I've been actually thinking along these lines as well, but wasn't going to post. Now the cat's out of the bag...
One thing may possibly be the Pro Purse. GBO tends to be larger. DD also seems to have a pretty big draw from TX and OK, KC is another 1.5 hr farther north.
I was surprised on how strong the Intermediate turnout was for GBO. It may have to do that it is early in the year and people have cabin fever and want to get out and compete.
2011 DD players playing in the KCWO:
Nikko
McCabe
Uli
McBeth
and more.
The Open signup will fill I believe. It's an NT event, they want the NT points. The B - tiers, I'm kind of wondering.
As a Novice signee, I would be up for having the Rec and Novice all put into a Novice pool.