in regards to membership/non-member fees/growing the sport... etc

does the PDGA collect info on the non-members paying $10? I would think not but that information would be extremely valuable. If the PDGA knew names/numbers of non-members playing they could target them directly w/ marketing about joining and the benefits of helping the sport, blah blah... you know the deal.

what I'm thinking is the PDGA institute a 'first times free' program. Waive the $10 fee for anyone playing in their first PDGA tourney.

In order to have the fee waived the person has to fill out a brief form (im thinking online before the tourney ... maybe on the pdga tour website where the entrant gets the free 'coupon' via email to help validate the identity) and the TD automatically gets an email to know who is 'first time is free'. (TD should have note on flyer to check the pdgatour website to get the offer)

the positives...Addie and the PDGA would have a very good target list of people to send marketing materials to and maybe the magazine could send something to them w/ subscription info (of course coupled with the deal of getting everything 'cheap' if they join as well)... not to mention innova, discraft, gateway, etc could be allowed to purchase the mailing lists cheaply (more $ for the pdga and the disc manufacturers)... along with the others that buy lists from the PDGA

the newbies would have a constant reminder about how to join and why and would start their DG career with positive feelings about the PDGA.

Thoughts?

what I'm thinking is the PDGA institute a 'first times free' program. Waive the $10 fee for anyone playing in their first PDGA tourney.





I think this is a great idea on the surface. It is a good way for players to get out and see the PDGA scene without feeling like they have a fee to pay for it.

The only problem with it is it would cause some problems. Basically it creates more work for a TD at the day of registration, requries proof of ID (which I think should happen anyway) and other things.

I could see someone named Robert signing up as Robert at one tournament, then a few weeks later as Bob, and then a few weeks later as Rob, and then a few weeks later as Robbie, etc.

The TDs are supposed to collect the name and address info for all non-members at an event and submit them in the TD report. Some do, many don't. The PDGA does follow-up with info to those non-members.

I think its a great idea, and it really does not add to much work to the registration process for the TD, its only one more column on a check in form that be be checked off.

Yes, make them show an ID.
They don't need anyone's SS# but showing an ID to get a discount, that is easy.

It's a great idea and you wouldn't need to check ID's if they printed the coupon from the PDGA site. A one time only coupon per SS#. Not available to active or inactive members. It would just be a purchase at the store, for your info, so it couldn't be repeated. and then a printout for the TD to include with his report.
Ok I guess you could check his ID against the printout so the player isn't his whole family through the year.
But when they all started getting mailings they would know who put them on the list.

Hi Andrew,

We actually do this now...in a way...only the $10 comes back to them as a discount later if they decide to join.

TDs are requested to gather addresses of all non members who pay the $10 fee. We then send them a rulebook, stickers and a letter inviting them to join receiving $10 off their membership.

Just thought I'd chime in after taking a SHORT break...back to answering emails...still a week behind so bare with me everyone if you have an email in my inbox! : )

Peace!

great to hear Addie! do you get many of those coming in? I helped w/ a TD report on our last event and didnt see the importance for having the addresses of non-members in there... i put what info I had from the TDs though. I might've been a bit more proactive in getting that info if I knew about this.

Hi Andrew,

We actually do this now...in a way...only the $10 comes back to them as a discount later if they decide to join.

TDs are requested to gather addresses of all non members who pay the $10 fee. We then send them a rulebook, stickers and a letter inviting them to join receiving $10 off their membership.

Just thought I'd chime in after taking a SHORT break...back to answering emails...still a week behind so bare with me everyone if you have an email in my inbox! : )

Peace!



Thats an interesting note....WHY hasnt this info been told to the TD's who run the events?? In my 50+ events as a TD I have NEVER heard that the PDGA offers this. Is it something new that was implemented this yr and I just missed it?? :o

It would have and certainly WILL BE a "tool" used when promoting in the future. ;)
:D

Hi Andrew,

We actually do this now...in a way...only the $10 comes back to them as a discount later if they decide to join.

TDs are requested to gather addresses of all non members who pay the $10 fee. We then send them a rulebook, stickers and a letter inviting them to join receiving $10 off their membership.

Just thought I'd chime in after taking a SHORT break...back to answering emails...still a week behind so bare with me everyone if you have an email in my inbox! : )

Peace!



Thats an interesting note....WHY hasnt this info been told to the TD's who run the events?? In my 50+ events as a TD I have NEVER heard that the PDGA offers this. Is it something new that was implemented this yr and I just missed it?? :o

It would have and certainly WILL BE a "tool" used when promoting in the future. ;)
:D




Just started this year, along with the $10 non-member fee(see how they go together? :D)
Not probably PROMOTED as well as the $ 10 increase, (or maybe it was and people heard increase, and became like Earl's brother thinking about Catalina naked :eek:)and they just ignored the rest.

I just make 'em join the PDGA and if they don't, I charge them double if I have to write down their name. :eek: :D

Hi Andrew,

We actually do this now...in a way...only the $10 comes back to them as a discount later if they decide to join.

TDs are requested to gather addresses of all non members who pay the $10 fee. We then send them a rulebook, stickers and a letter inviting them to join receiving $10 off their membership.

Just thought I'd chime in after taking a SHORT break...back to answering emails...still a week behind so bare with me everyone if you have an email in my inbox! : )

Peace!



Thats an interesting note....WHY hasnt this info been told to the TD's who run the events?? In my 50+ events as a TD I have NEVER heard that the PDGA offers this. Is it something new that was implemented this yr and I just missed it?? :o

It would have and certainly WILL BE a "tool" used when promoting in the future. ;)
:D




Just started this year, along with the $10 non-member fee(see how they go together? :D)
Not probably PROMOTED as well as the $ 10 increase, (or maybe it was and people heard increase, and became like Earl's brother thinking about Catalina naked :eek:)and they just ignored the rest.

I just make 'em join the PDGA and if they don't, I charge them double if I have to write down their name. :eek: :D




It was brought up some time ago. Scroll down to Brian Graham's post.....

http://www.pdga.com/msgboard/showflat.ph...e=0&fpart=1 (http://www.pdga.com/msgboard/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=OtherPDGATopics&Number=81 0839&page=0&fpart=1)