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Rhode Island

id like to hold a competition next year which would be a individual club supported competition. open to any club that weighs offs at a gpc site (so weights are easily verified )

a weigh off competition that pits a clubs top three grower representatives up againt other giant pumpkin clubs three top grower representatives.

the heaviest pumpkin weight combined from these three growers will be totaled for your order clubs order of finish.

25% of the net would go to the orange angel foundation and the remaining 75% would be split accordingly

40% first place
20% second place
10% third place
05% fourth place

if you are at all interested in this charity fundraiser or even want to get on a email list for notification at the proper time pls email me at [email protected]
all winning funds would go back to that clubs treasurer for their distribution.
we could even have awards for the top finishers if you wish

(if three individuals wish to enter rather than as a group from a club i would only need the contact persons info from that group along with the other two competitors names)

please let me know your thoughts and or suggestions

thanks

pap

12/5/2007 3:21:38 PM

Minnesota

Will the 3 growers be identified prior to the season or just the Top 3 per club at weighoff time? Multiple sites or single site weighoff? Can a single grower count more that 1? Must the fruit being entered be identified prior to the season or go with the biggest in the patch?
Then, What type of Handicapping system will you be using for us in Minnesota? You know, Kinda like bowling? I think the Iowa and Wisconsin guys would need to give us at least 400 pds, RI maybe even 600? etc... Like a golf tournament can we get a Calcutta going or maybe a blind horse race for the side bets??
What's your idea for an entry fee as I might as well just send a check now!! And collect the Trophy for Minnesota later. Hey, We don't even have a club yet so proceeds will go towards a beer fridge I'll keep in the garage!
Another Question on teams.. Can I recruit out of State growers for my "Team?" Mike, Don, Tom.. Whatcha got going next year??
I like the idea but we would need a handicap? Based off of the current State Record? Average Top 10 GPC site results for the State?
I'll keep thinking about this as It sure is quiet this time of year!!! Joe

12/5/2007 3:53:38 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Hey with a handicapp I might be able to get to 1000 lbs.....

12/5/2007 4:11:23 PM

Puyallup, WA

I doubt that Dick was considering a handicap system for the competition. However, if one is considered, using
"degree days" would probably be the fairest. The primary advantage that the "Eastern USA" has over us in the Pacific Northwest is warmer nightime temperatures. It is common for our nightime temps to drop in the 40's during the months of June thru August where our daytime high's average 79° in July and August. California would be screaming for a latitude adjustment. I'm not sure any system would keep everybody happy.

12/5/2007 4:48:15 PM

Ohio

Ok I pick Ron Wallace , Dave Stelts and Joe Pukos Pap, I know you probably want Ron but I called it first!!,LOL

12/5/2007 5:08:22 PM

Somers, CT

I am cucerbit challenged. Does that count as a handicap?

12/5/2007 5:56:06 PM

Somers, CT

Sorry, Good idea PAP.

12/5/2007 5:56:54 PM

Indiana

This sounds fun, but my concern is that the same old clubs will win just as they always do...

Rich getting richer, poor getting poorer....

Perhaps all of the money goes to the Orange Angels and something like a skunk hat goes to all the winners...LOL Or maybe we can hire Joe Jutras to make us some awesome plaques or something.

12/5/2007 5:58:11 PM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

Well, this is a first, and he might faint because of this, but I agree with Tom. How are little league clubs like Maine supposed to compete with the likes of clubs equivilant to the Red Sox and Yankees. We certainly don't have the best seeds in the world to throw around like some clubs do. So unless there was a handicap or it was broken into Major League, Minor League and Little League there really wouldn't be any point unless we enjoyed getting crushed. So yeah, the Rich do get richer and the poor are just thankful for what they have. Great cause, but this would be at the expense of the little guys.

12/5/2007 6:46:07 PM

Western NY

I think the only way to make it an accurate "handicap" system would be to compare those 3 pumpkins to your state's top 10 average (http://ipga.us/TTAPumpkins.htm). There would be a little math involved, but it would be a pretty neat way to look at the numbers.

theoretically, RI would have a tough battle since they have some nice ones stacked in their top 10, but it would certainly level the field.

12/5/2007 7:04:12 PM

Greencastle, PA

how about comparing the percent increases of each site's top 3? For example: in 2007, the top 3 average at weigh-off A was 10% heavier than in 2006 while the top 3 average at weigh-off B was 3% heavier than in 2006, therefore weigh-off A wins. That would be more fair to the "Minor League" clubs.

12/5/2007 7:11:41 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Many valid points brought up. Of course those that don't feel they stand a chance, don't have to join the competition.
Joe(Safehouse Orange), maybe we need to take Mr. Jutras' advice and "Grow a bigger pumpkin"....now that's a champion's attitude!!! MN's state record is about 200 lbs. less than SD and WI, and about 400 lbs. less than IA. I don't attribute this disparity to a better growing climate in those states. If we keep plugging away and improving, the results will speak for themselves. Many top growers took several years to make to the top. I see you as an up and coming grower Joe, and the state record could be your's sooner or later.

12/5/2007 7:38:53 PM

[email protected]

Tom might be on to something. State or club with the largest % increase wins?

12/5/2007 7:43:53 PM

[email protected]

How about instead of going with the top 3 growers, we go with a slice of the entire site's growers. Take the first place winner, the 10th place finisher, and the 20th place finisher and add them up. THose three weights would not show a site's top grower ability, but would show how a site's top growers have helped out the "other" growers at the site.

12/5/2007 9:15:24 PM

Rhode Island

thank you everyone for your commentary.

some interesting suggestions. most seem to suggest a more reasonable chance for the less competitive sites to receive handicapped poundage that brings them on equal footing ( going in ) simular to a golf handicap?

for example team #1 has entered ron wallace,joe jutras and dick wallace -- there best fruit each last year totaled as a team and divided by 3 was 1,503 pounds. for sake of comparison lets say they had the best 2007 three man team numbers going into the tournament

team # 2 consists of larry moe and curly from east bumstead. last year there best pumpkin each totaled and divided by three equaled 950 pounds

so with 1,503 pound as the tournaments number one seed ( because of their 2007 average ) and 950 for east bumstead
( from there 2007 average ) that would mean east bumstead three man team would get a handicap for the 2008 three man tournament of 553 pounmds

if this formula is used then everyone would go in with an equal opportunity to win (based on previous years preformance)

there is always people who will manover to get the best advantage in any competition. but this would seem fair to the smaller clubs as well as the larger ones

what say you to this suggestion ?

pap

12/6/2007 1:00:50 AM

southwest MO

This is all follie to us out here in fly over country with growers few and far between, but I think it could be a creative way to raise money for your cause and lend another competative twist to the hobby.

12/6/2007 10:09:48 AM

Newton. KS

Take an unproven seed & all involved grows that seed.

12/6/2007 10:30:09 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Here's an idea, what about people grow the same seed.$10 bucks per grower. then do what you said with the math. it would be coold to use the same seed just to see how it does.
But what about new growers coming in?
capt

12/6/2007 10:58:38 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Bill, ya do what the Tigers just did. Jump right in and boost your payroll by by millions to pad your roster. In our case boosting your seed budget and capital improvements to your patch.

I would like to be on the Homer Simpson Grow and Brew team they drink beer and grow too! The handicap would go by the size of your belly. I win hands down!!!!!!

The GVGO may want to go in straight up no handicap. Sure, We might get our clocks cleaned for a couple of years but we might get lucky too.

The OAF part is what I like best Pap.

12/6/2007 11:34:13 AM

Newton. KS

Clubs get its members to pony up an unproven seed with enough stock to include everyone. Then paps assigns numbers to each lot. Once groups are set the unproven is drawn randomly and seeds are distributed to the growers. Takes away a few variables to complain about and allows for a more even garden plot so to speak.

12/6/2007 1:16:12 PM

maine USA

If like cuke beetle said an unproven seed is used by all this could be a good way of slightly evening the playing field. Certainly someone like me is extremely unlikely to beat someone like Paps because I just don't have the expertise. But if everyone used seed from an unproven cross, that has excellent potential, is used it makes the contest a little more fair. Also, it would be a great way to prove a new seed. Kathy

12/6/2007 2:27:38 PM

Wi

I agree. Need some sort of handicap system. Maybe take the top 3 growers weights, BUT don't take the actual weight. Instead take the amount each IMPROVED from the year before???

12/6/2007 2:45:24 PM

Newton. KS

One step further is to eliminate outside influences like Agro K. Or rotate programs. One year Agro K. next year Dunkels. This would require self governing yet allows all of us challenged growers a chance against the RI Mafia.
Promotes the products. Possibly giving those involved a cut on cost. Also puts an unknown cross in the spotlight. Then at year end the clubs can auction off the remaining seeds.
Seems like a bunch of seeds required yet how many really want to prove they are the best?

12/6/2007 3:25:07 PM

[email protected]

Pap, I have to ask
Team 2 is that G, Brooks B, and myself

12/6/2007 3:53:53 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Can we do Dream teams like Fantasy football does?
If so Pap, Dick and Don Young lol

I like the idea of a brew drinking team count me in.

12/6/2007 5:16:48 PM

[email protected]

"Pap, Dick, and Don Young...."

That sounds like something you do in the privacy of your own home..

12/6/2007 5:38:05 PM

Rhode Island

if it was a pie eatting contest id win hands down with don young on my squad

12/8/2007 2:29:22 AM

lol

12/8/2007 9:51:42 AM

Dresden, Ohio

Maybe require one of the team's three growers must be a first year grower.

12/8/2007 5:23:18 PM