$7500 1st place Guaranteed

[aldagolf]

I can't believe we can get only 21 entries for a $7500 guaranteed 1st place This is nuts. Where are all the big hitters that are complaining about purses where they play for their own money. The Mile High Shoot-out will pay $7500 for 1st and you big hitters are going to set your butts at home and complain on Incepta about no money events. I want to hear your comments.

JD

[mightymouse]

Hi Jack,

I'll comment based on what I've seen over the last 4 or 5 years...

Entry into almost everything outside of LDA sanctioned events seems to be a "regional" issue.  If someone shows up, it's usually because they already live in that section of the country. 

As an example, everytime you (personally) host an event, we see the same 30 or so names over and over again (because they all live somewhere in the southwest).

We need more people like you, Jack - but in different parts of the country (thank you for all that you do!).

However, money alone can only do so much to attract hitters.  Relatively speaking, $7500.00 isn't much money to chase knowing the fickle nature of this sport.  Equipment, travel, time off work, and entry fees knock that down a few K (at least)...   

So, what amount of $ would do it, you might ask?  That's a good question - the number varies with each person that you ask...so who knows...  For me, personally, it's a waste of time to compete for my own entry fee money (it reeks of 1980's mini-tours, and still makes my skin crawl).

I love the idea of the Mile High Shootout (just wish it would have been in May or June - I could have made it out there).

Take care, Jack.  I hope not to see you the Saturday before Worlds...hahahaha...

John Karafilis

[koolaid]

I agree with what John said and I would add that it is right in the middle of Districts. I know for us here in the South, we are all gonna be in Florida that weekend. Trust me, I would much rather be in Colorado competing for $7500.00 than in Florida competing for none but the Florida trip gets us to Mesquite and that's what it's all about (or so I keep hearing).

One last thing, I believe this sport has changed. Instead of $500.00 buy in's with $7500 going to the winners and trying to intice 40+ hitters from all around the country, we will probably do better to have $250.00 buy in's with $2,000.00 going to the winner and get 20 regional guys to drive in.

That leads me to an idea. You are obviously doing an unbelievable job there in your area attracting competitors to your smaller events. We have had success here getting 25 or so guys for 3-4 events a year. What if we combined our efforts to create some type of point system and money to get the best from our event to battle the best of your events for 1-large event? I haven't thought this out and it just popped into my head but what do you think?

Lance

[aldagolf]

Thank you both for the great reply's It is nice to see someone put some thought into a reply. I agree timing is not the best on this one. Lance as you can see the ALDA is working on a series of state events. We started out with a series in Arizona which is very successful. We expanded the series to California last month and it looks to be another good decision. In this system longdrivers accumulate points and the #1 ranking in state and national rankings. The #1 ranked longdriver in both AZ and CA will receive ALDA Championship rings with the #1 ranking engraved on the rings. Hitters can win a state championship ring by participating in the state finals which is open to everybody. In essence hitters can win 2 rings at each state finals. The #1 longdriver and the State Championship in all classes. We will be looking for site directors to run events in states with a high concentration of longdrivers in 2010 and beyond. We have developed a very extensive points program that can track points on State, Regional and National basis. We will be showcasing the new Par 3 Golf Challenge at Warner Springs this weekend and plan to expand the Par 3 GC in 2010. Top notch site directors will be offered several opportunities to make money with the ALDA. Take a look at http://www.aldagolf.com/video.html to see how you can make money on corporate, celebrity and charity outings in your areas.
Thanks again for the constructive posts

JD

[Geekoman]

Thank you both for the great reply's It is nice to see someone put some thought into a reply. I agree timing is not the best on this one. Lance as you can see the ALDA is working on a series of state events. We started out with a series in Arizona which is very successful. We expanded the series to California last month and it looks to be another good decision. In this system longdrivers accumulate points and the #1 ranking in state and national rankings. The #1 ranked longdriver in both AZ and CA will receive ALDA Championship rings with the #1 ranking engraved on the rings. Hitters can win a state championship ring by participating in the state finals which is open to everybody. In essence hitters can win 2 rings at each state finals. The #1 longdriver and the State Championship in all classes. We will be looking for site directors to run events in states with a high concentration of longdrivers in 2010 and beyond. We have developed a very extensive points program that can track points on State, Regional and National basis. We will be showcasing the new Par 3 Golf Challenge at Warner Springs this weekend and plan to expand the Par 3 GC in 2010. Top notch site directors will be offered several opportunities to make money with the ALDA. Take a look at http://www.aldagolf.com/video.html to see how you can make money on corporate, celebrity and charity outings in your areas.
Thanks again for the constructive posts

JD

celebrity's...you can probably get Steven Seagall pretty cheap these days...and Sly Stallone as well!

[BossGodwin]

I'm a new guy to the sport but I agree with Lance on the matter that we are in FL the weekend of the shootout. I believe we need to make a nationwide points system with at least 5 or 6 events for each region. This way no one can complain about having to go to far out of the way to make it to an event. We should make it like the WLDC, they have all the different regions in the U.S. and all of which will get you to the main event(hopefully). I would really enjoy having 5-6 events in each region with points going to how you place in each event. Then toward the end of the season we should have nationwide tournaments where say the top 5 players in each regions battle each other for big prizes. Kind of like a fed-ex cup for long drivers. I see alot of potential for this sport. Hopefully we can find some more venues to host more events. I am also with Lance, I would rather pay $250 to win a smaller prize at a more local event then to pay $500 and go all the way across the country to an event. I don't know, just a couple thoughts I had stuck in my head. Thanks for the post.

Jason Godwin

[aldagolf]

Jason
Thanks for the comments you are spot on. We may be bring the ALDA to a couple of the states in the Southeast in 2010 and I agree with the low entry fee The ALDA will always have low entry fee events ($50 entry fee for state events plus any cash the hitters want to hit for IE: $50 entry fee plus optional $100 cash buy in all goes to players). We have Regional and National events on the drawing board all leading to a Grand National Championship. Watch for the ALDA in 2010

JD

[BossGodwin]

That sounds awesome JD. I just got started a couple weeks ago. Was able to compete in an event and it was awesome. I can't wait till next year when I can compete in more events and meet more great LD people like yourself and Koolaid. I will definitely be watching the ALDA for next year. Thanks

Jason