Who can run an Ace Race?
Anyone!
No previous experience as a disc golf Tournament Director is needed to run a successful Ace Race.
How it works:
Event window: Your event must be scheduled in August, September or October. The earlier you schedule, the sooner you can begin to promote your Ace Race and build your field of players.
TD package: We provide everything you need: player packs, a grand prize, promotional posters, scorecards, registration sheets, tee flags, pencils, and an event banner... all FREE except player packs and shipping costs. To get started, all you need to do is get registered and start promoting your event to bring the players out!
Make money: Ace Race is set up to allow you to make money for each player who attends... after all, you're doing much of the work! You can then use that profit for your club, a partner charity, course improvements, buy your players lunch... whatever you like.
Super Events: Wrangle yourself 150+ players and your grand prize becomes a Chainstar basket! See additional details in your TD info pack.
Please note that all TD information -- including TD pack contents, player pack contents and costs -- is subject to change without notice.
NEW for 2019
Not one, not two, but THREE classic Discraft discs will return for the 2019 Ace Race! Each Race month will be dedicated to a specific disc from that decade. August events will feature a disc from the 80’s, the Eclipse. September events will represent the 90’s with the Hawk, and October events will be about the 2000’s with the Wildcat. All of these discs are beginner friendly and are a tribute to 40 years of flying discs!
Past Ace Race Events
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The Website has changed! How do I host an Ace Race Event?We have streamlined everything into this new website. Please bare with us if there are any issues, we see this being a big step in the right direction for the future of the Ace Race. All TDs will need to register on this site in order to host their event. By registering you will recieve access to your special Ace Race Event page to enter all your event details, a page to enter your TD contact info and even upload a picture of yourself! You will also need an account to purchase your Player Packs for your event. To register to become a TD, please click HERE.
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How do I order my player packages, and when do I need to pay?"New for 2019, TDs will be ordering player packs from within their Account. When logged in to your account, you will head to the Shop page to purchase your player packs. Please remember that you must order a minimum of 20 player packs on your first order. Reorders may be made with a minimum of 10 packs. Our new system accepts all major payment platforms.
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When should I order my player packages?Two weeks before your event for orders from the continental United States. International Ace Races should order three weeks ahead. We also suggest that events being held on military bases provide us with an off-base address for shipping purposes to ensure prompt delivery. Regardless of when you order, your player packs will not be sent until just prior to your event. You will be notified via email when your order ships.
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What is the minimum number of player packages I can order?Twenty.
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What will my costs be?The TD package is free (including banner, tee flags, pencils and grand prizes). Your costs are $21 US per player package plus shipping costs (approximately $1 - $2 per player pack). Player entry fees are $30 (US mandatory), up to US$45 (non US, at TD discretion) so the remainder is profit for you, your club or your charity… or use the extra to provide additional prizes or other player perks!
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How do I determine how many player packages I should order?The easiest way is to pre-register your players. Many Ace Race events will order a 'cushion' amount of additional packages to cover players who show up the day of the event. Depending on how much you've promoted, ordering an additional ten to twenty player packages is generally considered safe.
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If I order more player packages than I use, can I return the unused packs?"TDs are responsible for all player packages ordered, returns will not be accepted. However, if you do end up with more than you use, it is very easy to get your investment back, since the package is worth significantly more. You could sell one of the discs for $15, and have the rest of a package available for club giveaways, etc.
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Can I order specific colors and weights on my player pack discs?Unfortunately, no. We will do our best to ship you the widest selection of weights and colors as possible, but variations ultimately depend on what is in stock at the time of your order.
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Can I order (XX) number of player packages now, and more later if I need to?"Yes, as long as each additional order is at least ten packages. Keep in mind that you are also paying shipping costs, and these costs will go up if you're ordering multiple shipments.
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One of my players wants to throw discs he got at an Ace Race earlier in the season. Can I charge him less and just not give him a player package?No. All entry fees must be the same ($30 US, up to $45 for international events), all players must receive a player pack and use the new discs in it. In an effort to keep the event as fair as possible for all participants, no "seasoned" discs are allowed.
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Is my Ace Race sanctioned by the PDGA?No. As a result, anyone may participate regardless of PDGA membership.
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My park is asking me to insure my event. Does Ace Race offer insurance?No. It is very rare that a park won't automatically cover your event, but budget cuts have caused a few to request outside insurance. It is very low in cost, we suggest you contact your home or auto insurance company and ask.
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There is already an Ace Race scheduled in my area. Can I still run one?Possibly. We typically prefer a 30-mile buffer between potentially competing events, but that zone can shrink in more heavily populated areas. Previously scheduled events receive priority. Even with Discraft approval, you will most likely have to also obtain approval from the first event's TD. If that fails, Discraft reserves the right to defer to the initially scheduled event, and may request location changes to the second event, or to deny that event from participating.
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What happens if I don’t follow the rules?Discraft reserves the right to refuse anyone the opportunity to run an Ace Race. Reasons for refusal/sanctions can include but are not limited to: providing false information, failure to follow event rules, altering entry fee or prizes without permission, failure to properly distribute prizes, purchasing player packs with the intention of retail sales, cancellation of a scheduled event without notice, scheduling an event with no intention of holding it (aka zone blocking).
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What if I need to change my event date?That isn't a problem, as long as your new date is within Aug, Sep or Oct. To change your info is easier than ever, simply login to your Ace Race account, then under your Account, visit the "My Ace Race" page. You will be able to make edits to your event and save them. The changes will be updated on the calendar. Note: We should be aware of your event change to ensure you recieve your player packs in time. Please limit the number of changes you make to your event after submitting your event. This can be confusing to players and may add more work to our plate.
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Can I run more than one event?Yes. Typically each event would need to be 30 miles apart, but this year things have slightly changed. Because we will be offering a different disc depending on the month of your event, we are adjusting the 30 mile range to events being held within the same month. If you'd like to host another event at the same course, please make sure it is in a different calendar month. Reach out to us to help you set up the second event on the website and map.
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I am a retailer, and Ace Race is a great deal. Can I buy player packages with the intention of reselling them?"No. Ace Race prices are low to enable a fun and affordable event for players. While retailers are encouraged to run Ace Race events, purchase with the intent of resale is forbidden. Any business found in violation of this policy may lose its ability to order future products direct from the manufacturer, and instead be required to purchase Discraft products from a wholesaler.
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Discraft recommends I shorten the holes on my course to between 180 and 250 feet for the Ace Race. Can I go shorter? How do I best shorten up some of my course's long holes?You may shorten your holes to give more players a chance. Remember that the more aces hit during your event, the more fun it is! Discraft will provide you with free flags that you can use to create Ace Race tee areas on the day of the event. You can order these (limit 40 flags per event) when ordering your player packages.
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How does the special Ace Race wholesale discount work?One of the benefits of running an Ace Race is the ability to purchase other Discraft products at special wholesale prices. You can offer them to your players for resale to further increase your event's fundraising potential. Please note. Any stock orders must be placed before your Ace Race Event. Orders placed after your event will result in normal wholesale pricing. Simply follow this link to our order form: HERE When you submit the order form, be sure to mention that you are an Ace Race Event TD. That will ensure you recieve the correct pricing on your order.
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Can I bring in additional sponsors?Yes. You are encouraged to make your event as big and successful as possible.
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I want to create separate divisions. Can I break up the Grand Prize between them?No. You may create separate divisions if you like (some events like to create a junior's and/or a women's division), but the Grand Prize must be awarded to your top division, and cannot be broken up. If you make separate divisions, you must generate prizes for additional divisions on your own through sponsorships or club donations. We do offer the ability to purchase multiple Winner discs. These can be used for each division, but the Grand Prizes must not be broken up.
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I want to serve lunch to my players. Is it okay to increase my entry fee to cover the cost?No. All Ace Race entry fees must be $30 (or up to US$45 for international events). If you want to offer additional side games or other benefits such as lunch, these must be optional for all players and not mandatory.
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TD's Important
links
TD Step-By-Step Checklist
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1) Choose your date.
It must be within August, September or October. Check the event map to make sure you won't conflict with a previously scheduled Ace Race in your area. We generally limit events to one per community, but exceptions are made in more heavily populated areas. It is also courteous to make sure you aren't scheduling over another local disc golf tournament, so check with the local club(s).
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2) Register your event.
This will get you onto the event calendar and lock in your local area.If you have a web site to help promote your event, be prepared to give us the URL during registration and we will help you to promote it. Once registered you will receive the complete TD info kit via email.
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3) Promote.
Getting the word out can help you grow a bigger field of players -- and bigger profits for yourself, your club or your charity. Spread the word via the Web. Get listed on your local, state and regional events calendars. Put up posters (we will send you several of these for free beginning in June or shortly after you register) at your local courses.
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4) Pre-register your players.
By signing up and collecting player entry fees ahead of time, you will help yourself in two ways: it will give you a good idea of how many player packs to order as your event nears, and it will help defray any initial out-of-pocket costs to you before the event, since you can then order your player packs using player entry fees instead of your own funds. The easiest way to pre-reg your players is by using our partners at DiscGolfScene, where you'll get VIP treatment for your event listing and online player reg.
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5) Order your player packs.
To ensure timely delivery, we strongly suggest you send your order two weeks before your event, or three weeks for events outside of the continental US. It is also a good idea to order 10 to 20 extra packs extra to accommodate players who show up to play but never pre-registered. You will need a valid credit card at the time of your order. Your player pack shipment will also include your grand prizes, banner, pencils and tee flags.
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6) Event day!
Get to the course plenty early to shorten holes as needed and other set up chores. Bring a camera and video camera to share your event with us, and have a great time!
TD Step-By-Step Checklist
Tips for a
Bigger and Better Ace Race
Scott Papa of Olalla, Washington consistently runs one of the largest Ace Races, hosting over 200 players each year. In 2011 he set a new record of 309(!) players, making it the biggest Ace Race to that point and the biggest disc golf event in Northwest history. We asked how he draws such a big crowd:
"The thought of tournaments -- that is, competition -- scares off a ton of casual players. Ace Race is built for casuals, so I go to a lot of effort to let them know that it's NOT a tournament, but just for fun."
"We promote early and emphasize what a great deal it is. We make the holes really short to encourage a lot of aces. We also allow people to play during a larger time frame, so they can show up at 10am or 2pm or whenever and still play."
"Finally, we incorporate other fun stuff like putting contests, optional lunch, and a ton of prizes for wacky categories like youngest player, farthest traveled, tallest player, etc. It's always a blast!"
Professional disc golfer Scott Papa is the Instructional Editor
for Disc Golfer Magazine, and a longtime member of Team Discraft.