Hello,
The Longview Open 2020 presented by Innova is at the very least postponed, but likely cancelled for 2020. There are just too many factors working against this event to keep it going. Obviously, COVID-19 is at the top. I'm already having people withdraw because of it. In between now and the scheduled event, I will be going to Washington state to visit my son. I fully understand the risks I'm taking but do not want to presume to pass along those risks to others on account of me. This event was going to have $750 added cash to the Pro Purse of which $500 was coming directly from me, Maverick Disc Golf. Unless the event has over 100 AMs to help offset this, I would completely take a huge financial loss on keeping it a B-tier in four weeks. Even before the pandemic, I've been getting regular feedback regarding the lower than normal registration that a majority of players rather not have tee times over two days, or have to play on Easter, or both. Honestly, the only reason to have the event at this point is that I've already have spent $2,800 on player pack items and still haven't even ordered the windbreakers yet, which just adds another layer of uncertainty that if I order the windbreakers and then cancel later, the losses will even be greater.
There is a tiny possibility that I may reschedule in September for October, but if I did it would strictly be a C-Tier for two rounds on a Saturday only. Last fall 2019, I rescheduled the Raymore Rumble because of course construction and ended up running 3 events in a 6 week period. I told myself I wouldn't do that again. If I rescheduled for the fall, I would again be in that position. We'll see, but I doubt it at this point. I'll be honest, I'm pretty worried about this. Financially, 2020 is going to be tough for Maverick DG to recover. Not just me, but all sports promoters. The last tournament I was this overbought on, the Yankton 2-Step, it took me over 3 years to sell off the overstock with the tournament stamp on it. People will say, 'why don't you just sell it on eBay'? With this many discs, it will still take me 3+ years to sell it all. I also cannot sell it lower then MAP (minimum advertised price) and retain my status as an authorized Innova resailer of custom stamped discs. (It's not just Innova, all disc manufacturers have a MAP, particularly DD, but also Discraft, Discmania, etc. if you want to remain as an authorized dealer.). At this time I plan on using these discs for the next Longview Open, even with the old date. But even with a 1 day C-tier I'm still overbought.
I'm writing this not for sympathy, but to provide real talk. I hear players complain about how DD is not providing refunds for the GBO. I completely and totally understand the position they are in. The PDGA modified the tournament refund policy Friday, 3/13 because of the significant financial loss tournament promoters will incur from these cancellations:
By: PDGA Staff
Friday, March 13, 2020 - 11:37
Effective immediately, the PDGA Board of Directors, in consultation with the PDGA staff, is temporarily amending section 1.03 Withdrawals and Refunds of the PDGA Competition Manual for Disc Golf Events.
This amendment will remain in effect for all PDGA events sanctioned as of 3/12/2020, that are taking place between 3/12/2020 and 12/31/2020. This policy will be reviewed, and if deemed necessary, be renewed or modified for events in 2021 no later than 11/1/2020.
The current 1.03 policy will remain in place for players registered in Pro divisions. This amendment only affects those players registered in Amateur divisions.
This amendment is meant to handle situations where a tournament director (TD) has spent considerable funds in advance of an event on amateur player pack items for that specific event. The goals of this amendment are to ensure that TDs can continue to provide high-value tournaments while mitigating their financial risk and also ensuring that our membership is protected and provided value in return.
Temporary Amendment for PDGA events sanctioned as of 3/12/2020:
1.03.J For Amateur division withdrawals outside of the 30-day window listed in 1.03.C above (or should there be an outright cancellation of an event at any time):
1. For an event where the amateur player pack retail value is equal to or exceeds 100% of the entry fee, the TD has the option to provide that player pack to the player in lieu of a cash refund. This is an option to the TD and not a requirement. If actual shipping costs are more than $10 per package, and would cause the TD to incur a total combined cost for the player pack and shipping that exceeds the player’s entry fee, the TD will have the option to charge those shipping costs to the players.
2. For an event where the player pack retail value is less than 100% of the entry fee, the TD has the option to ship the player pack to the player while providing a cash refund for the remaining balance of the entry fee. For example, if a tournament entry fee is $50 and the player pack value is $25, the player would be entitled to a $25 cash refund plus the $25 players pack. If actual shipping costs are more than $10 per package, the Tournament Director will have the option to deduct the shipping cost from the cash portion of the player’s refund and should shipping costs cause the TD to incur a total combined cost for the player pack and shipping that exceeds the player’s entry fee, the TD will have the option to charge those shipping costs to the players.
All Pro Players will receive a full refund less the $1.34 handling fee that I cannot control. Per these updated rules above from the PDGA, I could withhold the value of the amateur tournament disc, ship it to you, and refund the difference. I do not want to require that. If I benefit when a tournament financially goes well, I should also be prepared to take a hit when they don't go well (i.e. no corporate bailouts).
Instead, I'm asking for you to voluntarily accept a disc and a partial refund. If you too are in a position where you don't know how this economic down turn will affect you, I'm not going to judge you in any way if you ask for a full refund. Seriously, if you are in a position where you need it, simply ask for a full refund and it will be given without question (less the $1.34 handling fee). However, if you are willing to accept a tournament disc and partial refund, I would greatly appreciate it.
Below is what is available. As this is voluntary, shipping will be charged at $3.20, my actual cost (give or take a nickel). Last fall I tried to coordinate approximately 30 players picking up t-shirts from the bonus item from the Innova series. It's not an undertaking I want to do again.
Because this is going to take a lot of time, please do not ask for specific pictures of discs including profile pics. I'll make an exception for the I-Dye discs since they are so unique. I've included the colors and weight range for each option.
For stamps, the foils may include: white, green, red, blue, rainbow, jelly bean, black, gold, silver. It varies from mold to mold, give me 3 choices.
Star - $17
Star Corvette 175 gm: yellow, pink, red, orange, black, light blue, dark blue, 170-172: green, orange, white, yellow; 167-169 gm: white, light blue, dark blue, pink, orange, green
Star Leopard 170-172, yellow, pink, blue, 168-169 gm, green, orange, yellow, white, 165-166 gm: yellow, white, red, orange
Star Mako3 (shipping is $4 due to over 8 oz) 180 gm: yellow, orange, pink, dark blue, light blue, 177 gm: red, blue, white, 175 gm white (175 is $3.20 ship)
Shimmer Star Teebird 175 gm: silver gunmetal, gold, purple metal; 168-169 gm: all silver gunmetal
Champion - $16
Luster Champion Firebird, green, blue, orange, all 175 gm
Luster Champion Mystere 175 gm - yellow, blue, green, red, 170-172 gm: blue, green
G*Star - $15
Destroyer 175 gm: orange, red, navy blue, green; 170-172: purple, blue, red, green; 165-169 gm: blue, yellow, orange
Pro - $12
R-Pro Pig all 175 gm, very gummy/tacky: red, teal, yellow, light blue, dark blue, hot pink
Pro Colt - 175 gm, all stiff, yellow or pink
I-Dye Champion Shryke - $18 - 167-175 gm
I-Dye Star Corvette - $19 - 167-175 gm
Glow Champion (skim-milky white)- $18
Glow Champ Rhyno all 175 gm, stiff, not gummy
Glow Champ Tern 170-175 gm
Colored Glow Champion - $20
Colored Glow Champ Aviar3, all 175 gm, all puddle topped, pink, orange or seafoam
Colored Glow Champ Rat, all 175 gm - pink or seafoam
Colored Glow Champ Roadrunner all 175 gm, peachy orange, seafoam
You can find the disc characteristics here:
https://www.innovadiscs.com/disc-golf-discs/
Please let me know what you would like to do, preferably by email.
Neil Killian
Mar 15, 2020
Leon Arndt
Apr 2, 2020
Hello Rob, I'm willing to take a disc and a partial refund but not sure how to e-mail you.
