3 Lessons Jackie Learned from Running a Disc Golf Major

All right, so we're here with Jackie Morris. The what? The event. Tell me the whole. Title coordinator and community outreach. Absolutely. So in this series we're going to learn more about people that work in disc golf but work in behind the scenes of disc golf. And so I thought we would start with some people here at the Dynamic Discs headquarters. Now, how long have you been with

Dynamic Discs? 10 years. It'll be 10 years June 3rd, so in two weeks. Did you ever think it'd be 10 years? When we started here, no, absolutely not. I didn't even know, like what? I didn't even know what disc golf was. Jacob just told me that there was a job available and I was like, sure. What were you doing before? I was working at T-Mobile and I was working in the marketing department at the college. Oh, really? And I didn't want to work at

T-Mobile anymore. And Jacob was like, hey, they're hiring. And I was like, sure. So no, I did not think I would be here that long because that was my senior year of college and when I graduated, got offered a full time position and then yeah, literally the rest is history. That's crazy. Now, I, I remember working with you back in the day, you worked in the store for a while, but tell us like what all the different areas have you worked in at Dynamic Discs?

So pro yeah, pro shop. So I guess retail and online fulfillment. I briefly assisted with trade shows, did our warranty claims for a little while and just did everything customer service related, you know, like the live chat, phone calls, things like that. And then I started assisting with volunteer coordinating, became the retail manager, and then found my way into events. Nice, you've been all over the place with the disk, often

dynamic disks and. Kind of cool though to like learn all those positions and then just kind of like have a better understanding of what each person does now as well. I can see that because a lot of times people kind of get stuck in their little silo of what they do and they know that there are other parts, but they don't understand how all they work. How do you think that that has benefited you?

Probably just in ways where I can maybe be a little more understanding of like the processes and like knowing exactly what I need to do or who I need to go to to figure out things. Or even just like be able to help with things that I no longer do. Like being able to assist with the customer service e-mail, mail or like during the holidays, like help pack orders

and do anything like that. So I think it's been a benefit in understanding processes and then being helpful when I can be. Now, how did you move into the current role that you are in now? How did that all that come about? I remember working, I was working at the pro shop managing it and I was just getting to this point where I wanted to do something different. I wanted to do something more challenging in a way and maybe something that more aligned with

what I was passionate about. Not that you cannot be passionate about retail and customer service 'cause they still at the heart of everything. Like that's who we are. But I remember Doug was looking for a replacement since he was, you know, kind of making different transitions in the company. And so I just asked. I just asked if like, I just made it, noted that I was interested in it and just asked about it. And they're like, Are you sure? And I was like, yeah, I think so.

Like I've been helping, you know, with events and doing volunteer coordinating and all that. And then Doug was like, OK, like if you're really serious then we can talk more about it. And then I was, after the 2021 GBOI started jumping into events and helping with it. And so Junior World's 20/21 was actually the first event I ever assistant tournament directed. And so it's kind of cool now being the tournament director this year, 2000, so. 2021 GBO

you were more like. Still at the retail store. You're still at the retail store now. Were you helping at all with events? Yes, I was doing the volunteer coordinating. I was like running check in basically like I just owned that and then basically just assisted with anything Doug needed. What was, was there any moments in there where you're like, is this really what I want to do or?

I don't know. I mean, I think at any point in your job you are going to think that, yeah, is this really what I wanna do? Yeah. And I don't know. I've just really enjoyed it. I like planning. I like events. I like creating something and making it tangible for other people's to experience. So. Yeah. So you went to, you said the 2021 GBO and then 2021 Junior World. Yep. You were like the assistant tournament director. How much?

I mean, I know that you obviously more responsibilities I'm assuming, but what were some of the biggest changes from going to that role? Just taking on more responsibility as far as the block party, like creating a budget for that, working with Main Street and making all that happen. That was a big project of mine. While Doug then took care of, you know, like course notes, layouts, you know, all the logistics on that side. And then I, I ran check in again, made sure all the

volunteers were good. So just taking more responsibility. And then I also was a tournament director on one of the courses, a course director, I guess you'd say that week as well. But I mean, in 2016, I actually helped for Worlds, pro Worlds before even any of this, when I helped do volunteers, I also helped Doug build the welcome package. So when I did kind of step into that role, I kind of knew some of the things that I could do.

So like I helped with that and creating maps and trying to get information and drafting emails to send out to people. And so I did get more responsibility, but some of the stuff I had already been doing. So then I just kind of like took it a step further. What's something that you didn't

even realize went into event coordinating as you did all this? What were some things you're like? Well, I didn't realize that as an event coordinator, this is what. I do things like attending city Commission meetings. Oh yeah. And what do you go to there for? Just to kind of see what's going on with courses.

Or yeah, especially like when you're requesting money from the city and like being able to show up and answer questions, working at the city on especially when you do like block party things, like working with them on insurance and St. closure forms and event forms and having licensing for alcohol. Like all that stuff that goes into it that you wouldn't really think about like running at an event at a scale of like the

glass went open or a world. There's all that parts of it, all those parts of it that you don't always think about like renting the course. Like, you know, if people want to run an event, they're like, I'm just gonna go do this. No, actually, you have to like rent the course to build a budget. You have to, you know, make sure all your IS are dotted and your T's are crossed and all that good stuff. OK, so assistant tournament director for Junior World's 2021, tell me the first event

where you were you were the tournament director. 2022 Disc golf pro tour dynamic is open. Wow. That's a big one. Was that like all were you like, were you feeling it as the tournament director? Like the pressure of all of it. Yes and no, because I still had Doug and he was still doing quite, you know, quite a lot as well. So we were doing that together and then we had Pro Worlds just a couple months after that and he was the term doctor for that and I was assistant again.

So yeah, that was the first event and I definitely felt the pressure in the way that there is just this prestigious event and you want to make sure that it stays prestigious. And it was the first time I worked with the Pro Tour. I know we were on the Pro Tour previously, but I wasn't in any form or fashion like the tournament director or system tournament director. So working with another entity and making sure you're following like everything that's in their

agreement. And so there is a lot more pressure when it comes to running like a major or Pro Tour event. So I definitely felt it, but I mean, it didn't scare me away. That's good. I love it. I. Love it, still here. Yeah.

So now as part of what you do in the outreach and the community and stuff like that, you've done, you do clinics and fundraisers and things like that. So tell us kind of like what's your process for for doing the community outreach? So I mean, I, I guess I gave a clinic this morning and basically the process for that was someone reached out to me, told me they had a, a group of people they were wanting to have a clinic for.

So we just discussed logistics, how many people were going to be there where we wanted to have it when. And then usually, yeah, just kind of show up, get the basics, get people plan. So that would be a clinic for a fundraiser. It's a lot more scaled down than a major. Usually an entity wants to raise funds and they'll come to me and we just kind of, you know, walk through what's the goal, what's the purpose of this fundraiser?

And then we just kind of plan from there, picking a course, picking a date, reserving the course, reserving that date, and then just again, a budget, all that. So it's just kind of a similar process in every way, but just

scaled down. But yeah, it's usually we just kind of put things out there, be like we offer tours, we offer clinics, we can help with fundraisers, and then we do donations, local donations, and a lot of those just get sent to me or people will ask questions and we just kind of start conversations from there. What? So you've done all the tiers, right? We know that disc golf runs off tiers. We have, you know, ABA tier, B tier, C tier, the majors.

And then you, you know, you get into the Hall disc golf pro

tour. But let's break it down just for an A tier B tier C tier in your mind. I mean, I know there's specifics, you can go online to see the difference, but in your experience actually running them, give us some a feel for what is really the difference between the different tiers. I could run AB tier in my sleep and an A tier. Absolutely not. Not kidding. No, yeah, it is different. Like, yeah, you've got these tiers, but what does that mean there? There actually are stipulations

to the different types of tiers. Like AB tier you have to have a minimum set of holes to play. AC tier is the same thing. AB tier you have to add this much money. AC tier you don't have to, you know, like there's all these percentages and different rules for each one. And AC tier is like a very entry level. It's a sanctioned event. Most anyone can play. You don't need it necessarily have APG number to participate. You could have it be flex, you could do shotgun start, a lot

more leniency. You could have a one round, two rounds, just just different things like that. Whereas like you start to go up the scale, you have a little bit more limitations, more rules. BTR has to be at least three rounds or you could, I guess you could probably play with like 2 rounds and oh, I'm sorry, B tiers 2 rounds, but you have to have a minimum number of holes a tier 3 rounds. And then yeah, you get to like elite series, majors, different

things like that. They all have different criteria you have to meet. But that entry level is you're going to have less, especially like XC tiers. If you really want to like read into this, the PDJ website has all of the tiers. But yeah, you you have less rules, easier to do leniency, things like that. So yeah. So you would think like from a tournament director standpoint that like the C tiers or the XC tiers are like the easiest to run. Is that the case? It's like fairly easy.

Yeah, and what's funny for me is they're actually harder for me to run because my brain is so B tier and above set. And yeah, Derek, one time my boss, he told me he's gonna hate that I said my boss, my Co worker, he he said it's a shame that you never had to run an event from your phone at a picnic table. And cuz like that's what a lot of tournament directors do. And I've been very lucky to work here and have all the resources I need.

So yeah, it's just been funny though, me trying 'cause I'm getting ready to help with AAC tier fundraiser and I'm like, OK, this doesn't have to be big out of the water, Jackie. Like this can like, it can be fun. It'll be great. Like will be great. I do love fundraisers for that reason.

Just laid back but. I remember back in the day when I first started doing media for Dynamic Discs of being in the RV and watching like Ruscoe and Searle and Clay running the numbers and getting like in between a rounds. They were like, you know, putting in the scores and moving things around and putting the cards in and stuff like that. It can get pretty intense sometimes.

Yes, 'cause you were rushing and yeah, you had a whole fleet of team and I did do that a few times, but I was lucky to get into event running at the time that I did 'cause now everything's digital. You know, you can use Udisk, set up an event through there, you can use the if you're distinction, you've got PDJ live and tournament manager and all that. But it really was like if we were still doing it that way, I would definitely need more help.

Cause a lot of the Times Now like Monkey Islands to be tier, I could just, I need help checking in. And then after that the system does it for me. And I just kind of like, you know, do my stuff on the computer and get it posted. But yeah, that stuff was really exciting though. That like feeling of you get there and you're, you know, you're, you're checking people in and you're trying to move cards and get people to start and then you like count as fast as you can.

And it was cool to see. And I'm glad I got to like catch the tail end of that 'cause it does make me appreciate everything we have now. I remember sometimes I would help call out scores and stuff like that. It was really cool. All right, so let's kind of hone

in on the glass one Open or the GBO since this is the first year it's been back at namesake and in the way it's been ran. So, you know, from the outside, you know, I've been paying attention to social media. People thought it was a success. And I know you feel, you know, based on meetings we've had, you feel like it was an overall success. But let's kind of like dig deep, pull the curtain back.

What were some of the things that maybe didn't quite go as planned that no one would have, like, really have seen from the outside? Or is there anything that like, Oh my God, I cannot believe this is happening? Anything like that happened? We definitely had some things that happened that I was like, oh gosh, like someone getting injured on a course and having an ambulance called, that's

always difficult. And I mean, the best thing to do is call and they want 1, you know, when an emergency happens. But like when something happens like that, it's like, oh shoot, you know, like you can't plan for that. The rain, you always can't plan for it. But one of our course structures actually that was going to be coming here and helping got into a really bad accident a couple weeks before. So he wasn't able to come out and I was like, you know what, it's fine, I'll do it, right?

So that was different. I was like, poor Jason Curl, like had to be with me all week at Jones East and I had to be available because other course directors were texting me or you get phone calls from players or whatever. And so I was helping as much as I could. And honestly, he didn't need me there. But, you know, it's just nice to have two course directors out,

of course. So yeah, just adapting to that and still being able to do all my computer work from the course and take care of everything I needed to on the back end while also assisting with player meetings and calling out names and all that good stuff. So yeah, I was, I remember leading up to the event, I was like, I feel too good about this event. Something terrible's going to happen. I like, hate feeling good about

something. And I think it was Derek was like, I'm sure you are, but if if you're missing something, like are you prepared to deal with it? And I was like, yeah, I think so. So that's all you can be is whatever happens in real time, you just it happened. We don't need to gripe and complain about it. We just need to find a solution and move forward. There you go. So yeah, I can't think of anything else that was like, Oh my gosh, I can't believe this happened.

Now I know the glass one open isn't the only event that has like festivals added on, but it is one of the more unique events as far as the city joining in and, you know, blocking off the doing a block party where they block off certain blocks of downtown. So how is that as an added layer from running other events and then all of a sudden having to do this where you know, you've got all the auxiliary events that people do around town and then you've got the block party

to figure out. So how did how do you keep all that organized? Very carefully, I put everything in a an Excel document and I call it my playbook for that event. And at this point it's something I can literally just copy year after year and then like refill in. But yeah, I kind of like look at like what I'm planning and then, you know, the purpose of this a tier is the disc golf portion, right? So as long as I take care of that first and we're good.

And everything else that comes with it is an added or an extra. So as long as everything that's like the purpose of it is good, we're good to work on all these other things. And I just start conversation super early, you know, like 6 months out. Hey, we're doing this.

And then I try to keep everything straight as far as like I have a tab for everything in this Excel sheet I'm using like my timeline when I need to order porta Johns, when I need to order like reserve parks, when, when do I need to order trophies? So I've literally got everything kind of timelined out. And then, you know, sponsor emails, who if I sent them to who, who wants to sponsor?

What donations do we have? I use a lot of Google forms too to keep things straight, you know, like to intake information from my staff that's coming and making sure that I booked a block of hotel rooms for them. So there's just so many small things like that that people will forget about. And so I do, I just have it all in an Excel document and there's just tabs like staff, vendors, this, that. And then now I just have it down where I have like the same

emails. I just copy and change things in them every year and just update this, you know, this Excel sheet to change dates, change numbers, have the volunteers, how many volunteers do we need per course? What do we need them doing? But yeah, just kind of have it all there so I don't forget. Now I know for me, the kind of

person I am is like, I have a vision, right? And I have a strategy or what I want to get accomplished. And it feels like everything would go perfectly fine if it wasn't for people. Right. Right. You have the, you have this spreadsheet, you have everything planned and then you've got to, I don't care what industry you're in, the thing, it's people. Yes. The thing to remember is that people are not a technical problem. They're not a technical thing.

They are. When you're working with people, it's always going to be adaptive. And if you remember that, then usually you can work through some things 'cause you're not gonna find a technical fix when you're working with people you're gonna constantly be adapting to OK, Like, they're upset about this. What can we do to do that? You know, this or that. Whereas like a canopy breaks, you're gonna go out and change it. That's your technical problem.

And I guess I'm using some leadership like language here. But that's, that's The thing is like remembering that when you were working with people, you were working with their values. I like that. So that's something that I try to keep in remind like in mind. So like if someone comes to something, they get frustrated and they're upset, I mean, it's because they had this expectation and it didn't get met. So it's like, OK, like what can we do to either navigate that and what can we offer?

Or is it just like one of those things you kind of have to like speak to loss and try again next year? So yeah, people, people, yeah, they're just, you got to be able to adapt with one other. Yeah, One thing that I sometimes implement is I always tell myself that people are going to

disappoint you. And if, and I know that's kind of maybe a negative way to look at it, but if you but if you have an understanding that, like you said, people are people, they're not things, they're going to disappoint you, then when something happens, it's not as big of a deal because you've already prepared yourself for it. Yeah. Right. And to remember that, like, you don't have to take everything so personally, right? Because sometimes it's not about

you. You're just the person in front of them. Yeah. And that's all you can't do. Yeah. So alright, so sticking with GBO, what would what would you say would be like maybe some top lessons you learn from this past GBO that you want to like take with you for the next event?

I know that this is like a lesson that I have learned, but I'm continuously reminded of it is that community's just so important, The disc golf community, the important community, whatever community you surround yourself. Like that community is so important and I'm just so lucky to have to be in so many great communities. So while that's a lesson I learned long ago, you know, whatever you submerge yourself in, it's nice to be reminded some other lessons. Good gravy.

I mean, I'm always learning lessons, but. What did you find it challenging to delegate responsibilities? Do you ever get to where like you're like, OK, I just, I know this needs to be done. I'll just do it. But you have to kind of empower people and and delicate. Is that an issue for you or are you able to do that easier? I'm better at that now than I used to be, did not used to be good at it. But I have learned over the years like you have to ask for help.

Yeah, period was. That like a light switch that flipped on for you or you just eventually you just kind of learned it and implemented it more at the more events you ran? I kind of learned it, I guess through like just other community things and like books and stuff like that and just trying to, you know, self help, work on yourself and grow. But then like when you actually ask for help and you accept it and then you really do kind of understand that, oh, this is

easier. But yeah, I guess some lessons I learned with just mentioning that is I just felt way too good the whole week and I just kept, I was just like, I don't understand. And then it was like, because I I had a great team, like, you know, and that's a good lesson is if you have the right people in place, it makes things so much easier. It really does. And being able to share the workload it does.

So that's all. That's always a great lesson and something I definitely learned this past time is like, man, yeah, we just had such a great team, great effect. We were so prepared and and things like that. So that was nice. And then I mean, one lesson I always, it's like an ongoing thing is we can always improve, can always take notes, we can always try something different. This didn't work. That did work. So on and so forth. Yeah.

Now, I'd send you a few questions before this, and one of the questions was, you know, what was the biggest challenge at GBO that you faced? And then tell us how you overcame that challenge. Definitely just I think the biggest challenge that we faced and then I guess it's me too, but like we we faced was that stigma of like GBO and not being on the pro tour and like it would not being as fun or it's not gonna be as great or just, you know, things like that

because the pros weren't here. And so that was a challenge like trying to like just tell people like it's still gonna be a great time, even if it's not like how it how it has been in the past few years. And I don't know, I mean, we still had a great turn out and it seemed like everyone that was here had such a wonderful time. So with that in mind, knowing

that that was kind of a perception that was out there, what was your mindset going into it with that in mind, like, or did you purposely do anything to go like, I guess we'll show you, We're going to show you a good time. Oh, sorry, Light bulb. Yeah, in some ways. And I was just trying, you know, like to make it that festival feel again in a little ways. And again, it was still smaller than like that 1600 people we had back in the day, but it was

so manageable. And it seemed like everyone that came had such a great time. And I got so many emails that said that people had such a hoot. But yeah, like, going into the vent, I was like, OK, like, what can we do to make this still great, right? And be like, you were going to wish you were here with us. That's awesome. Even if there weren't professionals and all the other stuff but. Well, I think it was a fantastic restart.

I guess if it is if the proper way of of calling it kind of a restart with the Glassbone open, I think it was great. I was able to come down. I didn't get to come down the whole week, but I was able to come down for the GBO block party and. My birthday party? Yeah. It's not your. Birthday party. I just kept telling everyone it was my birthday party. I know you just kind of walked them like it's my birthday party.

So that was really cool. So no, I think yeah, everybody I encountered said they had a good time. And then the some of the videos I've watched, you know, people had a really good time. So you did a really good job

with that. So Congrats on that. OK, so to wrap things up, give me 3 pieces of advice that you would give someone that's looking into running a disc of event. Now, whether that's casual or sanctioned, if someone's like, you know what, I want to start running some events in my area, what's 3 pieces of advice you'd give them? So whether it's AC tier or a fundraiser, a big event, or honestly any event, I think it's important to remember your purpose.

Why are you doing it? If you're doing it for yourself, probably not a great purpose. If you're doing it for others or you know, like there's a specific reasoning behind it now, like if you're throwing a birthday party, obviously that's for you. OK, Like, but your purpose is like to have a good time with your friends or do something some some celebrating. But yeah, if you're going to run an event, just like having a purpose, like what is the purpose of you wanting it to be competitive?

You want it to be fun fundraiser? Are you wanting to take it to the next level? Just different things like that. You want it to be long standing. And then I always say, like if you are hosting an event, remember your audience. Always remember your audience and who you're doing it for. A Junior World probably don't want to just have a beer garden. That would be weird. Yeah. I mean, for the parents, great. But like, what are the, what are the kids gonna do?

You know, we're running this event for children. They probably want to have some children geared activities. So yeah, remembering who your audience is is always really important. And then finally, piece #3 asking for help. Yeah. So just it doesn't take much to ask for help, even though we make it seem such like a big thing in our heads, you know? But in like the right people will say yes and sometimes people will say no, and that's totally fine.

So Speaking of junior worlds, we have that coming up in what, in about a couple months. Tell us where you're at in that planning stage. And OK, I don't always understand how people got invited, right? There was an invite list. And then at some point, if there's spots open, it's open then. Oh, it's open right now, OK. So everybody got their invitation. Anyone can register now. OK, but not people above 18. So not anyone, but not. Yeah, not quite anyone. Yeah, it's open now.

There's 572 spots, 403 people registered. We are deep in the planning, like the Caddy book is in the works. The T signs, you know, are in the works as well. Everything is decided as far as layouts. So now we're working on ancillary events. We have a, we have so many things planned in the community. It's awesome.

So like there's a full event schedule on the PDJ Junior World's website and now I'm just kind of working on finalizing those, getting player packs ordered and working on trophies. So we are definitely, we're getting close feeling feeling good again. I hate feeling good about stuff. You just I want to be on my toes. No, I get. It they, one of my favorite quotes is failing to plan is planning to fail.

So I just anything in life. So just want to make sure I continue planning and thinking about everything. I'll start putting in, you know, orders for porta Johns and stuff like that. So yeah, all that good stuff, just in the works and working on it and then collecting sponsorships and donations and recruiting volunteers.

Hey, we'll put a link in the description so you can check out SO. A lot, but everything's in the works and in motion, OK. What would you tell someone that is on the fence of, you know, wanting to come out or if they know somebody who they think should come out and play in this event, what would be your invite to them? An invitation to the juniors or yeah, I mean, if you're an adult and you really want to help out, we will have fun activities and

volunteering. But yeah, if you know junior have juniors that want to play, I I mean, it's going to be a great time in Emporia. And Emporia's super welcoming. Even if you just want to come out and watch and just kind of soak it up, I encourage you to do so. Emporia's a fun getaway. We have 27 disc golf courses in the 30 mile radius, you know, so like. I've been telling people like 12.

I didn't realize it was 27. It's crazy just because there's so many layouts and there's 9 hole courses and then you've got like you've got Cottonwood Falls so closely and like there's a lot of courses I've been going too. Long, yeah. So yeah, even if you just want to come out and watch and like, soak it up and then, yeah, just, I mean, if you're feeling brave about it too, why not? Yeah, what were the dates? Remind people of the.

July 12th through the 19th. OK, it is the full week competitions, the 15th through the 19th. Well, Jackie, thank you so much for coming on and teaching us about running events. We appreciate it and we wish you the best of luck running further events. Thank you. And of course, we will have you back on from time to time talking about events. Sounds great. We'll see you. Bye.