Things that should not be.

[Tomwin]

You know, because this is my web site I am going to rant a bit. Feel free to join this discussion if you want, or tell others who may think differently or the same to join in if they wish to.

I went over to the Jim Mazola Open in Houston over the weekend as you all prolly know by now. At sometime during the day this guy shows up who was not playing in the tournament and hung out near the TD's Kim and Louis there at the table up at the front. I do not know who it was but I have seen this person before at the last Houston event that I played at the MacGregor Classic and he was doing the same thing there as he was at this event, smoking pot.

Now, at this point seeing him there and sharing it with a few others that were not playing in the event kinda pissed me off. Well, not kinda it really pissed me off. I think I even made a comment to someone that I was standing near that I did not approve of that. Those who were sharing it looked to be casual disc golfers sitting near him and had from what I could tell nothing to do with the tournament itself.

Why did the TD's or other people who were at this PDGA Sanctioned event allow this to happen? How come they were not either asked to leave or not to do this on or around the disc golf course. I do not smoke pot or do any drugs, but people who may have been running by on the track, walking their dogs or whatever now associate me, a disc golfer, with being a pot smoker. On top of this there was A 14 YEAR OLD KID playing in the tournament sitting approximately 20 feet away from them while they were doing this and NOTHING WAS SAID OR DONE ABOUT IT!! Man writing this pisses me off even more.

I did not say anything at the time as I was there by myself approximately 100 miles away from home and did not wish to cause a scene if this was something that is 100% accepted in Houston Disc golf.

I will say this however, I plan on going to the Moffit tournament and if this is the kind of thing that continues to go on I will not make any more of the Houston disc golf events with the exception of the Texas States which I intend to play.

Now after reading this, you make up your mind about this issue. For those of you who may be guests to our site / first time visitors I am sorry that you have to read about this trash. I guarantee you this will not go on at or around our courses if I am around as this is the # 1 thing that Disc golf does not need to have new players or potential players thinking that is all our sport is about.

[shoe]

Well put ... I got your back Tommy just as long as it does'nt interfere with my beer drinking. :lol:

[TBender]

Tommy, this is apology and some advice.

If it was me that you reference in not showing concern, I was. I apologize for not appearing more concerned at the time. But I could do nothing since I didn't see it. The PDGA's weak policy is clear...it must be witnessed during the round (which is between the 2 minutes and the turning in of cards) and reported to the TDs. In hindsight, I should have told you to tell them so it could have been dealt with.

Reporting them to Louis and/or Kim would have resulted in a questioning of those on the card and a pair of DQs. And probably, a non-invite to their future tourneys. They will back you up on the issue. Gimp will too (I know, I reported a guy last year at one of his events).

If they are on my card next Saturday, I will report them if they do it. I guarantee that. No warnings, just goodbye, thanks for donating.

You also mention it as if it happened at the tables after the rounds. Did it? I don't remember what they were doing. Perhaps we in Houston are too close to it to get up in arms about it.

Unfortunately, I also can guarantee you that it is more likely to happen at Moffitt if the turnout is what I'm expecting.

And shoe, beer is also not allowed during sanctioned tourney rounds, unless it is allowed at the park (which it is not at any Houston course, but it is at PI and Hitchcock). But at States we will have St. Arnold's available in a beer garden setup at Tourney Central. We got a permit. :)

[BJames5380]

This kind of stuff really gets under my skin.

From what I read, you did not tell Kim or Louis this was going on? If you didn't then you can't get to mad at them (unless they were joining in)

Now if you did say something to them, and they did nothing about it, then I have a problem with it.

Between rounds or casual golfers are covered by PARK Rules which happen to be Laws that the Park and or local City police use. A TD is suppose to call the local authorities if "smoking" happens between rounds.

If it had been me, they would have been asked to leave or they would have to deal with the local police. I would even tell them this if I was not the TD or they were not playing the event. At a PDGA event you may have sponsors, future sponsors, PRESS, or local City employees out watching the event. If they see these NON players, but associate them with the tournament, no good can come out of it.

This is not the first time I have received emails from new disc golfers who came across IDIOTS like this. I even had a new TD ask me if it was common because players were smoking on the course durring the round. That was when I said enough is enough and have been one of the driving forces in getting this behavior out of the tournament area.

[Tomwin]

This was not anyone in the tournament, but someone who was hanging out near the tournament HQ table. Myself in a different city knowing no one there other than as disc golfers did not know the history or the relationships between people there. So I chose not to say anything as to not put myself in an uncomfortable situation around people which i did not really know. I do see your point about not being able to be mad at them about this because I did not bring it up to them.

Tony as for people not showing concern you aren't the person who I am talking about. I really wish I knew more people there because I would know who I had talked to about it whenever I told them that I could not stand that shit. My exact words. (sorry about not censoring that) Even if I could remember who exactly it was I was talking to, I doubt they would remember that conversation anyway.

Well, It is done and in the past now if it does happen in the future I will be better prepared as to what needs to be done at that time whether it is to simply talk to the TD or call the police.

[MyThoughts]

"my thoughts" on this subject is...First I think it is a shame that people cannot refrain from smoking pot and drinking alcohol in a public park , let alone a golf tournament, mini, leagues, ect...
I feel people should not be able to do b h of these things

[MyThoughts]

I was not able to finish my above post, but I feel that all these things should not take place during tournaments, mini's, and leagues. If you want to get all people to take interest in disc golf , then those activities need to stay away from the courses! There are alot of people that do not do any of these activities and could careless to bring their children nor would invite other family members to join in because of these issues. And when I go on to a site, rather it's here or on the PDGA website, well it makes me wander what kind of people DO play disc golf? I am aware that not all disc golfers do, but it can make a "outsider" wander! However, rather it be pot smokers or alcoholics, I really feel that these issues should be handled in a different way! I feel that all persons, t.d.s, fellow disc golfers should make rules manditory, and be handled right then and there, and NOT on a PUBLIC message board for all ALL to see!!! This sort of discussion on a PUBLIC message board, to me, does nothing to help YOUR sport! If you are a player visiting a new course, make it know to the t.d. right then and there so that these sort of things get under control, or nothing will change! But really, to put this info. on a public message board is bad news. It does not help the clubs image, it hinders it, and the sport! Thank you.

[matchu]

My advice would have been to say what you feel at the moment. This is nothing, but after the fact, I won't be playing the moffit thingy, but I would suggest staying home, because you will not like what you see. This includes the group at the basket ball court. Feel free to let them know how you feel as well.

[TBender]

Hide the dirty laundry, omigod, because some might see us discussing taking actions against activities detrimental to the sport. Whatever.

And I don't think the BBall players could get DG baskets pulled from a course due to their actions.

Thanks for missing the point, though.

[matchu]

damn very intuitive reading, next time send me what I mean to say and we can skip all the shanigan's heh?

[Tomwin]

I am glad that people have offered their suggestions on what they would or I should do on this issue for that, thank you. You all make very good points and if this type of situation ever comes up again I am sure that I will know what to do and how to handle it.

However, I am going to lock this thread now because after some thinking I do not wish to have this be all that my message board talks about. I do not plan on deleting this thread though so if anyone wishes to view it they can and possibly learn how to handle this type of situation if it ever came up in their disc golf career or life in general.