Below is the statement that will appear on the PDGA Ballot. I’d completely forgotten to mention this blog in my statement, but I’ll be glad to answer questions out here, if anyone is paying attention. Blogging is new to me, so i don’t really know what to expect.

It’s very heartening that there are a total of 11 candidates vying for the three spots. I’m looking forward to hearing what the others fellows (it’s really a shame that no women are running) have to say.

RR

Rick Rothstein
Kansas City, MO
PDGA #2458
DOB: 8-18-1948

Synopsis of Disc Golf Experience
Communications Director PDGA Board 1987-1988
Oversight Director PDGA Board 1989-1990
Competition Director PDGA Board 1990
Regional Director PDGA Board 1994-2001
Publicity Director PDGA Board 2002

Co-Founder of Columbia (MO) Disc Golf Club 1983
Current President of the Kansas City Flying Disc Club

Founder and Tournament Director—Mid America (nee Missouri) Open 1985-1991
Tournament Director 1999 Amateur World Championships
Tournament Director Kansas City Wide Open 1993-1998, 2002-2005

Publisher Disc Golf World News 1987-2007
President Disc Golf World, Inc 1987-present

Founder and Instigator of Ice BowlTM 1987-present

Entered the Disc Golf Hall of Fame 1996

Mid-Missouri Open Masters Champion 1985
World Disc Golf Championships Masters Division - 9th - 1985
Kansas City Wide Open Masters Champion 1987

Platform
Because of my longevity in the sport that includes 13 years of service on the PDGA Board, I can provide some of the institutional memory that I believe has been lacking in some of the Board’s decision making during the last three or four years. In addition, I’ve participated in hundreds of events through the years as a player, director, helper, or reporter; have traveled to many parts of the country and Japan; know many people in disc golf; and have always been very active at the grassroots level.

For the most part, I think that ratings have been a very good thing for competitive disc golf and the PDGA by providing increased opportunities for fair competition for members of all skill levels. However, not enough attention has been paid in educating tournament directors and promoters about event management and venue presentation. I believe that the main avenue for providing value to sponsors and getting more sponsors—at this point in our development—is to get spectators out to watch our events and to pay greater attention to presentation values. There are a few exceptional events out there, most notably the USDGC that is leading the way in this area. The PDGA has flown in scorekeepers and officials to its World Championships, so spending money to make a venue sparkle and to ensure that the sponsors we have are taken care of is not that much of a stretch.

While it’s fitting that competition is the main business of the PDGA, I think we should also be in the forefront in solving environmental issues and promoting the healthful aspects of disc golf. The main environmental problem on our courses is soil compaction, and in many places, a major threat is the ongoing loss of trees. In ball golf, the USGA, besides running many major events, also promotes turf research. Similarly, the PDGA can sponsor research to remedy the soil compaction problem that will continue to worsen due to increased course usage as the sport continues its growth. Similar research could be done about re-forestation.

Here in Kansas City, a very motivated disc golfer received a corporate grant to build a disc golf course on a grade school campus as a way of combating childhood obesity. I think that utilizing PDGA resources to find out what other money is out there for similar projects and even hiring grant writers would be a good investment.

The PDGA was fortunate to strike the deal that created the International Disc Golf Center to house its administrative offices. That the organization has been able to afford to hire more staff and consultants has meant that the need for volunteerism at the national level is not as great as it once was. This contrasts vividly with our local clubs, which, for the most part, provide a large percentage of income for the PDGA by running the sanctioned events that encourage people to join the PDGA. Whereas the PDGA has been able to afford lawyers and accountants to tighten up its dealings, many, if not most of our local clubs lack the resources to pay employees or to get the financial and legal advice that is needed to become more legitimate. I’d reckon that volunteers run 80-90 percent of our courses, clubs, and events. I’ve no pat solutions to this problem but I believe the Affiliate Club Program could be strengthened to provide some legal and financial guidelines in this area for starters. I’ve no doubt that our sport will continue to grow and I suspect that the financial situation of our public parks is going to worsen. As a result, more clubs will be expected to formalize their existence and be better prepared as parks departments start looking for new sources of possible income.

I have opinions and ideas concerning many other relevant topics, such as but not limited to how the PDGA communicates with its members (magazine and internet), revising and expanding the scope of the PDGA Mission Statement, the international initiatives (PDGA Europe and Japan), efficiency of the administrative staff and member services, the extent of corporate transparency, and revitalizing the National Tour to name just a few. However, I’ve burned enough space already. I not only welcome but also encourage you to express your concerns and to ask me questions. Contact me at 888.237.6884, 816.471.3472, or rick@discgolfworld.com. Thanks for your consideration and please vote.