I just want to thank everyone who helped run and played the IOS this year. I can't believe it's over. It seems like yesterday Jon, Bruce, & I met for breakfast planning for 2006. Now it's on to 2007. It takes a small army to set up, tear down, run ctps, check score cards, & everything else. We try our best to run quality events and we appreciate your support. Over 1300 players at 7 events is HUGE. Rockford is listed in the top 50 of PDGA attended events for only Saturday #'s. Every IOS event would be in the top 50 if they would report them as 1 tournament instead of 2 separate events. I will be posting the official numbers when I get home tonight. I'm hoping that info will help draw some sponsors for bigger and better things in 2007. Please support Discraft, Dr. Dye, Hot Rags, & Marshall Street. They did some great things for us in 2006. Hopefully we can continue to add to that list.
I'm always evaluating what players like and dislike about tournaments and why they attend. Please give us some constructive criticism. What are some things you liked or disliked about the series? Why did you play the series? What would you like to see changed in 2007?
Like the player pack?
Like the ctp's?
Come for the ace pool?
Like Trophy Only option?
Trying to win an overall series trophy?
Try to qualify for Am Nationals?
Just some brief info for 2007.
We'll probably be cutting down to 6 events in 2007 due to Am/Pro Worlds.
The Final 4 Safari will be eliminated to get players home earlier.
I ended up liking the ADV/PRO day being shifted to Saturday quite a bit. I also really liked the trophies by Dr. Dye. This was the 1st year that alot of people really cared about the Overall Points. I think maybe posting the points leaders at the registration table would be a good idea. For next year I'd like the Am Nats qualifier to be earlier in the year.
Thanks to Brett, Bruce, Jon for a great series in 2006. What a huge year it was, I can't wait for 2007!
Quote from: CEValkyrie on October 16, 2006, 06:55:31 AM
What are some things you liked or disliked about the series? Why did you play the series? What would you like to see changed in 2007?
Like the player pack?
Like the ctp's?
Come for the ace pool?
Like Trophy Only option?
Trying to win an overall series trophy?
Try to qualify for Am Nationals?
Just some brief info for 2007.
We'll probably be cutting down to 6 events in 2007 due to Am/Pro Worlds.
The Final 4 Safari will be eliminated to get players home earlier.
Players pack was great for AMs. I personally would've only gotten 5 discs from winnings this year, BIG fan of a decent entry pack.
CTPs are always great & the abundance of them at the IOS series surprised me! Keep 'em coming.
Big Ace pool $ was never in my personal game plan, but the big money numbers definetly get attention.
Trophy Only is great. Gets new & old players to come without spending too much $ and they STILL get a players pack. Can't beat it.
Overall Series Trophies were Awesome, can't say enough about the Dr's work.
Final 4 was nice, but those late endings can drag on.
I'd say I played the Series 'cause the fact that they are linked & have series points is nice, vs. having 7 separate events. Well run, smooth payout process, and great AM players pack.
Where's the 5-month fast forward button to next year?
Thanks to Brett, the Brakels, Mirth, Michler, & the club for a great series. Also, everyone who came out & played! Met a bunch of new friends this year & hope to see you all next year too.
I'd like to thank all the players again too, especially those of you who buy a disc for cash, or add some cash to your player pack to get a couple of discs. At some of our venues we have park use fees that are really expensive and without cash sales we'd lose money on the weekend. I'd also like to thank the players who've told their friends that we run generous events for amateurs. There is nothing like word-of-mouth to get attendance going.
Thank you for having reasonable AM payouts and running your events on time. I especially liked the brass cash sidebets but interest fizzled after IOS #2 on the Int/Rec day.
Thank you guys and gals. Jon, Bruce, Brett, Diana, Becky, Kelsey, Kira, Maddison. Thanks to Chris and Mike who seemed to be behind the table helping all the time. Thanks to Dan , Mike Clark and Adrian Sr. who always seem to be there heliping. Thanks to Mirth for making it so easy to preregister.
Thanks to everybody I played with all year, to all the new players I met at events.
IOS is successful because just about everybody has a good time regardless of how they played. I played much better at non-IOS events this year. That did not dimiinish at all how much fun I had at your tournaments. I looked forward to the events all week. You guys worked out the system to make it as seamless as possible. It was pretty easy to register, preregister, sign in, cash in brass coins, find the holes, get a drink of cold water. On days when you had been out in the hot sun all day and were tired and grungy or perhaps had an aching back, you were cheerful and wanted to help. Bruce's family would interrupt their life (although I am sure a good argument could be made that these events were their life) to caravan to the Chicago area to set up their tent, hawk their wares and run a tournament. The kids have long worked past running a lemonade stand like most kids.
I thanked the players I played with because the IOS events are run by Jon, Brett and Bruce but everybody takes owenership. We feel these are our events. We all work to make them fun for ourselves and everybody in our group and everybody at the course.
You asked for constructive criticism. Tom posted in another thread with many good observations of things to do and not do in the future. If I had any wish list it would be a way to find food at some events where its more difficult to drive to lunch such as Rockford and Round Lake You do not need to be as generous as they are at the Homie. Perhaps somebody could be enticed into vending at some events. If more people stay at the park it adds to the collective good feeling the events already have.
So, thanks for running the show again this year. I look forward to playing again next year.
Quote from: Chainmeister on October 16, 2006, 10:24:44 AM
You asked for constructive criticism. Tom posted in another thread with many good observations of things to do and not do in the future. If I had any wish list it would be a way to find food at some events where its more difficult to drive to lunch such as Rockford and Round Lake You do not need to be as generous as they are at the Homie. Perhaps somebody could be enticed into vending at some events. If more people stay at the park it adds
David,
It's funny you mentioned that. Bruce & I were talking about that yesterday during the tournament. We would love to be able to do this but we don't have the manpower to do so. If there was someone interested in doing this that would be great. It would be a good way to make a few extra bucks on the day that you do not play.
Quote from: CEValkyrie on October 16, 2006, 10:34:40 AM
Quote from: Chainmeister on October 16, 2006, 10:24:44 AM
You asked for constructive criticism. Tom posted in another thread with many good observations of things to do and not do in the future. If I had any wish list it would be a way to find food at some events where its more difficult to drive to lunch such as Rockford and Round Lake You do not need to be as generous as they are at the Homie. Perhaps somebody could be enticed into vending at some events. If more people stay at the park it adds
David,
It's funny you mentioned that. Bruce & I were talking about that yesterday during the tournament. We would love to be able to do this but we don't have the manpower to do so. If there was someone interested in doing this that would be great. It would be a good way to make a few extra bucks on the day that you do not play.
A grill, cheeseburgers, hotdogs, brats, sausage, bags of chips, etc. Seems easy enough. One or two people could run that.
I manned the grill for our church picnic a few weeks ago. We rented a large (2'x6')charcoal grill, and it took 3-4 on the grill, plus one runner to keep the food moving and hot and have everybody served within 30 minutes. I think we did 130 hamburgers and around 90 hot dogs. Twas a little bit bigger than an IOS, but don't underestimate how difficult (and hot) it is. This is where we need a local contact to find a vendor to come out for the day. This has the added benefit of not worrying about the health dept type regulations.
That being said. Having food on site is a great idea. Nothing like some catered ribs to make the hands really greasy for the second round. ;D
i could cook yall something if u want. i just learned how to make spaghetti, and i can also make instant oatmeal and progresso soup. someone else can be in charge of bringing flavorICE.
Quote from: Dan Michler on October 16, 2006, 12:02:16 PM
i could cook yall something if u want. i just learned how to make spaghetti, and i can also make instant oatmeal and progresso soup. someone else can be in charge of bringing flavorICE.
No SpaghettiOs? Then forget it ;D
Quote from: Dan Michler on October 16, 2006, 12:02:16 PM
i could cook yall something if u want. i just learned how to make spaghetti, and i can also make instant oatmeal and progresso soup. someone else can be in charge of bringing flavorICE.
I could say I just lost my appetite but will settle for giving some advice. Learn how to make breakfast. That way you will have a reason to ask your dates to stay the night. :coffee2:
there's a nice setup in Manitowoc every year where you can order lunch at registration - Subway and a Mexican place, maybe one other - and it's (usually) waiting for you by the end of the first round. At least it was ready til this yr, don't know what the problem was but it was really late.
Anyhow, it'd still take volunteers to coordinate something like that.
Great series!
It's always nice to be able to go to a tournament and know that there will be:
- Good player packs
- Good merch selection
- Lots of CTPs
- Consistent fees
Other things that I think are done well (or I appreciate)
- Trophy Only option
- The series trophy plaques looked sharp.
- Brett's temp hole were excellent. The OB ropes and island hole at Fairfield definitely added to the experience.
- Having the scores online before awards is awesome. Knowing that the paperwork will be done on time for the ratings updates is also a major plus. (Still hoping the IL States makes it in next time).
- Ratings elves.
Things that could be better / Ideas for future
- More outside sponsorship (need someone that is local to the course that can hoof it and bring in that ad revenue)
- Silly contests (e.g jumbo toss, etc) could add something that is a little more light hearted than the intensity of the rest of the day.
- Earlier starts. It seems like we could move up end of registration and start of first round by 30 minutes.
- Prereg or Series Prereg discounts.
- Am IV (825-)
- Drop Steamwood and Crystal Lake and add Morton/Pekin.
- The Trophy Only Option could proabably be moved up to $15 to make sure that it is not a money loser at the high course fee locales. $15 for $15 player pack would still be a good looking deal.
Personal wants:
Put lower day on Saturday. I don't like missing church. That said, I can understand Bruce not wanting to play in Sunday and then drive for hours too.
Looking forward to seeing next year's schedule so I can get my vacations planned appropriately.
Quote from: krupicka on October 16, 2006, 01:43:25 PM
Things that could be better / Ideas for future
- More outside sponsorship (need someone that is local to the course that can hoof it and bring in that ad revenue)
- Silly contests (e.g jumbo toss, etc) could add something that is a little more light hearted than the intensity of the rest of the day.
- Earlier starts. It seems like we could move up end of registration and start of first round by 30 minutes.
- Prereg or Series Prereg discounts.
- Am IV (825-)
- Drop Steamwood and Crystal Lake and add Morton/Pekin.
- The Trophy Only Option could proabably be moved up to $15 to make sure that it is not a money loser at the high course fee locales. $15 for $15 player pack would still be a good looking deal.
Personal wants:
Put lower day on Saturday. I don't like missing church. That said, I can understand Bruce not wanting to play in Sunday and then drive for hours too.
Looking forward to seeing next year's schedule so I can get my vacations planned appropriately.
I'm working on sponsorships for next year again. Hopefully I can get a few.
We are going to start a little earlier next year. Details will be annouced. Forgot to add that to the updates for 2007.
Discounts have been discussed and might go into effect. You hit hte nail on the head with the $15 TO fee.
Bruce has talked about Am IV. Not sure what will come of it.
Streamwood will probably be dropped. Crystal Lake will stay.
Thanks for all the help this year Mike!
If not discounts for Pre-reg then maybe a couple of CTPs for only pre-reg players, 1 morning & 1 afternoon, or some other way to reward those who do pre-reg and hopefully increase the pre-reg %.
I'd like to suggest keeping the upper/lower ace pools separate. I play for the ace pool and it is frustrating to see a big pot build up and get taken on a day when my division isn't even there.
Quote from: Mitch on October 16, 2006, 02:16:47 PM
I'd like to suggest keeping the upper/lower ace pools separate. I play for the ace pool and it is frustrating to see a big pot build up and get taken on a day when my division isn't even there.
The perfect reason to play Adv Master Trophy only on Saturday ;). Get a player pack, practice the course, & hit an ace!
Quote from: CEValkyrie on October 16, 2006, 02:22:38 PM
Quote from: Mitch on October 16, 2006, 02:16:47 PM
I'd like to suggest keeping the upper/lower ace pools separate. I play for the ace pool and it is frustrating to see a big pot build up and get taken on a day when my division isn't even there.
The perfect reason to play Adv Master Trophy only on Saturday ;). Get a player pack, practice the course, & hit an ace!
And a divorce to boot!
I definitely agree with Mike on the idea of starting earlier...
Quote from: krupicka on October 16, 2006, 01:43:25 PM
- Silly contests (e.g jumbo toss, etc) could add something that is a little more light hearted than the intensity of the rest of the day.
I think a long drive competition (by division of course ;)) would be a cool thing to do in between rounds. Just my take on it though.
Long Drive and CTP's are close (but not the same). On the long hole at Rockford, it's the same thing. I think some girl took that one home. :o
Quote from: krupicka on October 16, 2006, 04:48:55 PM
Long Drive and CTP's are close (but not the same).
This wouldn't be during the round though. It would be some other side thing. You know how Gary Lewis does the throw for the pies thingy? Well, something like that. Yet again, just my take on it.
This was my first year playing and I have to say that the IOS events were the highlight of my summer. Pretty much everyone I met was a genuinely nice person. A sincere and heartfelt thank you to all involved, it had to have been a huge effort to run such a big thing so smoothly.
I specifically played mostly IOS events because of the overall points. Having received one of the very cool dr. dye discs for overall points, I can say I'm looking forward to the series points chase next year.
I also liked the rec/int on Sunday schedule. It allowed the people that could play both days to use the t.o. day as their practice for the day that really counted for them.
I do think it is unfair to say that the ace pool should motivate people to play t.o. on Saturday, though. The Sat. group has a far higher chance to hit an ace than the Sun. group. At least 3 times I showed up Sunday morning to find the ace pool was $0. I never hit an ace either way, but there are different divisions because of different skill levels, why is it different when money is involved?
I would also probably pre-reg for the whole series next year if there were both a discount and a way for a partial refund in case of having to miss one event for unforseen circumstances.
In all, a great summer, thanks again.
I'm not sure I understand what discmonkey is saying about the ace pool but I'll respond anyway. To the extent that the roll over ace pool format is unfair, it is also optional. I don't think it is unfair because on courses with long and short tees, usually the upper pool plays two rounds of longs and the lower pool plays one round from longs and one from shorts. When it rolls over to the lower day, which it did several times, I always pay for Diana, Kelsey and Kira to get in. I wouldn't if i thought it was unfair. It is also not unfair because the upper pool pays in first. If they don't collect their ace money back, they are putting it up for grabs on the lower day.
Trophy-only is my baby. If it boosts attendance on either day, that's better than having half a field. We are still experimenting with the right entry fee for it. I'm always surprised by the number of players who do not play Pro Trophy-Only, but I think the value of the CTPs draws all the trophy-only players into the Advanced pool. Next year Trophy-only in amateur divisions will probably be something like $14 if you pre-register, plus the pay pal fee if you do it on-line, $16 otherwise. We are going to try to make it a little more attractive to pre-register without socking it to the people who register on the day.
I would have to agree with Bruce. If we thought it was unfair we would not run it that way. No one can predict when an ace will be hit. Large ace pools really help boost interest in the IOS when they get large. It also gives another incentive for players to play both days. There are going to be times when money rolls from Saturday to Sunday. There will also be times when money rolls from Sunday to Saturday.
Here is my perspective.
There was no ace at IOS #1 on the Adv/Pro Day. There was an ace from the shorts on the Int/Rec/Jr day but that player was not in the ace pool.
No aces at IOS #2.
Ace at IOS #3 on the Adv/Pro Day No Aces at IOS #3
No aces at IOS #4 either day.
I think there were 3 on the Adv/Pro Day. None on the Int/Rec/Jr day.
There was an ace on the Adv/Pro day. None on the Int/Rec/Jr day (Short tees)
2 aces on the Adv/Pro day at IOS #7. 3 aces on the Int/Rec/Jr day.
So 4 aces on the Int/Rec/Jr day.
5 aces on the Adv/Pro day.
In 2005 there were 4 aces.
1 ace was hit at Rockford when all divisions played both days.
2 aces were hit on the Adv/Pro day.
1 ace was hit on the Int/Rec day.
Quote from: discmonkey on October 16, 2006, 09:25:36 PM
I do think it is unfair to say that the ace pool should motivate people to play t.o. on Saturday, though. The Sat. group has a far higher chance to hit an ace than the Sun. group.
No matter how good you throw Aces are mostly luck. I can attest to that. ;D
Quote from: Mukey on October 17, 2006, 03:24:58 PM
Quote from: discmonkey on October 16, 2006, 09:25:36 PM
I do think it is unfair to say that the ace pool should motivate people to play t.o. on Saturday, though. The Sat. group has a far higher chance to hit an ace than the Sun. group.
No matter how good you throw Aces are mostly luck. I can attest to that. ;D
Not only that, but in most circumstances an ace is a "bad" shot (unless the player was actually trying for an ace). Most good righty back-hand players are throwing at a spot that is somewhere in front of and to the right of the basket (again in most circumstances).
I am always a fan of the 10 meter circles, or if anything put a 10 meter string at the base of the pole.
So when is the IOS 2007 summit meeting? Is it open to the public? Will any of the bickering between the Brakel's be leaked to the message board? Or do we need to wait for the approved minutes to be posted next fall? ^_^
My wife and I are already starting to talk about next year's vacation plans and I want to keep the IOS in mind as we do so. Are there any dates that are already ruled out for the IOS (say due to Am Worlds)?
Or Pro Worlds
Quote from: krupicka on November 20, 2006, 10:25:58 AM
My wife and I are already starting to talk about next year's vacation plans and I want to keep the IOS in mind as we do so. Are there any dates that are already ruled out for the IOS (say due to Am Worlds)?
I have been working on the schedule. I'm hoping to have it completed by January 1st. If plans work out there will be no August tournament. Those plans could change though.
You can plan on no sanctioned IOS event during Am worlds. There's an outside chance that Bruce and I may run an amateur only event that might be IOS related during pro worlds...or maybe Bruce will run one of his MI doubles events then. We're still a little fluid right now.
I don't think we will be having a summit meeting this year. Last year we met at a restaurant to iron out the last few details but this year we pretty much ironed out everything as the season went along.
A lot will be the same: Pick-your-own player packs, brass payouts, lots of CTPs, well run tournaments with only one minor screw up each time, various Brakels bickering at each other, etc. We are definitely sticking with Pro/Adv Saturday and Int/Rec/Jr Sunday. For tournaments like ours that really works a whole lot better for almost everyone.
We are going to change the prices a little so that you pay a little less if you pre-register. We are also going to change the prices a little because 2006 prices didn't work for the venues where we had steep park use fees.
It will be the 2007 IOS Six instead of the 2006 IOS Seven.
Quote from: bruce_brakel on November 20, 2006, 11:47:06 AM
It will be the 2007 IOS Six instead of the 2006 IOS Seven.
Darn! Would been cool to do 7 in '007 ;D
Quote from: krupicka on November 20, 2006, 10:25:58 AM
My wife and I are already starting to talk about next year's vacation plans and I want to keep the IOS in mind as we do so. Are there any dates that are already ruled out for the IOS (say due to Am Worlds)?
You can probably rule out close by M/NT/A tier weekends with a zone of conflict. Except, don't rule out something on the Pro Worlds weekend.