Getting aspiring pro's started

[Spear-Chucker]

Not sure if there's been any posting on this, couldn't find any.

Tough situation when one of our top amateurs cannot afford to get started in the pro game due to funding. Highlights how hard it is when there's no rich parents or local benefactor to support the individual and it's odd that no equipment manufacturer has stepped yet. Seems to be a case of just getting enough momentum to make the first steps or have I read this wrong? Is this a time honoured problem or should some kind of programme be developed to help folk out?

Returning to this individual, no one has a right of course to expect funding but even when presented as a business case this would appear to be worth someone's time to invest in...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/27146232

Hope the link works

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I remember a fella turned pro at Kedleston years ago. He sold "shares" in himself to members.
Basically we paid £50 for a share, then if he had a good result we'd get a small % back. At the season end the shares were written off and would start again.
It was basically a way to sponsor him with the potential of a small return.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

I remember a fella turned pro at Kedleston years ago. He sold "shares" in himself to members.
Basically we paid £50 for a share, then if he had a good result we'd get a small % back. At the season end the shares were written off and would start again.
It was basically a way to sponsor him with the potential of a small return.

I like that idea, seems more in tune with the realities of running a small business. Fair play to that man. There has to be a better way than just 'hoping' sponsorship turns up. Wonder if the PGA offers advice or has a system to help out or if they're just concerned with managing their own issues!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Saw this on the local news last night. Seems she is now focussing on the Curtis Cup and hopes to attract some sponsorship through good performances in the Welsh and British Opens coming up. The trouble as I see it, and I am not being sexist, is that for a potential sponsor, the profile of the womens game. particularly on the European Tour is low. Limited media attention and coverage and a lack of high profile events mean many won't consider it a good investment. I know Georgia had to turn down an invite to play a US event recently because of a lack of cash to get there. I guess if she could get onto the the US tour there would be an opportunity to attract sponsors but does it become a double edged sword. Would she attract UK based sponsors if she was based in the US. Would she want to even go onto that tour? Either way very hard and I hope she can find a sponsor and turn pro as she does look a good prospect

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Saw this on the local news last night. Seems she is now focussing on the Curtis Cup and hopes to attract some sponsorship through good performances in the Welsh and British Opens coming up. The trouble as I see it, and I am not being sexist, is that for a potential sponsor, the profile of the womens game. particularly on the European Tour is low. Limited media attention and coverage and a lack of high profile events mean many won't consider it a good investment. I know Georgia had to turn down an invite to play a US event recently because of a lack of cash to get there. I guess if she could get onto the the US tour there would be an opportunity to attract sponsors but does it become a double edged sword. Would she attract UK based sponsors if she was based in the US. Would she want to even go onto that tour? Either way very hard and I hope she can find a sponsor and turn pro as she does look a good prospect

All excellent and pertinent questions.. I have to agree that it's even more difficult for the women's game from what I've heard. Money is scarce on the ground level of golf as we all know, just wonder if our sport should have a support process to provide some kind of foot up. Just cannot reconcile it in my mind that one of the world's top amateurs could not afford to take up an invite for a major championship to gain vital experience for the outlay of a weeks travel and accomodation. That's just plain wrong.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Not much different for young male golfers.

The current Number 3 in World Amateur Golf, Greg Eason, is turning pro' next month when he finishes college in Florida and has to try to raise sufficient funds to keep himself going.

Sadly we won't be seeing much of him over here as, like others before him, he has elected to stay over there and has already qualified for the PGA Tour of Canada. The next step from that is, apparently, Web.com Tour and then PGA Tour.

I wish him well as he is a really nice young man and a credit to our Club.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Would say it might be even harder for aspiring male golfers due to the amount going pro

Only have to look at the amount going from the qualifying for the various tours like Euro Pro in this country -!its tough

At least she gets all her equipment free

Possibly she needs to see about moving to a big club? - that's what Charley Hull did - moving to Woburn and eventually becoming a tour player for them

 

[stevie_r]

Saw this on the local news last night. Seems she is now focussing on the Curtis Cup and hopes to attract some sponsorship through good performances in the Welsh and British Opens coming up. The trouble as I see it, and I am not being sexist, is that for a potential sponsor, the profile of the womens game. particularly on the European Tour is low. Limited media attention and coverage and a lack of high profile events mean many won't consider it a good investment. I know Georgia had to turn down an invite to play a US event recently because of a lack of cash to get there. I guess if she could get onto the the US tour there would be an opportunity to attract sponsors but does it become a double edged sword. Would she attract UK based sponsors if she was based in the US. Would she want to even go onto that tour? Either way very hard and I hope she can find a sponsor and turn pro as she does look a good prospect

There is nothing sexist about facts Homer. Unfortunately, for the LET, you can delete the 'high profile' event bit; there are a lack of events full stop, none at all this month for example. Half the tour events are the other side of the world, so again the issue of travel and subsistence costs raises its head.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Not much different for young male golfers.

The current Number 3 in World Amateur Golf, Greg Eason, is turning pro' next month when he finishes college in Florida and has to try to raise sufficient funds to keep himself going.

Sadly we won't be seeing much of him over here as, like others before him, he has elected to stay over there and has already qualified for the PGA Tour of Canada. The next step from that is, apparently, Web.com Tour and then PGA Tour.

I wish him well as he is a really nice young man and a credit to our Club.

Sounds like a top fella there and the best of luck to him.

Here's a suggestion (as opposed to just moaning, as it my want usually): Could the major tours not offer apprentiships to a certain number of under resourced but well qualified amateurs? Heaven knows the tours make enough money - how about opportunities for the top 5 in the amateur rankings or some equivalent criteria (for those who wish to persue it of course) to spend a year learning the ropes and then after that they go to qualifiying school and try their luck rather than the sink or swim approach currently?