PDGA tournament in 09?

[DPdiscer]

I talked to Willie Fowlkes at Woodlands Rec today about having a Birdshot event at Bear Branch in 09. I emailed him a document about Birdshot and am waiting to hear back from him. We did not discuss money which is the sticking point. I will keep yall posted on how the discussions go.

[Mr. Blue]

Chuck,
Don't let it be the sticking point. When you get the "magic number", I'll get fundraising done for you. Let's just get the damned thing back there.

[icantdrive355]

Hopefully the money involved can be used to make improvements to the course, in particular new tee pads.

[Mr. Blue]

THAT"S the true sticking point. A list and evaluation MUST be brought to the table prior to agreement of funds. The percentage taken in the original event would not have been so bad if they had returned services in kind that benefited the course's improvement before the tournament. Frankly, two mexicans and a bobcat with 2 yards of crushed granite hardly makes 33% take worthwhile.
Negotiate hard and they will meet you halfway. Let them know we'll get a crew together to make some of the improvements with them.

[Midnightbiker]

It would also be nice to have a warm up basket out there again.

[DPdiscer]

33% Mr. Blue, were you involved with the last tournament there 4 years ago? I don't think it would be a good idea to have a tournament there unless we see maintenance before the tournament. During our phone conversation, Willie said that they replace the mats every so many years. Is that true? Have they ever been replaced? He also said that they have added material to some low places on the course in the woods. Since I live in League City, it would be hard for me to drive up there during their office hours. Birdshot has never had to pay for anything except pavillion rental and PDGA insurance at Kingwood. Willie did mention that the last tournament there had a lot of sponsorship. I guess so But hey, it all depends on what the course gets for the amount of money, right?

[scoot_er]

Make this one low entry and trophy only for AMs so that you can cover the fees. $15 entry with $5 or so going to the trophies and the rest covering the expense.

I went out there a few weeks ago after a few years of not playing there and it is just as fun as ever and a few holes have gotten a bit tougher #3, #4, #7.

[Mr. Blue]

Chuck,
The granite was what was used to "raise" the ground on 2 holes, 7, and 8. The mats have not been replaced in some time. If one is looking for an accurate replica of the state of Florida, observe what is left of 10's tee pad. Frankly, I'd like to see concrete tee boxes out there as this would be much easier to maintain. Sponsorship was very good for that tournament, and I assure you that it can and will be done again.
Don't worry about the sponsorship Chuck, as I told you, I'll get that done easily for you. The key here is that if they want so much, then we have to negotiate what that percentage gets us. In this case, your pre tournament course evaluation should establish that "wish list". Chuck, give me a call if you want, I can give you a hand with this.

[icantdrive355]

Some mats were replaced a couple years ago, but I believe it was a scout project. Even those "newer" mats are falling apart. Other than mowing grass and emptying trash cans, I don't believe the Parks Dept has put anything into the course since the last tournament and that wasn't very much as noted by Matt.

[Mr. Blue]

I'd like to make a proposal. I'm seeing some interest in having this event renewed. For the past couple of years, I have heard people remark on how much fun they had when it did happen. That said, the only hold up has been the previous experience with Woodlands P&R. There is a saying that you get more flies with honey than vinegar. So let us go with a better proposal.
It is my feeling that the previous tournament and its sponsorship failed to negotiate what to do with the percentage they were dictated to pay.
I think that if Birdshot (being the TD's) went in with a laundry list of what needed to be done/fixed with the course, presented it to the P&R, and then offered to get a group together to execute that list, then we as a community would come off way more organized and professional to them.
Example:
We get a list of commited sponsors. I believe there were a total of 22 holes, so let's go with that number. I think it is a fair asking price for $100 a hole. That comes out to $2200, though I'm sure if we had more that wouldn't hurt. The negotiating point is the naming of that magic number up front. Originally, the first tournament was proposed without a "what we offer" number attached. $2200 goes a long way on a course. It may even be sweeter to offer the rest to be donated towards improvements on Terramont after the fact. The point is this. There is NO WAY that 33% of the proceeds went into that course!
Additionally, and I think this goes for ALL HOUSTON DISC GOLF TOURNAMENTS. I think that part of our greater problem here is the lack of local publicity paid toward Houston DG events. We have all these courses, and a local series, a great photographer who has taken some excellent pictures, volunteers, and capacity tournaments and you mean to tell me we still have this much trouble getting our goals accomplished around town? Solution, we need to call a freaking newspaper and get some coverage! YES, THEY WOULD COVER IT! Politicians and pencil pushers that approve funds care nothing for disc golf locally. Look at Live Oak, their course is a publicity machine! Granted government people involved in disc golf helps, but none the less! If you get good press and PR, the city, or town is much more likely to sit up and pay attention to the sport's local agenda.
Look at the ripple effect possible. Done correctly, good publicity resonates in larger circles. It gives communities a chance to see the good in the sport and its participants. It will drive more of the new players who don't know about tournament play to join up. Hell, it might even offer communities like Oak Meadow to see what they are missing by DISMISSING us. Boards like this are great, but they are limited to people who already do a lot for the sport. I for one was pissed that there was no coverage for all the hard work that people put into States. Here it is in our back yard, with our best event, at a gorgeous location, and it went publicly unnoticed? Shoot, they post results for local flag football, rugby, chess, and a number of other "sports" that have nowhere near the draw and potential that disc golf has. I spoke with someone at the Villager today who in fact is interested in doing a piece on a tournament! She was enthusiastic about it, and when I told her how many people play just in The Woodlands alone, she was shocked! The Woodlands is a community of tight asses who could make diamonds if they shoved a lump of coal..... well you know what I mean. But they CAN be negotiated with. Better takes money and publicity when it comes to sports. We seemed to be strapped for both here. Lets change both. My company is putting up $100 towards Spring Valley's upcoming event. I am willing to work with this person at the Villager on getting some coverage as well. However, I would really like to see someone out do me. Birdshot has their hands full running the damned thing. Let's put our crap aside, and come together for the one thing we can ALL agree on, BETTER SUPPORT AND FURTHERMENT FOR OUR SPORT LOCALLY! (I'm off my soapbox now. Somebody burn it before I step back up!)