I thought about not posting this, but the more I thought about it, the more curious I became on how the participants of USDGC would actually respond.

If the USDGC is one of the premier events in all of disc golf, if not the premier, isn't it important for top players to do well or win? With this said, I pose the question to the top players in the world: "Would you like to win the USDGC over all competitors, free of controversy or special conditions imposed on one or more, or would you like to win it knowing that one of the best players in the world has a huge condition over their head?"

Part 2: Seeing as how we may all agree that donating money to the leukemia fund is a good idea, "How many other players at the USDGC are willing to donate their winnings, or even a fraction of the winnings to this cause, or perhaps another that is justified?"

I'd really like to hear from Barry, Ken, Ron, Stevie, Schweb and all the rest of the top money winners on tour. My point in this is that we now are taking away from what I see as the best and most prestigious disc golf event in the world, and have tainted it with politics.

Keep politics out of the USDGC!

I'd really like to hear from Barry, Ken, Ron, Stevie, Schweb and all the rest of the top money winners on tour.




You may hear something from Schweb as he frequents the message board... but as for the others, I doubt you'll be hearing anything on here from them.

You know I respect your opinion as well. What is it?

Gosh, it's really hard to tell how you feel about the subject based on the wording of your question.

I would have to say that winning the USDGC with Cam playing or not would be a huge accomplishment and it wouldnt taint it at all.

On the other hand some players may be upset if Cam does show up and happen to win a tournament that he wasnt supposed to be attending in the first place.

It could go both ways but i would like to hear some other pros opinions as well.

Well I have very little chance of winning the USDGC, but I would say if you won regardless of the Cam inccident, you would not care. I would think the only people losing sleep over this is Cam and maybe a few die hards on the board. I do agree that is sucks for the USDGC to have to comply with this if they didn't want to. Not to mention, no one knows if Cam has accepted this donation thing. I do think that the donation is a nice thing, but it being forced upon you kind of takes away the "Hey, look what a good guy I am". The punishment should be separate from this event, the BEST in the world! Just my opinion...

You know I respect your opinion as well. What is it?



I suppose my opinion really isn't important seeing as how I am an Adv player and this doesn't affect me the same as it would if I were a pro playing in the tournament. I do think it is an intresting and valid point you bring up. Many people probably haven't thought about the situation like this. I've tried to stay away from this whole Cam situation because he is one of the pros that I do not know very well and I don't know the facts other than what I've read. If I were to play and win, Cam would be the last thing I would be thinking about. If I was playing and Cam won, congrats to Cam; hes a good player and he played well enought to win. I think it is very unfortunate timing. I'm not sure I like the fact that the PDGA put this on him in such an important tournament. Perhaps if he were to donate his next 2 cashes of non-major tournaments would be better.

I feel that in no way should the pdga be able to impose sanctions on players concerning "potential winnings" in future events. Thats like telling a person who gets out of jail and plays the lottery that if he wins, he has to donate the winnings to a victim fund. My opinion is that the pdga screwed up on a professional level in how they handled this. The end result is a plea bargain of sorts to get a lawyer off their backs, but appease the masses. A true competitor would not want to compete with sanctions like this, as well as a true competitor would want an even playing field for all. The fact that the pdga has enforced this ruling in connection with the USDGC shows once again, the unprofessional ethics involved. Trying to sugarcoat the deal with the donation to the leukemia fund is simply icing on the cake in the grand game of "lets make a deal because we screwed up!"

Does that clarify how I feel about it?

To add more clarity to this, I also feel that Cam was in error. I do not agree with how he handled himself, and to my knowledge, this was not the first time this has happened to him. I just do not agree with the discipline. Make it appropriate to the crime.

Polish, I see what you are saying, but I also see another side to the story.

Cam is being given a gift here. The ruling after the appeal has Cam suspended for the next 2 months, period.

BUT, because the BOD realizes how valuable the EXPERIENCE of playing in the USDGC is to a player, they are making a special exception.

The exception is one that is in line with Cam's appeal. He admitted to doing wrong - he wants to make it better - what better way then to wipe the slate almost immediatley and not take the HardLine of YOU CAN'T PLAY in the BEST Tournament?

If Cam is serious about being repentent - he will gladly take this olive branch being offered and PLAY the USDGC! He will have the joy of the experience! He will also have the joy of helping others who are less fortunate than himself.

I think this solution offers a lot of give on the side of the PDGA and I like that the fine/winnings/money will not go to Cam and will not go to the PDGA, but will go to fund cancer research. I can think of no better solution.

I feel that in no way should the pdga be able to impose sanctions on players concerning "potential winnings" in future events. Thats like telling a person who gets out of jail and plays the lottery that if he wins, he has to donate the winnings to a victim fund.



It is NOTHING like that. If Cam was suspended there would be NO WINNINGS TO HAVE. This way there is still NO WINNINGS to have but he can still participate in the greatest disc golf event there is and SOMEONE will benefit. USDGC is also not a lottery. If it was then I could go out there an have just as good a chance as anyone to win it. They are basically saying either take the suspension for two months miss the best tournament of the year or pay a fine and help some people and still play in the event. With how intense of a player Cam is i dont think that he would show up to the USDGC with any intentions other then to try and WIN. If he does win the the charity will get a HUGE donation from Cam and the PDGA and Cam himself will likely get some good exposure from this unfortunate incident. I think its a great way to handle the situation. Its doesnt say Cam you HAVE to play USDGC and you HAVE to donate your winnings. Its says if you want to be able to make ANY money or play in ANY tournaments in the next 2 Months you can go to USDGC play in the greatest tournament of the year with the greatest golfers in the Worlds and the winnings you wouldnt have been able to win in the first place will be donated to a charity. The only thing Cam will gain out of this is getting to play in tournaments sooner. Hes not losing anything from playing in USDGC and donating his money other then the 225 dollar entry fee which is in essence a fine for his behavior. He can choose not to do this if that what he wants to do but i think it would be in his best interest to play at USDGC, do well, donate the money and get on with his life. It will reflect well on him and the PDGA if he does well and donates the money.

I would say not being able to take cash at USDGC is a HUGE punishment in itself whether he plays and has to donate or whether he doesnt play at all. That is a huge chunk of out his yearly income considering where he would probably place.

If CAM SUX it up, I'll donate up to 10% of my winnings to the Luekemia Society, I would like to see the Luekemia Society get at least $1,000 out of this CAM donation deal, If not a grand than this whole suspension-probation is worthless.

Personally I don't give a **** about anyone else there, probation, suspension or not. My ***** is trying to win!

Great offer, Kev.

Maybe more players will step up to the plate for the Luekemia Society.

i've only played pro masters(2 times) so i'll step aside on this.

I think that is awesome, and also what I hoped could happen from this thread. In support of cancer research, one donates to a great and noble cause, gets wonderful publicity for a really great sport, increases the public level of awareness of it's intensity, integrity, and credibility, supports the pdga, and also supports Cam in what may be a difficult time for him. Thanks for speaking up Kevin. I would be honored to walk in your shoes. Good luck.

Thanks for speaking up Kevin. I would be honored to walk in your shoes. Good luck.

my shoes stink and I have this fungus thing going, so you might want to think twice about putting on my shoes :D

I met and played golf with Brent Hambrick a few times and it's the least I could do. It's sad to see someones life get cut short from Leukemia or any other illness.

Bro just trying to buy a little Karma :D

You are an all right guy Kev, I'll be watching on line this year. I didn't qualify because of my horrible play all this year. You and brad behave this year at the bar. Of course Dan Cuson will not be there to take the local drunk on in "Big Buck Hunter" and beat him until he snaps this year.

Gook Luck!

Kevin,
Although your shoes might be foul, I'd still take the chance of walking in them. :D

You are setting a great example for others to follow, and it seams you and I see things similarly when it comes to doing things for the right reasons. I will be working at the USDGC doing transportation, so if I end up giving you a ride on the golfcart, I will try to avoid potholes. :D

So where are the other pros on this?

Polish Power,

I'll have to echo Brad Schick on this one. My motivations and desire to play USDGC every year have nothing to do with who else might show up. Whether or not I agree with the actions of the DC committee or the appeals process/result has no bearing on how I feel about playing in this event. When I win USDGC this year - I'll give 1/2 to the Luekemia Society!! Come on Kev - you can do better than 10% :)

So there is no probability to donate whether you cash or not? hmm seems if you want Karma you might donate some funds before the tournament. But I am sure you have

NOT CASH? Bro, obviously you don't know me very well. I've missed the cash like 6 times in 4 years and about 100 tournaments (around 96% of the time). I think its safe to say I will cash and be making a donation. Maybe the $10K I've won this year may make it safe to say I'll be making a donation to the Leukemia Society

I feel that in no way should the pdga be able to impose sanctions on players concerning "potential winnings" in future events.

The PDGA is limited by our own rules in what we can do to punish misconduct. We currently do not have the express power to impose fines or compel charitable donations. Here, the PDGA has not imposed that outcome. We have allowed Cam Todd to consent to that outcome if he wants to.

If at all it factors into whether he can play or not in USDGC or other tournaments, than I see no other explanation than they have fined him without fining him through potential winnings. A halfway decent lawyer would have a field day against it, and probably be able to prove biases on behalf of the pdga due to inconsistencies in how his situation was handled. Without a doubt, If Cam pursued this into the legal system, this would be dismissed in court. My sister is a corporate attorney through a major law firm. If you have the money to pay her Cam, she said she would get you off on this, and that damages could be awarded as well. Probably not how the pdga visioned this outcome. Bottom line, the pdga needs to do a better job researching outcomes from both legal perspectives, and how they effect the members of the pdga. If Cam agrees to this outcome, then they dodged a huge bullet, although it appears much damage was done in regards to offending other touring pros, pdga officials, and the members of pdga as a whole. And think about this; If the pdga is so concerned about him changing his behavior, then why not have him take an anger management class or see a therapist? Isn't that what most professional sports organizations would do. I believe so.

One more thing. Has anyone even talked to the leukemia society or perhaps someone who is suffering from leukemia to get their opinion on this situation? I wonder if this could have offended those people as well.

Bruce, you may want to go to the cam todd suspended thread and re-visit what you posted on page 35. You make my point more visible and evident through your own words.

The fact that you made the suspension contingent upon the donation levies it legally as a fine. I'd suggest talking to a good lawyer for more clarity on this.

nice thread polish, this a great idea. Kevin McCoy I hope you win . Way to step up!!!!!! :D:D

Don't forget that craig Gangloff has also stepped up. As of now, Craig and Kevin are the guys I am rooting for. I hope the list grows still. Come on pro's, step up and be on my list. Any donation helps you know, and establishes credibility of the sport and the participants involved. I think it can also be free positive publicity for the pdga and usdgc. Who knows, maybe they would like to make a donation as well. ;)

Come on Kev - you can do better than 10%



If I give more than that then the strippers back here are going to be asking what happened. They are not going to understand me giving money to a foundation when I am supposed to be supporting they're cola habit. j/k :p

they were wondering where you were last night bro! :D

I think added donations is a good idea. Although I qualified for the USDGC via the TD exemption, I can't go - too busy at work. So I will donate what would have been my $225 entry fee to the Leukemia Foundation as well. Anyone else?

If I could figure out a way to get your spot I'd take your $225 and make it $450 and still pay the regular entry fee. Anyhoo, I'm glad it has standards, and that a guy playing in 20 PDGAs in Open this year but averaging 970 golf isn't invited. This should and is a high standard event. Good luck to all those qualified and competing, never forget how very lucky you are.

I will gladly donate 25% of my disposable income for the month. Unfortunately, it is not that much and I am embarrassed to post the actual amount.

Undergrad debt + graduate school debt + medical bills + monthly living expenses + doctoral tuition + social service income = A large donation from the heart (with some cash to boot).