The Discraft Michigan State Championship

The last 2 years I have been sponsored by Riverside Accounting in Grand Ledge. I haven't had to pay the State Tourney entry fees and I DON'T want to mow the grass or maintain the courses. I DO WANT ... show more ›

The last 2 years I have been sponsored by Riverside Accounting in Grand Ledge.
I haven't had to pay the State Tourney entry fees and I DON'T want to mow the grass or maintain the courses. I DO WANT Mason County to make enough money to do the awsome job they do.
If someone comes up with a series that can match States, I'm sure some golfers would play, but the rest of us will see Jeff in September 2013. Only 10 more months!!

Last time I was asked this question I was told by the "old MDGO crew".... If you want to know just work (volunteer) with us all weekend and you will see everything. I did, still do, and I know. I al ... show more ›

Last time I was asked this question I was told by the "old MDGO crew".... If you want to know just work (volunteer) with us all weekend and you will see everything. I did, still do, and I know. I also know that it's NOT worth it (in monetary terms anyway).

As for the Escalades, I hope they come in soon! Combine Jeff and my vehicle's mileage and it looks like the national debt.

Last I checked Jeff was paying for his Esclade with Disc Golfer $. Right after he paid for the 6th course he and Mason County Disc Golf Org has installed and maintain with the mowers THEY purchased. S ... show more ›

Last I checked Jeff was paying for his Esclade with Disc Golfer $. Right after he paid for the 6th course he and Mason County Disc Golf Org has installed and maintain with the mowers THEY purchased. So I think Jeff himself has lost $. His club has made $ to put back into the sport. Shame on you Mason Co.

But Mark, what about the half dozen trips across the state and cell phone costs it takes to organize the events leading up to the Finals. I know many understand these administration duties come at our ... show more ›

But Mark, what about the half dozen trips across the state and cell phone costs it takes to organize the events leading up to the Finals. I know many understand these administration duties come at our own expense and time away from our families but a few who throw questions out like this need to be reminded that its just as easy to question as it is to volunteer. So Chad, since you raised the question, in what capacity will you be volunteering for?

...but it sure got us talking! :) Thanks again Jeff, Keith, Gipe, JBird, Adam, and everyone I haven't listed. Awesome tournament!! I love Flip, Ludington, and well, Scottville whooped my @s$, but ... show more ›

...but it sure got us talking! :) Thanks again Jeff, Keith, Gipe, JBird, Adam, and everyone I haven't listed. Awesome tournament!! I love Flip, Ludington, and well, Scottville whooped my @s$, but hey, that's why we play!
I love to see everyone getting passionate about Disc Golf!! :) Be nice y'all. If you're this passionate here, let's redirect and get active in the communities of our DG families! I am so guilty of needing to get more active locally, and a few of you said it beautifully, 'talk is where ideas start'...let's get some more momentum, so our bodies will follow! :)

As far as the "other vendors", there could always be a fly mart one night/or Sunday? Vendors could pay a small fee to vend (say$25? - with four vendors, that's $100 towards gas for the now paid off mower! $100 would mow one or two holes...right?? :) <3), that fee would go to course maintenance Mason County DG Club? AND they could donate wares to the event in the form of CTPs/raffle prizes($25 retail)? That way it wouldn't infringe on JBird (He has been so great to women this year! Thank you JBird! ), and it would raise money for the club/State Finals/more CTP's/growing Michigan grassroots businesses. Just throwing some things out there...

Mark Ellis - I loved the mini games....you make even the mini competitions HUGE! Thank you & Your lovely Assistants~ Sarah & Kira!

@Scwass & the Gang - did you receive lots of donations/CTPs, etc??

I'm pretty sure I'm losing my hearing, but I would totally be down for starting a donation can for a bigger or re-located PA system :) Or it could have been all the loud talkers....either way.

@ All you TC course lovers...the Northern Michigan Championship (Northern Waters Series) will be held at Carly's Playground and Hickory Hills, all are welcome!! :) September 28-29, it's after Labor Day, so a lot of motel rates will be at off-season prices! :) We still have a few hole sponsorships available, message me for details!
PEACE, LOVE, and DISC GOLF!
~Jen

@Patrick, I feel like each club has its own established weekend tourneys, and that's how they help promote their area courses. Example, when you think AM Nats, you think the Tabbagan course: The Mi ... show more ›

@Patrick,

I feel like each club has its own established weekend tourneys, and that's how they help promote their area courses. Example, when you think AM Nats, you think the Tabbagan course: The Mich AM Open, you think Hollywoods and the FTF: CCR Open, Grand Woods and surrounding courses. To change that might be a real head turner for all these tourneys and could potentially turn people away. (I know there are more supporters in these tourneys, this was just to make a simple point)

Here is a completely seperate thought. If you would like a different venue for states, maybe you should coordinate it amongst the clubs you are looking to involve. For example, lets say you want Lansing Area Courses to host states, then have CCR run their tournament(CCR Open) at Ludington, and in return the State tournament hosted by Mason County could be run in Lansing Course Area. I'M NOT SAYING ITS A PERFECT IDEA BUT IF ITS SOMETHING YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN DOING I'M SURE YOU WILL FIND A WAY. I'm sure there is A LOT MORE RED TAPE ISSUES that I'm not aware about when it comes to running a tourney, but I know the TD's do know about the red tape and most the TD's that I know also help run the local clubs and probably could get the ball rolling.

In my mind, if you did manage to coordinate a "swapping" in venue for one of the big tourney's, it would give LOCAL TD's a chance to play in a tourney at their respective home courses(because the other club would be running the tourney) and would probably shed a little bit of light as to what they can do to improve their own courses, local tourneys, clubs etc. and could possibly bring a good change to a course/tourney or two. Being that they could play at it with more then just local players they see all the time and know what to expect from.

On another side note, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HOW PASSIONATE SCHWASS CAN BE ABOUT PLAYING DISC GOLF AT HIS OWN COURSE KNOWING ALREADY HOW PASSIONATE HE IS AT TD-ING HIS COURSES.

Lmao I don't think he meant that Innova sponsors him just that Innova > Discraft lol I have to agree with him there. Unfortunately no matter where states is held, people are always going to bitch. Eit ... show more ›

Lmao I don't think he meant that Innova sponsors him just that Innova > Discraft lol I have to agree with him there. Unfortunately no matter where states is held, people are always going to bitch. Either its too far away or "we never play these courses" Or the teepads are too short, or we play the shitty layouts yada yada yada. Just enjoy the fellowship with friends, awesome golf venues, scenic views, miles of beaches, phenominal players party, and top notch service that Jeff, Todd, Kieth, Bill and crew run every year. This was my first year I did horrible and couldn't have been happier (barring the obvious lol)! Keep up the good work!

Sure it's a competitive event but it's still a fun weekend away for most people. Take it from Ludington and you lose a big part of states. I take the competition very serious but it's still a cool wee ... show more ›

Sure it's a competitive event but it's still a fun weekend away for most people. Take it from Ludington and you lose a big part of states. I take the competition very serious but it's still a cool weekend you might not experience the sqme way if it were somewhere else. And of course Ludington isn't the only vacation spot(it's not even my favorite spot) but it is the best vacation town that can support a disc golf event of this magnitude I would think.

@Bill I'm not sure that is what "most people" think states is all about, but if it is that is great. I enjoy the "vacation" part of it as well but when you break it down its a competition and should ... show more ›

@Bill
I'm not sure that is what "most people" think states is all about, but if it is that is great. I enjoy the "vacation" part of it as well but when you break it down its a competition and should be treated as such. how it affects peoples "family vacations" in the large scale of things should be one of the last things considered. I know that's a bit harsh but it is how I see it. Schwass has the AJ open/Flip open on the same weekend back to back.. So there is that weekend to have the same type of weekend. So the opportunity to play that area is always available. Though I understand that Labor day weekend is easier to get time off of work generally etc and is very convenient. Again I never said States Should move or has to move, I was just curious as to why it never does, and to say Ludington is the only vacation destination in the state is doing Michigan an injustice.

and to answer todds questions...i had an awesome time, and surely got my value out of the event. payouts were great, i played one terrible round and still walked out of there with as much plastic as i ... show more ›

and to answer todds questions...i had an awesome time, and surely got my value out of the event. payouts were great, i played one terrible round and still walked out of there with as much plastic as i have when ive won a tourney. some great plastic to choose from as well. only complaint about payouts is the line but it was a chance to talk with a few people while waiting in line. not really sure how to correct the line issue anyways. in regards to the player party, i was unable to attend and i regret that. my buddy had to work monday morning and we had a 3.5 hour drive so had to hit the road. i plan to be there next year though!

patrick, im not sure you get what states is all about for most people. ludington is destination type disc golf, its a coastal vacation town that people seek out and a town that offers plenty of lodgin ... show more ›

patrick, im not sure you get what states is all about for most people. ludington is destination type disc golf, its a coastal vacation town that people seek out and a town that offers plenty of lodging at various prices. for many people this is the only time of year they get to play these fantastic courses. sure there are great courses in the detroit/ann arbor area but most people get to play those all the time and out of towners might not want to deal with hookers knocking on their motel door. lansing has the awesome burchfield courses but aside from that theres nothing special. the grand rapids area has some nice courses but i wouldnt really call the area special like ludington. traverse city is the only other town, really only has the 3 courses but is a cool town. ludington is just perfect for the event, it has the capacity to support 400 disc golfers for both playing and lodging. camping with your buddies in northern michigan, playing some of the best courses in the state with occasional views overlooking lake michigan, and enjoying some great competition. maybe im on my own here but i get a different feeling when i pull into mason county park or onto bills property at flip than i do when i pull into hudson mills or anywhere else for that matter. as soon as i leave ludington i want to go back and i cant possibly imagine a reason to move it. not to mention i think a lot of the work goes into these courses just for states and many of the people who run the tourney are from the area, someone correct me if im wrong on that one.

@Bill Wieske I humbly disagree, minus the Jbird/vendor thing. I was pretty comfortable with my opinions. I have a understanding of what goes into course maintaining, Club running ETC. I have ton ... show more ›

@Bill Wieske
I humbly disagree, minus the Jbird/vendor thing. I was pretty comfortable with my opinions. I have a understanding of what goes into course maintaining, Club running ETC. I have tons of respect and admiration for those capable of doing such. As I have told many TD's and Club organizers this. I personally do not run things on this grand of a scale, but I do help run things in my local area.

I also never said states NEEDs to move, I was just curious as to why it never does. As far as your questions as to where else could it be done. Well I feel there are courses with in comfortable driving area like Ludington has it in the Detroit area, As well as With all the new additions that have been popping up in Lansing I think Lansing could support a year as well, These are just the ones that pop in my head. Again, I never said it has to move or should be moved, I was curious why it doesn't is all.

@Todd White
Thanks a bunch for that info. I made sure to bookmark it, and will do my best to try and make some meetings.
and I agree with your closing arguments, and I believe it was a successful championships! Though I did not take advantage of the Schwass party, as my family came up to start our family vacation that night, They did enjoy the fireworks from our campsite miles away though. My kids thank you for that!

The link to the state schedule is here: http://mdgo.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=5 and can always be found at http://www.mdgo.org. Everyone is welcome. I fully suppo ... show more ›

The link to the state schedule is here: http://mdgo.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=5 and can always be found at http://www.mdgo.org.

Everyone is welcome. I fully support people voicing their opinions as it gives food for thought. I don't condone sniping, trolling, or hiding online. It does seem that differences get resolved and ideas are vetted pretty well (but that's just my opinion). One of the reasons we made the first meeting so early is to not wait until the last minute to implement the changes that we decide on and will be good for the state.

Keith and Mark have stated most of the reasons of why we do the things we do for the state finals. The largest problem every year seems to be enthusiasm for ideas but zero effort towards implementing anything. We had some people step up this year and run courses and I commend them for that. Not everything went the smoothest but it went well.

As the PDGA state coordinator I am always trying to figure out how the two entities can pool their resources the best to make golf in Michigan ever better. Having feed back helps as always.

My hats off to everyone who pitched in. Without EVERYONE, this would have NEVER happened.

My closing arguments for a successful Championships will be....
Did everyone enjoy themselves (#1)?
Did you get your 'value' out of the tournament?
Were the payouts good?
Did you take advantage of the player party & fireworks? Oh, and the 30' x 15' bonfire? :)