The PDGA 2008 Pro/Am Disc Golf World Championships Presented by Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, MI

It's official! Bell's Brewery is the presenting sponsor of the 2008 Disc Golf World Championships.

This historic deal is one of the most lucrative contracts in Disc Golf history.


The sponsorship includes a player�s party at the Bell's Eccentric Cafe and Beer Garden.


Thank you Bell's (http://www.bellsbeer.com/) !!!

sweet!!!!! two hearted in the players packages!!!

A round of applause for TD Larry Labond and Asst. TD Kevin Dowd. Excellent work gentlemen.

Not only do we get Michigan's best beer to sign up for Michigan Worlds, they are also kicking in a huge amount to the pro purse. Can't wait to see the other ways that Bells will enhance this event.

i think we will be seeing the biggest ever worlds payouts!

How funny! Sponsored by a product we can't use while golfing! I find that quite ironic... and funny! :D

How funny! Sponsored by a product we can't use while golfing! I find that quite ironic... and funny! :D



What makes it ironic?

How funny! Sponsored by a product we can't use while golfing! I find that quite ironic... and funny! :D


All professional sports are sponsored by alcohol, alcohol is never allowed to be used by athletes while competing in a professional sports. It's called marketing, redneck hillbillies love Nascar, they also love beer. That's why Bud sponsors a driver. The male 21-39 age demographic is the most sought after in marketing. It is also the target audience of sports and alcohol, that's why the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, and UFC all have title sponsorship with beer companies. Disc golfers love craft and micro brews. It makes total marketing sense for them to sponsor the tourney. Honestly I'm suprised it hasn't happened sooner and is exactly what should be happening at all the major tourneys. Good job whoever set that up. Cheers.

How about the fact that Juniors and minors in other divisions are a significant part of the event?

All players will benefit, some just more than others.

Now if they get a sports drink to join in, that should cover it, right?

How about the fact that Juniors and minors in other divisions are a significant part of the event?



If the payouts are increased they should be happy.

There is no reason a beer company cannot be involved in our sport. Now if the Vivid Girls were sponsoring the event I would be appauled.
Maybe the kids players party should be at Chucky Cheese. The sport is not ALL about the kids just like it's not all about the adults.

I believe that there was a survey of PDGA members asking if a beer company or something like that offered a sponsership, would you be ok with that and the vote was yes by a wide margin.

However, it would be interesting to see the vote of the parents / gaurdians of PDGA members under 18.

I think the difference is whether a sponsor is identified as the "presenting sponsor" versus a "big sponsor" and what that implies for the PDGA and whether DG is a sport versus a game like Rock, Paper, Scissors. We've had adult product partners in the past for many, many events such as Hooters, sports bars, breweries and casinos but never as the lead sponsor that I recall at a major. Kudos for landing this big sponsor for Worlds and if it's fine with the PDGA Board and their sponsorship policy, that's what matters. Should be an awesome financial boost for running the event.

Juniors were considered and are specifically written into the contract, they will be receiving player packs specifically designed for their age group, most likely a sport drink or something suited more for their demographics.

There are ethical standards that the Worlds and Disc Golf in general should be held to and they were considered when we created the contract.

I like how you like to rain on the parade of a great sponsorship deal.

If the guidelines relating to Juniors were considered in the contract, just suggesting you could have mentioned that in your announcement. I just posted congrats on a previous post.

Maybe the kids players party should be at Chucky Cheese.





It is going to be at Game Works or something similar.

Awesome Job on the Sponsorship! I can appreciate your hard work as I was the coordinator for this years Am Worlds. Great Job!

Gameworks kicks butt....good call.

woodchuck and sierra nevada sponsor the national tour, I dont really see how this is any different?

well done guys well done

New Belgium sponsors almost every tourney in CO and always represents the disc golf community and tourney in a very respectable manner...Nice job on the first class sponsor!

How funny! Sponsored by a product we can't use while golfing! I find that quite ironic... and funny! :D



What makes it ironic?



Because soooo many people, mainly back East, are trying to "clean up" the image of golfers. They fight like crazy to get booze and other items OFF the course and NOT related to disc golf. The ironic part is the BOD (or whomever) accepted a bid for a worlds for something that is illegal to do while golfing! That's the irony I see.

Bud Light used to sponsor The Wintertime Open and they'd put this huge blow up beer bottle at tourney central.... but god forbid anyone touches the stuff! That's the irony part. I just think it's funny... AND ironic.

a sport versus a game like Rock, Paper, Scissors.


:eek:

I suspect the people at the Rock, Paper, Scissors World Championships might feel slighted by the remark.

a sport versus a game like Rock, Paper, Scissors.


:eek:

I suspect the people at the Rock, Paper, Scissors World Championships might feel slighted by the remark.



Hah!

I think it's great that beer companies are interested in Disc Golf. HELLOOOOOO, the majority of DG'ers love to throw back a cold one after their round.

Disc Golf and Beer is like Burt and Ernie and Sonny and Cher.

How funny! Sponsored by a product we can't use while golfing! I find that quite ironic... and funny! :D



What makes it ironic?



Because soooo many people, mainly back East, are trying to "clean up" the image of golfers. They fight like crazy to get booze and other items OFF the course and NOT related to disc golf. The ironic part is the BOD (or whomever) accepted a bid for a worlds for something that is illegal to do while golfing! That's the irony I see.

Bud Light used to sponsor The Wintertime Open and they'd put this huge blow up beer bottle at tourney central.... but god forbid anyone touches the stuff! That's the irony part. I just think it's funny... AND ironic.



Since when did beer become illegal? It isn't illegal it is against the rules. There is nothing wrong with beer or alcohol. Having beer companies sponsor an event is smart, again look at every other sport. Like someone else said.

If it makes dollars, it makes cents. Congrats on the money sponsorship!

Better not have a motel sponsor either since there's no sleeping at the course! Although I have sleepwalked thru a couple rounds in the past. :D

Awesome having the worlds so close to where I was born. I get to see some relatives. Possible home cookin'( :p)

Keep the beer flowing at the Zoo!! :cool:

How funny! Sponsored by a product we can't use while golfing! I find that quite ironic... and funny! :D



What makes it ironic?



Because soooo many people, mainly back East, are trying to "clean up" the image of golfers. They fight like crazy to get booze and other items OFF the course and NOT related to disc golf. The ironic part is the BOD (or whomever) accepted a bid for a worlds for something that is illegal to do while golfing! That's the irony I see.

Bud Light used to sponsor The Wintertime Open and they'd put this huge blow up beer bottle at tourney central.... but god forbid anyone touches the stuff! That's the irony part. I just think it's funny... AND ironic.


The thing is... irony is an inconsistency between what might be expected, and what occurs. This is something that should be totally expected, as beer sponsors are a part of sport everywhere. Calling it ironic isn't accurate. Calling it highly amusing because it flies in the face of the people you're talking about, yes. Ironic, no.

Oh, and I almost forgot to say: CONGRATS K'ZOO!! I can't wait to make this one of my last amateur events a year from now! You guys are going to make this one hell of a pimp event!

How funny! Sponsored by a product we can't use while golfing! I find that quite ironic... and funny! :D



What makes it ironic?





Because soooo many people, mainly back East, are trying to "clean up" the image of golfers. They fight like crazy to get booze and other items OFF the course and NOT related to disc golf. The ironic part is the BOD (or whomever) accepted a bid for a worlds for something that is illegal to do while golfing! That's the irony I see.

Bud Light used to sponsor The Wintertime Open and they'd put this huge blow up beer bottle at tourney central.... but god forbid anyone touches the stuff! That's the irony part. I just think it's funny... AND ironic.


The thing is... irony is an inconsistency between what might be expected, and what occurs. This is something that should be totally expected, as beer sponsors are a part of sport everywhere. Calling it ironic isn't accurate. Calling it highly amusing because it flies in the face of the people you're talking about, yes. Ironic, no.



:eek: :eek:

Man i am so pumped up about this event i am gonna practice these courses all the time being right in my backyard and the bell's sponsership is the bomb the eccentric cafe is a very cool spot that alot of players will be at every night being that my guess there will prob be about 700 people between pro and am and

Great catch on the sponsorship! Now we just need more. Not to be picky, but this sport could use even more publicity. This will also help the community and business's.

I want to address a concern of mine with the upcoming Worlds in Kalamazoo. I sent a similar question/complaint to the PDGA, but (I can only assume because of the backlog due to Pro Worlds) I have not received a response. That�s okay though, I am also interested to see what the members and the guys in Kalamazoo have to say about this�

The announced dates for the tournament is August 8-16th, correct? And this is the Pro, Amateur, AND Junior World Championships, right? That was the flaw in the logic� did you catch it?

I don�t know how to put this delicately� unfortunately, as a 16-year-old, it will be impossible for me to attend the Junior World Championships next year. As much as I would love to be there, I am COMPELLED BY LAW to attend school the third week in August, not traveling across the country to play disc golf. And I�m fairly certain that�s not just the case in my little school district, this is a problem in areas all across the country. HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY have a junior world championship AFTER SCHOOL STARTS? This, to me, makes absolutely no sense. I simply have to assume that it is an oversight, because I cannot fathom what would inspire someone to do this intentionally. Can anyone offer a reason why this might�ve been done. (Please note that I will not take kindly to the answer that �Juniors don�t matter that much anyway.� Like it or not, we are the future of the sport, and we should be accommodated the same as any other body of the membership)

Additionally (because I know these arguments, among others, are coming):

I do recognize that this is not JUST the Junior world championships. We are looking out for the professionals, as well as the Advanced Ams. But� can the advanced ams and pros do worlds in late July? Sure. They just did this year. But can the Juniors do it in August? No. So why would you schedule in August?

Here�s another idea� So if I want to be there that bad, I should just skip school right? ABSOLUTELY WRONG. I know no one within the PDGA is actually trying to send any such message. I am simply warning you, it comes across that way.

So here�s the thing� I am hoping very much that there is a logical reason behind this. I don�t want to think that someone just randomly picked this date in complete ignorance of a full field of competitors. If you are going to play in August, that�s fine, DON�T CALL IT JUNIOR WORLDS because you are unfairly restricting the field. And if you are going to call it Junior Worlds DON�T PLAY IT AFTER SCHOOL STARTS! Of course, all that seems obvious to me. I must be missing something, right?

At this years Am Worlds, There were advanced players (over 21) that were wearing the BG AM Championship t-shirt with the Bud Select logo on the front and were told by the tournament staff that they weren't allowed to wear the shirt. If Bells is sponsoring, which I believe is a good thing, and we get a shirt that has the logo on it, are we going to be able to wear it during our rounds?

I know in Michigan, no school year is started prior to Labor day.
I believe a law was passed stating this a couple of years ago, but I could be wrong.

And some elementry schools go all year round.

There are just too many school districts out there for K-Zoo to coordinate the dates so all juniors could attend during their summer break. Besides its probably hard enough trying to coordinate with the hundreds of tournaments going on during those couple of months.

First of all there is no way you can be 16. You have perfect grammar, puntuation, and sentence structure. You sound like a [censored] off mother, whose son can't play because he's supposed to be in school. Hope it works out, but it'll probably be a slow process.

Thanks for your response.

first of all, is this the Michigan Championships, or Junior WORLDS? because if its worlds, I would look at how it is everywhere, not what the law is in Michigan.



There are just too many school districts out there for K-Zoo to coordinate the dates so all juniors could attend during their summer break. Besides its probably hard enough trying to coordinate with the hundreds of tournaments going on during those couple of months.



I know not everyone can be satisfied. I'm just saying July offers you 99% of juniors, but they went with August which probably leaves you less than 50%. Why?

And I would also think worlds takes precedence over other random tournaments... I know they have to mesh with the NT schedule, but other than that Worlds should get first pick f dates.

I'm not trying to be nasty about this, and I hope its not coming off that way. I just want to know why the interests of a sizeable group of the PDGA's paying members was completely overlooked here.

that is a very legit concern.

I think all you're saying is it sucks to be from Indiana. We knew that.

I am 16, and not particularly thrilled about being called a mother. don't like my grammar? I think thats kind of a silly reason to blow me off.

generally I find that if you maintain a fairly civil tone, argue with reason, and attempt to show at least some understanding for the viewpoint of others, people are more likely to listen to your ideas. I'm sorry if thats not childish enough. Its what I think.

I think most schools start at the earliest during the last week of august / first week of september.

Isn't there anyway you can miss the first week of school? Athletes miss class all the time. When I played baseball we where off for a week to attend a championship tournement. I just had to contact my teachers ahead of time and get the assignments from her prior to leaving. Then I did all the required while I was on the road.

The kid or his mother has a point. All of our shools in Oklahoma will be in session beginning this week with the few remaining starting on Monday the 20th. having the Jr's play any time in August can present a problem, but as you can see, it's not the first time it has happened.
By having the tournament in late July, it would accomodate more players being able to attend.

2008 Am Worlds Aug 8th - 16th
2007 Am Worlds July 24th -28th
2006 Am Worlds July 25th - 29th
2005 Am Worlds Aug 8th - 13th
2004 Am Worlds Aug 9th - 14th
2003 Am Worlds July 7th - 11th
2002 Am Worlds July 23rd - 26th

That's true as well, where i'm from we can get a note from our parents to get us out of class. When its for an event like worlds i'm sure your parents would understand. Unless they have no clue about you as a child...in which case they would have no clue you're good enough to be there in the first place.

I don't see a problem in it. Alcohol and alcohol related advertisements are all over. We can't avoid it. It is part of our society that children are at some point going to live in. Parents have to teach their children how to make appropriate choices and to recognize that everything is not "kids stuff" - some things are for adults, and the reasons this is so, and the issues involved with theses things even for adults.

Most kids can handle going to a baseball game or other venues where beer is served - I'm not sure sure I even know all the time who the main sponsor versus other sponsors are

Isn't there anyway you can miss the first week of school? Athletes miss class all the time. When I played baseball we where off for a week to attend a championship tournement. I just had to contact my teachers ahead of time and get the assignments from her prior to leaving. Then I did all the required while I was on the road.



This is absolutely true. Some schools will allow kids to do just that, and some will take advantage of that fact and get out. But think about what you are doing there, as a sport... your taking kids out of the classroom in the first week of school. I personally think it looks bad, and its perfectly avoidable. This is not an end of the world type of concern, I'm just saying...

This could've been done better without inconveniencing anyone. Theres no reason to do it like this, and even if we are past the point of no return for KZOO, I am trying to prevent it from happening again.

And by the way, to those of you still finding humor in the idea that I might be my mother... I find that somewhat offensive, and its kind of making my blood boil. I pay my PDGA dues out of my own pocket, and to me that means, even if you don't like it, I am entitled to my own voice. I don't need "mommy" to stand of for me, I am perfectly capable of doing it myself.

So it looks like you start on Thursday the 14th. That does suck. Not because you'll miss Worlds, but because school districts are stealing the summer from our children.

In my home town, first day is August 29th. I don't think we EVER started before one of the last days of August. Of course, I wouldn't complain since you get to have the entire month of June off, and my home town finishes on June 24th.

School districts are different, while yes, July is probably the perfect month for Juniors to be able to travel to Junior Worlds, having it in conjunction with Am and Pro Worlds will allow more potential juniors to attend as it allows them to travel with other players.

Local municipal schedules aren't always available during certain weeks during the summer, we are basically taking over 8 parks for a full week and 2 weekends at some. Imagine all the weddings, family bbqs, company parties, et al that this tournament might displace, many of which are perennial events.

But hey, looks like you get 2 weeks off more than our school calendar gets.

Because soooo many people, mainly back East, are trying to "clean up" the image of golfers. They fight like crazy to get booze and other items OFF the course and NOT related to disc golf. The ironic part is the BOD (or whomever) accepted a bid for a worlds for something that is illegal to do while golfing! That's the irony I see.

Bud Light used to sponsor The Wintertime Open and they'd put this huge blow up beer bottle at tourney central.... but god forbid anyone touches the stuff! That's the irony part. I just think it's funny... AND ironic.

[/QUOTE]

Since when did beer become illegal? It isn't illegal it is against the rules. There is nothing wrong with beer or alcohol. Having beer companies sponsor an event is smart, again look at every other sport. Like someone else said.

If it makes dollars, it makes cents. Congrats on the money sponsorship!

[/QUOTE]

I know that there has been a lot of discussion about �cleaning up� the game if you will from those of us �back east� and I am one that has been involved with this discussion. I just want to remind everyone that the alcohol laws vary state to state. Here in NC the law is no alcohol in public parks. So when some of us are discussing this we are not anti-alcohol we are pro �following the rules of the state so that the course is not pulled. Make sense? And to your point of having a sponsor of something we cannot do while golfing, NASCAR has Alcohol sponsors all over the place and I believe you cant drink while driving.

I believe we need to trust our fellows to the North. I believe they know what they are doing, and have there ducks in a row .

Calm down Ethan, I feel the remark was attributed to how great your complaint was written. Very mature and professional, so I feel it was compliment in a wierd way. look at the positive side.

Mini Thumber

I must be missing something, right?



Not all schools start in August. Unfortunately you live in an area where it starts earlier.

There were similar complaints for the Collegiate Disc Golf Championships. There were in April, I was upset that I couldn�t attend because it was exam week.

It is impossible to take everyone�s schedule into account.

The dates were not picked by one person it was a group including the PDGA and considerations were made as to, among other things; the amount of hotel space available, the possibility of ESPN coverage, the ability of the cities to handle multiple events and the inflow of people that they bring. The World Championships have always been held in late July or early August.

Kalamazoo is hosting the USTA Boys <18 <16 National Championship August 1-10 and Battle Creek is hosting the Little League World Series August 18-24. Both of these events include school age participants that make the choice to compete. Maybe they work with their teachers to let them know they need a week off and gather up the homework they will miss. With it being the first weeks of school I couldn't imagine they wouldn't be willing to work with you. If you have the desire to play you should examine your options....if nothing works wait until 09 and you will have another year of play under your belt.

I apologize that we can�t accommodate all situations, but some things are out of our hands.

Great catch on the sponsorship! Now we just need more. Not to be picky, but this sport could use even more publicity. This will also help the community and business's.



We have just begun to acquire sponsorship. This is going to be the best worlds ever....and for that we need lots of money.

Ethan,

As much as I agree with your post, in regards to taking the school schedules into consideration, the other's are correct. There is virtually no way to effectively track when every school district around the world has off for school. Ideally, everyone would be off at the sametime, however that is an unrealistic expectation, since a) summer is different everywhere and b) more and more school districts are going to different varieties of year around schooling.

This is one of those situations that causes our kids disappointment, but that is not always a bad thing. There are times as adults that due to work, family or other responsibilities, we are not able to do what we wish. It is not fair, and life is not so either.

One final point, If we are truly considering theis a world championship, consideration of every school area where every potential player may come from is not only impractical but would likely provide no period of time in which to have this type of event.

Thank you,

Steve

I don't agreee with that statement. Virtually ALL schools are not in session during the month of July.
That is why mid to late July provides the opportunity for more people to attend, including adults who can't go while their children are in school.

I know August dates have been done in the past, which is fine, but July is the best time for most people. I didn't say all people, just most of them.

Other than a school system that goes year round, show me one that is in session in July.

And by the way, to those of you still finding humor in the idea that I might be my mother... I find that somewhat offensive, and its kind of making my blood boil. I pay my PDGA dues out of my own pocket, and to me that means, even if you don't like it, I am entitled to my own voice. I don't need "mommy" to stand of for me, I am perfectly capable of doing it myself.



I understand why you'd get upset at that. Just a word of advice, people can often post things without thinking about how it will effect someone else. That is the nature of the message board. I learned that the hard way when I made a post a while back that offended someone. It is just the nature of the beast. Best advice is to just ignore them because the message board back and forth never ends no matter who is in the right or wrond (see the Terry C v someone else thread).

My sincere thanks to those of you who took the time to give me a complete answer, especially those involved in actually running the tournament. I guess, from my perspective, which is admittedly as flawed as any, August is too late in the year. I know people are dodging that point by saying not everyone's schedule can be accommodated. Obviously. I know that. I am not trying to deal in absolutes. I am only saying that MORE juniors could attend in July, and there is no reason, generally speaking, why July would be worse for any other involved party. Does that at least make some sense? I must have overestimated the number of areas that start that early as well. I was under the impression, having looked around a bit, that much of the East Coast was on a similar schedule. Still, July>August.

Again, thank you for your time.

I am a bona fide Easterner as well as a beer lover. Any efforts I've seen out this way towards cleaning up the sport involve actions during tournament rounds. It is simply inappropriate to consume certain consumables while competing in a sanctioned sporting event. However, there is clearly a different standard of what is considered appropriate out west for a multitude of historical reasons that I won't go into here. Part of their pioneering heritage.

Clean it up? Yes!

Make it something it's not? No Way!!!

Social beer drinking is a part of the disc golf tradition. There is no reason a brewer should not be a major sponsor for a disc golf tournament. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has "Budweiser" plastered all over his car. I guarantee you he is not sucking one down while racing. It's not allowed and I can only imagine that going 180 MPH in a car is not conducive to drinking beer.

Bottom line - To allow beer drinking during a sanctioned tournament round would make us look amatuerish. Allowing a beer sponsor for our premier event so that we can enjoy a few afterwards illustrates that we are in touch with who we are.

Spinach:Popeye beating up Bluto :: Beer:me shooting golf.

it is impossible to look at every school schedule in the nation and then try to work around it. yes, in MI there is a law that schools are not aloud to start until after Labor Day. I do think that the 08 worlds is a little late in the schedule, but i am sure there are reasons for that. As a student at WMU (in kazoo) 08 worlds falls on the summer 2 semester exam week. i could be upset about this, however i am gonna opt to work extra hard in the fall, winter, and summer 1 and not take classes for summer 2. the TD and asst TD should have taken this into consideration, but since they did not i am not going to bash the heII out of them or the work they have been doing. Larry and Kevin have been busting their as ses. so far they have already landed the BIGGEST ever sponsorship to a tournament. Instead of bashing them, why not a congrats?!
its apparent you can't make everyone happy, especially when it comes to disc golfers.
as for missing school for a sport... i am sure they would excuse it for the World Championships. And if your parents support you in the sport you love to play, then i would think they would understand. i absolutely hate missing school, and try not to. but honestly, i have never seen someone at the age of 16 who is so upset at the potential of missing school. and what do you do the first week anyways? i am sure you can get all of your assignments (if there even are any for the first week). the most important thing to do is make sure you keep up on your reading.
but if you can't make it to the 08 worlds, don't worry- there were be plenty of more world championships to come.

Wow! If the 2008 worlds thead is this hyped already in August of 07 can you imagine the buzzzzzz by next August? I can't wait.

Great job on the sponsorship Guys. Keep up the good work.
All these people want to complain about payouts then they want to gripe about sponsorships. Do you guys ever want to be able to wach disc golf on TV during a Sunday afternoon?

Young man we understand your frustration. There will always be problems. My sons school begins the last week of August so we are good. I have taken him out of school for more than one disc golf tournament, baseball games and wreslting tournaments. Just go to the school and let them know whats going on.

What about the host hotel. Please find one that accepts pets

Lookin forward to Rocin in KalimaZooooooooo!

Here in NC the law is no alcohol in <font color="blue"> MOST </font> public parks.

Here in NC the law is no alcohol in <font color="blue"> MOST </font> public parks.





which parks is it legal?

the PAYNE for one

very interesting, didn't know that.

thanks for the info.

I find it disappointing that you think I am bashing the TDs. This is not personal in the slightest, if it came off that way. I see, what seems at least to me, to be a legitimate scheduling oversight made not just in K-ZOO, but repeatedly over the past several years. I am trying to explain my position so that at the very least more consideration will be taken in the future, and hopefully the event will take place in Late July more often Early August less often.

Additionally, I did some checking to satisfy one other question... I realize this is not the norm, but... my school district offers this policy on prearranged absence for a non-academic purpose... basically its not a viable option. MSDWT is in the top 100 school systems in the nation, and there is NO tolerance for such absences. I would be looking at 60-75% credit, MAX. not good for the gpa.

Again, NOT a personal attack. My thanks to the TDs for their hard work in anticipation of what will be another great Am/Pro Worlds... but there are always problems, right? And this is one of them. And it is not necessarily even something for the TDs to address. Its something the PDGA needs to address.

I think the PDGA should absolutely take into consideration Juniors when deciding dates for AM/Junior Worlds. Other than year-round school, I don't think there is any K-12 schools in session in July. I grew up in Tucson, Arizona where school starts the first week or two in August (Starts today, August 14). I was so jealous of my cousins in California who never started until after Labor day.

Again, I hope in the future the PDGA will never allow an Am/Junior Worlds to be hosted so late in August. Potential host clubs should be provided the appropriate time frame and if they can not meet that, then they should not be allowed to bid or host the event.

Is is too late to change the dates for 2008 Am/Pro Worlds? We are still one year away.

Here in NC the law is no alcohol in <font color="blue"> MOST </font> public parks.





which parks is it legal?



as far as alcohol in the park goes, oshtemo we may have to get a temporary permit or something. kimball- legal? coldbrook legal on the course, not the beach. pretty sure we are good at all the courses. every state has different laws about alcohol in parks. in BG one year, me, sue stephens, and sugar schack all got wirtten warning tickets for "our beer not being in a cup on sunday". luckily for all the alcoholics, we can pretty much drink anywhere in MI, you can buy beer and liquor on sundays, and if you saveyour cans and bottles during the week, b4 you leave, you can take em back for deposit- a little gas money for the way home!

What about the host hotel. Please find one that accepts pets





Clarion - yes
Holiday inn express - no

They share the same parking lot so either way you will not be far from the action.

Ethan,

You must know this by now. You can't ever voice your opinion. If something bothers you, you should just sit there and be quiet.

B/c if you don't then its obvious you are attacking someone.

I literally one time posted that I didn't like a change to a course and I said "I'm not knocking the work being done or the desire to work, but I don't like this change."

The next post was "Why are you knocking the work we are doing?"

As an active member with putting on the 06 worlds in Tulsa, I would say you guys definately have it going on and will set a new bar for worlds to come. It is very nice to see this much going on with your courses, sponsors, hotels....ect a full year away from the event.

Congrats and keep it up. Planning like this will make the week of the event much easier on all of you. ;)

...MSDWT is in the top 100 school systems in the nation,...



MSDWT? Do you go to North Central?

very interesting, didn't know that.




WOW, something you didn't know!

Hey, from time to time, we all need information from others.

Thanks for answering my question about your local course.

I know there has been at least 1 Am World Champ who took time off from high school &amp; he did NOT whine about it. He worked it out prior to &amp; he made it worth his while &amp; dominated from the gate.

Eathan, were you able to attend this past year at Milwaukee?

Mini Thumber

I never heard him WHINE about it, he just asked a legitimate question, what were the reasons and if there was a solution to it. He never made any intentions to whine anywhere, he even apologized profusely several times.

This not only effects him, but also others(students) that might not be aware of the dates yet. It also effects teachers also because most school districts expect their teachers to be back at work the week prior to the students coming back.

Thanks to the Texas Legislature, (one of the few accolades that I can give them), the students will not be in class at that time. Texas students can not start school now before the first Monday before Labor Day. Before this year, the students would be in class today and the teachers would have been back already a week.

Ethan sounds like he is probably an honor student and one of the tops in his class. <font color="red"> See what you can do by reading between the lines. </font> He has a concern that is going to make him choose one or the other. Missing the first week of a school year is one of the hardest things that a student can do. Yes it has been done, but I do not recommend it to anybody, but it can be done.

Congrats K-zoo, it sounds like you are going to throw one heck of a tourney. I haven't been there since I was 18 and played in the under 18's of the USTA tourney, which is an experience in itself.

Good luck to all.

The World Championships have always been held in late July or early August.




1990 Pro Worlds (Phoenix,AZ) held in October
1993 Pro Worlds (Huntsville,AL) held in June

Although these were 'Pro" Worlds,still hot weather in both.

Middle to late July would be OK for more folks Pro or Am
I would think.

Congrats Ethan on expressing your concerns and questions so effectively. It's refreshing to see someone your age expressing themselves a lot better than many posters on this site.

Ethan's comments and questions didn't sound at all like whining to me. He also went out of his way to understand all the variables that might have prevented better scheduling.

I think it would be very wise in the future for the PDGA to schedule World's during a 5 week window from early July thru the first week of August. That's probably the safest window for insuring the least amount of conflicts.

Awesome job Kalamazoo folks on your major sponsor acquisition.

I think it would be very wise in the future for the PDGA to schedule World's during a 5 week window from early July thru the first week of August. That's probably the safest window for insuring the least amount of conflicts.





Ditto.

I'm sure the Td's AND the PDGA has taken everthing into consideration when picking dates and locations for this Am Worlds as well as those in the past. I agree that July would be a much better month to hold Worlds, since both of my boys (one being a "defending" World champion) start school on the very first day that Am Worlds starts. But I, as I'm sure that many other parents, will make arrangements for both of my boys to attend Am Worlds, because I feel it is important to be there. Everyone has a choice and it is up to them to weigh what is important to them (or their children). Not to say that Disc Golf is more important than school, or vice versa. I'm just saying it's everyones choice... p.s. will beer be made available to the parents at Chuckey Cheese or Gameworks???? I Don't drink that was for the other parents...you know you were thinking the same thing!!! See you in Michigan

The World Championships have always been held in late July or early August.




1990 Pro Worlds (Phoenix,AZ) held in October
1993 Pro Worlds (Huntsville,AL) held in June

Although these were 'Pro" Worlds,still hot weather in both.

Middle to late July would be OK for more folks Pro or Am
I would think.



Deano! I missed you in Augusta, brother! Sorry about your injury at World's. How are you doing now?

p.s. will beer be made available to the parents at Chuckey Cheese or Gameworks???? I Don't drink that was for the other parents...you know you were thinking the same thing!!! See you in Michigan



Provisions and being considered for parents and supporters.

The kid or his mother has a point. All of our shools in Oklahoma will be in session beginning this week with the few remaining starting on Monday the 20th. having the Jr's play any time in August can present a problem, but as you can see, it's not the first time it has happened.
By having the tournament in late July, it would accomodate more players being able to attend.

2008 Am Worlds Aug 8th - 16th
2007 Am Worlds July 24th -28th
2006 Am Worlds July 25th - 29th
2005 Am Worlds Aug 8th - 13th
2004 Am Worlds Aug 9th - 14th
2003 Am Worlds July 7th - 11th
2002 Am Worlds July 23rd - 26th



Just for clarification, Am Worlds in 2003 was July 22-26, not the dates listed above. I did not check the others.

School starts at various times across the country. Normally, most places don't start before August 15, but I guess there are a few that do. In Missouri, it's not legislated really at all....there are districts around the Kansas City area that start on different dates.

Also, it can't be all districts in Indiana that start that early. Hammond doesn't start until August 22.

Chap

I think that the junior worlds were separate from the other worlds in there for a couple of years. Ontario one time, not sure about the other.

Regarding absences, I have to tell you, it's not as easy to get out of a week of school as it used to be! I don't guess anyone who is saying "ok, just get a note from your parents and miss the first week of school" have kids in the public school system. There's this little federal law called "No Child Left Behind", and one thing that it regulates is the number of absences that the school can have across your student population. The bottom line is that the student has to get the school to agree that the absence is "excused" (and obtaining that permission that is a lot easier for school-sponsored activities like school baseball teams than it is for disc golf, even if it is the Worlds). At my kids' high school (in South Carolina), you'd need a doctor's note or permission from the principal to get an absence of this kind counted "excused". Then, even if you get the absences considered excused, the student likely can't have more than a given number of excused absences in a semester or they will run into the dreaded "denial of credit". In other words, they don't pass their classes. At my kids' school, the magic number is 5. Now, if you know you need some absences for college trips, or because you have some other activities that are going to cause absences, you have to make the decision that school comes first, oh well.

Of course, none of the above applies if you are homeschooled, and rules for private schools can be very different (No Children Not Left Behind for them!).

PS - My remaining high-school-age son won't be at Worlds next year either if it conflicts with school.

What are the exact dates next year?
Is it August 8th threw the 16th?

If so what days will the Jrs be playing?
Will they be Tuesday thru Saturday?

PS - My remaining high-school-age son won't be at Worlds next year either if it conflicts with school.



I can understand what you�re saying, but my question to all the parents or students alike is: If you were participating in the Little League World Series or the Junior Tennis Championships or the Olympic Trials, would you miss school then? Is it just Disc Golf Worlds or would everyone be writing letters to the sanctioning bodies of the other sports, because there is not a forum to post their complaints?

It is unfortunate that 08 Worlds conflicts with some schedules, but it is not the last year Worlds will be held, sorry you can't make it, we will miss you, but you�re probably making the right choice.

What are the exact dates next year?
Is it August 8th threw the 16th?

If so what days will the Jrs be playing?
Will they be Tuesday thru Saturday?



Yes, Monday thru Friday or Saturday

Home school

It is a bummer...I know in the only two states that I have lived in (CO and NE) that school has already started by now; there will be a large difference in attendance b/t states that have earlier starts and others that don't...mad props to you Ethan for speaking your mind with respect and understanding for both sides. Do you debate in high school?I am also sure that the PDGA and TD's took all apsects of the timing of worlds into consideration and want nothing more than this worlds to run smoothly

Congrats again to K-Zoo and Bell's!! I can't wait! :cool:

I think:
Michigan Fiber Festival (Allegan)
PGA (Detroit)
Nascar
are all happening in MI within a week of worlds if I am correct.

Not complaining, just explaining to those who blithely dismissed Ethan's concerns with "just miss school" why that isn't as easy as it used to be.

We don't have our schedule for next year yet - we'll be hoping, for my son's sake, that school starts here after Worlds is over ... but we already know that if it doesn't, there's no choice. There will be other Worlds!

What activities start on Friday August 8th at the worlds?

I spoke with Ethan, he is a good kid. I informed him that it is not just school. Many Golfers can't get off work on some dates. We cant make everybody happy, just try to appease the majority. It is not fair to some. Vanessa, being a mother, you know how schedule conflicts happen huh. On his behalf, He is brilliant i think. Papparoc, they should have 2 hotels Id,d by now, its no secret were coming, and were going to bring puppies and have a mini puppy disc retreival contest LOL

Mini Thumber

. my school district offers this policy on prearranged absence for a non-academic purpose... basically its not a viable option.



Just call in sick! Dr. Rick will write you an excuse!

First of all there is no way you can be 16. You have perfect grammar, puntuation, and sentence structure. You sound like a [censored] off mother, whose son can't play because he's supposed to be in school. Hope it works out, but it'll probably be a slow process.



That's the good news - IF he IS 16, he has about, oh, 40 years or so to play golf which is way more time than most of us have left on this planet. I say don't worry about it, finish school and in a year or 2, you can play golf for the rest of your life! :cool:

1 year from today we will be crowning World Champions in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Play often, practice well and we will see you next year!

AWESOME!!!! Haven't been to Worlds since 2000, but this is one I will not miss!!

Me too, I'm going to try very hard to make this legendary event.

Guys - Do you have the host hotels picked out and any deals in place? I'd love to reserve... well... soon. :) I'll be there! Last Advanced event assuming no physical setbacks!

New Belgium sponsors almost every tourney in CO and always represents the disc golf community and tourney in a very respectable manner...Nice job on the first class sponsor!



Man do i miss FAT TIRE !!!!!!

New Belgium sponsors almost every tourney in CO and always represents the disc golf community and tourney in a very respectable manner...Nice job on the first class sponsor!



Man do i miss FAT TIRE !!!!!!



They also have a course at their brewery ...... mrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Fat Tire.

what main course is gonna be used in Kalamazoo??? Robert Morris course??

Friday activities are not solidified yet.

We do have the host hotels picked out; I need to check the paperwork on the 'deal.'

Finals will be at Timber Ridge, most divisions will be playing that course. Yes, Robert Morris is used. We have 10 total courses. The course schedule is only tentative at this point.

Kevin I know you told me at the Hambrick that the AMs probably wouldn't be playing Kimball Pines. But since you say that schedule is still tentative. Let me put my official request for Kimball Pines to be included in the AM schedule. One of my favorite courses.

Noted. We have also had several requests for Oshtemo as well. The main conflict is getting 4 pools through the course.

The PDGA ultimately has final say in who plays what.

Regardless of which courses one would end up playing, expect to be challenged and required to put consecutive solid rounds together to finish near the top.

You could play Open. :D

New Belgium sponsors almost every tourney in CO and always represents the disc golf community and tourney in a very respectable manner...Nice job on the first class sponsor!






Man do i miss FAT TIRE !!!!!!



They also have a course at their brewery ...... mrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Fat Tire.




I'll bring a barrel or two :cool:

I'll bring a barrel or two :cool:



Maybe one as a gift to the TD's?

There will be no beer shortage in Kalamazoo during Worlds. This is the best beer city in one of the best beer states! This may be the biggest Worlds to date, and will likely have the best payouts to date!

This is the best beer city in one of the best beer states!



Hey now let's not go overboard here. I know for sure the residents of both California, Oregon, and Colorado would surely have something to say about that. Just because it is so cold in the winter that the only thing to do is drink beer and play cards and hunt doesn't mean Michigan is the best beer state.
Top beers lines IMHO:
Deschutes Brewery
Sierra Nevada Brewery
Fat Tire Brewery

All in good fun :)

Carefull on the best payouts to date statement, Big brother PDGA will have a lot to say about that. its something beyond the control of the local club.
Now your players packs can be fat beyond fat but payouts are severly controled now. ;)

Mac and Jack's Brewery Seattle WA.

There will be no beer shortage in Kalamazoo during Worlds. This is the best beer city in one of the best beer states! This may be the biggest Worlds to date, and will likely have the best payouts to date!



I agree

This is the best beer city in one of the best beer states!



Hey now let's not go overboard here. I know for sure the residents of both California, Oregon, and Colorado would surely have something to say about that. Just because it is so cold in the winter that the only thing to do is drink beer and play cards and hunt doesn't mean Michigan is the best beer state.

I think I read one year that Michigan State Beer Garden was the number one sales location in the U.S. in one study though.

attention:

Top beers lines IMHO:
Deschutes Brewery
Sierra Nevada Brewery
Fat Tire Brewery



Fat Tire Amber Ale is one of the many decent beers brewed by New Belgium Brewery . Plus they are one of the very few companies that utitlize wind power, reduce gas emissions and water use, operate out of a green building and take care to recycle. I've also read they're very active in sponsorships including Disc Golf throughout Colorado.
NewBelgium.com (http://www.newbelgium.com/)


Sierra Nevada, however, lacks a solid line...... seek out their Christmas Ale: hands down the only high quality beer they make!!


go to....
ratebeer.com (http://www.ratebeer.com)

also, since Bells Brewery has stepped up for Pro Worlds!!!!!!!!
Two Hearted Ale: review (http://www.ratebeer.com/Beer/two-hearted-ale/1502/)

huge congrats on the awessome sponsorship!!!

In an otherwise boring city council meeting Larry, Chas and I were excited about the approval of agenda item 4: The approval by the City of Albion to put in a permanent course that will be used in the 08 Worlds.

The park is beautiful with rolling hills with mature trees sprinkled throughout most fairways. Water comes into play on 4 holes, they all require good decision making and shot placement. The course is going into the ground within the next 2 months.

It is really a great course it adds another element to an already diverse set of Worlds courses.

Article (http://www.mlive.com/news/citpat/index.ssf?/base/news-22/1189004776236520.xml&amp;coll=3)


If your around Kzoo Sept 15 and 16 check out the 08 Worlds courses at 2 C tier events: 15th is the Kalamazoo Championship (Oshtemo and Cold Brook) 16th is the Battle Creek Championship (Robert Morris and Kimball Pines*)

*Kimball Pines will be remodeled before worlds.

Thats exciting news, can't wait to get to Michigan. Any idea when the website will be set up? Thanks

The website in in the final stages of programing, then we need to throw some content in there and it will be good to go. I would imagine it will be up before the end of the month.

Making great progress on the sponsor side of life in Kzoo, just wanted to make mention the cities are in full support of World Championships next year and the papers are starting to run with it.

Just read playing disc golf is one of the 101 things to do in kalamazoo according to Thursday's Gazette. Kevin, can you find it and link it on here...you's know how's I is with computer things.... :o

I think this is the article you were talking about Kzoo Gazette (http://www.mlive.com/kalamazoo/stories/index.ssf?/base/features-1/1189090319320100.xml&amp;coll=7&amp;thispage=10)

And Mark google is not that hard to use :p

I have only been to one worlds, this year in Milwaukee. Would the anticipated schedule for Ams be similar? ie Player's Meeting Monday evening and actual rounds beginning on Tuesday, August 12? I ask this beause I may be at a wedding on the 9th and am trying to figure out whether I will really get a chance to get there.

Tentative schedule is players meeting Sunday 8/7/08 at 6PM

First Round 8am Monday

attention:

Top beers lines IMHO:
Deschutes Brewery
Sierra Nevada Brewery
Fat Tire Brewery



Fat Tire Amber Ale is one of the many decent beers brewed by New Belgium Brewery . Plus they are one of the very few companies that utitlize wind power, reduce gas emissions and water use, operate out of a green building and take care to recycle. I've also read they're very active in sponsorships including Disc Golf throughout Colorado.
NewBelgium.com (http://www.newbelgium.com/)



The best post ever on the best beer ever, 2 thumbs up.

If you haven't ever had a beer from New Belgium, you are missing out. I know I handed out about 3.5 cases, 1 beer at a time, at Worlds...

I'm not pimping them just because they sponsor me, but because I am in love with the way they do it. GREEN!

Message from Jeff the owner that you can find on case boxes:

"In this box is our labor of love. We feel incredibly lucky to be creating something fine that enhances people's lives. Know that we think about you as we're making it- enjoying Trippel by the fire, splitting Fat Tire with a friend, offering Abbey Ale as a present. Enjoy! And stop by to let us know how it was. We'd love to see you!"

and he means it...New belgium isn't just a beer, but a way of LIFE!

I forgot to mention: They LOVE disc golfers too...

Any word on the website???

still no word on the website or hotel info?

I hope to see it soon.
anybody know if the dates of the worlds are solid or still negotiating?
need to know because of school time for my boys.

The website should be done by the end of this month.

2008discgolfworlds.com (http://www.2008discgolfworlds.com)

Hotel info is here (http://www.gopremierevents.com/index/event_detail/140)


Dates: August 8-16, 2008

I see there are 2 headquarters hotels. Are they side by side? If not, which one is where the proshop and/or flymart is located. thanks

The flymart is at Timber Ridge.

The Clarion shares a parking lot with Holiday Inn Express (both on Cork St.), the other headquarters hotel is in Battle Creek. There will be discs and merch for sale at the courses. A 'Pro Shop' could possibly be set up in each headquarters hotel (still in discussion).

Thanks!

FWIW, As I'm sure you already know, all the World's I've been to (since 2004) have had a room in the host hotel where tournament merchandise such as full color discs, shirts, and some competition merchandise such as discs have been sold as well. It's nice to be in that hotel because the kids can go shopping there during down times (me too :-))

Just got a sneak peek of the website. Should have all the content and revisions made and it will be up and going by the middle of NOV&gt;!

Hey, Mark -

Just a heads up. Expect epi 20 to hit your mailbox in a day or two. Extra copies of #19 and 20 as well for Battle Creek if you can find someone to hook us up.

Show kicks off with a tour of Cold Brook.

Joe

I've got alot of excite disc golfers to hear that...especially with the weather turning to winter-mode today.
BTW, we are going to film alittle at the new albion course over the next two weeks...I'll send you a dvd for a change.
;)

whats the # of player spots and the # of courses?

we are expecting about 1500 players. Currently, we're looking at 10 courses. Just opened an instant classic at Albion's Victory Park....the victory is not taking an OB!

Too bad you can't take a victory into Fantasy Football !!! :eek:

Too bad you can't take a victory into Fantasy Football !!! :eek:



Looks like you have the same prolblem in hockey.

The website should be done today.


Here are a few pictures of the newest worlds course at Victory park in Albion:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/kevinbp01/Albion/IMG_0608.jpg
Hole 9
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/kevinbp01/Albion/IMG_0607.jpg
8's Basket
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/kevinbp01/Albion/IMG_0614.jpg
11 from tee
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/kevinbp01/Albion/IMG_0617.jpg
11 zoomed from tee

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/kevinbp01/IMG_0604.jpg

Here is the first World's stamp. There will be a series of these full color discs, 100 per run, one for each course. This disc features hole 19 at Coldbrook, I believe this will be hole 14 in the Tournament.

Too bad you can't take a victory into Fantasy Football !!! :eek:



Looks like you have the same prolblem in hockey.




Too bad you can't spell !!

Nice pics, Kevin.

Love the sculpted look of the park. Should look good on video. I think some footage is in the works.

Shoot me a p.m. with a mailing address, and I'll send the Coldbrook show your way.

Joe

more pics please

more pics please



After I took the first few I lost a disc in the water, then it started to get dark and blah blah bla, needless to say these are all the pictures I took.

Oh wait I have this one too: Hole 9 from the tee about 370 with a nice little ob pond in front of the basket it is hard to tell from the picture or the tee but its there. There is also a big reservoir on top of the hill behind the basket.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/kevinbp01/Albion/IMG_0612.jpg

I like.

The website is alive and kicking:
www.2008discgolfworlds.com (http://www.2008discgolfworlds.com)

Yes, the website is active. stop often. donate money. :D

I'm already packing....

Anyone from up in the zoo know of cabins or houses that could be rented by a large group of us traveling together? We will have at least 10 of us traveling together and have talked about trying to find a place that we can all go together and get for a couple weeks.

If you do some homework, you should be able to locate a house to rent for the week. With Kalamazoo being a college town, there are always open houses waiting to be rented.

Course looks sweet guys great work and i cant wait for this tournament :) :) :)

My brother is a real estate broker in the area. I will see what info he has and then post it here.

Does anyone know yet if the juniors will be playing more in KZOO or B.C. Just for hotel purposes.

along those lines... has it been decided what courses the Ams (MA1) will be playing as opposed to the Pros?

I assume every division wont get to play all 10 courses... will they?!

I'm pretty sure all players should plan on staying in the Kalamazoo area, opposed to Battle Creek. Kzoo provides you with the quickest shot to Three Rivers, Gobles, and BC as Kzoo is the most centralized location for the event.

The nightlife in Kalamazoo is far better than Battle Creek as well.

The schedule of courses will not be available for a few months. There is no way a pool would play all 10 courses.

From either host hotel the longest drive is 45min - 1hour and when pools are making those trips they will either stay for 2 rounds or it will be their only round that day.

didnt think anyone would be playing all but thought i'd check.... thanks!

Cant wait to get to the worlds and start the Play Em All Tour 08/11/2008. No better place to start than the 2008 Worlds. check out tour info at www.playemalltour.com (http://www.playemalltour.com)

Play em all tour is crazy! I'd love to be there. Get in touch with the Tuscaloosa, AL gang when your coming to town at tuscaloosa disc golf club on yahoo groups. Someone will put you up for the night.

World's '08 looks like it's going to be better than last year. My heads going to explode having to wait until Aug!

Here is the first World's stamp.



When and where will these go on sale?

Keep your eyes peeled to GottaGoGottaThrow for Offical Worlds Merch!

Best breakfast in Kzoo can be found at the Crow's Nest.

No way the best is CorveTTe Cafe and get the Checkered Flag. (Might not be open anymore though this was 10 yrs ago.)

I don't really agree ZV. There are many good choices.

My favorite: Maggie�s - The Breakfast Stew is the bomb

Runners up:
Colonial Kitchen's - 6 egg omelets

LaRue's - all day breakfast fast and your coffee is never empty



Kalamazoo Breakfast: Mr. Breakfast (http://www.mrbreakfast.com/r_city.asp?stateid=22&amp;cityid=120)

Bell's was on the Today Show yesterday at 9:07. I can't find the video but here is a small article with xmas ideas: Today Show (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/22084652/)

You are officially WRONG.

Maggie's is all hype, but low taste. Breakfast stew is disappointing.

Crow's Nest will delight your palate with unique flavors.

What is Coldbrook's new look for worlds?

Is Club Soda still the spot to see Good Music? And Ferg still at Waldo's

Just maid reservations at the Red Roof Inn. They are pet friendly. no pool

David, Bigrock we need to put our heads together and book a few rooms. let me know.

Gone are the days of stumbling out of Soda for a slice of heaven at Bimbo's Pizza...the Club has shut down as well as another popular music spot, Krafbrau Brewery.

Bells always has great musical acts of all types.

Waldos is still a great place to get the cheap pitchers in town, but the Pilzen Klub underneath is where it's at. Crackling fire, warm wooden decor, bloody mary's with their own pepper-infused vodka...

Check out the 2008 website and find the "Discover Kalamazoo" link. This will guide you to how cool Kzoo is.

What is Coldbrook's new look for worlds?



Geez V, you only live an hour away....guess you don't have any friends in kalamazoo?

Can anyone tell me which courses will be used in the Pro Open division??? I'd like to drive up from the 'ville and practice some of them sometime in June. Any local want to show me the courses???

Went to WMU on the 6 yr plan so I know the area pretty well.
I lived in the white house right behind fence in Waldo's parking lot so I have almost made it around the World downstairs.
I miss the Thursday night 5.50 mixed drink pitcher night.
How about seeing Robert Bradley in the Beer Garden. Is it time yet

I think I stumbled past that white house a couple of times...

O.K. I have to chime in on this one. Kalamazoo resident from 1991-1999.
Best Breakfast=Poor Richards down from the Corner Bar

Club Soda WAS the priemer music venue!!! SCI in 97 was great!

Many Robert Bradley shows in the beer garden!!!

Best was Jazz Ska Ensemble the night the Red Wings won the cup in 97!!!! Could possibly be the best night at the Eccentric Cafe ever,besides early Eccentric Days

Bimbo's pizza was terrible :)
Martini's is the best pizza ever, and Muhammad Ali's favorite.
They are on Vine and Westnedge

If you are looking to stay in a better downtown area, I would stay in Kalamazoo area. College kids will be returning, and nightlife should be cool.

I made it around the world in the basement at Waldo's 3 times thanks to a girlfriend and Bill Kubek #13767!!!

I am renting a house for a week, and I suggest that you guys try that as well. I have a buddy leaving for vacation for a week during worlds, so the house is ours.

B to the S... are you planning on going to worlds?!

He's driving a car full of us Cackalackans I heard. :D

NICE!!!

I made it around the world in the basement at Waldo's 3 times thanks to a girlfriend and Bill Kubek #13767!!!

.



What's up Matt? Wow Bill Kubek haven't heard that name in a while. You still in the music scene? I remember seeing you at about every show I was at. We're planning on renting a house also for the week.

Yes Stack I plan on going This is where it all began.
Will have the Cruiser as a Homebase at Coldbrook.

Also Matt is correct with Poor Richards and Martini's- Can't miss

I have a couple of questions about the lodging:

The website lists multiple HQ Hotels, one in K-Zoo and one in Battle Creek. A big part of the fun of Worlds is being in the middle of it all. Is the Clarion in K-Zoo the real HQ, or is it really split up?

How nice is the Clarion? For some reason I think of that chain name as a lower-tier hotel like the Comfort Inn or Red Roof Inn. I don't know why I think that, but is it or is a little more upscale than that?

TIA.

We will be updating the website to include the qualifications for participation. Please visit our sponsor's page as well.

I have a couple of questions about the lodging:

The website lists multiple HQ Hotels, one in K-Zoo and one in Battle Creek. A big part of the fun of Worlds is being in the middle of it all. Is the Clarion in K-Zoo the real HQ, or is it really split up?

How nice is the Clarion? For some reason I think of that chain name as a lower-tier hotel like the Comfort Inn or Red Roof Inn. I don't know why I think that, but is it or is a little more upscale than that?

TIA.



Do you expect the 4 star hotel you got for peanuts in Miami at every worlds? :D

Seriously, let's talk about lodging as i have something in the works that the Stroh family may want to join in on.

Keith

I will be meeting with a travel company that is very interested in being a sponsor and liason for your lodging needs on Thurs. I will keep everyone updated!

Keep up the good work guys i have a feeling with the challenge of the courses the town the people involved this is sure to be one of the best world's ever.

ohh yea and it is sponserd by one of the best beers in the world. :) :) :D

The Qualification Criteria is now up on the World's website: Players Page (http://www.2008discgolfworlds.com/players)

The second Discraft Supercolor fundraiser is now available. These fundraiser discs are a series featuring one hole from each of the 10 Worlds courses. Only 100 of each stamp available.

http://discgolf.gottagogottathrow.com/catalog/images/dg/08Worlds.jpg

They are only available here: Gotta Go Gotta Throw (http://discgolf.gottagogottathrow.com/catalog/2008-pdga-worlds-c-71.html)

they look sharp! can't wait to get mine!!

That's one of the coolest stamps I've seen...

If you think the stamp is cool, mike, wait until you play the course. You'll love it!!! So will shady. She'll love to retreive your OB's! Nice thing is....no crocks.

These look really sharp! I picked up mine yesterday!

What Kzoo tourneys are coming up this summer/spring that are rockin? It would be great to possibly make a 4.5 hour trip up from the land of BIG TEN DOMINANCE and get a good whiff of some of the courses to be used at worlds?

Go Bucks, soon to be 2007 National Champs!

Look what happened last year the buckeyes have no chance against LSU and as of next year the Wolverines with that spread will not lose a game in the big ten.

And by the way i cant wait for this tourney but as it looks i might have to play am beacuse i failed to quailfy for pro. :mad:so all the haters get mad cause i am gonna be tearing it up this year.

Courses look great, I'm getting really excited for my first pro worlds. One question though, any good places to camp in the Kzoo area? Thanks in advance.

The "cheekiest" place would be at Coldbrook Park. Stay tuned to the 2008 website for arrangments.

What the most challenging courses to be used for Worlds '08? Any par 4 or par 5 holes?

Thanks,
MK

Are there any townhouses or condo's that is in the area to rent for the week? There will be 4 adults and one junior in our group splitting costs and the hotels frown on all of us staying in one room because of the "fire code". Please tell me that there are other options besides camping that would allow for us to all stay together for cost efficient reasons, otherwise we might not be able to go. Also, the reservation system people tell me that the host hotel in kzoo might change to the holiday inn west, is this true? Just trying to stay informed, let us know.

One of the more challenging courses used will be Timber Ridge. It is set on a decent sized ski hill with a Pro par of 66. Two par 5's, eight par 4's with a back nine par much like ball golf at 36! I heard that the course isn't changing too much from how it was in 2006(course was taken out of the ground for '07). SSA of apprx. 62.

In a two round tournament played there in 2006 (http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=5817&amp;year=2007&amp;incl ude_ratings=0#Open) , it played a whole stroke tougher the second round due to the severity of the slopes. Get your exercise on because unfit people are going to have trouble finishing the last 5 holes all at a par of 4.

Rumor is everyone will be playing this course with tee times. Another rumor is that pro pools will be decided by the first round Timber Ridge scores so it will be your own fault if you don't make the A pool.

I'm curious about pro world doubles. Is there any possibility that it will happen before the single competition starts in MI?

One of the more challenging courses used will be Timber Ridge. It is set on a decent sized ski hill with a Pro par of 66. Two par 5's, eight par 4's with a back nine par much like ball golf at 36! I heard that the course isn't changing too much from how it was in 2006(course was taken out of the ground for '07). SSA of apprx. 62.

In a two round tournament played there in 2006 (http://www.pdga.com/tournament/tournament_results.php?TournID=5817&amp;year=2007&amp;incl ude_ratings=0#Open) , it played a whole stroke tougher the second round due to the severity of the slopes. Get your exercise on because unfit people are going to have trouble finishing the last 5 holes all at a par of 4.



That is very good to hear!

Pro Worlds 2007 will be a tough act to follow, with all but one course featuring predominantly pro par four and pro par five holes.

This is especially encouraging for Am Worlds contestants, who haven't seen courses with predominantly pro par four and pro par five holes since Iowa in 2004, with its challenging Big Creek long, Ewing Long, and Walnut Ridge Long layouts.

(Although the Blackhawk layout at Mohawk Park in Oklahoma in 2006 should get some credit) :cool:

We are trying to work with some land lords to get some rentals. They would be mainly unfurnished college 5-6 bedroom apartments. I am also looking into subleasing from college kids, as they will be away for the summer. I will keep the board informed and when we have some thing concrete it will go up on the website.

The Am's will be challenged with the courses they play. All of them are much tougher than any thing they played at worlds last year. They will see Meyer Broadway a few times and the new design (spring of 07) has incorporated true par 4's and 5's.

Things are rolling along nicely in worldsville. We have been hooking sponsors and finalizing some good plans. Check out some of the Tournaments that are happing this year before worlds: Cracked Plastic February at Coldbrook, Lumber Jack March at Kimball Pines, Angry Squirrel April at Victory Park, Sasquatch Open May at Oshtemo, Club Dead Shoot Out in June at Meyer Broadway and we may try to squeeze something into Timber Ridge.

Not sure about Pro Doubles - We have been charged with hosting only mixed Doubles.

Can you give us an idea of what divisions will be playing what courses? Doesn't need to be final, just a rough idea so we can make plans where to stay and how many car's are needed in the group of people going.

Here is some info about camping at Coldbrook, I would suggest reservations as soon as possible, they started taking reservations Jan 1.

Camping:

Cold Brook Park has 51 campsites in two separate areas: 29 Improved and 22 Rustic sites. All sites have a picnic table and a fire pit.

The Improved Area: electric and water accessible at each site with a dump station available. Two sites are handicapped accessible. This area has a modern restroom with flush toilets and shower facilities.

The Rustic Area: vault toilets and hand pumps-no electricity.

The camping season is from early May through late October (depending on the weather conditions). Cold Brook offers campsites on a "first-come, first-served" basis. Reservations for the current year may be made beginning on the first business day in January. You can reserve specific campsites or groups of campsites together. Campsites can be reserved up to the current date. To make reservations less than two weeks of your arrival date, call Cold Brook Park directly at (269) 746-4270. To reserve campsites in advance, add a one-time fee of $5. (Reservation Form)

Camping Rates:

Cold Brook Park $20/night Improved Area
$15/night Rustic Area
*These camping fees include the entrance fee for one vehicle. Additional vehicles must pay the daily vehicle entrance fee or purchase an annual vehicle permit.


A complete list of rules is posted at the park. For any questions on rules or regulations please email the Park Director.

For additional information on reserving a campsite please contact our Camping Coordinator.

Coldbrook (http://www.kalcounty.com/parks/coldbrook/index.html)

Update!
GottaGoGottaThrow has our newest Discraft SuperColor Course Series disc. It represents Oshtemo Twp Park in all it's wintery glory. No tracks since we were the first to stumble up to the basket during winter leagues.
Visit our sponsors webpage.

edited note** pre orders for the second installment of the superroc are avail at gottagogottathrow. This TurboRoc is in limited availability...so order now!

Is there going be picture tours of the courses at some point?

Yes

Can any locals tell me anything about S 11th street in Kalamazoo? Found inexpensive lodging for my wife and want to make sure it is not a bad part of town. If it is ok, I will post the place and price after we book it for the people who want a quiet place to stay. I can't make it because of work so I want her to be safe. :)

It's definitely not a bad part of town. I haven't lived there in 2 years so the memory is a little faded, but anything on the west side of Kalamazoo is just fine (which 11th street is on).

It's definitely not a bad part of town. I haven't lived there in 2 years so the memory is a little faded, but anything on the west side of Kalamazoo is just fine (which 11th street is on).



maybe if you didn't go to so many phish shows your memory wouldn't be as faded son

Can any locals tell me anything about S 11th street in Kalamazoo? Found inexpensive lodging for my wife and want to make sure it is not a bad part of town. If it is ok, I will post the place and price after we book it for the people who want a quiet place to stay. I can't make it because of work so I want her to be safe. :)



Definately a nice establishment. Good food in that area too! There are also several hotels near tournament central to keep you close to the action, but away from the shenanagans.
keep you eyes on our website for lodging and travel assistance: WORLDS WEBSITE (http://www.2008discgolfworlds.com)

I'm from San Diego and have never played a course in Michigan, but I have played several in California, Oregon, Utah and Sedgley Woods in Philly.

What type of courses are there in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek? Are they flat and open, tight fairways, heavily wooded with many small trees, a few large trees, steep slopes with risk/reward putts? I've read the descriptions on PDGA, but I would like more info.
I realize each course is different, so any insider knowledge is appreciated. :)
Only 194 days till Aug 11th. :D:D

194 Days wow, that is getting close.

Here is a great site. Steph took multiple pictures of the holes at most of the worlds courses, most of the pictures were from last summer or the summer before.

The link is to the home page then click '08 Worlds tab
Disc Golf Michigan (http://www.discgolfmichigan.com/index.html)

GREAT
This is exactly what I was look for. Thank you very much. See you in August. :)

me too!

This is too much info for outsiders :D this will help people in a huge way but the computer doesent show the unforgiving rough at osthemo or the hardest course timber ridge

Can't wait!

Can't wait!



We are not allowing you to enter the state without bringing some Avery &amp; New Blegium beers with you though. So, keep that in mind! LOL

I was poking around on the net and found this blog. I'm not sure who wrote it but they did a nice job with Oshtemo including some pictures. It looks like they were there last August. Some things have been cleared out and the tees now have tee boxes around them. It includes the change to hole 11, which is not accurate on the Disc Golf Michigan Site. Oshtemo (http://discgolfblog.wordpress.com/2007/08/05/course-3-oshtemo-park-kalamazoo-mi/)

The link is to the home page then click '08 Worlds tab
Disc Golf Michigan (http://www.discgolfmichigan.com/index.html)



Man, when I look at these pictures I see courses with two extremes: <ul type="square"> courses like Oshtemo and Kimball Pines, where nearly every hole plays down narrow fairways in the woods with brutal schul off to the sides, or courses like Meyer Broadway, Robert Morris, and Begg Park where every hole is nearly wide open with basically a mown fairway cut from tall grass. [/list]

Coldbrook seems like the only course that plays through moderate woods, with wide fairways and no schul.

haha, Coldbrook wide fairways?!?

Some of the tightest holes I've seen. The World's layout should include a good mix though.

haha, Coldbrook wide fairways?!?

Some of the tightest holes I've seen. The World's layout should include a good mix though.



I thought the same thing. I guess pictures just don't do the courses any justice. I read somewhere that the fairways at Oshtemo were tranquil little mini meadows.

Okay so maybe the fairways aren't any more open at Coldbrook, but there looks to be far, far less schul off to the side of the fairways. At Oshtembo and Kimball, I might throw a Classic Roc or even a putter off the tee on nearly every hole just to give myself the best chance of landing on the fairway. It may take me out of deuce range, but it may help to keep me from bogeying, which looks to be a given if you end up in some of that schul.

I read somewhere that the fairways at Oshtemo were tranquil little mini meadows.



I read that as well, Kevin.

I think that was in an online course evaluation, I got a Chuckle out of that, too.

On Disc Golf Live, I've done video tours of both Coldbrook and Oshtemo so if anyone wants to take a detailed look at the courses, look me up. There aren't many people who would look at the Coldbrook piece and think it was wide open. My, how static pictures can be deceptive..

Getting most of a foot of snow today, back out with the shovel again tomorrow I suppose.

Joe

I'm interested in a detailed view of the courses. I'm not sure what you mean by "look me up" - did you mean visit your web site?

I think that was in an online course evaluation, I got a Chuckle out of that, too.



FYI, I didn't do the Oshtemo and Knollwood Course Evals posted online even though my name is listed as the evaluator. I haven't been to either course yet. Another trusted designer from Michigan did those evals but he's "retired" and didn't want his name posted. So as a member of the eval committee, I agreed to post them for him.

I think that was in an online course evaluation, I got a Chuckle out of that, too.



FYI, I didn't do the Oshtemo and Knollwood Course Evals posted online even though my name is listed as the evaluator. I haven't been to either course yet. Another trusted designer from Michigan did those evals but he's "retired" and didn't want his name posted. So as a member of the eval committee, I agreed to post them for him.



Hmmm anonymous, unaccountable course reviews :confused:? Sounds shady to me.

This person has done several course designs over the years and helped host a Worlds so there's nothing shady about it other than his wanting to stay retired. He's more qualified than most to do course evaluations and we don't want to turn away quality volunteer efforts. That's not to say those courses haven't been changed/upgraded for Worlds since his reviews so that's certainly understandable.

Here in sponsorship world, we are working hard to make your Worlds experience unlike anyother.

A couple of things in the works brought to you by the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Basket K'aces Worlds Committee:

Bell's Player's Party and concert at the Eccentric Cafe presented by the DGA!!!

A big-time concert during the week (talks continue with local heroes "domestic Problems") w/ a national act (talking with Umphrey McGhee)

A beta test for the new Disc Golf Game for the Nintendo Wii

Tons of sweet merch you've never seen before.

The phattest player's package...with a giant payout for all divisions!

Blood, sweat, and tears!

peace

Can't wait!



We are not allowing you to enter the state without bringing some Avery &amp; New Blegium beers with you though. So, keep that in mind! LOL



:D No problem but you left out the best beer in CO!! O'Dell's! If you haven't had any 5 Barrel, 90 Schilling, or Levity then you're missing out. I was actually thinking about bringing a bunch of good beer up there but I'm not sure the Bell's folks would appreciate that too much

Here in sponsorship world, we are working hard to make your Worlds experience unlike anyother.

A couple of things in the works brought to you by the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Basket K'aces Worlds Committee:

Bell's Player's Party and concert at the Eccentric Cafe presented by the DGA!!!

A big-time concert during the week (talks continue with local heroes "domestic Problems") w/ a national act (talking with Umphrey McGhee)

A beta test for the new Disc Golf Game for the Nintendo Wii

Tons of sweet merch you've never seen before.

The phattest player's package...with a giant payout for all divisions!

Blood, sweat, and tears!

peace



Umphrey's would be fantastic!! One of my fave's to see live...

And beta for the Wii!! I was just talking to a few of my buddies about how great a disc golf game would be for the Wii during a rousing battle of bowling...

<font color="red">pdga Wii DISCussion topic (http://www.pdga.com/msgboard/showflat.php?Cat=0&amp;Board=Miscellaneous&amp;Number=7688 74&amp;page=0&amp;fpart=5) </font>

follow this to check out our progress!

I would advise everyone to send a quick note to Shayne saying how cool it would be to play disc golf on the Wii! Doesn't need to be super elaborate...just a note will do! Let's show our influence!
;)

Do you know what divisions are playing what courses in the Pro?

Could you post? (or post again)

Thanks...Deano

That information is not finalized yet. Keep a look out for your invite packages, as some tentative information may be included.

I have over 1000 AM points from last year. Does this mean I automatically get an invitation? Do you mail them to every current PDGA member with over 1000 points?
If not, how do I request an invitation?

I have over 1000 AM points from last year. Does this mean I automatically get an invitation? Do you mail them to every current PDGA member with over 1000 points?
If not, how do I request an invitation?



You should automatically receive an invitation package, either by mail or email. I have no idea when those are going out, but the list of invitees are typically out in late February, with actual invites being mailed/emailed within a few weeks of that.

Chap

I have over 1000 AM points from last year. Does this mean I automatically get an invitation? Do you mail them to every current PDGA member with over 1000 points?
If not, how do I request an invitation?




08 Worlds Qualficaiton Standards.pdf (http://www.pdga.com/documents/2008/08WorldsQualficaitonStandards.pdf)

Great
I'll keep watching for the official list.
PS, I've already booked my campsite. A little excited are we? ;)

Great
I'll keep watching for the official list.
PS, I've already booked my campsite. A little excited are we? ;)



Where did you book at?

Cold Brook Park.
$15 a night (rustic camping) for 9 nights saves a bunch of money compared to a hotel. Hopefully it will be split 2 to 4 ways. :D

Can anyone tell me which courses will be used in the OPEN division. I hope to come up some time in June to practice. Also, will the holes/layouts be the same at that time as they will be in the actual tournament?
THanks

We plan on having the courses Tournament/Practice ready by July 14, by then we should also have the pools assigned to courses.

As an open player, can you give any general advice on courses that will most likely be played in the Open division. Begg? Cold Brook? Meyer Broadway? Oshtemo? Robert Morris? Timber Ridge? any of these likely open courses?

Great video on Worlds 08...

http://discgolfer.ning.com/video/video/show?id=1809917%3AVideo%3A111172

As an open player, can you give any general advice on courses that will most likely be played in the Open division. Begg? Cold Brook? Meyer Broadway? Oshtemo? Robert Morris? Timber Ridge? any of these likely open courses?



Any idea what the Jr courses will be?

I realize that it's still early, but in looking at the schedule (http://www.2008discgolfworlds.com/schedule) I notice that the rounds will start on Monday, August 11. In past worlds the singles rounds did not actually begin until Tuesday of the event week. If we are in fact starting on that Monday, will there be EXTRA rounds of play scheduled during the week? Or will there be the same 6 rounds we normally play with just an extra day thrown in to stretch the week out a bit? Wondering about this for scheduling accomodations. Thanks in advance.

At the last Pro/Am worlds in 2004 we played 8 rounds so maybe we are doing that again.

Tentatively it looks like most players will be playing 5 different courses over 7 rounds, before the cut to the semi-finals on Saturday.

When pools play a course like Timber Ridge with tee times it will be their only round that day. Another example is that Victory Park in Albion is a little farther away so that may be the only course a pool plays that day. Ultimately each pool will be playing at least one round each day Monday-Friday.

So I know that there won't be a waiting list this year but I'm not exactly sure how the process works for a pro who doesn't get an invite. I'm assuming that the pros w/ invites will get an exclusive sign-up period of a month or two then the tournament will be opened up to anyone who wants to sign up. That will continue until it reaches capacity.

If that is correct, how hard should I expect it to be to be able to sign up? Should I make sure I sign up the day the it opens to the general public or will I have some time?

Any help is appreciated. I want to reserve my camping spot and make plans but I would hate to do all the legwork and not be able to compete because the spots where gone before I signed up.

Open pro has never filled until the final week before the reg deadline in late July and only then it was in 2006 when the total field was capped. You probably want to register before the Fourth of July to help out those planning the event but you won't need to hop on it right when it opens up in May to those who weren't invited. Now for Advanced and the older divisions, I would "hop" sooner since those might fill earlier than ever before. Always more important to get your room reservations and travel plans pinned down as early as possible, even if you can't register for the event yet.

Exactly what I needed to know. Thank you. :-)

You should automatically receive an invitation package, either by mail or email. I have no idea when those are going out, but the list of invitees are typically out in late February, with actual invites being mailed/emailed within a few weeks of that.
Chap


The list of invited players is posted on the PDGA home page.
Check it out. http://pdga.com/documents/2008/2008invites.php

What do you think of the new logo? Alittle more flashy? Cooler??

Love the new logo. Definitely put that on some CFR discs. Makes me thirsty :)