Are we being overlooked

[drawboy]

I was wondering, apart from the BMW how many European tour events are held in England? Are we being shortchanged on theses shores by the European Tour? I think so. This year alone I think there was 4 events in South Africa. Now I know the weather here cannot be relied upon but surely they can get more than 1 event in England. Scotland fares a little better with normally The Open, The Scottish Open, The Dunhill Links and I think they have the Johnny Walker of the top of my head ( may be wrong)
Why can't we have more than just one event in England?

 

[stevie_r]

My guess, and you can call it cynicism, is that in financial terms it doesn't provide what the sponsors want.

 

[Birchy]

Asked this question many a time, the crowds would be better here than almost all of the crappy turnouts they have on the continent.

Only reason i can see is lack of sponsorship. If its not that then i cant understand it at all.

 

[fundy]

Lack of sponsorship and punitive tax regime the 2 reasons

 

[Imurg]

It has to be asked - what do they want?
They'd get 10 times the spectators at an event in England than they would in some far flung destination on the other side of Europe
You only have to look at the numbers that went to the PGA in horrible late May weather to know that.....

Some events have seen more players than spectators......that simply wouldn't happen here.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

The players get taxed too much in England and it probably costs too much to put on

 

[In_The_Rough]

All of the above and usual crap weather being another

 

[gryffindor]

I bumped into a guy the other week that represents several top sportsmen. Simple answer is that if they play too many weeks in Britain the tax becomes punitive.

 

[Mr A]

I know St. Mellion were supposed to have the English Open from 2011, but they have struggled with sponsorship despite a lot of work on infastructure. It is baffling when you know there would be 10's of thousands every day at tournaments, and you see poor crowds at events on TV all the time.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

All of the above and usual crap weather being another

Crap weather has nowt to do with it. Something like 15 PGA Tour events have had weather delays this year.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Crap weather has nowt to do with it. Something like 15 PGA Tour events have had weather delays this year.

Freak weather out there though. It is nearly always rubbish here apart from at the moment. Any sponsors looking at hosting an event in the UK if they had witnessed last summers weather conditions they would run a mile.

 

[stevie_r]

I don't believe the predictions of huge galleries to be honest, and certainly not on Thursday & Friday. I think we support quite well at the moment due to event starvation. Galleries would only support well over multiple events with sufficient big names competing. The European tour is a very different place in that respect to what we witnessed in the early 90's.

 

[Evesdad]

I used to love going to the British masters, especially as it was pretty local. Not been on for a few years now as lack of sponsorship. Such a shame when we have events like the Madeira open watched by a couple of locals and their dog.

 

[Foxholer]

Lack of sponsorship and punitive tax regime the 2 reasons

That's the impression I get from the (few) players and officials I've spoken to!

 

[richart]

Lack of sponsorship. Not sure about tax though. Perhaps someone would like to explain more fully who is being affected by this punitive tax ?

 

[Foxholer]

Lack of sponsorship. Not sure about tax though. Perhaps someone would like to explain more fully who is being affected by this punitive tax ?

Read this:

http://www.theweek.co.uk/olympics/l...ax-bill-why-sports-stars-wont-compete-britain

Rather more involved than most golfers, but they have the same issue.

Some movement apparently though

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d6b94e3a-e595-11e2-8d0b-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2Ys4psHH9

 

[Slicer30]

Seems a good thread to ask this question:

Does anyone go to watch alternative pro events in England? e.g the Challenge tour?

Would quite like to go to an event of some sort, but the next one I know of is wentworth next year

 

[richart]

Read this:

http://www.theweek.co.uk/olympics/l...ax-bill-why-sports-stars-wont-compete-britain

Rather more involved than most golfers, but they have the same issue.

Some movement apparently though

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d6b94e3a-e595-11e2-8d0b-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2Ys4psHH9

So we are talking about the players taxation.

I can understand top players being affected, but surely most European players would rather play for a bigger pot even if they have to pay more tax on their winnings ? Can't believe European players make much money after expenses playing a lot of the smaller European events, unless they come in the top few. If you finish in the top 20 at the PGA, even after tax you make a decent amount.

Better to pay a higher rate of tax on a decent sum, rather than lower rate tax on peanuts ?

Sportsmen like Bolt are fairly mercenary, where as golfers are not just looking to make money, but also to get world ranking points, qualify for the race to Dubai gain entry to bigger comps etc.

 

[stevie_r]

So we are talking about the players taxation.

I can understand top players being affected, but surely most European players would rather play for a bigger pot even if they have to pay more tax on their winnings ? Can't believe European players make much money after expenses playing a lot of the smaller European events, unless they come in the top few. If you finish in the top 20 at the PGA, even after tax you make a decent amount.

Better to pay a higher rate of tax on a decent sum, rather than lower rate tax on peanuts ?

Sportsmen like Bolt are fairly mercenary, where as golfers are not just looking to make money, but also to get world ranking points, qualify for the race to Dubai gain entry to bigger comps etc.

Which is where the issue of appearance money raises it's ugly head, abhorrent in my opinion.

 

[richart]

Which is where the issue of appearance money raises it's ugly head, abhorrent in my opinion.

Totally agree. In some cases top players getting more to appear than the whole prize fund for an event.