2006 Thank You!

[CEValkyrie]

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.

[Dan Michler]

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!

[Mukey]

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.

[Bruce Brakel]

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. 

[Mike S]

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.

[Chainmeister]

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.

[CEValkyrie]

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.

[WkeBrd3]

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.

[pickax]

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.

[pickax]

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.

[Dan Michler]

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.

[Mukey]

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   

[Chainmeister]

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.  

[damonshort]

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.

[pickax]

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.

[CEValkyrie]

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!

[Mukey]

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 %.

[Mitch]

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.

[CEValkyrie]

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!

[Mitch]

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!