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Post by storm_king on Sept 10, 2007 11:59:59 GMT -5
To start with, a quote from Mike, who's new to town:
Quite telling, I think, and something I think we've always had a problem with.
We are pretty good at publicizing where leagues are and at what times, however once people get there, it can be an uncomfortable situation to try to squeeze through a bunch of strangers who are all friends already, interrupt what the TD is doing, and get signed up.
I'm thinking this is a big part of why more people don't get involved or stay involved, and I'm sure there are more reasons, too.
JMart was very good at outreach when he was running Sunday's. No one could walk within a 100 ft. radius from hole one without JMart introducing himself (in that loud, NY, Jmart way ;D) and inviting them to join in. I feel more of this, and not neccesarily just from the TD, could make for a more welcoming environment for newbies.
What do you think can be done differently to increase club membership, as well as turnout at our weekly events?
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Post by Michael-Tuohy on Sept 10, 2007 12:28:05 GMT -5
Well, here goes.
1. When I was playing on Tuesday, there were like maybe a dozen with the club. I estimated a hundred or so other players at the course at that time. I played earlier in the day too and the course was full. The vast majority of people are out there to have fun and I don't think making it a lot more serious would be inviting to any of the non-clubbers out there.
2. You guys need to ask yourselves one key question. Are you a club or a money league? I see about a half dozen guys who are very very good, motivated to play for all the money ponied up by others. Do you want more people to join to grow your prize or do you want more people to join to help disc golf grow in Northern Colorado? This, as I see it is a core issue at hand. I'm sure a lot of your summer leaguers play for the fun of rankings and competition, but with no hope or real care of winning any cash. I don't see a problem with prizes, but it appears to be the number one priority for the few when the masses just want to have fun playing.
3. I'm primarily a rock climber. I've been involved with a few fun "comps" that people come out of the woodwork for. A few people always win, but the rest hardly notice because the events are set up to reward everyone. The Horsetooth Hang, right here in FTC is one of the most successful climbing events in the country. It's at a mediocre bouldering area, but the emphasis is on fun for tons of people. Are you guys familiar with Swag? Not weed, but the free nuts given out for participation at these types of events. Most people (climbers and disc golfers alike) are WAY more motivated by a t-shirt or piece of equipment than by money. The money is great then gone, but it's the printed disc that's one of their prized possessions.
4. I didn't mind essentially paying $5 to buy disc golfing partners a couple of times, but if I were to keep it up I would need to think my money was contributing to something. $1 to the dwindling ace pool and ALL THE REST to the same winners every time? Not quite as rewarding for me as, maybe some going to a bank that helps fix up old courses, establish new courses, fund events, etc. Again, are you worried about your prize or the others in the club?
-Michael
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Post by BeTheMachine on Sept 10, 2007 13:15:08 GMT -5
I believe that playing for money and fun go hand in hand in disc golf at this time. Most of the competitive golfers in the area are also playing tourneys where you pay to play and win $$$/prizes. That's why divisions are offered during Sunday league play, just most of the time the majority of the players showing up are professional level players. professional = playing for money.
Let it be known that I want to increase numbers and participation to get more peeps playing competitively, be it at any skill level, not so I can have more money to possibly win. I want more golfers to be experienced with the competitive side of disc golf, i.e. tourneys/leagues that they may not even know existed, and not just play casually. I know when I first started playing and then discovered weekly minis and sanctioned tourneys, it blew my mind that this huge collective of a disc golf family existed under the radar.
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Post by CE Johnson on Sept 10, 2007 13:39:55 GMT -5
I didn't mind essentially paying $5 to buy disc golfing partners a couple of times, but if I were to keep it up I would need to think my money was contributing to something. $1 to the dwindling ace pool and ALL THE REST to the same winners every time?Not quite as rewarding for me You guys need to ask yourselves one key question. Are you a club or a money league?-Mike T. Mike's post couldn't echo my initial thread ANYMORE. I'm glad someone actually READ my thread's main points. This is what I was getting at. Thanks Mike for keepin' it real. I'm tired of feelin' like a pimp (in the bad sense) by taking newer less experienced players' $. "I'm thinking this is a big part of why more people don't get involved or stay involved, and I'm sure there are more reasons, too."-KC SEE MY SUNDAY "LEAGUE" THREAD- I outlined the reasons people don't come. "Let it be known" is copyrighted by #85 |
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Post by originalcracker on Sept 10, 2007 21:26:08 GMT -5
You've got some valid points. That is what attracted me to leagues was winning enough gift certs to buy a disc or two, or at least get a good discount on one. I don't completely agree with rewarding everyone, but it's still a reasonable suggestion for beginner or inter. divisions. Although, earning that gift cert, disc, or whatever is much more rewarding and keeps things a little more competitve. When I played inter. my first year it was crazy competitive between myself, and Scott Buck. It was a blast and I learned alot about the game. I think those that wish to play for cash should play pro and those who want swag play in am. To draw in more people, things surely should be more welcoming and offering free stuff is definitely welcoming. And if I can(and I emphasize "if"), I have no problems taken anybody's money, as long as they are willing to put in. Thanks for the outside input, it needs to be heard.
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Post by umphreak on Sept 10, 2007 21:29:35 GMT -5
Okay, I have read a couple of threads on this board about the club. Very interesting! I am a new member and have an outsiders opinion as of right now. I have had fun at everysingle club gathering that has gone on. So thanks for anyone that helped put that together and to those that were there to make the times good.
Back in IL most of our leagues are based on random draw best shot doubles. 1 league has an upper and lower pool division, where the uppers get teamed up with a lower pool player. Sometimes due to not enough upper pool players a better performing lower pool player gets bumped up. However they get a handicap and get an extra stroke for getting teamed up with the lower pool player. This league has a very good tournout and you get points based on how many players/teams you beat for the league. There are seperate divisions ie Pro then Adv and Rec. being the lower pool. This league cost $7 with $1 going to the ace pool and $1 going to the overall league payout the other 5 goes to payout that night. That league a has a great turnout with upper and lower pool players.
Now let me share about the league that I ran back at home. Its a pure random draw b.s.d.l. I started this league becasue there weren't any other ones going on in the area on a monday night. Since I knew that newbies are timid of the bags and scence they don't want to play for big money. I made the league very simple. it cost $5 thats it. 1 of those bucks goes to the ace fund that gets capped at 100. The part that really drew in more players of all skill levels was I added the option of a 50/50 ctp. You have the option of paying an extra 2 bucks with 2 seperate holes that have a ctp on it. Its a 9 hole course so essentially you get 4 chances to win the money. Players loved that. They could have a horrible round but have 1 or 2 good throws and take home some coinage. People kept coming back and loved it they even started having side bets and just crazy stuff. My buddy and I co-ran the league with a third back up of a semiregular. Either way I hope this can some sort of help. Another thing that helps our leagues would be the fact of a NON ROTATING league. If you ask me that is confusing to a person like me. Id show up and you'd be somewhere else bummer. But I do like playing new course so i guess it works.
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Post by originalcracker on Sept 10, 2007 21:52:16 GMT -5
I agree, unless it's posted and stays consistent it is definitely confusing. The type of league you bring up is really a good idea and should be taken in consideration. I wish I had the time to help with a regular gig such as that, but with a 10 month old my life rotates around my little Sunshine.
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Post by Michael-Tuohy on Sept 11, 2007 23:07:48 GMT -5
I think it's a genius plan. Sounds like it worked pretty well.
Of course every new area is unique and things have to be customized to see what works. Brilliance usually fails a few times.
I want to step back to some of my earlier comments. I should have clarified that I don't think the fun club and the money club are diametrically opposed. Just that it seems easy to lean too far toward one or the other before realizing it. Especially after reading the posts about damage at FCHS, I started wondering if some of the pool would be well served for a greater good. If, as you say, the mid summer turnout is in the dozens, then there must be enough coin to pay out while building a bank for long term. Not knowing anything about it (I'm sure to step into territory that Evan clearly knows much more about), I would think that the school might be pretty psyched to have a club that did a lot of upkeep for them. Of course, then there's the dwindling Ace pool. No reserves. Bummer. Too many good players! Gonna have to start chopping pinkies off as a handicap.
-Michael
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Post by storm_king on Sept 12, 2007 10:34:17 GMT -5
Michael,
We used to collect a dollar for the club at every Sunday league, however this has been stopped for most of this season. We have a decent savings that have accrued through the years, and the general consensus is that it could be used for baskets for a new course, or course upkeep on our current courses. We are thrifty, though, and are hesitant to throw it around when it's not needed. Ideally, the school (which if you see the facilities, obviously has enough money) would fund any repairs to the course there.
I still like the idea of a dollar going to the club, and the rest going to payout/ace pool. I never miss my dollar, but some think it brings more people back having a slightly larger payout each week.
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