Is it ethical for pros to play in their local tournaments?

[Whiskey_Jim]

And claim the winning spoil.With the season done the question came to mind. Seems like the opposite of sandbagging.

 

[Martin Dewgarita]

huh?

 

[Putt for D'oh]

Where is the line? Someone who has played a tour event? Cashed at a tour event? This year? Ever? Aren't all MPO players pros? The top 10? 50? ranked can only play?
I don't understand the question being about ethics... can a pro play in the pro division? um... why not?

 

[Hampstead]

At a local C-tier, is there an MPO division? If so, no problem.

 

[Treeplant]

If a pro plays in their legit pro division how this even a question? Tournaments WANT the best pros possible showing up and playing open don't they?

 

[Nova P]

This is a "problem" that is usually solved by opportunity cost. That is, when someone has to make a choice between two (or more) mutually-exclusive options, the cost of choosing one thing is the loss of the other things.

In this case, a red-hot tip-top touring pro who chooses to play a C-tier for that sweet, sweet no-cash-added payout is missing the opportunity to play a B-tier, A-tier, or better on the same weekend which has added cash, more prestige, a bonus payout from their sponsor, a YouTube bonus from their sponsor, and so on.

 

[Bogey B.O.B.]

WOW… I beg you… Please stay home to polish your participation trophies on election day.

 

[Nova P]

There's no need to act like this is Facebook.

 

[DiscFifty]

This is a "problem" that is usually solved by opportunity cost. That is, when someone has to make a choice between two (or more) mutually-exclusive options, the cost of choosing one thing is the loss of the other things.

In this case, a red-hot tip-top touring pro who chooses to play a C-tier for that sweet, sweet no-cash-added payout is missing the opportunity to play a B-tier, A-tier, or better on the same weekend which has added cash, more prestige, a bonus payout from their sponsor, a YouTube bonus from their sponsor, and so on.

huh? :doh:

 

[mojorooks]

And claim the winning spoil.With the season done the question came to mind. Seems like the opposite of sandbagging.

There is no 'problem'. Anybody can play anything they are eligible for. My guess is you played a tournament and got rightfully bested by someone better than you.

 

[Horsman]

And claim the winning spoil.With the season done the question came to mind. Seems like the opposite of sandbagging.

So because I practice a certain course more often then others that then means I have an unfair advantage?

 

[DavidSauls]

And claim the winning spoil.With the season done the question came to mind. Seems like the opposite of sandbagging.

We've had top pros at our local C-tier, and even unsanctioned events. Trust me, nobody objects. We're honored, and the top local players like the challenge of competing against them.

Surprisingly, even though they're earning a living touring the big tournaments, some of these guys also enjoy playing disc golf.

 

[Mrlastway]

And claim the winning spoil.With the season done the question came to mind. Seems like the opposite of sandbagging.

This is some of the most ridiccolous reasoning i've heard in a long time. Just because someone has elected to play some big events does not mean that it would be unethical of them to play small ones as well. I've been beaten by a 1040+ rated player in my local c tier and that is something I really enjoyed.

 

[DoWork]

It's unethical for them to NOT show up for a local.

I'd give my middle nut to have Nate Doss or Simon show up to our club championship and kick everyone's a$$es.

 

[JC17393]

So local events shouldn't offer pro divisions at all? I mean, how else do you interpret a question of whether pros should be playing local tournaments? Are we talking top pros only (and we'll need a definition of "top" pros)? And what qualifies as a local tournament? There were two A-tiers within a 25 minute drive of my home this year. Should I have not played them since they were local and I'm a pro? Should I not play the C-tier on my home course this weekend?

These are important questions, I wouldn't want to do anything unethical.

 

[mshelton]

How many other sports are out there where regular working stiff locals can play and compete against those that are at the top of that sport?

The fact that it's possible and happens quite frequently in disc golf is something I think the majority of players appreciate as one of the things that make disc golf special and welcome any pro that plays in local smaller events.

Chances are too that someone is going to learn something from said pro and the level of play will naturally increase as, regardless of the sport, people will play at a higher level when the competition is higher.

 

[Streets]

I say if they don't want sub 900's at their big events, local C-tiers should have a ratings ceiling of 975. Take that touring pros!

 

[VictorB]

And claim the winning spoil.With the season done the question came to mind. Seems like the opposite of sandbagging.

other locals probably have just as good a chance to win. I mean, I have played in places where people are 920 rated players but shoot 1000+ golf on the one course they practice all the time

Either way - its the open division, anyone can play, no ethics questions needed.

 

[biscoe]

Eventually (not necessarily soon) there will be a Tour Card that actually means something. At that point it may make sense to have a tier of events from which those players are excluded.

I don't know about other places but in Virginia the "local pro" field is sharply in decline. This is almost certainly partially due to the fact that the players at the top have gotten much better.

 

[takman]

Funny how this is currently just above the Lloyd Weema thread.