LDA SITE & comments , thoughts ideas ---GUYS SPEAK UP PLEASE!!!

[toddo77]

Hey fellas
   Just letting everyone know about the thread on the LDAs website under the REMAX header------JUST WONDERING WHATS UP FOR CANADA-----id started a while ago .

    Guys please get involved in that thread and send the LDA your comments, thoughts, ideas , suggestions and feedback ASAP.

     If we dont get it done OUR WAY----it will be more CANADA DAYs and THEIR WAY!!   But this will require some input and feedback ASAP----its OUR COUNTRY and OUR SITUATION----if we are silent---its up to them---but overall as a group --we will be heard and thats whats required to make change in anything.


Hope as a WHOLE we can work it back NORTH OF THE BORDER to qualify and get through to the RWLDCs  from CANADIAN SOIL--------last year was brutal for all!



Toddo

[Strohack]

Hey Buddy,,,,,Left a message on that forum....
Cheers,
Steve Strohack

[GracefullyRuthless]

I totally agree!! the bottom line is Canada owns this sport!! I know so many guys that can crush it and hardly even know about this event let alone flying down to the states to compete. Is it really too much to have one in Toronto and one in Calgary I'm sure the turnout would be decent enough to send some solid prospects off!!

[psg8802]

Guys, the bottom line is, as you are outside the US, LDA want 3-7k per WLDC qualifying spot. If no-one is prepared to pay that sum then you're not going to have any qualifiers up there!

Having a "Canadian Day" in Mesquite sounds like a pretty good deal for you (although admittedly not for the sport) from where I am sitting. Last year, I believe there were 12 entrants competing in the "Canadian Day" and 3 qualified. That's 25% of the field and it only cost $75/150 to enter!!! The remaining 9 entrants then had another 2 shots if they wanted to qualify in the "Last Chance". This sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

There doesn't look like there is going to be any WLDC qualifiers in Europe this year but the difference is that there isn't likely to be a "European Day" either! I just can't see what you're all getting narked off about...

[Strohack]

Hey Paul,

What were Narked about is that we didn't have these problems 5 years ago......Canada had its divisions just like the rest of the States....

We had our locals and districts just like everyone else.....
Canada Day was a stop gap solution to what has happened for the last 2 seasons.

Shame they couldn't just go back and see what happens...but it won't happen.

Canada was a good deal....too bad I hit like crap in them.
Regardless I had a fun trip.

Cheers,
Steve Strohack

[hammerhands]

With people wanting and being available to hold qualifying sites, and with the amount of people that show up, if the LDA wants certain amounts of money I am sure things can be worked out.

If we had poor turn outs, or no sites to hold events up here I can see the cancellation. We had plenty of both here in Central Alberta. That is why there are a lot of upset people.

[Fraser]

Guys, come to Europe. We will greet you with open arms. We are all hopeful things will be getter bigger and better here sooner rather than later. And we have the same sense of humour as you boys north of the border ;-) To go to last chance personally cost me +$2000 so I know where you guys are coming from!

[GracefullyRuthless]

well if this is gonna keep up it should be brought up to Re/Max and renamed the American long drive championship. The biggest deterrent in this sport of eligible contenders is fronting thousands of dollars to go compete with the same list of people that were there last year and the year before. There is just way to many exemptions I think, that cuts profits of entrants as well when 95% of the people can just show up and they're in. Its like... is it worth the money to fight for the one or 2 last spots just to make it to compete? I've seriously never seen any advertising in golf courses or sports complexs for something like that, all u gotta do is have a couple guys and a field. every one sign they're balls and end of the day go pick up the longest few. is it really more difficult then that @ a few bucks an attempt? at least then its more like a league setting and every country that wants in can compete

[The Sport]

Exempt competitors at the WLDC have to pay a $700 entry fee. That is typically far more than they would be paying through locals and districts. There are more exemptions every year b/c at $700 a head it makes way more sense for the LDA.

[captainamerica]

Sport is correct on this one...It is $500 though for exempt competitors.  Last year when I saw the LDA give away more exemptions, I thought it was a good business move for them.  They were guaranteed a certain amount of money from those competitors and let's be honest...I'd be willing to bet that ANYONE that is granted an exemption would gladly pay the entry fee and show up!  Think about it, if you go to one qualifier and one regional and advance, how much money is that for the LDA per person?  Maybe like $150 or something?  With the economy the way it was/is, participation may have declined at qualifiers and I personally think that giving the exemptions away was a way for the LDA to try to combat that.  Just my two cents on the exemptions.  Also, aren't there only like 30 exemptions or so total?  For a field of 144, that is quite a few qualifying spots.  As far as Canada day and Euro qualifying, I don't know enough about either situation to comment.  I wish both the best of luck in trying to get qualifiers on their home soil.  I hope to see you all in Mesquite in NOVEMBER!  lol

Ryan Hixson

[Strohack]

IF you really want to crunch numbers.........Lets just look at some approx.....Let's take a walk.

World Long Drive - If there was no qualifiers....
$500 - for 144 people = $72000

If half the people qualified through District events.....no locals.
for the Sake of argument we'll use the ratio of for every one qualifier/ 10 entry
WLD Finals:
$500 - for 72 people $36000
Qualifiers :
72 people qualified -> 720 Entries
$100 - for 720 Entries = $72000  ( I know the fees are usually $150 assume 33.3% in expenses, range,staff,etc)
Add the two together = $108000

Add the locals assume the same ratio.
Since you have to pay for both local and Districts......assume the same 1/10 entry again
WLD Finals:
$500 - for 72 people $36000
Qualifiers :
72 people qualified -> 720 Entries
$100 - for 720 Entries = $72000 
Locals:
720 qualifer -> 7200 Entries
$20 - for 7200 entries = $144000 (at a 50% expenses at a $40 entry fee)

Add the three together = $252000

Under that model - That leaves $180000 for operational expenses for districts and locals...and I know that ain't much.
But hopefully you can see proportionally where the majority of the funds generated (from entry fees not sponsorships) come from.

I understand there are flaws in the model....
The bigger the business the more expenses it will incur.

But you can't tell me that offering more exemptions is good for the overall business.

I believe participation in locals is down for a number of reasons.
a) $40 for six balls makes no sense...... I rather see $20 and have the grid work all day....have 'Joe hacker' come up and give it a try. Give everyone an opportunity.
     More Entries, More People to the participating range, and more reasons for a range to host more events. Because they will make more money by hosting these locals.
b) Better Local advertising to the general public. I started by seeing a poster on the wall over 10 years ago.
c) Reduce the number of exceptions......The big dogs can get in the old fashion way....Ask Vince "The Pasta Man" how many miles he's traveled over the years
    Advertise an even playing field..Everyone takes the same road...anyone can win.....hell the PBA does it I believe,so long as you have a registered avg.
d) Give something of value to the volunteers of this sport.....it doesn't have to be much. Give them a reason to keep putting these events on.
e) Offer some prize money/prize at the Local/District level......Really is it that tough. Having my entry fee back would be a start.

That's my beef......Hope you enjoyed the read.

Steve Strohack

[hammerhands]

I agree with most of what you said Steve.

My thing is that in Central Alberta, it is the same people at the same events and the same guys up on the leaderboard. It is hard to get Joe Hack to step up with some of the numbers we are capable of putting up.

I can assure you that the last time we had a competition out in Gull Lake (open qualifiers) Joe Hack would have stayed and watched, had a couple drinks, but I don't think he could put up numbers like 365.

If we could find out how to appeal to those guys (as suggested maybe make a prize for non competitors) that could work.


Sport, you seem to have been around a long time, what would you suggest? Or anyone else for that matter???

[The Sport]

Hi Tim,

I'm glad you asked.

Prize money will never be given out at wldc qualifiers as it takes money out of the lda bottom line. Never going to happen. The wldc will happen with or without Canadians and that's a fact. If there is no qualifying anywhere in the world there will still be a wldc. The "event" is the only thing that "matters" why make it easy for the average joe to qualify when it makes no difference to the "event". I hope that clears things up as to how things are perceived by the powers that be. Sorry I couldn't make a longer post but I have a charity event I have to get to.

[hammerhands]

Honestly man, what is your deal. I wasn't making a shot I was asking your opinion.

[Ryan Hart]

Things are looking up for western Canada this year, hopefully there will be a little more info on this in the next few days.

Now for eastern Canada.  I think the best option is to have one, and only one guy contact the LDA about holding a super qualifier event (locals and district all in one weekend).  Have a plan and location to offer.   Let them know how many guys will show up.  Good things will happen.

Ryan

[Hutch]

I like the amount of discussion on here, but I don't like the harsh reality that the RWLDC will go with or without Canadian qualifying.  Sad but true.  Of course the top Canucks will be there either way, but for the rest of us it means costly travel and time off work.  For me as well, traveling to Toronto and area is more expensive than traveling to Vegas and area so we definitely need something here in western Canada for us guys and I'm thankful that Jesse and Ryan are working at doing this for us and possibly Winston Ahoy may have an event in BC which I would travel to.

As for what Tim said about the same guys at the top of the leader board I agree that it is discouraging for new hitters, especially at the cost.  There has to be a way to get more people just giving it a shot and who knows you may just hit your career ball and that's motivation enough to keep at it and get better so you can end up on top in the near future.  Some people have mentioned different brackets and other ideas, I'm not sure what would be best but someone who has ran or competed in other events even in other sports could have some good ideas.  In the end longdrive for me is a costly hobby that I derive great enjoyment from, good people involved, good competition and is money better spent than on other things in my life.

Hey when is the next indoor event in Red Deer? or did the whole low launch thing ruin it for everyone?

Later,

Hutch

[Ryan Hart]

Hutch

Planing on having a date for another indoor event in March.  Should be able to let everyone know in a couple days.

[longway29]

Dont everyone give up on Canadian Qualifying yet....
Carson

[toddo77]

Carson
   I hope that you have been in touch with the fellas down it FT WORTH at the LDA headquaters and are suggesting something POSITIVE may still come down the pipe---before its all flushed away!   
    You have a HISTORY , PEDIGREE and Knowledge of OUR SPORT and have been to the show enuf to hopefully have some influance and gain some ground with them all still too.  Sad that its just so silent from the LDAs stance though.  The nationals which Brett hosted and you had some help in as well was a great set up and event and got many of the top North American Hitters involved with was amazing and Midland Transport was a great first time Sponsor for us all to help out as well.   The fact the 5 ex RWLDC champs were in the field should speak loud enuf as well that we can and should be able to host some MAJOR EVENTS UP NORTH still as well!

    Hope all is well personally for you and yours out east as well of course and yer having a decent FAMILY season----until the snow melts again  for us all.


Take care

Toddo

[Riou]

I like the amount of discussion on here, but I don't like the harsh reality that the RWLDC will go with or without Canadian qualifying.  Sad but true.  Of course the top Canucks will be there either way, but for the rest of us it means costly travel and time off work.  For me as well, traveling to Toronto and area is more expensive than traveling to Vegas and area so we definitely need something here in western Canada for us guys and I'm thankful that Jesse and Ryan are working at doing this for us and possibly Winston Ahoy may have an event in BC which I would travel to.

As for what Tim said about the same guys at the top of the leader board I agree that it is discouraging for new hitters, especially at the cost.  There has to be a way to get more people just giving it a shot and who knows you may just hit your career ball and that's motivation enough to keep at it and get better so you can end up on top in the near future.  Some people have mentioned different brackets and other ideas, I'm not sure what would be best but someone who has ran or competed in other events even in other sports could have some good ideas.  In the end longdrive for me is a costly hobby that I derive great enjoyment from, good people involved, good competition and is money better spent than on other things in my life.

Hey when is the next indoor event in Red Deer? or did the whole low launch thing ruin it for everyone?

Later,

Hutch


I agree with Hutch here, this is a very expensive hobby but for me the chance to compete (that's what I call it anyways) outweighs the $$ spent.  There may be some people that choose not to participate in the sport b/c the same guys are at the top of the leaderboard but I think it is more of an exposure/advertising thing.  New people to the sport don't know that the same people are at the top of the leaderboard, they likely have not idea who any of these hitters are.  The same hitters at the top may be the reason other previous competitors have faded away but not the reason new blood hasn't been added. I honestly think that people don't know when/where/how to participate.  As far as brackets go there should be only one, the open.  Winning a second or third tier bracket would be like being the tallest pygmy in the tribe, not really anything to brag about!!

I'll tell you what is sad, if you look on Longdrivers forum you'll see that Winston is trying his best to host one/several qualifiers in Vancouver and "he is on the list to be called back" by the LDA.  There are dozens of sites in the US scheduled already and the canadian is having trouble getting his calls/emails returned.  That tells me something about LDAs priority for Canada and is a little scary if you ask me. 

BTW, I am always looking for a reason to drag the family out to the Coast, good luck Winston!