This may be right in front of my nose, but I'm to lazy to research it. I was just curious what I need to do to become an official and also a TD. Any information will be appreciated.

http://www.pdgastore.com/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=1060066476

Thanks. So I assume that if you are an official then you are automatically granted the right to be a TD.

Yes, but I would highly recommend assisting a TD for a tournament before you try one on your own. There is a lot of stuff that happens that most players don't see.

Def agree with above statement, but you may also get away with having a good TD be your assist.

Jay, haven't seen you since Hall of Fame, hope to make to it one of your events soon.

We will be moving Jax Open to April this next year. Hopefully a week or two before the HOF.

Open book test, but it can be confusing. While I've only been an actual TD for one tournament I've been an official and co-TD way more and it's best to work your way up so you can get a feel for how things are.

Go to the front page and click on the bottom link on the right side that says "2008 PDGA TD/TOUR Information"

You will want to read several documents there. Among them should be;

How to Plan a PDGA Event

How to Run a PDGA Event

Tournament Director Checklist

Guide to 2008 Tour Standards

2008 PDGA Competition manual

2008 PDGA Tour Event Sanctioning Agreement

I agree w/the poster who said help someone else run an event before taking one on by yourself. There is a lot to learn - but good luck !! :)

I'll definitely seek the help of some professionals prior to running my event. My plan's are for late next year. I hope to bring something to the table that very few folks around Atlanta have seen before. I'll be ordering the test today, thanks.

Some really good experience is running league. IDK if you have one in your area, but if you do then volunteer for the summer to run that show or start your own. It's an excellent means of beginning to step up to TD.

Thanks a lot. We don't really have a league per say. We do have a lot of weekly doubles though. I've helped here and there, but it's really laid back. I have several friends in the area that run a lot of tournaments. I think I'll not play a few of them and be an assistant. Just to see some of the ins and outs of the whole thing.

It's certainly not as complicated as running an actual PDGA event, but you learn the basics such as registering players, assigning holes, going over the course rules, and all that good stuff. I would say get some summer league experience first, then become an official for some PDGA events, then co-TD a few tournaments, and finally step up to actual TD'ing yourself. It's always best to make it a gradual process that way you wont feel so overwhelmed when you do reach full TD status and you'll know what's going on and how to handle all the situations that will be present.

Thanks for the advice. I hear a lot of people slamming TD's for this and that. My goal is to not give people a reason to complain. Even though I know there's always that one person that has something to gripe about. I guess all of that comes with experience. I think I'll go ahead and take my test and then start plugging myself in. Hopefully I'll gain the experience needed to run a great event.

Jay, if your club is an PDGA Affiliate Club then the test for you and your club members are free.

We are and I didn't realize that. I'll be sure to contact the ADGO President and request the test. Thanks.

Thats a good goal. I second everyone above: Co-TDing is the best way to get a handle on running bigger events. A lot of those people that slam TD's wouldn't do that if they had ever had experience behind the scenes. Expect criticism. Welcome it even. Stick to your guns and do your best. If you dont get complaints, its a bonus. Even through all the hard work and negativity, I have found that being a TD is a satisfying experience. I hope its the same for you :-)

Yes, definitely expect criticism, but take it with stride and use it to better yourself and your events. And if someone comes up to you with a bogus complaint just say to them "I'll get back to you on that" and simply walk away.