2010 United States Disc Golf Championships

[ryangwillim]

Does anyone know if there is a public list of players that have qualified for this year's USDGC? Can we start a list here?

It would help to know how far in the standings the spots are being given out at each qualifier event.

[jaywood]

Here you go.


http://www.usdgc.com/competitors/eligible-competitors

[ryangwillim]

Thank you!

[twoputtok]

This event just became even harder to get too.



For immediate release:
August 25, 2010
This year marks the 12th anniversary of the United States Disc Golf Championship (USDGC). Since its inception in 1999, the USDGC has grown into one of disc golf’s premier championship events. Innova Disc Golf, in association with the event’s many volunteers, sponsors, USDGC Partners, Winthrop University, and the Professional Disc Golf Association, is extremely proud to have been such an integral part of our game’s history.
Innova considers it a privilege to be in a leadership position. We have seen disc golf, and our business, grow and change tremendously over nearly three decades. The disc golf market is continually expanding and Innova is more committed than ever to improving our service to this incredibly diverse community of players.
In recognition of the growth of disc golf around the globe, we have decided to move the USDGC to a biennial schedule. Effective immediately, the USDGC will alternate years with Europe’s major event – The European Open. The USDGC will be held in even numbered years and the European Open in odd numbered years. This will enable better global promotion of professional disc golf, as well as afford us an opportunity to serve another important segment of the disc golf population.
Amateur and recreational golfers represent the fastest growing portion of the disc golf community. With these players in mind, a new event will visit the famous grounds at Winthrop University in 2011. Details will be forthcoming, but two of the guiding principles will be: Amateurism and Fun Competition in a Professional Setting at Winthrop. Despite these changes our mission remains the same; to live disc golf and to enable others to discover such a wonderful lifetime sport.
We are excited about the future of disc golf, more so than ever before. Opportunity for the game’s advancement abounds. We are confident that this new schedule will allow the USDGC to sustain its tradition of excellence, while building an even better fan base for the game’s elite.
One thing you can count on this fall is that Innova and the USDGC family are steadily preparing for our greatest tournament experience to date. We look forward to October, and to seeing you here.
Warmest regards,
Innova Disc Golf

[pterodactyl]

that Americans can not participate in the European Championships?

If we can't, then why go to every other year?

[MTL21676]

Originally Posted by pterodactyl

that Americans can not participate in the European Championships?

Doesn't look like it...

http://www.pdga.com/tournament-results?TournID=8400

[pterodactyl]

Maybe we (Non-Europeans) have obtained the concession of playing in the Euro Championships next year because of this rescheduling.

If the TD's want to use the excuse/reason of "burn-out" to hold each tourney once every 2 years, alternately, I wouldn't blame them.

[cgkdisc]

There are two major events with European in the name. The European Open is open to players from any country and has been hosted every odd numbered year. The European Championship is in even years and is limited to Europeans. The Scandinavian Open is another major open to everyone and is hosted in even numbered years along with the Japan Open.

[pterodactyl]

Thanks for the clarification, Chuck.

[rideout]

I think this is a very bad idea.

I've had bad ideas, and this seems like one of them.

Why does the PDGA want to slow down the momentum.

When you're on a roll, you don't get up and leave the table.


I hope it all works out for the best, but I think this is absolutley ridiculous.

Competitive disc golf in the United States is not suffering from a lack of growth. Why on earth would we slow it down ourselves?


Players look forward to the USDGC like nothing else in the sport.


Maybe the NFL should have slowed down the Superbowl in the early 80's to make room for Canadian and European football (US style football). Dumb.


Mike Rideout

[rhett]

As a reminder to everyone, "the PDGA" does not run the USDGC. Harold and Innova East do it. They do all of it. They convinced their company to run the most desired disc ever (CE Roc) and make it only a fundraiser for their tourney. They had a vision involving invites and gold rope, and didn't listen to the whiners. It was their idea for One Division/One Champion, and they haven't backed down.

They've even been known to use non-PDGA sanctioned tourneys for qualifiers.

So if they want to go to every-other year for whatever reasons they want to do so, they will. It's not up to "the PDGA" because "the PDGA" doesn't run this wonderful event.

Just remember how everyone hated limited edition CE Rocs, gold rope, invites, where the qualifying tourneys were located, the clown's mouth, and a prayer at the opening player meeting.

I think it has all turned out wonderfully, and it will continue to do so. I doubt this will ruin the event, but if does so what. They've done all the work and sweat and we haven't done jack, so let them.

[pdorries]

Originally Posted by rhett

As a reminder to everyone, "the PDGA" does not run the USDGC. Harold and Innova East do it. They do all of it. They convinced their company to run the most desired disc ever (CE Roc) and make it only a fundraiser for their tourney. They had a vision involving invites and gold rope, and didn't listen to the whiners. It was their idea for One Division/One Champion, and they haven't backed down.

They've even been known to use non-PDGA sanctioned tourneys for qualifiers.

So if they want to go to every-other year for whatever reasons they want to do so, they will. It's not up to "the PDGA" because "the PDGA" doesn't run this wonderful event.

Just remember how everyone hated limited edition CE Rocs, gold rope, invites, where the qualifying tourneys were located, the clown's mouth, and a prayer at the opening player meeting.

I think it has all turned out wonderfully, and it will continue to do so. I doubt this will ruin the event, but if does so what. They've done all the work and sweat and we haven't done jack, so let them.

even though I'm saddened by the 2 years thing, you are 100% correct, great post! It is not the players or pdgas decision, and I am sure they have valid reasons for doing so, otherwise they wouldn't want to mess with what they started.

On topic of the 2010 US, will the caddybook be out soon? thanks

[tkieffer]

Was just about to say the same regarding the 'PDGA's bad idea".

Adding to it, it may be that the people who run the USDGC are of the opinion that going to alternating years and running an Am event in off years results in even more players looking forward to the experience. A whole lot more.

Sounds pretty smart to me.

[rideout]

Ok, it's hard to argue against that. If the owners of the event want to make a change, it's theirs to make. Everyone's entitled to make silly decisions.


If this is the case, I would like to see the PDGA jump up and support a different professional event in the United States, since this is where the momentum is, and continue with something grand. I know it would take another huge investor, but I hope the PDGA isn't worried about competing with Europe and would embrase a new event here.


Mike Rideout

[davidsauls]

Great post, Rhett.

There's nothing stopping anyone else from emulating their success. Get a brilliant and unorthodox idea, devote immense effort and resources to it, and grow it to the scale the USDGC has become.

Steve Dodge is trying with the Players Cup. I doubt anyone else will.

[tkieffer]

I'm sure the PDGA would "jump up and support" someone's effort to run another professional event. But they aren't in the business of creating or running events (with perhaps a partial exception for Worlds). That will require the efforts of someone else or another group.

Sorry Mike, but currently it's not the role of the org.

[rideout]

The PDGA might not be in the business of creating or running events, but don't they put a huge amount of time and effort into NTs and majors in order to help their high level of development. I'm not saying the PDGA should form an event, but I hope that they support another event in the same fashion they have supported the USDGC.

Maybe I am way off base here. Am I wrong to think that the PDGAs involvment with the USDGC has helped its growth through the resources they have brought to the tournament?

[tkieffer]

I believe you are greatly minimizing the efforts of the people directly involved in making the USDGC what it is. It can't happen without this, the PDGA can't will it so.

Members and supporters of the PDGA can, have and hopefully will continue to create and grow great events and programs. The org is a collection of these people.

[rideout]

I certainly didn't mean to minimize their efforts. Why would you say this?


I would like the PDGA to support another large event, not run a large event.


When the PDGA supports an event and makes it an NT or major, the event gets a lot more attention and it's growth can feed on that. I know it is still up to the people that run the event.


Minimize their efforts, if anything, the fact I care enough to talk about this topic online should be a sign of my recognition of their spectacular efforts.

[Dana]

So who all will be out for Saturday qualifying? Any top guys forget to or not register in time?

[tanner]

Originally Posted by Dana

So who all will be out for Saturday qualifying? Any top guys forget to or not register in time?

Ben Callaway.

I hope he qualifies so he can show these guys who the top 'King Masher' is.

[tkieffer]

Originally Posted by rideout

I certainly didn't mean to minimize their efforts. Why would you say this?


I would like the PDGA to support another large event, not run a large event.


When the PDGA supports an event and makes it an NT or major, the event gets a lot more attention and it's growth can feed on that. I know it is still up to the people that run the event.


Minimize their efforts, if anything, the fact I care enough to talk about this topic online should be a sign of my recognition of their spectacular efforts.

I think my wording was wrong. Sorry, didn't mean to be critical of your post or approach.

What I'm trying to say is that the USDGC would never have happened nor continued without the efforts put forth by those directly involved. It is their support that made the tournament what it is. The PDGA didn't make it a large event or a major. In fact, the PDGA doesn't make any event an NT or Major beyond perhaps conveying the title after the people involved get it to the point where the event can meet the criteria and can fit in the schedule.

I don't mean to downplay the PDGA role here, and am trying to step carefully while answering so as not to. Tournaments happen primarily because of local people stepping up and making it possible. The PDGA can and does provide support, be it major, c-tier or whatever. But the burden of growing and deciding how big of an event a tournament will be falls on the hands of those who create and run it.

If someone or a group wants to take the responsibility and task to create and maintain a large tournament running opposite years of the USDGC, then they are free to give it a go. If not, then it won't happen and there will be nothing for the PDGA to back. With the current model, the burden to make it happen doesn't lie with the PDGA.

[schick]

I have never missed a USDGC and was really bummed when I heard this. This is the one tourney I strive to qualify for and the one event I look forward to most every year. I have not been to Worlds for over ten years now because that is the event I choose to spend a week of vacation attending. I am sure they have good reasons and expect this to only better the event they have created. I wonder what they will have in store for 2012?

Can't wait for next month!

[tanner]

Originally Posted by schick

I have never missed a USDGC and was really bummed when I heard this. This is the one tourney I strive to qualify for and the one event I look forward to most every year. I have not been to Worlds for over ten years now because that is the event I choose to spend a week of vacation attending. I am sure they have good reasons and expect this to only better the event they have created. I wonder what they will have in store for 2012?

Can't wait for next month!

My sentiments exactly. The one DG event that really matters in terms of pride, prestige, and payout (which is why I get so upset at the "testing lab" mentality that goes on every year with the rules)....oh well. Looking forward to football season early next year.

[schick]

Harold and/or USDGC Staff,

Will there be any significant changes to the course from last year? Looking as if I will get there in time for the players meeting at best. :-(

[quickdisc]

United States Disc Golf Championship (USDGC)

European Disc Golf Championship ( EDGC )


I may be wrong , I thought these were 2 separate events ?

[haroldduvall]

Hey Brad,

The course seemed to play well last year. Right now, we do not anticipate many changes. We are exploring various options for hole 14, and we are examining options to replace a key tree on hole 1.

I hope that this note finds you well.

Take care,
Harold

[schick]

Originally Posted by haroldduvall

Hey Brad,

The course seemed to play well last year. Right now, we do not anticipate many changes. We are exploring various options for hole 14, and we are examining options to replace a key tree on hole 1.

I hope that this note finds you well.

Take care,
Harold

Thanks Harold.

I was also wondering if the buncr rules will be the same as last year?

[haroldduvall]

Hey Brad,

Like the course, the ground rules seemed to have work pretty well last year. The Buncr and other course rules will be substantially unchanged unless there are problems that we learn about.

Take care,
Harold

[Dana]

Harold,

Do I understand it correctly that those who earn 1 of the 5 spots at the Saturday qualifying do not get to put their 50 (+) dollars towards their entry?

Thanks,

Dana