So, I'm looking at running a B-Tier in 2009... the Stateline Championships... here in the Toledo area. And one of the primary sponsors will be a local sportsbar but on the condition that we bring in good numbers for them. So I'm looking at ways to attract players to come in and partake in food and beverages. Two thoughts I have are the following...

1. The place is near where camping would occur, so the location is convenient (approx .6m away)

2. The place is right in between the two courses that would be used (4.7m from one, 7.1 from the other... but the 7.1m away has minimal traffic and lights, and higher speed limit on the way).

3. Have a putting contest for Pro/Adv and Int/Rec/Nov that would have a $5 buy in (as many tries as you want to score well, with final for top 4), $75 min. added cash to Open Div and added rare or cool discs to lower division payout. They have a nice patio area for this.

4. All awards would be held at the place on Sunday afternoon (midsummer, not during football season). Again: a good location since the Open/Mas/Wom/Adv players would be at one course, Int/Rec/Nov/AdvMas/AdvWom would be at another... with it right in between all could come together for awards. Format would be 2rnd Sat/1rnd Sun which means that the awards wouldn't be running late into the day and ppl would still have time to get home afterward.


Any other suggestions?

include ticket for a free beer in the players pack, by convincing the bar that by doing this they will get people in there for dinner and more drinks, and it will clearly show a profit for them compared to just doing the awards ceremony there on sunday.

Have the players meeting at sportsbar in the morning. It will give the players an opportunity to see what it is like and to see the menu. BTW, it appears that you have squared your thought process.

Good idea Luke!

Tom, I'm not sure if they'd want to open up that early. But there will be the option to hang out at the place on Friday night for people that play the $30/team BYOP dubs the night before. Question though, what do you mean by "squared" my thought process?

its hard to guarantee that people will be there, you can just do your best. if you have it in your budget, set aside some money that you can kickback to the staff if people dont show in the numbers that you expect. the real life situation is if the weather gets bad and the second round goes really late in the day and everyone is wet and tired, they wont go to the party, just go sleep. so be prepared for the worst situation, and do all the things to make it so that you have the best chance of big numbers. talk the place up, give a 5% off coupon on the back of the map, make sure people tip well.

Make arrangements for under age disc golfers to have a place at the sports bar....perhaps a family area...

At the 2008 Memorial one of the top pros (Niko Locastro) was not able to get into the players party at Flicka's... although they did let him hang at the entrance on a stool...

Tis no issues with underage peoples being there. We have my brother, who is under 21, with us until 1am frequently. But appreciate the tip, in case we are forced to go with another location.

Free beer, or discounted beer. Everyone loves beer.

Good idea Luke!

Tom, I'm not sure if they'd want to open up that early. But there will be the option to hang out at the place on Friday night for people that play the $30/team BYOP dubs the night before. Question though, what do you mean by "squared" my thought process?



Chris, In your original post you wrote, "two thoughts I have are the following:", and then you go on to list four items. You doubled up on your thoughts.

Getting people there on a friday night would be a good idea, have people pick up their player packs a day early. Maybe for the people who showed up Friday night to pick up their player packs they would receive a discount coupon.

include ticket for a free beer in the players pack, by convincing the bar that by doing this they will get people in there for dinner and more drinks, and it will clearly show a profit for them compared to just doing the awards ceremony there on sunday.



Most state liquor laws prohibit coupons for free drinks. They could get 50% of appetizers or something though or have some sweet drink specials.

If you have a mandatory tournament check-in and the awards ceremony at the bar you have done plenty to bring the throng there.

I hope the sponsorship level justifies the effort you are putting the players through.

Just get a few people from Columbus up there, they will drink enough to make your sponsor happy. We may not be the best golfers in the world but we make up for it in our fun intake.

nobody likes a buckeye, nobody.

Our B-tier event holds a player's party at a local sports bar on the Saturday night of a two day event. Never a problem getting people there. Probably half show up which is good. People like to gather to swap stories and have dinner and drinks. We've had mini putting and/or a raffle at the party, too. Everyone who shows up gets a raffle ticket including kids and spouses.

To help grease the wheels of sponsorship, we also use the sports bar for the raffle after our annual Ice Bowl. Our Ice Bowl is the Sunday after the Super Bowl, which a notoriously slow day in sport bar land so we bring in good business for them. Another nice thing is that there are 2 locations for this establishment, both conveniently located close to both our courses. How handy. :D

If you have a mandatory tournament check-in and the awards ceremony at the bar you have done plenty to bring the throng there.

I hope the sponsorship level justifies the effort you are putting the players through.


Since the players will be split between two courses, it will actually be the reverse. It will be eliminating effort for the players. Instead of forcing one half of the field to traverse the 12 miles of city driving between courses, both halves of the field will take the 10 minute trip to a spot in between the two courses for awards.


Craig - the Columbusites would be very welcome at the event! I'll be looking at Gas Card CTPs as prizes, for which only people that have traveled at least 50 miles will be eligible. :) Among many other CTPs. I'm looking at basically unloading my collection of full-color discs as CTP prizes and to throw into the purse for the Am side of the putting contest, thats about 30 discs, methinks. Plenty of reasons to show up!

Anita - Side games at the bar will be a must! Putting contest out on the patio will be a for-sure. :)

CTP/ring of fire prizes being gift certificates to the local bar!!!

And then, an hour later I saw you wandering aimlessly through a disc golf course. :D Good idea. I'll look into that.