Phil, as a former sponsored player in Disc Golf, congratulations. It was awesome for me, most do not consider Disc Golf a sport either. I am on the fence about it myself, however this is how I have alway looked at it and what it did for me:
I played as a hobby at first, then with sponsorship from one of the 2 frisbee manufacturers at the time, I was now able to travel and play all over the country. They payed my entry fees, gave me all the discs I would need to play, I was payed bonuses for winning or finishing well on top of my money for winning or placing well. This freed up money for rental cars, plane tickets, and Gas. I still had a full time job. I had a blast, got to see a lot of the country with young eyes, had a ton of fun, and met many really cool people that I still talk to all over the country. It pays off later because pretty much anywhere you go now in the country you know people and visit them. I was lucky and I am still grateful for the opportunity I received. It will be trivial to some.
I will say this, signing autographs felt amazing. I went to Kansas City to play in a Major Tournament with my new girlfriend, now my wife. The previous year I played there and finished in the top ten. One of the finishes that got me recognition. A bunch of amateur players saw me out practicing before the event with my girlfriend by my side the next year. They walked up and confirmed who I was and asked me to each sign a Discraft disc of theirs. As a guy with his girlfriend next to him it mad me feel 10 feet tall. To this day my wife rolls her eyes, but SHE usually tells the story at least.
Do what you like and if you are good enough it will pay off, maybe not always in wealth, but to me something more lasting, memories and friendships. Money comes and goes. Fuck all these haters.