Motor City Chain Gang   May 4, 2019 at 3:57pm

Spring Fling issues and beyond ...

In an effort to address the recent Spring Fling issues:

ISSUE #1: Sanctioning:
First and foremost, we apologize for the sanctioning issue and not updating the Disc Golf Scene (DGS) 2019 Spring Fling page. At the end of 2018, the Motor City Chain Gang (MCCG) addressed the increase on B Tiers that the PDGA put forth and we collectively decided we would keep the Motor City Open, a MDGO Featured Event, at Pro B Tier status and drop our other sanctioned events to Pro C Tiers. The first MCCG sanctioned event for 2019 was the March Mudfest. Sanctioning fees were paid to the PDGA on March 18, 2019 and the Mudfest was March 24, 2019. No one addressed the sanctioning change or the cash added before or after the event. Was it the right thing to do? In hindsight, no. The change should have been made before registration opened. The DGS Spring Fling, Firefighters Classic, and Motor City Open all should have been updated too. They all are now.

The Spring Fling and the PDGA sanctioning fees were paid on April 16, 2019 for the event scheduled on April 28, 2019. The 2019 Spring Fling DGS page was created long ago using the Copy / Paste feature which is common practice among Tournament Directors. With that being said, the details in the About section still reflected the 2018 PDGA requirement for a Pro B Tier at $500 cash added. The first Pro player signed up March 29, 2019. Almost a month later and 5 days before the event (April 23, 2019) is when we were made aware of the incorrect online information. We apologized for the oversight, updated the information, and offered refunds. No deception was intended. For any of those affected who know the Tournament Director, you know his honesty and integrity would never be questioned.

We clearly see how this caused confusion and have discussed this for many hours internally. The MCCG is in its 30th season. Our events are sellouts and fun to play in. Our leagues are full. We cannot thank the players enough for the years of support. We love that the Sport is growing and do many things to make sure all local players know where the summer and winter leagues are being played in our local area. We also provide significant donations to all events that request our support or to events that we attend. We provide a lot to the players and constantly look at ways to improve our events via the way we input scoring, add to the payouts, card winners for the summer events for all divisions, allow players to choose their CTPs rather than give away plastic that no one wants, provide cash CTPs for all of the Pro divisions, and shorten the fields to 18 holes so people can get home faster. Are we perfect … no. Have we made mistakes … yes. But that does not mean we do not take pride in what we do or try to give every player a good value for their trust in us.

So we are all on the same page, the 2019 Firefighters Classis is a Pro C / AM B Tier event. We are again adding $100 to the Pro field. The 2019 Motor City Open is a Pro/AM B Tier event and has $750 cash added to the Pro divisions. The About sections for both of these events were last updated Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

ISSUE #2: Missing Check-In vs changing the Tee Off time:
To address the issue of posting a schedule with times, we will no longer post a tee time when utilizing a shot-gun style format. We will continue to post check-in and players meetings times. It is the player’s responsibility to check in with the TD on time and be at the players meeting for all announcements which include what time tee off is. The Competition Manual rule that applies here is 1.04 Event Check-In. It states that any player who does not check in by the time specified by the Tournament Director shall forfeit their official place and entry fee. Exceptions will be made only at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director. Thankfully, this does not happen often. If it were me and I was running late, and being a TD on the other end, please, pull your vehicle over and call the TD and let them know your estimated arrival time before the posted Registration time ends. Anything after is too late and the TD is in process of starting the event.

As a team, and through input from many of the March Mudfest players, we changed the starting times for the Spring Fling immediately after the March Mudfest. When we host sold-out events, the earlier start times get the players on and off the course so everyone can get home at a decent hour in the late afternoon. Unfortunately, we included a tee-off time which proved to be an error on our part.

In the morning of the 2019 Spring Fling we understand the chain of events to be:
Registration was posted: 7:30 – 8:15 am
Players meeting was posted: 8:25 – 8:40 am
Tee Off was posted: 9:00 – 9:10 am, 9:00 if the DGS App was used.

Our TD stayed on schedule and executed the Check-in (Registration) and Players meeting on time as well as added in two players from the waitlist. He also went over the tournament procedures with the staff before the players meeting including CTPs and out-of-bounds to name a few. Five minutes later, and as advertised the players meeting began approximately 8:25 am. It was announce at the players meeting we would tee off at 8:45 am. Yes, the announced tee time at the players meeting was earlier than what was posted online. However, we kept the tournament moving forward using what information we had at that time. Check-in had come and gone, the players meeting was past us, and the players who were at the event were ready for competition. No one objected.

If a player shows up after check-in, after the players meeting, and after the two-minute horn and subsequent tee-off, then that player has the option to take par plus four for each hole that their playing group has either completed or finished teeing on. Unfortunately, this situation arose at the 2019 Spring Fling to arguably one of the nicest people we know and a club member. Was this a disappointment … absolutely!

Is this the first time a player missed check-in and was replaced? No.
Is this the last time a player will miss check-in in the future? For sure, the MCCG has two PDGA sanctioned events left on the 2019 schedule so we hope not.

We will stay with the earlier start time for the 2019 Firefighters Classic and 2019 Motor City Open. Hopefully, we will not experience any of these situations at our last two events. In this case the player and the TD are two of the nicest people in our sport and this was an unfortunate situation. The Facebook post, only listing one third of the scheduled times, only made the bad situation worse.

ISSUE #3: Not adding to the field of 69 players.
Yes, the 2019 Spring Fling was three players shy of a sellout.
The Check In times had passed. The Players Meeting had passed. The two-minute and tee-off horns had sounded. Play had already begun.
Someone walking in from the parking lot asked to play.
This person had not registered, was not on the wait list, missed the check-in, missed the players meeting, and missed the beginning of the tournament.
Even if he was allowed to play, he would have started the event with par plus four for each hole missed. At this time it would have been a minimum of two holes. As a TD, we always love when an event is a sellout. Adding a player who was not prepared to play after play began was not the right thing to do.

RECAP:
In general, any player can reach out to us before an event and discuss how we make groups, formats of play, or any other procedures. If during the conversation that player discusses a specific detail or process they prefer to avoid, we will do our best to make sure we can fulfil the requests as long as our decisions fall under the PDGA competition manual. Whatever the issue, whatever the circumstance, it is always easier to discuss the topic with those responsible calmly and rationally before the event. This type of communication allows us to make the appropriate update and provides a better outcome.

Our TD apologized online for the sanctioning confusion. We have never seen our TD act unapproachable or be rude to anyone. Our TD has committed to finish out the two remaining sanctioned events in 2019. Beyond that, his family responsibilities are beginning to mount and he needs to shift focus for 2020 and beyond. He will still be around playing league events. We support him in what he has done for us this far and his decision for his future. His experience and friendship is unmeasurable.

The MCCG has always attempted to provide a good event for all players. We pride ourselves on giving more than we take in and try to have a zero balance at the end of every season. Just because we have been around a long time or have a large membership following does not mean we have several thousands of dollars in the bank. We do have a nice selection of discs and disc golf items that are paid for so we can provide nice donations to anyone who asks.

To address transparency when so many question our club’s finances: remember, entry fees do not equate to our club’s financial status. Tournament entry fees do provide the revenue used to make the event a success.

2019 Spring Fling Finances:
Income:
PRO Entry fees = 100% payout minus only the $2 per player for C Tier PDGA Fees.
PRO Entry: $925 + $100 added - $40 (20 Pro players x $2) PDGA fees = $985
PRO payout = $320 (Pro), $335 (Pro40), $285 (Pro50), $45 (Pro Women) = $985

AM Entry fees: $1883

Expenses:
Addison Oaks Pavilion: $250
PDGA Sanctioning / Insurance: $75 B Tier + $50 Insurance = $125
Trophies: $150
Cash for Open and CTPs: $100 + $20 per division x 3 divisions = $160
AM CTPS: $50 (cost)
AM Players Packs: $420 (cost)
AM Payouts: $570 (cost)
PDGA Fees: $3 x 49 AM players ($147) + $2 x 20 Open players ($40) + $10 x 3 non PDGA fees ($30) = $217
Total Expenses: $1942

The above costs for the AM CTPs, AM Players Packs, and AM payouts reflect merchandise at our cost, not what we generally charge for a disc or shirt if someone was buying them. The cost for discs has gone up and additionally we are now being charged out-of-state tax by some manufacturers when applicable. Yet, we redeem AM Payout vouchers at a cost of $15 for ESP, Star, Z, Champ, Fusion, Plasma or all other premium plastics.

Everyone makes mistakes including us. We have always tried to make it right to those impacted. If we have apologized for a mistake and tried to make it right with the player and that player is holding on to the isolated incident, it is on that player. The majority of players leaving one of our events after cashing out know I personally always give them a deal and rarely waiver over a difference of a few dollars. That is the club speaking loudly and thanking all of you for what you bring to us!