The Prairie Open presented by WiDye - August 29/30

[Chainmeister]

Are Intermediate and Rec playing the same layout both rounds? I would much rather play a round of longs than play a round with a small group of propogators.

Since posting last night I have noticed that it does appear that IIntermediates will play longs and shorts and the rest of the field only shorts.  Since I don't plan on winning anything anyway, I want to play in the largest pool. If there are more intermediates, I will play intermediate.  If we all play the same course, I will play Rec.

[Dan Michler]

Just paid my 55 bucks to play advanced at this 1 day B tier......

If it fills or comes close (currently just 30 players signed up for Sat.) then I guess thats the right price, but if the attendance is low its because of that high entry fee.  I understand there are fees involved with the WI tour, parkside univ., PDGA, etc...but intermediate is being run for 35 bucks, so its unusual to see a 20 dollar increase to 55 for advanced.  If you haven't read the news lately, people do not have as much disposable income these days.

[dana]

Any idea how much added cash is involved here?

Thanks

[---]

-Will we have to buy a parking permit?

[Tom McManus]

-Will we have to buy a parking permit?

Permits are not required on weekends.

[SERG]

I believe the entry fee for the Prairie Open has been pretty much the same for the past few years. The fee is also pretty consistent with many of the WI Tour stops (within $5-$10). You're right, there are fees. And the flyer explains to a player exactly what fees are included in the entry.

As for added cash, we're continuously receiving sponsorshp monies each day...are they huge? Unfortunately not. But they have been gracious: Dave Light has graciously sponsored the course rental. Dave is a local golfer, employee at the university and volunteers his time to help maintain the course. He'll be spotting on hole #10 all weekend. Sponsorship is something I hope we can work on for the upcoming Open events. I won't explain myself as to the challenges of finding sponsorship because many of you know as TD's yourselves. And yes, in this economy, businesses in our area just don't have the extra cash to sponsor an event where they will receive no return.

Trophies have been donated and will not be taken out of player fees.

I don't have exact numbers on the added cash, but I will tell you that for having less than a dozen cash sponsors, we've received just about $1500 (which in my mind is pretty good). That number doesn't include the CFR disc sales and money that hasn't been collected. Granted, the $1500 won't all go into payout directly but my goal is to at least have all the fees reimbursed by sponsorship.

[Dan Michler]

The entries are consistent with the rest of the WI Tour, and maybe it works for the best, but maybe the WI Tour could get alot more amateur players if they came down a bit on their entries.  I'm just throwing it out there.  Its a noticably higher entry fee than I see for any other 1 day PDGA events.  Something tells me the amateur player base would rather pay a lower entry fee and get less of a player pack and less of a payout.  By having a steep $20 incline from Intermed. to Advanced, it seems like the assumption is that Advanced players want to gamble more money than Intermed. players in the hopes of scoring a large payout.  It almost seems like a penalty for having a rating over 934.  At 921, I would be playing Int. on Sunday if it fit into my schedule.  As it is, I am really looking forward to playing Parkside for the 1st time this year so I'll bite the bullet and pay the 55 bucks on Saturday.  Its going to be a fun time.

Also, the Open entry fee is a bit high by comparison with other 1 day events as well.  There are probably some players out there staring at the Pre-Reg list seeing just 6 players signed up in Open, with 2 of them being Schultz and Heeren.  They have to ask themselves if they want to gamble 70 dollars in the hopes they can beat the other 4 guys and come out even money for the day.  Kind of takes some of the fun out of it I would imagine.

Other Advanced entry fees for 1 day events this weekend...
Missouri            40 bucks
Bowling Green    40 bucks
Georgia             30 bucks
Maryland           30 bucks
Ohio                 35 bucks
Moline, IL         46 bucks
Michigan          38 bucks
Parkside, WI     55 bucks

[Arok]

ouch, that is a bit high

Intermediate it is for me that weekend

[OvEr HaNd AsSaSiN]

Not sure if there will be ctp and ace added on to the entry fee.. But dont forget the three dollar internet fee.. so it could be a few more dollars... I agree with dan 58 is a bit steep.

[SERG]

Both Days:
$2 Ace Pool
One round WI Tour CTP (each recognized division)
One round WiDye CTP (each division)
Prime DIscs CTP (one on Saturday, one on Sunday)
A couple other CTP's are in the works.

I like to see the discussion on entry fees. Criticisms will be taken into consideration for next year's Prairie Open.

For those that are not familiar, the WI TOUR has a $3 participation fee (tour finale event and course development fund). I know the IOS has a "points race" that offers trophies for the end of the year top finishers. Are there fees/player for this? Do other states/clubs run similar things? Just wondering if there are other "tours" similar to Wisconsin where fees are charged.

WEATHER FORECAST
Nice cool weather, slight chance of rain. Hopefully the rain comes and goes before Saturday.

[damonshort]

These are my observations, not to be taken as criticisms.

As Dan has pointed out, if a tourney fills at $X, then $X isn't too high an entry fee; if it doesn't, maybe you should think about lowering the entry fee.

In general, WI events do seem to have a steeper price. Manitowoc, for one example, which I still played through the years since I love Silver Creek and it's always a great time, even when (usually) I don't play well. Since they added the 2nd course I lost interest (I felt like I was going to kill myself crossing the RR trestle last year at the new course, which has some potential but was nowhere near a tourney-worthy course; besides which Silver Creek is just an overall pleasure to play...)  - since Sinnissippi was the same weekend it was a no-brainer for me to pass on Manitowoc this year - only the 2nd time I've missed it since they started it. (I meant to email the TD there about this but I never did, as I couldn't have made it up there this year anyhow, really...)

I've mentioned before that the trophy-only option, of which the IOS has been in the forefront, has spoiled me for/from entering a lot of tournaments that don't offer it, particularly in IL. I really really wish more TDs would offer it, but I can see from a business standpoint (only) why they don't.

I'm not saying that anyone's trying to rip anyone off, nor am I saying that tournament organizers aren't entitled to make a profit from everything that goes into planning and running a tournament (I know that few ever do really profit). I've always sort of preferred playing in WI events for the overall vibe, but there's no question IMO that they're more expensive. I paid the $38 for the old guys' division @ Prairie, I'm looking forward to it, but I wouldn't pay any more for it.   

[discglfr]

Just throwing it out there ... www.iRegisteredOnline.com is also offering registration.  I know many of you have used my site in the past and like that my site is an OPTION for many events that you play in.  It is in fact the standard $5 online fee to use it.

I know this isn't exactly "timely" as it relates to fees and costs and such but I'm just reminding everyone it's an option.

Enjoy Parkside and enjoy the event and "Thank You" to Serg for stepping up as the TD because if he didn't, there might not have been a Prairie Open.

Terry

[StrikerME02]

When does online registration close?

[SERG]

I can't speak for Terry's site (www.iregisteredonline.com) but WiDye has informed me he will keep registration open until late Friday evening.

Forecast has changed slightly with sunnier skies coming.

Hope to see you out here.

[Dan Michler]

Looks like a nice sunny 60 degree fall day tomorrow.  Better than the constant rain for the last 3 days.  Should be good times!

[StrikerME02]

I am not sure if I am going to be able to attend so if I will be able to I will be paying the raised fee the day of the tournament.

[Steven Jacobs]

Signed up through WIDYE yesterday and im not showin up.  Just wanted to make sure I'm ok for 2marrow SERG.

Thanks,
Steven Jacobs

[Dan Michler]

Signed up through WIDYE yesterday and im not showin up.  Just wanted to make sure I'm ok for 2marrow SERG.

Thanks,
Steven Jacobs

Maybe bring your receipt with you Steven.  A couple others had the same issue today, but Serg had no problem with it so hpefully you'll be alright if your payment went through.

[Steven Jacobs]

Signed up through WIDYE yesterday and im not showin up.  Just wanted to make sure I'm ok for 2marrow SERG.

Thanks,
Steven Jacobs

Maybe bring your receipt with you Steven.  A couple others had the same issue today, but Serg had no problem with it so hpefully you'll be alright if your payment went through.

It's ok I show up now

[StrikerME02]

I'm cleared to go, Will be signing up at the event. IT will be my first time playing the course this year. Last year when I played it it was when it was only 18holes.