Pssst! Registration is now open for the 2006 Mid-Nationals again at Highbridge Hills Sports Complex in Wisconsin. The event is July 6-9 with a similar format as last year. No invites this year. Any current member can enter who meets the qualifications with a rating under 975 that's based on at least 8 rounds in the June 2006 update. So there's still plenty of time to get enough events rated before the deadline if you're new member.

Download the reg form at the updated 2006 website: www.midnationals.com (http://www.midnationals.com) Online registration is still being set up but you may register by mail for now. First come, first served. Hope to see everyone from last year (who's still under 975) and lots of new faces this year.

Seeing as how I'll be a counselor at the camp, I wonder if I should register for this event or if I'll be too busy... interesting dilemma :)

Depending on demand the first year, that week may not have a camp session, so you might have the option to play. Hopefully, the camp will be so busy you won't though :)

For the doubles, what is "Best then Controlled Alternating Score"?

Regular Best Shot first round. Second round is Controlled Alternating Score where one teammate tees off on odd holes and the other on evens. Each hole is played like regular alternate shot. But if Person A holes out on hole 1, Person B would not tee off on hole 2 if B had already teed off on 1. The idea is to balance the number of tee offs between partners for all teams. The strategy is to look thru the holes and see if one teammate might be better on the odds than the even holes before you start.

Haha, I agree with you Chuck, I really hope the camp is busy enough that I can't register... that'd mean it'd be successful enough to come back for another summer next year ;) lol

Wow this is a real bargain at $80. Question -- do the courses have 'yardage' (actually footage) markers?

Am Nats had 100, 200, and 300' markers and it was really cool. They actually speed up play because people like me with suspect depth perception don't have to walk up to figure out the distance to the pin from a fairway lie. I think all major tournaments should have them, if not all courses -- even hack ball golf courses have yardage markers.

We've talked about it but it can be confusing because three courses have multiple pins and the one with only one pin has short enough holes where it's not needed. We're thinking we might do something like the caddy book that they did at the USDGC this year which would be easier to develop and update since we're still doing some tweaking on the courses.

UDGC did have mini's with footage in the fairways. The memorial also noted footage on the fairways. IMO it's a great idea and should be part of any long course.

I don't disagree if you have one pin placement like those courses. It's also fine if you put out temporary signs for big events like USDGC. With multiple pin options, I'm not sure about the cost of permanent signs that are marked clearly enough so players know which distance is correct to which pin. You need two or three times as many signs with multiple pins if you want all of the 100', 200', 300', 400', 500' (and farther) positions marked. If it's 200 to pin A and 235 to Pin B, then you also need another sign at 200 to Pin B and 165 to Pin A.

Turn the concept on its head.

Put the markers as distance off the tee. Put markers 200' 300' and 400' (or whatever). It requires a little math, but a few golfers could pull it off. And folks could get a kick out of getting one past the 400' marker or whatever.

Doesn't work with really long holes, although markers could be placed wrt a given landmark.

Or just put markers at standard distances from the short (or long) pins, and let the player do the math if he's interested. As long as the info is on the scorecard, folks will eventually catch on after wondering what those colored stakes mean for 16 holes.

The additional benefit of markers of this sort (and maybe a bigger benefit for hacks like myself) is that they provide a nice visual reference for finding one's shabby drive in the schule or tall grass. This helps in particular where more or less featureless rough is present.

Joe

We've also got dual tees so you'd almost have to develop some color coding scheme to keep track of what a footage marker meant. In addition, there are mowing issues and wood chips on wooded fairways covering the flush to the ground markers. I think maybe those who have proposed allowing laser rangefinders might have the best solution :D

We've also got dual tees so you'd almost have to develop some color coding scheme to keep track of what a footage marker meant. In addition, there are mowing issues and wood chips on wooded fairways covering the flush to the ground markers. I think maybe those who have proposed allowing laser rangefinders might have the best solution :D



As long as the clock starts when the rangefinder comes out!

We just went live with online credit card registration for the Mid-Nationals. Mail-in Registrations are starting to come in. We'll probably get preregistrations posted on the PDGA Tour site before Easter.

Is there a payout for this tourney? Went back and looked at last years event and I didn't see anything listed under prizes. For the 975 and under does it matter if you've accepted cash?

What's up the link in your profile to your PDGA #...

I believe they payed out funny money last year, not sure if that will change for this year. I would consider going if there were some cash involved.

Is there a payout for this tourney?



It's all merch. Last year payout was over 200% at valid retail prices. The player pack was worth about $80 plus first in Blue took home around $250 in merch value. This year, we're probably dropping the player pack value to closer to entry fee ($60) to shift more into the purse. It's still a little early to know.

Ams and pros play together in this event strictly based on rating ranges. If your rating is under 975 and you've earned $10,000 or $100 in cash, you can play.

We are still checking on it but last year the winner in Blue qualified for USDGC and several top finishers qualified for Am Nationals.

For the 975 and under does it matter if you've accepted cash?



Doesn't matter if you are a Pro who has cashed as long as you are 975 or under.
If you are planning on going to Pro Worlds 1997 it will be an advantage (especially to a player < or = to 975 ;)) to play the courses before you go to Worlds.
Where you want your disc to be in the fairway, the lines, the OB's, the elevation, etc... Each course is special in it's own way. Great atmosphere and scenery.
During Mid-Nationals last year, Mark Muren would play early in the morning- before the rounds- and he said he saw numerous deer. He'd be putting at a basket while a deer would be standing only 30 feet away. Same thing after the rounds as dusk would arrive. :)

If you are planning on going to Pro Worlds 1997



It's 2007. (if only it were our 10-year anniversary)

We just went live with online credit card registration for the Mid-Nationals.



Can I use your card? ;)

Seriously, I feel a slump coming on.
How much time do I have to get my rating down to 925? :D

Better check your July 2005 rating. If it's higher than 974, you can't enter (to prevent long range bagging). And, if your rating was 930 in July 2005, and 923 this June, you'll be playing Blue instead of White. (The following year you'll be able to play White if your June 2007 rating is still below 925.) As this event builds, we wanted to have solid policies onboard early on to keep it as fair as possible.

If you are planning on going to Pro Worlds 1997



It's 2007. (if only it were our 10-year anniversary)



Chuck,
It's very easy to mistakenly type a "19" instead of a "20". I should have caught it when I previewed the post.
You've seen how well I review my score card. It's the same type of problem. Details. Putting. All problems for me. :D

Just got back from work at Highbridge and things are shaping up nicely for this season. Check out the updated course maps at: www.midnationals.com (http://www.midnationals.com) Player packs will have something really special I don't think has been done before. Innova fundraiser disc will be coming soon. No invites this year. It's open to any current PDGA member with a rating below 975. Get your registrations done now online or mail it in. If you went to Bowling Green, now come and play for a national title. Everyone who enters is a contender in their rating division.

If you missed out on the CFR Wraiths for Pro Worlds... they're back! The CFR Wraith for Mid-Nationals is available now from ZoneDriven www.zonedriven.com/proshop/index.php?p=product&id=511&parent=0 (http://www.zonedriven.com/proshop/index.php?p=product&id=511&parent=0)

The Mid-Nationals on July 6-9 is shaping up as great as last year. We believe you'll play the best set of courses of any major, will likely play during the best/coolest weather, get the best entry fee value and compete in the most fair division for a chance to win a national title.

What more could you ask for? Perhaps a chance to buzz around in dune buggy golf carts during practice? A chance to walk out your chalet onto the ski hill course? Chance to practice for PW2007? Have the most fun?

Register today at: www.midnationals.com (http://www.midnationals.com) All PDGA members with ratings under 975 qualify to play. There's not even an A-tier anywhere that weekend. Come join us at the coolest place in the middle of the country.

Nobody hyping this baby up? We're closing in on a month before the event! Who all is showing up? Anybody want to predict victory in their division?

I'll be there! I'm gunning for that national title!

Please get your registrations underway so we can plan for numbers. Many of you have indicated you're planning on coming so please help out by registering soon. The CFR Wraith sales seem to be going well (see link above) and that will help boost the purse for prizes, and possibly several cash CTPs and cash added to ace pool so the pros who enter won't feel left out with merchandise prizes.

I just got back from Highbridge and Granite Ridge is now rerouted as planned. The Blueberry tweak on 17 & 18 happens this week. Grass is planted on the new Gold #2 so it will be ready for Mid-Nats and the unveiling of the new 1300 ft HG8.

Is there a pre-reg list anywhere?

Not yet. We're waiting for the next batch of online reg info from our host and then update the list along with mail-ins on the PDGA site.

I won't know if I can register until Friday at the earliest. Anyone have a guess as to whether or not there will be spaces left in the Blue Division at that point in time?

Lots of room now. We can handle over 128 in Blue if needed. Blue was a littler over 40 last year.

We have a few players with ratings just under 975 wondering if they have to wait until June 27th to see if their rating goes too high to play. Don't wait. We decided that for players with April ratings under 975, we would allow them to play in the Blue division as long as they register before the June 27th ratings update because people need to make travel plans in advance.

...

Hey Chuck,
Will be registering soon, can't wait for another great time!!! Are the pins in the tournament setup this week, was thinking of going up there to play?? Are the courses playable, (cut fairways, trim shule??) :eek: Thanks ZacCobus

I'll be up there on Saturday Night... if John doesn't have too much work for me right away maybe I'll get my first chance to play these beautiful courses Sunday! I can't wait to work on helping put together one of the most incredible disc golf destinations I've ever heard of!

John just finished a complete mowing of the courses the other day. I'm going to talk with John today and see what the status is of the new pins and tees. My goal was to have the Granite and Blueberry courses set with the Mid-Nats setups by this Sunday because those are the courses to be played next Saturday, June 17th at the Thrills on the Hills event in our new Northern Flights series.

There's a new hole 2 on the Gold course that has just been seeded. If the grass has grown in far enough, the tweaked new layout may be playable by the Fly at Skye event on June 24th at Whitecap and Highbridge Gold. Otherwise, Gold is playable now in its setup from last year.

CFR Wraith sales are going so well that we can guarantee that at least $30 will be added to the purse per person attending up to 100 players = $3000 added minimum.

Newer PDGA members that are just getting ratings in the past year may not realize that this Championship was created for them. This is the only national championship where men under 40 with ratings under 925 or women with ratings under 875 have a legitimate chance to win a national title. You play only against players who have ratings close to yours. Check it out at: www.midnationals.com (http://www.midnationals.com)

Chuck, nice job putting Mid-Nats together...I really wish I could make it.

In the past I have been guilty of bashing player ratings but now I am a big fan of the ratings system. You did a great job, Chuck!

In Tulsa we have been playing a ratings game that works out very nicely, and it's amazing how close the scores break down by using player ratings.

Sorry about bashing your system in the past, I think you are doing an excellent job with it.

mc

Thanks MC. Considering your past criticisms, I appreciate your comments. Since I know you're too busy to come, send some of your other folks our way if you can. It's going to be a great time just like I know Tulsa will be.

I loved the experience last year, and I wish I could come this year, but it just isn't an option for me. Whoever is going to this tournament for the first time won't be disapointed.

This tournament is definitely on my list of ones to get back to in the future.

Here's an exciting new development approved by the PDGA exclusively for Mid-Nationals. Pros who win merchandise can choose to receive some or all of that value as cash at 50% value. If a pro wins $200 merch, they could take $100 cash, or $50 cash and $100 merch, for example. Since we're looking at paying out at least 200% merch value, pros could expect at least 100% payout on a cash basis for this event along with a nice player pack. That combined with several cash CTPs will make the Mid-Nationals much more desireable for pros to mix it up with the ams at their rating level this year. Hope to see you July 6-9 at Highbridge.

Chuck, it appears the link to online registration is a bad one.

i'd love to make it, but so far there are several obstacles to doing so that i would need to clear out of the way...

That's a page and link that I don't think is accessible from the 2006 site but we'll kill it so it can't be accessed.

thanks Chuck, the link is now taking me to the 2006 info.

MidNationals info (http://www.midnationals.com/register.html)

I expect my rating to be about 915-920.

pm if interested.

The courses are amazing! They're very challenging, but soo well designed. Beautiful holes and spectacular views without a ski hill climb. The Des Moines courses are somewhat comparable, especially Pickard, but the Highbridge courses are at another level. There are big and small ponds scattered throughout the courses and once the waterfalls and streams are installed, which you can already see where some of them are going, I doubt that there will be anywhere to compare this place to. Especially after all 10 courses are in. I recommend everybody to go there. I wish them success and hope it's there for many years to come.

If your rating was below 975 in the April update, you have one last chance to register online before midnight tonight if your rating snuck a few points over 974 in today's update. After midnight, no one with a rating over 974 can get in.

No one in the Green division yet from 775-824 rating. National title there for the taking by registering now.

Mailed in my registration today. See ya in about a week.

There's a 2-minute segment about Mid-Nats around the 15-minute mark in this week's PDGA Radio show. The coveted USDGC slot going to the Blue winner seems to be bringing some people to register. Here's another opportunity for pro women to try and qualify.

Thrilla'

No one in the Green division yet from 775-824 rating. National title there for the taking by registering now.



Too bad my rating just went to a 826, should've signed up before the ratings update.

just paid. Looking forward to the courses probably just as much as playing and getting away from the phone. I hope that the cell coverage is horrible!

Jack

I hope that the cell coverage is horrible!



Some people find the coverage down the road at the cemetery pretty good so if that creeps you out then you won't be tempted to use it. :)

doesn't creep me out, just makes me glad that I will not have to worry about my phone!!!

I was there last Saturday with another guy and his cell phone worked. We didn't think it would work, but he finally turned it off after four calls

Jack,

Unfortunately for you, cell coverage was pretty good up there last year. Just turn the darn thing off! :)

Chap

Online registration ends tomorrow at 5pm Monday, July 3. Walk up registration closes this Thursday at Noon. Tee off for national titles at 2pm Thursday in the second annual US Mid-Nationals. Excellent player packs, championship courses, lots of donated prizes and some cash, too. Doubles event and skillshot championships. If you can't make it this year, hope you can make for the Pro Worlds next year.

Are there really on 30 something people playing in this thing with a USDGC bid on the line???

apparently...

... and its a major

Too bad folks didn't show up. Weather is great. Courses are in great shape. Great player packs. Several thousand in sponsorship plus several thousand in additional sponsorship that could have been used but will now be put towards Pro Worlds. Off to the next rounds...

I would have come and planned on it all year but my rating was 1 point too high - oh well. Chuck, you coulda just told me you didn't want me there instead of inflating my rating :D

should have signed up before april 18th

It really is sad that not many went to this. It is quite costly with gas these days though. I live in Iowa and its still way too expensive for me. Glad I went last year, though. Its going to be so funny when everybody goes there for Worlds next year and comes back with at least three new favorite courses and cant stop talking about them. Its hard to say this, but these courses are 10x better than the Des Moines courses. Just wait...

Its hard to say this, but these courses are 10x better than the Des Moines courses. Just wait...



if that is true then wow - Walnut Ridge is my number 2 favorite and Ewing is also in the top 10

Walnut Ridge is by far my favorite DSM course...but looks somewhat small when compared to the Highbridge courses. Ive been talking up these courses for a year and absolutely no one listened/listens....its a shame.

MY MONEY IS ON COBUS

Its hard to say this, but these courses are 10x better than the Des Moines courses. Just wait...



if that is true then wow - Walnut Ridge is my number 2 favorite and Ewing is also in the top 10



Aaron,

I totally agree with you. This complex is by far the best facitliy. I have played the Des Moines courses, MI top courses, IL, IN, & WI top courses. This place blows all of them away. You cannot beat standing at the top going, hmm, which of the 4 courses am I going to play. The views are spectacular and the golf is unbelievable. Can't wait for Worlds in 07!

I was actually hoping my rating would drop so I could play this event. Last year was great and it's too bad no one showed up this year.

What order did they play the courses in? The same as last year? :confused: If so Granite and blueberry look to be playing harder.

I was trying to figure that out too...

Blue played Gold then Granite twice which was 3-4 shots tougher half due to wind. We're playing Blueberry back-to-back today and Gold again tomorrow.

White played Gold whites then Blueberry twice. Woodland twice then back to Gold whites. The Red Green Purple played Gold Whites then Blueberry Reds twice. Then Woodland twoce and Gold Whites.

Go Nick HED!!!

I wish I could have gotten to play Granite and Blueberry but sometimes you just get the flu. Man was that first round tough, trying to play an intense course while feeling like you have to throw up before every shot, sounds fun huh? Well, hopefully I get another chance next year. :D

Post deleted by PolishPower

I see at least seven people over 955 that have taken cash already.

I see at least seven people over 955 that have taken cash already.




And your point is???

All divisions are open to Ams and Pros, men and women of all ages strictly based on ratings. In the top Blue group this morning, Rutten and Walli's ages added up to mine of 53. Pros were allowed to convert merchandise awards into cash at 50% value if they wished. More details later but payout was 280% before adding the value of the 40 CTP prizes.

I like how the course designer had the hottest round of the tournament......hmm funny isn't it?

I wish I had played blue... then my 58 and 60 on Blueberry would have rated out higher :p I could have taken White if I hadn't let the rain on Woodland Greens frustrate me to the end of my rope... All in all the most fun I've had at a tournament, wish I could have kept up my early 940-970 rated golf, but it was awesome seeing Brian Schumann sweep everything in White (the tournament, the scramble, and the skillshot).


-Chris.

I like how the course designer had the hottest round of the tournament......hmm funny isn't it?




Good Karma? Considering I've been involved with the design of several tournament courses I play around here, the odds were if I ever got a 1000+ round this century it would be on one of those courses. My last and only other round over 1000 was in the 1999 Worlds.

I think the trees just like you.

This might be one of the few non-charitable events where more money raised from sponsorship was not given out than paid out. The Innova CFR program has been incredible and the decision was made with the sponsor to save more than half of the $10,000 already raised from Mid-Nationals Wraiths before the event and seed our Pro Worlds fund for next year. The players still received player packs conservatively estimated at $75 and the total payout before adding several hundred dollars of CTP prizes and cash was 280%. Pros were allowed to take some or all of their merch prizes as cash at 50% value which several did.

We�d like to thank Brian Walli, Eric Kuitunen and Marty Scholz who donated their merch award certificates totaling $583 back to Highbridge to help continue developing this special facility for the disc golf community. One of the cool items included with the player pack was a permanent identification tag for each player on one of the many white OB stakes around the property. The player�s name and PDGA number will be prominently displayed on their 15� stake as a supporter of Highbridge. Stakes with your name on it will be available for $10 to anyone who visits and would like to help support Highbridge.

Another couple who visited Highbridge for the first time at Mid-Nats is arranging to buy property to build a home on the Gold course and another attendee retiree is planning to relocate and help build cabins already financed by investors for construction this summer. Hopefully many of you will make the trek next summer to play or watch the Pro Worlds which we hope will be approved at today�s Board meeting. Tour Manager Dave Gentry and State Coordinator Terry Miller did a review during the event to provide feedback for the Board.

A portion of the Innova CFR income for several events has been set aside for infrastructure and community disc golf development projects. In the case of Mid-Nationals, 18 portable Traveler baskets were supplied for temporary use on the Woodland Greens course. We plan to loan these baskets and nine DGA portables from Whitecap Lodge to several local schools during the school year to help spur the development of the EDGE program in northern Wisconsin.

An especially huge �Thanks� goes out to DGA for their continued patience while owner John works hard to complete payment for the color coded Mach III baskets for the first three courses. The orange baskets on the Gold course (called Hunter Gold for northern Wisconsin) really pop for visibility on those very long holes (check out all three in the photo).
Hunter Gold baskets (http://hometown.aol.com/ck34/images/hg11%20thru%2014%20scenic.jpg)

Later this year we hope John will have generated enough to afford the long awaited fourth set of DGA Mach III baskets that will provide a splash of color to both the Granite and Woodland Greens courses with maroon hammer tone baskets for Granite and green chain supports for Woodland. Then we�ll have four DGA Mach III courses together on the hilltop with black baskets planned for the fifth course, The Bear, to debut next summer. BTW, we had a handful of bear sightings in the area by those attending the Mid-Nats but none actually have a den on the property. :)