19th Hole

It looks like the PGA Tour will remain a tax exempt organization. Should it?

Published

6 years ago

Dec 3, 2017

The PGA Tour has to be breathing a sigh of relief today. No, not because Tiger Woods played four rounds of golf in the Bahamas without any trouble from his surgically repaired back, but because of something that happened in the halls of government.

Per John Paul Newport for Golf Digest, as recently as Friday, the Senate tax bill being debated in the Senate contained a 14-line subsection titled “Repeal of Tax-Exempt Status for Professional Sports Leagues.” An updated version of that bill, however, was devoid of the subsection. The provision would also have threatened the PGA of America.

The tax bill that passed in the house November 16 contained no such provision.

Thus, it appears commissioner Monahan and company have dodged a bullet that was aimed right at their collective pocketbook.

Jay Monahan told Golf Digest

“We know we speak for the thousands of charities, communities and citizens across the country who have been positively impacted by the PGA Tour’s commitment to giving back when we say we are extremely pleased that the provision affecting our tax-exempt status was removed from the tax reform bill passed by the Senate last night.”

“The PGA Tour is unique in the world of sports, in that we have had a long-standing commitment to dedicate net proceeds of our tournaments to thousands of charities; since our formation in 1968 by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, the PGA Tour and its tournaments have generated more than $2.6 billion for charity, and we expect another record amount from the 2017 season. Giving back will always be at the heart of the PGA Tour, and we are pleased that we will be able to continue improving the lives of those in the communities where we play.”

Monahan’s remarks sound much like those made by his predecessor, Tim Finchem, who in 2015 wrote to the Senate Finance Committee saying the loss of tax exempt status would effectively reduce sponsor support of the Tour.

As you remember from Schoolhouse Rock, the House and Senate bills must be reconciled before they land on the Golfer in Chief’s desk.

The PGA Tour’s tax exempt status occasionally comes under fire because, while the Tour facilitates billions of dollars of charitable giving, it’s mostly a pass-through for corporate charitable giving, rather than a massive charitable giver itself. That said, there’s no professional sports league that facilitates charitable giving like the PGA Tour does.

Where do you stand on the PGA Tour as a tax exempt organization, GolfWRX members?

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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

4 days ago

Apr 26, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

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 ??…

— Hannah Gregg (@hannahbggg) April 26, 2024

“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

5 days ago

Apr 25, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

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.

OWGR Announcement
Read more here – https://t.co/7J4bFpawqv #OWGR #OfficialWorldGolfRanking pic.twitter.com/ZfBJWCFAm8

— OWGR (@OWGRltd) April 25, 2024

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

Published

5 days ago

Apr 25, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

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.