Can AI fix the PDGA?
The first PDGA major is set to take place this weekend down in Georgia, and there is a bit of controversy before the event even begins. The 2023 PDGA Champions Cup will be held once again at the W.R. Jackson facilities at the International Disc Golf Center in Appling, GA. While we are all very excited for this weekend, there are some pros that won’t be participating. Early registration was fumbled by the PDGA, with communication about the event not being clear, and thus resulting in several top tier professional disc golfers missing the deadline. There’s plenty to read about that online if you are interested. Then we had a qualifier on Monday where the top 8 on MPO and top 4 on FPO advanced to this weekend. The most notable outcoming being that Kevin Jones is poised to miss his first major since Konopiste Open in 2018. Other pros like Ezra Aderhold, Garret Gurthie, Luke Humphries and Andrew Marwede also failed to qualify. With so many top pros missing out on this event, it begs the question, “Is the PDGA not doing enough to ensure the best players are playing in these top events?” I thought it would be fun to ask an AI ChatGPT to tackle this question. Below is the transcript, verbatim, based on just three questions. Here’s how it went down:
Me: Are you familiar with the PDGA, the www.discgolfscene.com and the rules surrounding signing up for events?
OpenAI: Yes, as a language model, I am familiar with the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association), www.discgolfscene.com, and the rules surrounding signing up for events in disc golf. The PDGA is the professional governing body for the sport of disc golf, and www.discgolfscene.com is a website that allows players to search for and sign up for disc golf events. The rules surrounding signing up for events typically vary based on the specific event and the organization running it, but may include requirements such as pre-registration, payment of entry fees, and adherence to player eligibility requirements such as age or skill level.
Me: Do you think that professionals should be first to sign up when dealing with Majors and Elite series events for the DGPT?
OpenAI: As an AI language model, I don't have personal opinions, but I can provide some context around the practice of allowing professionals to sign up first for Majors and Elite series events in the DGPT (Disc Golf Pro Tour). It is a common practice in many professional sports to give priority registration to professional athletes. In disc golf, allowing professionals to sign up first for major events and Elite series events ensures that the best players can compete. This can help to create a more competitive field and provide a better experience for both players and spectators. Additionally, many professional disc golfers rely on tournament winnings and sponsorships to make a living. By giving professionals priority registration, it can help to ensure that they can compete in the most lucrative and prestigious events. It’s important to note that specific tournament organizers may have their own policies and procedures when it comes to registration. Ultimately, the decision of whether to give professionals priority registration is up to the organizers of each individual event.
Me: Is there a way to improve the current registration protocols to make it easier for professional disc golfers to sign up for majors and elite series events?
OpenAI: There may be ways to improve registration protocols for professional disc golfers to sign up for Majors and Elite series events. Some potential improvements could include:
Early Notification: Providing advanced notification of when registration for these events will open, can give professionals time to plan and prepare.
Online Registration: Providing an online registration system can allow for easy and efficient sign-up, reducing the time and effort required for professionals to register.
Pre-Qualification: Offering a pre-qualification process, where professionals can earn guaranteed spots in the event based on their previous performances, can reduce the stress and uncertainty of the registration process.
Communication: Providing clear and timely communication with players regarding registration, eligibility, and any updates can help to reduce confusion and frustration.
Priority Registration: Giving priority registration to professionals based on their rankings, performances, or other factors can ensure that the best players can compete in these events.
It's important to note that each tournament or event may have its own unique circumstances and challenges, so the best approach to improving registration protocols may vary depending on the situation. Ultimately, organizers should seek feedback from players and evaluate the effectiveness of their registration protocols to identify areas for improvement.
So, what do you think? Are there some valid points in here? Some real solutions? Or do you have your own opinions on what the PDGA should do to prevent this occurring again in the future? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment down below, or on any of the social media platforms where you found this blog. Thanks for reading, see you next week!
