What to do?

[AP]

We are currently about to send out more info about Orresta LD in August but are not on the same page yet concerning how to qualify for the event. The main sponsor who many of you know is actually kinder to players than me and Tony, but what is best for the future of LD?

What would be reasonable to do as a tournament host?

1. Let everybody qualify, no matter where you´re from or what you´ve done?
Me and Tony are never going to qualify at our main event when there is so much to do, so a sponsor exemption or two are in order.

2. Let maybe the finalists and previous winners get exemptions and the rest qualify?
That would mean 8 + winners.

3. Let everybody who´s playing the pro-am get exemptions and the rest have to qualify?
That would mean people who travel alot gets in, then a few more who´s done good in the past. At Orresta probably 18 guys.

4. A pure invitational event where everybody is in and a few people have to play pro-am anyway?

The answer for myself would be nr 3 but that´s as a player. As people who´s trying to host an event I´d like everybody to qualify. The problem in Sweden for instance is that alot of new guys show up and with no qualifier they can´t get in. It shouldn´t be easy to get into an event with decent money to compete for.

For people who travel far we could maybe get you one night free at the course incl. breakfast for playing the pro-am and a free dinner. As you all know the pro-am makes everything possible so we need players, but on the other hand it´s nice to get something out of it for helping out.

What are your thoughts and suggestions? If we have good enough money people will be there anyway but it would be nice to have some things the same wherever we compete so everybody has an equal opportunity.

If we are to have more than independent event during the year and have a tour the first thing we need is not a big sponsor but the same opportunities wherever we go. And the same format. The same number of payouts (top 8 or 12 or 16....). The same rules. The same standard of gridwork and measurement. You catch my drift.
(Last year I think we had a different way of qualification everytime there was an event except when it was an invitational event where everybody who paid got in.)

Then we need a big sponsor.

This post turned out to ask more questions then we originally intended but nevertheless needs to be asked.Thoughts please

AP and Tony

[The_Power]

Do it like Patrick did his last year, everyone playing in the Pro-Am is exempt and whilst the Pro-Am is going on you have a tournament qualifier where competitors pay 10 Euros for 6 balls and can have multiple tries (although priority is always given to competitors who haven't hit yet).

You could also have another qualifier just before the event proper starts.  

[KH]

I have no clue. I am wondering the same questions myself. It is impossible to please everyone anyway so just pick a method that you believe is the most fair for the players and never look back. There is no head organization behind us so every event organizer can do as they please. That's what I am gonna do and if I am gonna step on someone's little toe then so be it.

Before there is a big sponsor with deep pockets who tells everyone how things should be done I don't think anything is gonna change in this sport. Unfortunately.

[DrJ]

AP, option 3 sounds fairest to me, especially as I'd have to go through qualifying. Phil's suggestion is also good.

Bottom line, it's your competition so I'll respect any decision that is made by yourself or any other tournament organiser.

John