My first event at Turkey Ridge is tomorrow. Krissie ran it last year.

It's been a while since I ran an event for the first time at a "new course". It's even weirder that I didn't run the first year of this event. I've barely been on the property. I actually am sorta nervous for the first time in a while as a TD. It feels like the night before a tournament as a player.

Anxiety. Am I ready? 

There's a lot of unknowns with time management. The extra pre-event mental checklist is building. Don't forget lunch!

As a Tournament Director I have always approached events with the mentality that the competition mattered above all else. 

It's also why we lean towards playing hard courses and 2-round's in a day.

That is a test of skill. Competition.

I enjoyed courses and situations that proved higher skill. I preferred TD's that got the OB and rules right. I liked being challenged.

All the other stuff just isn't my thing. The player party. The food trucks. Sponsors. Raffle. CTPs. Reindeer Games.

Operations and a Good course are always my focus. Always on time. Courses always marked. Water and snacks out. Tents up.

Now go perform.

Except we naturally have to shift as TD's.

We become the dude selling you discs.

You become the customer.

It's becomes a job.

Oh, and make it better next year.

So we listen to player feedback. Do things to encourage attendance.

Those stairs changed how I viewed players.

Like 100% rewired me.

Reminded me to think abut why I want to run events.

Whether I do.

(I'm not done)

So as a TD who do I really work for?

Is it Mint? The players? The sport? The tours? Your rating?

Who do you work for?

Myself

(Some explanation: This is my head space as a TD right now. It's a grind. I love the community aspect of being a TD. Bringing people together. Some of it just takes a toll when you're trying to do it for the right reasons. Peace and love and nothing personal).