a sustainable pro tour model out of this, or the latest episode of "we told you so" and a return to the drawing board. If Steve wants to take on that challenge, I wish him well.
So the way I figure, disc golf gets a sustainable pro tour model out of this, or the latest episode of "we told you so" and a return to the drawing board. If Steve wants to take on that challenge, I wish him well.
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