Thoughts on being a pro... earning no money!!!

So I have been contemplating being a pro at this day and age in the PDGA era, and I have come to some conclusions. 

 

1. We make absolutly no money to support ourselves as the pro payouts are generally terrible. 

2. Unless you tour to hit the 'big' events, don't quit your day job. 

 

Why is this? Why is ball golf supporting so many pros and disc golf is not? I have heard the no corporate sponsors bit and agree, but why is this sport so cheap for pros? 

What do you think about making the sport cheap for ams and casuals but somehow upping the ante for professionals. Start pay to play at some of the better courses and increasing entry fees substantially at tournaments. If you want to pay 40 bucks to play a tourney, play am, have fun goofing around and make open pro more serious. 

 

What does everyone think?

[Chuck Kennedy]

What would they be investing in?

[Larry Mann I am]

Hey, thats up to you to tell them. You are the administrator.

[Larry Mann I am]

Also when I joined the pdga it didn't say psuedo in front of pdga. If thats what you think about it what are you doing working for it.

[Chuck Kennedy]

The mistake in retrospect was calling the original org "PDGA" but Steady Ed already had the much better name of Disc Golf Association tied up. It was the cart before that horse which still hasn't trotted along. The PGA (1916) was founded after the USGA (1894) where the true base of amateur players had been established and there was a need for the PGA.

[Dookville]

At this point it looks like coverage and the popularity of our great sport will come from the college ranks. Over the last 4 years the college nationals have grown from 6 teams to just over 40 competing. While not recognized by the NCAA, colleges are pushing to have the sport brought out of intramural status and be considered. It is also possible for a student athlete to attain All-American status through disc golf. Hell....Climo is even a professor, teaching the sport up in Oregon.

 

If ESPN U throws some coverage their way, the sport might be primed for real growth and then what?

[Chuck Kennedy]

That will still be amateur not pro growth since these collegians definitely can't earn money to retain eligibility. If ESPN U covers it, it will only be because thousands of students come out to watch the college players. It will be interesting to see if that happens.

[Dookville]

There is some discussion on the PDGA Forums site in regards to Collegiate disc golf. I wonder if the PDGA is anticipating the spinoff that might occur, and if they are putting any energy toward helping its grow or garnering sponsorship interest. The hard part is that the PDGA isn't really in charge of getting sponsorship for the pro events, that is up to the individual events cordinators. Although they could have a sponsorship for the National Tour. NASCAR has sprint as the title sponsor for the tour, but each individual event has its own sponsor, like the Pepsi 400.

[Chuck Kennedy]

Pete May and the NCDGU are the ones handling collegiate development. There are some potential PDGA initiatives in this direction but that will depend on priorities. There's no PDGA Marketing Director at the moment seeking sponsorship.

[Dookville]

I can see why one would get frustrated and say screw it and just go play for their own enjoyment.

 

The NCDGU looks like they've got their crap together, must be money in it. Although a lot of the teams are having to fund raise to get to out of state events.

 

I guess I am going to just see where I fit in with helping promote my local club and see what goes on from there. Not sure what else to do at this point unless you have a direction Chuck.

[Chuck Kennedy]

I think you'll see some nice developments from the PDGA but they will be later this year rather than earlier. They are swamped being shorthanded and trying to add/replace people at HQ. Once staffing issues have settled down, they are poised to really move forward with the Board helping move them forward. Regardless of national initiatives, it's the local efforts as always that will make or break the success.

[Donny Olow]

Very True :  " Regardless of national initiatives, it's the local efforts as always that will make or break the success.

[Disc Player Sports]

Interesting of this hashing out and getting nowhere.

There is not a professional balance in the professional ranks right now.

Without proper investment of time energy and money, it will continue on it growth of its amateur base.

Try telling your kid to make a 'career' of disc golf playing professionally and supporting and family.