30 Yards and Seven Figures

Has anyone ever considered the possibility of increasing handicap yardage to 30 yards, with the stipulation to be eligible to shoot for the big bucks (added Sponsor Monies) at major events on the main cap event you must maintain a minimum average, dollar winnings or wins during the week to qualify. Basically style it the same as PGA golf. It would make televising main events muck more feasible. Henceforth, would be likely that high 6 and 7 figure advertising cost's could easily be justified.

Any thought's

WL

 

It would be interesting. Can you work out the logistics on such an event. It Should also have a very steep entry fee. We must feed the sharks as well as raise interest in the event. Roger C.

 

"Basically style it the same as PGA golf" .....

The "P" in "PGA" will never replace the "A" in "ATA". So you are back to starting something new to govern something "styled" after a "P" sport.

 

I would think the good folks at Cardinal along with some of the other larger well run clubs could easily handle the logistics.

The hard part will be getting the As and Ps aligned! What could we do to get that ball bouncing should have been my first question for consideration...

WL

 

I'm not sure you'd have to create a new entity to do something like this. Just do it non registered. Everyone shoots a minimum of 27 yards.

So, in keeping with the PGA theme....you would have a 4 day shoot. 200 HCP targets per day. After day two only the top xx shooters or anyone within xx targets (on a cumulative basis) of the leader gets to shoot on the weekend.

Squads would be selected by the shoot committee for the first two days. After the cut the squads are assigned by score.

First step would be to find a sponsor(s) willing to put up some serious money.

Maybe you do a $1,000 entry fee for the event. Anyone who makes the cut wins a minimum of $1,000.

Just some random thoughts.

 

I believe this should be given serious consideration

GB......................DLS

 

P-ATA as, in Pro ATA that puts the P in the Equation

GB....................................DLS

 

"I'm not sure you'd have to create a new entity to do something like this" .... "Just do it non registered" .... maybe, if it was a single effort or single Club.

"at major events on the main cap event you must maintain a minimum average" .... says someone has to keep records. So if different Clubs were involved some type of "new entity" may be needed.

 

Sponsors might be the biggest problems right off of the bat, watching "PROS" stand and break clay targets is on very much the same level as watching paint dry or grass grow unless you are one of the competitors ... Non registered would be the only was to go if it would happen to eliminate skimming right off of the top of any and all entry's with the exception of the hosting club getting fee's ... Getting the Amateurs to admit to being a Pro is another stumbling block that could be a major problem to over come being as PRO'S could or should not be allowed to compete on a national level with amateurs ... The idea has merit but don't expect any crowds or people to line up and put down big bucks to try and pick the pockets of the PRO's, ain't going to happen ... The best thing would be it could be hosted by many of the smaller clubs because they won't need more than a few traps ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Didn't Dan B and a handful of other top dogs try this decades ago, with no success? If i remember correctly they even had some shortage yardage allowed to get more people involved.

 

Check with Brad Dysinger a few years back he had a whole made for filming program that he put together that i'm sure he still has all the paperwork. His program was basically made up to have sponsors and the finals on tv.

 

The problem you may have is if the big dogs sign on to a pro agenda, will they ever be able to revert back to the amatuer status? If the average is the deciding factor in the partisapation, it will solve some of the sand bagging in some areas. It will not solve all of the problems in our sport and may create many new one to contend with. I like the idea of 27 yds. plus to contend, and a fairly steep entrance fee. It could bring some big money to the game where if a good shooter could not afford the fee, he maybe could pick up a sponsor. It could also inspire some dandy calcuttas. Roger C.

 

The main problems to solve to make it possible to attract major sponsor I see are:

First, we have to be putting on a show that will attract the audiences the sponsor needs to make writing seven figure checks feasible. Just shooting from 30 yards probably won't be enough to capture the audience we're going to need. As well stated above, watching clays broken over and over isn't going to hold an audience's attention for very long and definetly not for months through multiple tournaments. Anyone having suggestions on how to accomplish this please jump in, especially Brad and Dan B. as there personal experiences and opinions would be a huge asset.

Second, to make it work for the long haul it would require a national organization. My thinking, if there is enough interest, providing we can come up with a sellable show idea that 50 forum members could agree on. We then form a committee, enter constructive discussions with the ATA and PITA and see where it goes.

WL

 

Heard close to a thousand showed up to see Longshot whoop Big Don.

 

Sporting is doing it with their new PSCA. It's trial and error right now, but they have sponsors and it's on TV on a limited basis anyway! There are more trapshooters than sporting members.

 

Lets face it. We have 2% Sharks and 98% fishes in the ATA. Anyone that shoots and bets any money in an event that the 2% shoot in are fools easily separated from their money. That's not to say one can't win in a local shoot. But, the big ones with the 2%, don't waste your money. If the 2% want to play skins let them take each others money.

 

Being that the handicap system was trashed by our leaders BAMA represents the thoughts of most. An easier presentation and hotter shells have all but killed the sport.

 

+1