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19th Hole

European Tour commish: We have to look beyond 72-hole stroke play tournaments

Published

6 years ago

on

Keith Pelley, European Tour commissioner, whose preference for innovative golf formats is nearly as well known as his preference for colored glasses that look like they’re Photoshopped onto his face, made a bold prediction.

All joking aside, it’s worth considering the note Pelley chose to end his tour’s season on, serving up this quotation to reporters at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

“I do believe that this is a very special game with incredibly skilled players in it, and it has the makings of just exposing personalities and athletes and I’ve worked with them my whole life, they are great individuals and great role models. But in order to do that to a wider audience, we have to look beyond the 72-hole traditional tournament.”

Pelly also suggested that beyond looking beyond the 72-hole tournament, as it were, fans will come to embrace a different format as a regular alternative to that form of competition. No word on exactly what that will be…GolfSixes, perhaps?

“We are all looking for something to engage and grow our audience. And if you catapult ahead, in five years, I do believe there will be another format that will be adopted that will be commonplace in the world stage.”

Catapult ahead, eh? It’s important to remember Pelley’s tour’s position, which is a distant second to the PGA Tour by every meaningful metric. While innovation is important, it’s also important to remember that calls for innovation are necessarily more beneficial to competitors than industry leaders, in a pure economic sense. Thus, Pelley’s remarks are always more about what he believes to be in the best interest of the European Tour, rather than the future of the professional game.

It would also be a mistake to create an identity between the issues facing the European Tour and the PGA Tour, as Pelley is always willing to do when he speaks generally about what “we” need to do.

Ear to the ground, we hear more complaints about PGA Tour TV coverage than objections to the 72-hole stroke-play format on this side of the pond. Not surprisingly, rumors persist that the PGA Tour is looking into its own network and new ways of presenting its product. This is in contrast to Pelley, who is looking to fundamentally change the product.

Do you think Pelley is on the mark, WRX members? Is he actually a visionary behind his blue spectacles, or merely playing the part?

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19th Hole

LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you

Published

2 days ago

on

Apr 26, 2024

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On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.

“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350 

  • Food: $377 
  • Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé 
  • Hotel: $0 because  @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!  
  • Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car  
  • Gas: $165 
  • Entry Fee: $130 
  • Lounge Pass for caddie: $50 
  • Gym: $0 
  • Yardage book: $0 
  • Total expenses: $3672 

Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”

When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.

With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.

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19th Hole

54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV

Published

3 days ago

on

Apr 25, 2024

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After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.

Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.

After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.

“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”

“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.

The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.

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19th Hole

Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open

Published

4 days ago

on

Apr 25, 2024

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As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.

Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.

If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.

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