Club Image

Schoen-hopper · Post by **Schoen-hopper** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:16 pm

Here it is. I'm dropping the big wad of dirty laundry.

I've taken on the task of running the majority of our league events for the last 2 years. Everyone knows that it is much more than taking money and paying it back out. There is tracking handicaps, keeping track of club funds, creating league schedules, preparing for upcoming tournaments, keeping track of membership and member info, carrying and posting updated forms on bullitens, creating files to track ace fund info and league history etc., keeping an updated disc inventory and making regular orders with selections made by the members, promoting the league to new players, course repairs, pin rotations, talking about improving league at monthly meetings, coming up with new formats, playing new courses, keeping things fair and people happy.....

Why do I do it? Easy. Because I love the game and I love providing people with a fun and competitive place to play it.

I've been seeing some disturbing things happening at league. I think some of these things are giving our club a bad image and these things will continue to become more damaging unless the club (not just me) wants to see things change. I've had people tell me that they have quit coming to league because of some of these things or similar. I've even had a person blame the club for this behavior and demand that people be held responsible for their actions. Here are some examples:

*Profane and Vulgar language right in front of women and children. Should women and kids be excluded from league play just because they show more control over themselves? The people offended by this aren't limited to women and kids either. They could be parents or those with a more disciplined lifestyle. The people we are driving away might be the ones who could take the game to the next level.

*Illegal activity. To each his own. But in the clubhouse, in front of the police station? That's just asking to lose the clubhouse, our courses, the reputation of disc golf locally or even nationally.... Be very discreet. Show consideration for everyone in your group. It only takes one person who has a bad experience and chooses to report it. There is nothing keeping this from happening.

*Inappropriate behavior on the course. I had a situation today where a player showed up to league after taking heavy doses of "altering" medications. To this was added alcohol and more. After a few holes, the player was not capable of continuing play. 12 holes took over 2 hours because the player couldn't keep track of where they were throwing on every single shot. There's more that is really too inappropriate to go in to. I kept thinking, what if this was a new golfer or my stepson who was partnered up with this player? After babysitting for so long, I tried to get the player to just set it out. As the situation continued to deteriorate, I talked privately with them to make sure they knew that what was going on was inappropriate. At this, the player immediately became offended and left.

I feel bad for dealing harshly with this person. There are obviously problems going on. This person repeatedly gets belligerent drunk during league and tournament events and has to quit early. This was the first time it happened in my group, but how many times has it happened to others? How many people can tolerate this kind of behavior, and should they? I want to run a disc golf league where players can strengthen their skills, not a safe-haven for people to get away with behavior that wouldn't be tolerated anywhere else. It is really hard to let someone know they have crossed the line without coming off as rude, but that may be exactly what is needed. It is not OK.

*Personal attacks. I’m not just talking about a couple of people here. I've heard of several different incidents lately involving several different players where there was constant bickering going on for a league round and these incidents have come very close to getting physical. Is there any excuse for this? I can't think of any situation where this is the right choice. We are all out there on our own personal time to have some fun. How fun is it to have players fighting in your group? We should think of our disc golf buddies as our family. There's no grudge out there worth keeping. Let's try to make it a good time for everyone. Make it a better experience for others, not worse. It comes down to respect. For the game, for each other, for ourselves.

If it makes people uncomfortable to see it mentioned publicly, that's probably a good thing. Because that's exactly what myself and other folks experience when we go to league. Public disgrace. What kind of reputation do we want to have? A serious question. I know most of the people who view this forum are the players who do show respect for other players. So don't take this as an accusation. I'm hoping that you will support me in trying to improve our club rep. Policing all the players shouldn't be yet another responsiblility for me to take on alone. It has to be everybody who wants for our club and league events to be an enjoyable experience FOR ANYONE who wants to come play.

Ron · Post by **Ron** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:59 pm

I am one of the new guys out here, but I totally agree with you. The club and the sport in our town have a bad name. I'm all for a better image.

Bangrrr · Post by **Bangrrr** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:03 am

While I don't make it up for club events often enough, I am one of the worst about spouting vulgarities when I shank a putt ect.. Not only do I look like an idiot for missing the putt, I have to open my mouth and prove it. It is a hard habit to break and I am working on it. I have to, because sooner or later I'm gonna get stroked for it at a tournament.....

Friz-Rocker · Post by **Friz-Rocker** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:04 am

The mother of discgolf,ballgolf has drunks[John Daly]and F-bomb dropping,club head slamming[Tiger Woods]players and is more popular than ever.Golf itself is teaching us that misbehavior is acceptable.If the PGA can`t police it`s own,than noone can police us.

The JOL · Post by **The JOL** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:26 am

Friz-Rocker wrote:The mother of discgolf,ballgolf has drunks[John Daly]and F-bomb dropping,club head slamming[Tiger Woods]players and is more popular than ever.Golf itself is teaching us that misbehavior is acceptable.If the PGA can`t police it`s own,than noone can police us.

You didn't hear, Tiger Woods is banned from playing golf, because he is ruined the PGA image

Cat · Post by **Cat** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:11 pm

Bangrrr, you da man...for fessing up and admitting your faults and vowing to change. We are having these exact problems in the SN but instead of admitting faults, the ones who are the "problem children" are putting the blame elsewhere stating that "as long as someone doesn't light up in front of the women and children" its okay or "as long as no one hears the profanity, no big deal". At least you all are trying to make a change for the better, while others in other leagues are just pointing the blame elsewhere and making excuses instead of vowing to at least try and improve themselves, thus improving the image of the disc golf community.

Schoen-hopper · Post by **Schoen-hopper** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:28 pm

Friz-Rocker wrote:The mother of discgolf,ballgolf has drunks[John Daly]and F-bomb dropping,club head slamming[Tiger Woods]players and is more popular than ever.Golf itself is teaching us that misbehavior is acceptable.If the PGA can`t police it`s own,than noone can police us.

The PGA has a mile long list of things that can and will get a player fined, suspended, or kicked off the tour. Most of the things I mentioned happening in our league would probably result in the "kicked off the tour" if it happened in a PGA event. It could result in criminal charges as well. Display of etiquette is a very important part of the game of golf and always has been.

disclizard · Post by **disclizard** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:46 am

It's been a long hard winter and My health was not good. Short story is I got emphysema real bad which makes hard to get out alot to play disc. I quit smokeing cigaretts and it has cleard up alittle so I hope I am ready to get back out and play again in Colwich.

Mike I agree with you about the image of our club. I have noticed that this is something that alot of clubs are dealing with. I think alot of it has to do with the attitude of the average disc golfer. I have noticed a large differance in the way many people will act when they are together in a setting that brings them together. Whether it be on the course or here in the forums people tend to become lemmings. Not all mind you but just enough to notice. I do think that our club Image is affected by things we do ON and OFF the course . Therefore I will no longer affect our club Image in the following ways and try to work at bettering my self, my health and my attitude towards my fellow club members.

1. I will no longer smoke the left handed cig at any club's event weather it be our club or another club. This will Include but not be limited to Tourneys, mini tourneys and league play. If i want to smoke one I'll do so before or after the event and AWAY from the disc golf course.

2. I will no longer drink any refreshment that contains alcohol Before or during the above mentioned events.

3. I will try my hardest to keep my language under control and keep from haveing a four letter melt down after a bad shot, I will also refrain from useing foul language that could offend others around me on the disc golf course.

4. I will no longer let my self get worked up about what others in the club or other clubs do or say. To each is there own. The best I can do is to try to stay calm and let my actions speak for me.

5. I will change my attitude. No longer will disc golf be about winning or loseing, popularity orany other compition . From now on it will be about my own personal fun and doing what I can to make sure that I only effect the level of fun others around me have is for the better.

Mike you are a good example of setting a good example for others around you on the course. Your level headed attitude and self control is some thing many of us should strive for. Your doing a great job with the club. Great thread.

Ron · Post by **Ron** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:52 am

Wow, I am impressed lizard. I wish you all the luck with your new attitude. If there is anything I can do to help, don't hesitate to ask.

Ron

The Captain · Post by **The Captain** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 8:47 am

what number is this?

Schoen-hopper · Post by **Schoen-hopper** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:24 am

Man I was tempted to delete that one.

Well, there is your club image. LOL. Can you make it any smaller?

What can I say? Can a guy not drink a beer or 6 at the friz and wear a stupid face? I still can't remember the hole with a basket on a tree stump.

Schoen-hopper · Post by **Schoen-hopper** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:43 am

Words of wisdom:

A picture is worth a thousand words.

What happens at the Friz stays on the forum.

I wouldn't have a problem here if you could just crop out that oil can.

I gotta go work on my rep.....

Friz-Rocker · Post by **Friz-Rocker** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 1:13 pm

1 can of reputation is worth a thousand words.

Schoen-hopper · Post by **Schoen-hopper** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 4:10 pm

Was I the only one drinking Fosters? Anyone.... anyone....

The Captain is one awnry cat. You have some tough competition Friz.

mrsenortyler · Post by **mrsenortyler** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:14 pm

What did the President say, "I didn't inhale."

There is no proof that he drank that beer!!