I am not sure what to do about this...

My mistake and a bigger DB...

 

This is a smattering of stuff that has been keeping me up at night…am I out of line?

 

Understand that our club president sent him an e-mail at 12AM the night of (about 2 hours
after the fact) and called him first thing in the morning.  The club helps sponsor the league. 

 

What would your reaction be? 

Original stlouisdiscgolfclub.com post:

Yesterday was a blast! As always, it is a lot to handle and stresses me out quite a bit, but it is all done.

Everything went off as planned...other than one mistake I made. Everyone that
played yesterday got to shoot at a CTP on Hole 11. It was the Gateway Super
Bonus CTP package - thank you Dave! Dave Mac donated a starter disc set (3
discs and a mini) and pair of tye dye shorts for the CTP. This was an extremely
juicy CTP all on its own. He also offered to sell the basket that was used on
this hole (a brand new Titan Portable 24) to the winner for $150 (retail $299).
So, in essence, it was a 50% off coupon for the basket. Don Heiple won the CTP.
Unfortunately, I made the mistake of awarding him $150 ($79 in merch and $71 in
cash), when in fact he was not supposed to receive anything other than the 50%
off coupon. I think the stress of the day had caught up to me and I made a
MAJOR mistake. So, basically, unless I can get Don to very graciously return
the merchandise and cash, the league/course is going to be out $150. If anyone
knows how to contact Don, could you please call him and let him know about the
situation. I would REALLY appreciate it.



As far as everything else goes, Aaron Walther won the 1-Disc Challenge Pro
Division with a 42(-12) and Ryan Gorman won the AM Division with a 50(-4). The
disc was a Gateway G7i/Element with a sweet custom Neil Brown stamp. There were
17 CTP flags out on the course as well...pretty sweet!

 

And after the club president talked
to him with no hint of compromise…

__________________________________

 

Don,



I am not sure why you are unwilling to come to some form of compromise. I made
a mistake. This mistake needs to be rectified. I was fully anticipating
compensating you for your hassles. You have to understand that this is coming
out of my pocket...the club does not extend me any financial indiscretions. You
really need to think about where I am coming from and the amount of effort that
I put towards disc golf in general. I volunteer countless hours, donate
countless amounts of giveaways, absorb other leaguers financial issues, and
deal with various assorted other problems on a regular basis. Your inability to
work with me and the club is a literal kick in the teeth. Needless to say,
unless you can find a little kindness in your heart, I will not be able to
allow you, or Todd, to play in the JB Doubles. It is a public park, so you are
always welcome to play...just please try to avoid showing up on Tuesdays (or
Thursdays, Fridays, weekends, and any other day).



Please call me if you feel the need to discuss this any further. Remember that
this is a sport built on a much larger scale of volunteerism than most others.



Greg D'OH

_________________________________

 

Greg,

As I explained to Chris you guys
approached me with the offer I didn't ask you for it. I think it is really
unfair of you to expect me to give everything back especially when Chris had me
sign a paper stating that I was paid for the coupon so I couldn't go back on
the deal. As you stated JB is a public park but you then "suggest"
that I not show up there on anyday. If this is some sort of threat against my
person or my property I will immediately call the police if there is any hint
of trouble at JB park. I will be keeping this email just in case as evidence of
the threat if there is any trouble. Please cease to contact me further.

Thanks,

Don

____________________________________

 

After a few testimonials
on my behalf, here is a reply…

Josh,


I really do appreciate the kind words. Thanks for offering to help out with the
situation. Before I take you up on your offer, I do want to give Don a chance
to work with the club and I on coming to some form of compromise. I know the
term is over-used, but this whole situation is a matter of principle. Chris and
I realized our mistake relatively quickly after the fact. Chris sent him an
e-mail immediately upon arrving at home and called him first thing in the
morning. When Don returned the call later that afternoon, his response was
nothing short of selfish and rude. Because of his attitude, I can only come to
the conclusion that he knew he was getting more than he was supposed to and was
taking advantage of the situation to begin with (hence him taking off
IMMEDIATELY after getting paid). We contacted him quickly enough that it was
not a matter of the plastic already being thrown or the money already being
spent. I am not sure that he realizes how much volunteer effort it takes to
make this sport actually happen. He seems to think that we should absorb the
cost like a Wal-Mart would. The $150 of merchandise and money represents a
WHOLE lot more than its face value...it represents countless volunteer hours
and countless compromises on my part that you can't put a value on. All I want
is for him to work with us. At the moment, it honestly feels like a kick in the
teeth.

________________________________

And my final transmission…

_________________________________

Don,



Sometimes a mistake is made. Sometimes individuals need to step back and look
at it from a different point of view. We are a volunteer organization. I am
sorry that you saw it as an irreversible situation, when in fact it is nowhere
near this way. It only backs up the testimonies from several other,
non-involved, individuals that you sometimes rub people the wrong way. Maybe
you are what they say you are. Sorry to see you go. Have fun, buddy...I will
never contact you again. There are plenty of other courses for you to play. No
threats will EVER be issued, but your presence at JB will probably not be very
well received. I hope you enjoy your 6 discs and $71 enough to compensate for
your loss of St. Louis
disc golf as a fun and carefree activity.



Greg



P.S. "If this is some sort of threat against my person or my property I
will immediately call the police if there is any hint of trouble at JB park. I
will be keeping this email just in case as evidence of the threat if there is
any trouble." Do you honestly think
I would do anything remotely close to this? You must be a...

[Brandon Swanson]

I think you're absolutely right... except, JC would turn my water (aviar) into wine (challenger).  I'm sporting my WWJD bracelet next tourney.  Okay, I don't have one, but I do kick it with JC.

[xians421]

WWHD? What Would Homer Do? AAAAAGH! and he's gone!

 

[Rescue]

Good thing he wasn't a Sheite  :)~

[Joshua Knutson]

I think he would have done what I suggested in my previous post.

[Skipper H / Ripdiscgolf.com]

Had I been the one to pay out, I would have maybe contacted the guy to see if there was something we could work out, but on the other hand, since he did not make the mistake I would not be rude or even pushy about it, really it is only a few bucks, and I to have given lots to Disc Golf... I have given 100s of disc's away free, and I have done a few things that cost me money when I had not planed on it... If it really hurts the club, maybe you could talk to the members, do a few rounds where you pay out half? And put the rest back into the club. I never mind helping out any clubs I am in or have been in.

 

I say we work hard to get along and that is what helps disc golf grow!

[Skipper H / Ripdiscgolf.com]

With that said, if you had paid me out then contacted me letting me know what happened, I would be more then happy to pay you back what was paid by mistake! So I kinda feel like both sides could have done things better.

[Shawn Boucké]

It seems that it was your mistake in the first place.  You need to accept the mistake, not ban anyone from the league, and try to stay more focused next time. 

 

You said in a previous post "the details of the coupon were posted at league central and on a tee-sign.  It was a large 8.5" x 11" sign that was pretty hard to miss.  It was even harder to mis-interpret."  I am guessing you are the one who wrote it, and still forgot about it.  You also said "He saw a window of opportunity when I was making the mistake and did nothing to correct my mistake."  Unless this was done in a private room, I assume that the rest of the players said nothing. 

 

If you really feel wronged, be the bigger man, accept him back into leagues, and play on.

[Greg D'OHogne]

Actually Gateway laid this on me at the last minute.  They handed the basket and signage to me when I went by to pick up the discs for the 1-Disc Challenge that evening.  It was not part of the original plan, and that is why I screwed up when I had 60+ leaguers hitting me up with their prize-out vouchers from the 8 week league.  Simply put, I had too much on the plate...check out the website discussion board if you want to.  I always try to out do myself.  The rest of the player's said nothing because they weren't leaning into the conversation...trust me, they would have said something if they had heard/seen it.

 

I have dropped the issue, but he will NEVER be allowed to play in JB Tuesday Doubles as long as I am at the helm.  Trust me, this is a unanimous feeling from EVERYONE at the course/league.  Maybe I am doing a poor job of explaining exactly what happened...

[mr ed]

The hole is getting deeper,more excuses.maybe time for a new captain to stear the helm before icebergs appear.

[Greg D'OHogne]

It sounds like you have lots of experience running things without ever making a mistake...please enlighten me.  If you knew the type of person I have been for the disc golf clubs I have been involved with, you would surely see things differently.  I have been a constant B.O.D. member for the Philly Club and the STL Club for the past 13 years.  I have NEVER had to deal with anything like this before, so that is why I asked for some input.  I don't ask for anything other than to be treated with a little respect.  I simply don't want one person's egg-headed decision to be the reason I abandon ship.  You are more than welcome, with your infinite wisdom, 10,000 posts, and obvious know how, to take over the helm...come on down!  I am sure your minister can advise you on this...

[mr ed]

So,have you talked to his minister as you mentioned to set your side? Repsect is earned,wisdom comes with age.Someday you'll be there.Thanks for the update on posts,had no idea the amount.Remember, the captain goes down with the ship.Enjoy the time afloat,grab some discs that float.

[Greg D'OHogne]

He won't give me the minister's name or number...or respond to any form of contact.  He has essentially ignored every effort for a reconciliation/compromise from the start.  I am plenty afloat.  I have earned my respect.  I have received countless calls from the leaguers begging me to keep running the league.  Maybe you are right and I need a break from this...it always feels like an uphill battle trying to satisfy everyone anyway...