Take on Worlds

[A-ROB]

Until you can get people to pay to watch LD? There won't be any added money to events minus RWLDC
And everyone will work for FREE! lol So you can hit for your own money, as Allen suggests? Admission to the grandstands will let you know that the sport has definitely took a turn for the best!
Until then. It's your own backyard atmosphere!!

The money to be made from LD is not from the competitions!
If you can't understand this? You missed the train!!

Yes. There is one BIG winner a year! And a few that will break even or just in black #'s?
 
I love the sport! But I also understand sports and business.
For TV. Breaking a couple shafts would help increase viewers!
Call it "The Biggest Break"!!! Ha

[Allen]

Bombinbrian,

You should be commended for having an event and adding money to the purse. It shows it can be done and I wouldn't be surprised if you get more support in the future. I know Bullard has pulled this same thing off with his event. Honestly, at the events that don't pay above and beyond the players money they should hire you guys to advise them. I would definitely be at your event if I could. I am heading into my 2nd back surgery at the end of the year and miss the competition and hate being an armchair warrior. Best of luck with your event next year.

Brian,

I am not talking millions. I would just like to see more events pay at least our entry fees. I know it can be done. The players are there to support the event. The tournament directors want us there so as competitors we expect to hit for at least our entry fee money. With pro-ams and small sponsors this shouldn't be an issue at smaller events. I am guessing it will be 1,000 bucks to enter an event soon and still the payouts will remain the same. I am adjusting my numbers for inflation of 25% next year. Apparently that is the inflation rate of entry fees from year to year.

[KH]

We had this discussion some time ago about the players organization. Some of the very reasons why we are gonna make it happen in Europe is that we don't wanna have anyone screwed at events (no false numbers from the grid) and then we can easily "protect the product" and have regulations how to act and not to act on and off the tee box. It has nothing to do with strikes or that garbage bs that many here think it means. It's only purpose is to help everyone involved in long driving and make sure the longest hitters advance from round to round.

And when it comes to talking about money: at Söderby we are looking at a $20.000 purse and only half of that money will come from the entry fees. At Orresta they will have three times as big of a purse and same thing there - majority of the money comes from somewhere else than entry fees.

[A-ROB]

That's great For Europe Kari. I hope the LD fire in Europe keeps burning.
I was making a joke on the millions Allen. Your right. But why doesn't it happen more frequently?
Don't get me wrong here. I would love to see bigger purses at every event. I just don't see it happening in the near future. But even then. If you happen to win or cash? The same guys will keep hitting and cashing. Cause they will be able to let their recent winnings ride on another event that only cost $2300 to enter after  expenses.

Until there is a significant amount added to these events? Which can happen. Yet im afraid it will be a daunting task in this economy.

[kBoog77]

I think its funny how everyone is the same.  I have a bunch of buddies that play on developmental tours such as hooters, egolf ect.  They are constantly bitching about how much money the tournament directors make and how they should play for more money blah blah blah...You know what, its not gonna happen, no matter how much you complain.  Until you have multiple events like the ReMAx and have people paying to watch and attend events so much so that investors will put in money to advertise because so many people are watching, its just not gonna happen.  Wake up.  

The simple fact of the matter is (im sure I will get crap for this) in long drive you either have it or you don't.  It is not some skill that you developed over years and years of practice and dedicating every day 8 hours a day to getting better at it.  This is why as entertaining as some people like to think long drive is and as much as people want to believe there can be 50 guys making a great living off of competing, it is probably never gonna happen....Enjoy what you all have now because the fact of the matter is the ReMAX is a hell of an event and you should all be absolutely thrilled to be able to compete for 150,000 and a chance to showcase yourself on ESPN.  

Peoples mentality will always stay the same....they always want more and can never be grateful for what they have.  It makes me sick.  

[captainamerica]

"I have a bunch of buddies that play on developmental tours such as hooters, egolf ect.  They are constantly bitching about how much money the tournament directors make and how they should play for more money blah blah blah..."

I don't think this is a fair comparison as it is the same with baseball minor leagues, etc.  The difference is once they make it to the major league level (if good enough), the money is there!  In Long Drive, we all compete at the major league level and there isn't any money, besides one event a year.

"The simple fact of the matter is (im sure I will get crap for this) in long drive you either have it or you don't.  It is not some skill that you developed over years and years of practice and dedicating every day 8 hours a day to getting better at it."

I also disagree with this statement as some of the top LD'ers in the world didn't start out winning events.  Kevin Shook, Landon Gentry, Aaron Mansfield and I'm sure a lot of others...they weren't gang busters out of the gate.  I know these guys have worked very hard over the years to develop their abilities and it has paid off.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts!  I just respectfully disagree with these ideas.

[kBoog77]

I agree with you that they have put in some hard work and have developed their skill needed to win, but in long drive you only have to work on one aspect, hitting the ball farther. If we are comparing baseball then it is exactly like home run derby. Sure it is very impressive, but lets face it, after seeing a couple home runs hit, it gets a bit boring (atleast for me).  Especially when longdrive is just an offspring of golf, i think as an outsider looking in it isnt as impressive as someone who develops an entire game and not just one aspect of it.

I do not compete in long drive, but I enjoy watching it as I had a good buddy do it for one year making it to worlds, since then I have followed it and have begun to know the personalities a bit.  This is why I believe my opinion should be taken a look at since i do not have anything to gain and am simply saying things from a perspective of a fan.  It is a boring sport to watch, plain and simple and in my own opinion if longdrivers ever want to make a living competing, a new format needs to happen that attracts fans and therefore sponsors.

I also get very frustrated when people come on here and say oh the sport needs to grow, and we need to hit for more money etc. but when someone like you Ryan comes on here and as a past champion raises some serious concerns which I agree with completely, you get bashed to no end for it.  No offense to all of you on here but you all seem like a bunch of prima donna's looking from an outside perspective.  I would almost guarantee you that one of the first things Art said to Jamie when they started working together is, "don't post anything on incepta" because it taits images.

[A-ROB]

Baseball players are drafted. Anyone can compete in LD.
BIG difference. Alot of minor league players get payed a good chunk of $$$ to play. Signing bonuses help the player with expenses, family or whatever.Getting called up to the show is a big pay day!
Unlike LD where you have to win to make a little money.

[BTOWNBOMB]

It amazes me the thought process of some people on here...things are the way they are just accept it and deal with. Are you kidding me? I hope you guys don't live your life that way but I'm sure you do. I'm glad I don't think that way otherwise Shook Gardens would not exist. This is not about the players vs the LDA or any other organizers!! We are all in this sport of long drive together so if we  can come up with things to make the sport become bigger and better we ALL benefit from it. How do you people not see that?

Kevin Shook

[A-ROB]

I ran a 20 million dollar a yr in revenue company. My box is BIG! I think BIG!
I know how to generate. I know when to let go. I know how the economy can dictate sooo many aspects in life. Signs of the times and history will tell you what might happen in the future.
It's called reality! Like it or not. The cards are stacked. looking at talking to the deck does nothing.
That is my point!

[kBoog77]

Baseball players are drafted. Anyone can compete in LD.
BIG difference. Alot of minor league players get payed a good chunk of $$$ to play. Signing bonuses help the player with expenses, family or whatever.Getting called up to the show is a big pay day!
Unlike LD where you have to win to make a little money.

I was saying format wise, it is very similar almost exact.  It is one part  of baseball not the whole sport.  Ok so imagine if there were a anyone can compete homerun derby that was not affiliated with MLB what so ever, that included people who could hammer the ball but couldn't throw it and missed the majority of pitches and it was a format where you couldnt really see where the balls landed and it was over a period of 3 days long. Do you really think that many people would go see it no, be honest with yourself.


How are you all not seeing this?? I know it is your sport and you are very passionate about it, but how do you not understand that a once a year $150,000 first place contest broadcasted on espn is a hell of an achievement in this sport.  In no way do i live my life by giving up, what I am saying is embrace what you have, stop complaining and continually move forward by taking the advice of willing spectators like myself who are not afraid to come on here and help give some ideas on where the sport is lacking, when I have absolutely no self promoting desire.

[Animal]

 What is Shook Gardens? The homerun derby comparison is the exact comparison I use trying to explain to people what we do. I doubt this "sport" will ever be bigger than it is now. Look every major sponsor we have is at the end of their contract I am begging they renew contracts, I can careless about growing the sport I'm praying we will even compete after next year. Hope I don't offend anyone but any event outside of Worlds is not competing,its gambling and in World Series of Poker talk "its just not good pot odds". By the way the 22 year old just won 8.7 mil. Our World Champ just went back to his day job. I don't think Hixon was ever out of line,if I ran an event and he thinks what he saw was not right I would hope he would say something. Anyway what is SHOOK GARDENS? LOL

[bradfromearth]

"don't post anything on incepta" because it taits images.

It is just a misspelling, but did anyone else find humor in that one??  it "taits" images. I think all the guys in LD that have been around for a few years no one want to "tait" their image.

[POUNDS IT]

Hey George, Shook Gardens is a magical place that erases memories of the previous nights activities and has you smiling the whole time. If you wanna practice LD, you can; if you wanna practice putting, you can (who the hell would do that); if you wanna relax at the Shook day spa you can in the jacuzzi; pretty much its a place everyone should experience once in their life before we kick rocks. Its located in the wonderful location we like to refer to as the TUCKY or Bradentucky. Let me know when you wanna go and I'll setup a meeting to experience Shook Gardens!! I'm sure the host wont mind. He's a crazy SOB anyway!!

Gentry 

[Animal]

Jacuzzi? Just the 3 of us alone! I'M IN!

[BTOWNBOMB]

Yes Shook Gardens is magical!! The wildlife around here is awesome...almost every weekend you can see cougars roaming the property  

[POUNDS IT]

Jacuzzi? Just the 3 of us alone! I'M IN!

DONE!!!

Yes Shook Gardens is magical!! The wildlife around here is awesome...almost every weekend you can see cougars roaming the property 

Cougars galore...why do you think Mitch loves it so much!!! LMAO

[bombinbrian]

I'm not saying things shouldn't be changed but..........

Get your ideas and start the process, talk with other guys about them and when you have seriously thought things through, bring it to the powers that can change/implement your ideas.

My point is, what good does it do to sit at your computer and bash our current system? as A-Rob put it, BILLIONS of people can read it. Bitching between ourselves, behind our keyboard isn't going to solve ANYTHING.

I stated earlier, either offer to help fix the broken machine, invent your own better machine or shut up and keep going. I personally am working on my own, BRAND NEW machine. If you want to call Art and offer to try to fix the current one great, but don't keep airing problems on here. If any sponsors, or potential sponsors take 10 minutes to read this board, we're screwed.

[StevePratt]

As a big fan of LD, I also find it interesting how many on here have the attitude that the sport is at its zenith right now.

I agree with Mr. Pavlet, I would like to see you guys hitting for REMAX money every week in similar venues.  I would like to see 50 people making a full time living from long drive.  I disagree strongly with the notion that most people think long drive is boring.  Nearly all of the golfing public has never been to an event like REMAX.  I know many golfers that would go to an event if 1. It was in their hometown, and 2.  They knew it was going on ahead of time.

I think point 2 can be done much better.

I love how Ben Witter made the finals more like a show....that should be a staple of every event - as I think long drive and trick shots were traditionally the same guys.  Obviously, pro ams are working really well for added purse money.  There are current models of added purse money that are working.  And if positive people keep thinking outside the box, amazing things can be accomplished.

[TheDoctor]

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