So you may be asking what is all the fuss this season with PDGA flex starts and pdga league? Well besides just adding a different level of competition to what we do locally, it also allows locals to more easily earn amateur points to hopefully get an invite to the Amateur Worlds in 2020 being held in Orlando Florida.
New England Amateurs is biggest AM event in New England, AM Worlds is the biggest in the world. This year it is 7 days, 8 courses and I believe 6 rounds of disc golf.
And the deal is you have to commit and plan ahead. To actually play in AM Worlds you need to be both PDGA member AND certified official. Otter Brook will reimburse any member that wants to become a PDGA official. Then you need to play enough events and accrue enough AM points to get an invite in early 2020. In 2018 I only accrued 224 AM points which would not get me an invite for anything.
Here is point breakdown for 2019 and I assume it will be same or similar for 2020
https://www.pdga.com/2019amworlds/invites/criteria
Last years AM World results.
https://www.pdga.com/tour/event/33926
So anyways, by having local PDGA events at Otter Brook you have more opportunity to earn points without traveling as much. And Flex starts are hopefully going to be a much easier way to get involved in a C-Tier event. Just sign up and play anytime of the day that is convenient for you. The only caveat is that you need to have a card of 3 when you go out or a card of 2 and a PDGA official. Probably major difference is that there is no player packs and all money minus costs goes back to players in form of cash for pros and funny money for AMs. Breaking Chains will be handling the payout side of things for us. We have 2 events scheduled already (1 before Mr Sippys and 1 before Summer of Dubz) and are planning to schedule 2 more later in the summer in Aug and Sept.
PDGA League does not earn as many AM points per event, but you can knock out 6 events in 6 weeks. I have been asked how this will affect our normal Sunday league and the answer is not much. There is no change in times or cost. playing for points and a player rating is completely optional. Sign in in the morning will be a little different and we will have to use paper scorecards. Other "change" if you want to call it that , is honestly going to be a change in curtesy on the course. We tend to play a little looser, a little more ready golf like. And there is nothing wrong with that. For PDGA we are just going to be a little more aware when people are throwing, using minis, and being aware of foot faults in and out of the circle.
But the cool thing is we will come out of this with some very solid course information. Like hole averages, what is our median score and dorky stuff like that. It would also set the table for having a handicap league or tourney of some sort which may be interesting.
Bottom line is that these changes may sound big, but in reality are just an extension of what we have been doing and where we are going as a club. It adds options for those looking to qualify for AM Worlds and have more player rating opportunities and changes very little for those who like the status quo.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at knhdgc@gmail.com
Bob
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