Sponsorship

After joining the PDGA and SoCal Disc Golf Association (actually, I'm still waiting to hear if they've received my information) I've been making mental notes of all the tournaments I would like to enter. Some of them close and some of them far. My list was getting long and that's when I started thinking about the money it costs to enter each one. 

I'm wondering, has anyone ever tried to work out some sort of sponsorship with a local (non-disc golf) establishment to help pay the entry fees? If so, how did you entice them? Wear their t-shirt in tournaments, or something? 

Just curious. 

[Charles Isaac]

I have wondered about this. Since I travel up to 350 miles for an event . . . and there is only one in my hometown (ace race that I run). I am not sure if someone local would want to sponsor. I would imagine that someone who attracts business for Sturgis would work, as we are stop on the Sturgis route

My question is how much could / would you charge? What is the payback for the business. I have two specific shirts that I will be using for tourneys; Can I pull a Nascar and label my shirt? Where does the advertising come in at? Do you submit stories to the local paper and make sure that your sponsor is named.

Can I end up selling my shirt each season for say $1500 that would help cover most expenses.

At that point I would love to get partly sponsored by disc golf online place for a couple of $100 for a sleeve. I wonder if any would go for that. Just looking to the right . . . Disc Nation, Sun King, Discs Limited, disc golf station.

[Emma]

I've told my boyfriend (Wade) that he should try some local businesses. I'm sure most will be unwilling just because not many people know about it. However I bet that you could find one or two that would do it.

You gotta think about it like you are trying to get your little league baseball team sponsored. You have to explain to them why its worth it to them or else they won't want anything to do with it. I like the idea of selling your "sleeves" too. I just think that because the sport is still unknown to a lot of people...less businesses are going to be willing to shell out the money. :(

Wade has been trying to get Bell's to sponsor him. He has called and e-mailed many, many times, with no responses, not even a no thank you. We really thought that Bell's would be a company that would love to sponsor a disc golfer for the fact that they were the MAIN sponsor of the 2008 Worlds in Kalamazoo. Unfortunately they seem like they want to keep their money this year.

[ROBEY the one.]

you would think they would have enough money to do it. since 07 worlds i have bought alot of there beer whenever i see it. thats says a lot being from wisconsin we have tons of our own really good beer, but i enjoying supporting those who support us (dg's). in fact for this past weekend i bought a sixer of hopslam and it cost me 17.50, no joke.

[Discette]

Your name is showing on the list of current So Cal Members and you are showing as a current member of the PDGA as well.

http://www.socaldiscgolf.org/2010Members.htm

What exactly are you waiting to hear?

http://www.pdga.com/player-stats?PDGANum=42520

[Cinque]

Discette,

I'm not waiting to hear from the PDGA. They sent me a confirmation e-mail a while ago. Regarding SoCal, I had been wondering if my check got lost in the mail. I've been checking the current list of members and I don't see my name yet, but that's OK because this morning I saw that my check went through. I'll be able to pick up my stuff at the El Dorado tournament, right? Thank you.

[Discette]

You may pick up your member fulfillment items at El Dorado. Sorry, I thought your name was showing on the So Cal site as member 773? If not, you may need to hit your refresh button.

[Cinque]

Yep, I went back and hit refresh and there it was. Yeah!!! I'm excited for this year.

[Brad]

You have to play a lot of tournys and win. Over 1000 rated helps. Being a good teacher or speaker also helps. I know some people that are sponsored. Unless you are top 20 in the world good luck getting them to pay for your tournys. Make that top 10. Good luck.

[Cinque]

Brad,

You think the top 20, or even top 10 disc golfers are randomly sponsored by their local coffee shops, or bars? Sponsored for the $30 - $40 it costs to play in the AM division of a tournament? Because that's what I'm talking about.

[Brad]

Why is a bar or coffee shop going to sponsor one player when they can give the tourny $30 to $40 and sponsor the whole thing. If they do this they are 100% going to get the name out to the disc golfers. If they sponsor one player he or she has to win to thank them. Im not tring to be debbie downer here but I think your time could be better spent like practicing. The better you are the easer it will be and the more money you will win. I try and use all winnings to pay for a tourny. Allready have money for worlds form winter golf. Good luck with what ever you.

[Brad]

I wish you luck. Let us know what happens.

[Chad Curtis]

I own a small business and we sponsor skateboarders, cyclists, triatheletes and disc golfers. We are a small shop so those guys do not get a full ride. They get assistance with entry fees and assistance with equipment.
*I NEVER sponsor people that have not supported my business before they came in begging for a handout. --ask businesses that you have personally frequented in the past.
*Give back to your sponsors when you can. If is is a sandwich shop, coffee shop, disc shop --then take your bros in there from time to time.
*Thank your sponsors on your Facebook page.
*Start small--ask for partial entry fees or assistance with traveling expenses.
*If a sponsor hooks you up maybe get their logo on your shirt, bag, discs --maybe do it on your own dime to show them how you are willing to promote their business.
*Brush up on the PDGA's disc golf demographics information so you can talk the talk with business owners.
Good luck.