Michigan Amateur Open

Ok guys the people of the FTF Nation have asked and I am obliging... Ever wanted to design a disc that is used for a tournament stamp? Think that my lame artistic talents have run their course? ... show more ›

Ok guys the people of the FTF Nation have asked and I am obliging...

Ever wanted to design a disc that is used for a tournament stamp?

Think that my lame artistic talents have run their course?

Want some free discs?

Announcing the Michigan Amateur Open Disc Artwork Challenge!

Criteria:
It is open to EVERYONE.

The artwork must have the tournament name and dates on it.

Design for a hotstamp.

Due date is May 1st 8pm EST they can be emailed to [email redacted] or delivered in person.

Design becomes sole property of the FTF.

I am the sole judge of this contest. There may be 3 winners, 1 winner, or none. We are looking for 3 designs but if there is not one design that good enough then there is no winner and we will use our usual methods for artwork.

Winning artist will receive 1 disc from the 3 Tournament stamps for a total of 3 discs as well as being recognized at the tournament. In addition $10 off their entry fee if they are playing MAO.

Winners (if any) will be annouced at Chain Reaction along with their artwork.

Mark, I would play some other tournaments earlier in the year (the 2011 state wide Michigan tournament schedule will be completed soon) and I would play in those first. This is an A-Tier which is ... show more ›

Mark,

I would play some other tournaments earlier in the year (the 2011 state wide Michigan tournament schedule will be completed soon) and I would play in those first. This is an A-Tier which is close to the highest level of play that you will find as an amateur player and not something that I would recommend for your 1st tournament experience.

Typically, most 1st time players will ask what division they should play in and that is best asked when signing up for a tournament at a course that they play at. By telling the tournament director what you shoot he can usually find a good place for you to start which may be at the lowest division or maybe somewhere in the middle...

MARK runs the best events on a regular basis. As a proud FTFer I thought this is one of the best events a non-pro could dream of attending. THAT SAID: I believe constructive criticism is how to ma ... show more ›

MARK runs the best events on a regular basis. As a proud FTFer I thought this is one of the best events a non-pro could dream of attending.

THAT SAID: I believe constructive criticism is how to make strides even when you are the best already.
So.....I can understand someone grumbling about payouts. All divisions winners got 40 in funny money I think. PLUS I KNOW the huge player pack and badassedness that was the whole event. When you beat a field in an A Tier with 30 people in your division and your funny money doesnt equal your entry fee, it would leave ME a bit unsettled. It didnt bother me when I saw all divisions top payout was about the same. However all players got the player pack and I totally understand the grumbles. The trophies were awesome and the excitement of beating your field is great. I just dont think we should make anyone feel ousted for grumbling about payouts. I would play this event over and over because of all the awesome activities and player pack. I just think we as the FTF should be open to criticism and then offer the explanation as to why it was how it was. Not everyone is in understanding of the math. I wouldnt want them to be insulted because they wondered why they won and got less then there entry in a large field for winning. Mark and everyone did great. It is OK to have some criticism. I do wish those individuals felt more comfortable to voice their opinions without fear of insult or being ganged up on. Mark I appreciate the explanation. I think those who questioned it do as well. An elitist attitude just turns people off. Great event....great host....and with Mark I am sure it will be even bigger and better next year.

No one should be complaining. This was a great tourney. I took second in AM 3 and was more than happy with my $35 payout. I think people are forgetting that we got a 3 disc player pack including st ... show more ›

No one should be complaining. This was a great tourney. I took second in AM 3 and was more than happy with my $35 payout. I think people are forgetting that we got a 3 disc player pack including stickers, the mini and the bag tag with your name and pdga # on it. Not to mention the FREE food and FREE beer on Saturday. Anyone complaining about getting FREE beer is just one unhappy individual. Plus this was the first tourney I saw the 30' circle painted out on every hole and the course was cleaned up real nice for us and closed down for the entire weekend! This is one of my favorite tourneys I have played and the first Flint Town Flyerz event I have been to. Those guys have impressed me without a doubt. I look forward to participating in more of their events. Thanks again for running one hell of a tourney!

I forogt to add this in. To run this event cost us near $5000. Entry fees were near $5000. Even taking into account mark up on discs the event is a wash with all of the things we provide for free. ... show more ›

I forogt to add this in. To run this event cost us near $5000. Entry fees were near $5000. Even taking into account mark up on discs the event is a wash with all of the things we provide for free. We only start to make money on merch sales, 50/50, & side games. So, if you came and did not have what you think was a good value for your money or a good time I can only suggest that you do not enter next year as I do not see a way to add much more value

Mark - just my two cents, but I heard the opposite. People that I talked to, including myself, could not believe what a good deal we all got for the cost of this tournament even outside of the payou ... show more ›

Mark - just my two cents, but I heard the opposite. People that I talked to, including myself, could not believe what a good deal we all got for the cost of this tournament even outside of the payouts. I received the three disc player pack, which also included a mini and several stickers, a stash mini from Karma Junkie for winning my card one round, another disc and a great J-Bird series T-shirt for a CTP, and then with my modest payout got custom stamped Panther and limited edition Champ Vulcan. Add on three pieces of pizza, pop and water, a FTF custom frosted cookie, chocolate chip cookies on hole 1 during the round, a tournament program, coupon for Dunhams, and a couple of additional Innova stickers that you gave me for my truck.... I sorta felt like it was Christmas. And I didn't even take advantage of the FREE BEER!

I don't see how anyone could complain about this tourney at all. You provided food, beer, entertainment, easily $45 player pack, and an over all awesome experience. You shouldn't have to defend yourse ... show more ›

I don't see how anyone could complain about this tourney at all. You provided food, beer, entertainment, easily $45 player pack, and an over all awesome experience. You shouldn't have to defend yourself to people who can't do the math. This event was run flawlessly and I personally can't wait til next year. Good Job Mark and staff!!!!

So I keep seeing people grumble about the payouts. If you have a specific question I am more than happy to answer them but the short story is that everyone got a 3 disc player pack (of which there wer ... show more ›

So I keep seeing people grumble about the payouts. If you have a specific question I am more than happy to answer them but the short story is that everyone got a 3 disc player pack (of which there were 4 choices from 3 manufacturers and I did not stick you with 3 discs of my choice) worth more than the entry fee for the tournament. That is in addition to the huge player party, free ctps, free trophies which all of which cost the players nothing. The club covered the cost of that all.

About $15 per person went to payouts which could have been much much less. For $45 I thought the players got a great deal. Yeah if we charged $70 there would have been huge payouts but I wanted an affordable event for everyone that came.

When you have a huge player pack you are not going to have huge payouts unless you charge a large amount for playing. The payout percentage for this event was 197% with all of the free things for the players...

We provided a smooth run event on a closed course for a whole weekend of good disc golf entertainment. I guess I don't know what else that I can say...

So, when I run an event, the basic guideline that I use is, I ask myself "Is this an event that I would like to play in." Huge player pack, moderate entry fee, player party with food, beer, & music, ... show more ›

So, when I run an event, the basic guideline that I use is, I ask myself "Is this an event that I would like to play in." Huge player pack, moderate entry fee, player party with food, beer, & music, well maintained course, modest payouts (taking into consideration the before mentioned items) this is exactly the type of event I would like to play in.

I hope you all walked away with the same toughts. There are some minor tweeks that I would do if I had a do over but all and all I am happy with what took place over the last two days at the Michigan Amateur Open.

Thanks to my title sponsor, Dunham's Sports. Thanks to my non playing officials: DJ & RC Hunt. Thanks to my non playing assistants: Zak Amos, Jesse Cahill, Derek Evans, & Merri Hanson. Thanks to our event sponsors: Wolf Pack Discs, Karma Junkie Disc Golf, Freeland Disc Golf, Motor City Chain Gang, Black Ace Disc Golf, Sweet Harvest Bakery, MVP Sports, Buffalo Wild Wings, YMCA, & Michigan State Parks.

Thanks mark for everything! A huge thank you goes out to the state rec and dnr for working with us, and bending rules here and there to help this awesome tournament go off superbly. I had a blast this ... show more ›

Thanks mark for everything! A huge thank you goes out to the state rec and dnr for working with us, and bending rules here and there to help this awesome tournament go off superbly. I had a blast this weekend. Made some new friends, won some prizes, and shot terrible golf...and loved every minute of it.