IL USDGC SPOT

[Bruce Brakel]

Becky Zalleck I heard used to give it away based on an essay contest. 

I think Terry Miller just keeps it because no one in his state is more deserving. 

Paul Jefferies is taking the traditional residents-only, State championship tournament approach.

My first year I decided to send Kirk Haggadone.  Then I waffled and decided to let each PDGA TD and Club president nominate a candidate to be followed by a popular vote from the MDGO mailing list plus any forwards off the list.  Of the 20 or so Club Presidents and TDs, six responded right away nominating Kirk Haggadone, totally unprompted by me, so i cancelled the election.  That was only a little controversial, since no one but six TDs and Club Presidents were paying attention.

Harold really enjoys it if it kicks up some controversy.  He and Jason Poole look for those threads and laugh over them and call the whiners names.  I know because I talked to him live and in person, or maybe he e-mailed me [Brain = Moth Eaten Wool Suit] and we talked about it the next year when I started selling Innova?  The exact chronology there escapes me. 

Bottom line:  It is the State Coordinator's to do with, however he sees fit, but Harold deserves a little levity in his life. 

[Jon Brakel]

Bruce pretty much summed it up. I thought that people would want to try to win the exemption but after pimping the hell out of the chance to win it last year I only had 4 people that wanted to try to win it. Maybe by opening it up to anyone will encourage some of the better Illinois players to come out and try to win it. However, it is a fairly expensive trip in terms of time off from work, lodging, travel, entry fee, etc. so I don't really think there are many players who "WANT" it. I guess I'll find out on Saturday.

i think saying you pimped the hell out of that little Edgebrook thing is a bit of an exaggeration.  what did you do besides post on a few internet message boards?  nobody knew about it.  it was planned in very short notice (1 month ahead though compared to this year's last second notice which would have never come without Neal Swanson's post).

My plan since Bruce told me he was going to run the Peoria Open was to have that be the venue to give away the state coordinator's exemption. I have given the matter as much importance this year as my constituents have. When Bruce was the state coordinator in Michigan he received many e-mails, several phone calls and in person conversations about what he was going to do with the exemption. To date this year I have received zero phone calls, zero e-mails and zero in person conversations about it. Anyway, I was going to announce that I was going to give away the exemption at Peoria about a week before I was asked on the message board in order to promote the Peoria Open a little bit but then I wound up in the hospital with a hurt back and the announcement took to the back burner a bit.

[Bruce Brakel]

Dale Noel gave it to this Pete "kid" that no one knew.  He used to brag about playing Ultimate for the french national team or something.  He was a rapidly improving advanced amateur but a bit of a pill.  He was a lot older than he looked.  Pete went to USDGC and got really excited about disc golf.  He sold his business, bought a Winnebag and went on tour with a 950 rating and a pregnant wife.  He called himself the PDGA's first "tourist pro" but I think Feldberg beat him to that, touring as an advanced amateur with the Winnie Crew for a year a couple of years earlier.  Pete now has a 1000 rating, give or take a few.

He was one of the petitioners the year I went with an open competition.  Now a good pro but a bit of a pill. 

[paultimore]

Becky Zalleck I heard used to give it away based on an essay contest. 

this makes me want to be state coordinator just so i can try that!  better yet, i'll get political and run under that premise... then keep it for myself 

[SERG]

Under the Qualifying Procedures here is what it states:
Section 3. State & National Representatives
PDGA State and National Coordinators may select one competitor to represent their state or country in the 2006 Championship. State & National Representative positions are guaranteed through August 1, 2006.

http://www.usdgc.com/rules_for_qualifying_06.pdf

Sounds to me that it should be a resident of the state for representation.

There are 16 qualifying events that an individual can attend to try to qualify.

What/who decides that an event become a USDGC qualifier?

[CEValkyrie]

I'm under the opionion that the IL Spot should go to an IL player. IL is behind the times and this is the one opportunity for someone to represent the state not too mention the closes qualifying event is 5 hours from the Chicagoland area.

If you are under that same opinion & you are from IL here is my statement on the PDGA ballot
"If elected I will nominate an Illinois event as the qualifier for USDGC in 2007 and 2008. The top
finishing Open player at this event will be awarded the USDGC qualification spot. If that player cannot
attend it will be awarded to the next best finisher. I will make sure there is someone from Illinois
represented at the USDGC."

[Bruce Brakel]

Under the Qualifying Procedures here is what it states:
Section 3. State & National Representatives
PDGA State and National Coordinators may select one competitor to represent their state or country in the 2006 Championship. State & National Representative positions are guaranteed through August 1, 2006.

http://www.usdgc.com/rules_for_qualifying_06.pdf

Sounds to me that it should be a resident of the state for representation.

There are 16 qualifying events that an individual can attend to try to qualify.

What/who decides that an event become a USDGC qualifier?

Paultimore from Baltimore can represent Illinois this year if Illinois players don't step up.  Hillary represents New York in the Senate.  She never lived in New York until she ran for senate.  Peru had a Japanese president for awhile, maybe they still do.  Michigan has a Canadian governor.  Anybody can represent.  The question is whether anybody from Illinois is going to step up and represent this year. 

Start your petition.  Call Harold at Innova East.  He would really enjoy this. 

[Jon Brakel]

Kris Hutter will be representing Illinois this year at the USDGC using the State Coordinator's exemption. Congratulations to Kris!