Mini Tour Play

[elementz]

How did you make out on the Pepsi and GS tour?

[Ben]

Uh, I did alright in the Pepsi Tour event at Ojai, but didn't make any money. Shot 5 over. Eh. Nothing went terribly wrong, just nothing was terribly sharp either. Just a regular old day. I've got a busy two months ahead of me though. I'm playing an event every Monday, and a few two-day Thur/Fri evetns too.

[lazebone]

This thread has been quite interesting to read.

Ben, how much time are you able to devote to practice currently? (Whether through range or play)

I played a few events on the Tarheel Tour last year and plan to play quite a few this year, as well as some select tourneys on the Hooter's. I'll also try my hand at the Wyndham Monday qualifier again this year. I missed it last year by 2 shots.

I've been a member of another golf forum for some time, but am glad to find one that seems to be active! The other one gets a reply once every few days to a week, lol.

[Titleist Man]

Well Ben Good luck in your upcoming tourneys. Shoot 25 followed by a 29

[Ben]

This thread has been quite interesting to read.

I have a lot of time for practice. I work at a club 3 days a week, and can pretty much practice when I'm not working. I give lessons which cuts into practice time... But that's the only hinderance.

Welcome to The Sand Trap.

Well Ben Good luck in your upcoming tourneys. Shoot 25 followed by a 29

Thanks. I'll just keep plugging away...

[lazebone]

Are you still doing the single-day tourney stuff or have you gotten into any longer events? Most of the ones I play in are 54-72 holes.

[Ben]

Mostly one-day, and the occasional two-day. I cut down my hours in the golf shop to try and take a better cut at playing professionally. The tours I play out here are one and two day deals anyway. The Golden State Tour has a 3 day event once a month or so. But, I'm not ready to commit to those. I need to start doing better at where I am now first. I'm am however, planning on going to Japan in the summer to try their 2010 Q school.

[TMO]

I played some Hooters tour events a number of years ago but I don't know if it is still around. I think it still is though. If it is, you get some good competition on some pretty hard courses.

[VardonFlyer]

Ben! nice thread my man. Im interested in all this mini tour talk and have some questions. Being a collegiate golfer I'm sure I coudnt play in anything like this as of now, but still am curious. What is the usual pay-out? Entry fee? Field Size? and score that wins? How to qualify? I thank you for your answers in advance and good luck.

[Ben]

I played some Hooters tour events a number of years ago but I don't know if it is still around. I think it still is though. If it is, you get some good competition on some pretty hard courses.

I'm pretty sure the Hooters Tour is still around. That was or is in Florida? I know on the East Coast the the Tar Heel Tour is pretty big. I got a flyer for the '09 season when I played the Nevada Open in December. Looked like good fields and good money. I'm interested in going west before east. When everything starts working I'll eventually get there though.

Ben! nice thread my man. Im interested in all this mini tour talk and have some questions. Being a collegiate golfer I'm sure I coudnt play in anything like this as of now, but still am curious. What is the usual pay-out? Entry fee? Field Size? and score that wins? How to qualify? I thank you for your answers in advance and good luck.

Thanks! Yeah, there are collegiate players at the events I play. The Golden State Tour and Pepsi Tour both have Amateur flights. They don't get paid cash, but rather credit. You can use it for entries in future events. I don't know about a tour in Utah though? Pepsi Tour has Northern California area events. Here's the

Pepsi Tour website . I don't know about NorCal but the SoCal Pepsi Tour has kinda small fields which makes for smaller payouts. But, its run well. You get free Pepsi products at most events too. The Golden State Tour has some serious fields with good players and good payouts. You must shoot under par to do anything in this tour. Two players from last year's GS Tour are now playing on the PGA Tour, made it through Q School. James Nitties played in a few events too. I was actually lucky enough to play the same group with him once. Entry for Amateurs are less than Pros. As a Pro I pay $225-$300 for a one-day and $500 for two-day events. Let me know if you have any other questions. If you have a local mini-tour, go for it! Playing is really fun.

[VardonFlyer]

I'm pretty sure the Hooters Tour is still around. That was or is in Florida? I know on the East Coast the the Tar Heel Tour is pretty big. I got a flyer for the '09 season when I played the Nevada Open in December. Looked like good fields and good money. I'm interested in going west before east. When everything starts working I'll eventually get there though.

Thanks for the information. Utah golf has its pros and cons and one of these is definitely the lack of a mini-tour. the closet thing we have is Player Performance Rating Tournaments, there are about 7 through the season. Oh well, i make pretty good change crediting out on amateur events and then throwing stuff on eBay. Thanks again and good luck.

[Troof.]

I need to move somewhere warm this summer and get stupid good lol

[lazebone]

To the collegiate wondering about being able to play on the mini-tour stuff ...

Sure, you can play, but with a small amount of cost. To Mon. qualify, it's $150 for an Am. I do believe, with a $250 cost for entry into the tournament if you make it. (This is in comparison to a $950 entry fee for pros.)

However, the competition is sweet, and will give you a great idea of where your game stands in comparison.

.........

Yep, the Hooters Tour is a live and kicking with some pretty good fields, and great payouts. In fact, I'll be playing in the Mar. 9-15 Hooter's Tour Open and the Rock Barn Course in NC. First tournament of the year for me, so wish me luck!

................

Ben, the Tarheel Tour is awesome, and a great way to make some cash if you are playing well. However, I would recommend getting used to those 54 and 72 hole events before partaking, if all you've been doing is the one and two day thing. In my opinion, the Tarheel Tour is more competitive than the Hooter's, at least that's the way it seemed last year.

I'm jealous about the Japan thing, lol. I've thought about that for a while, but haven't even checked out the specs on it, just because I've assumed the money thing wouldn't work out.

[lazebone]

To the collegiate wondering about being able to play on the mini-tour stuff ...

Lol, I should have clarified that this is on the Tarheel Tour.

[Shindig]

You get free Pepsi products at most events too.

I need to ask: is it just soft drinks, or is Gatorade available? Just wondering...

[wesmcnew512]

Hey Ben just was curious how old you are? If you dont mind me asking.. Great stuff and thanks for sharing and letting us be a part of following your carrer!

[shakogolfer78]

Ben one quick question I live in MN where it is still cold and snowing, but are there any good mini tours in the Midwest that anyone knows of? Thanks for your great thread and good luck.

[Ben]

I need to ask: is it just soft drinks, or is Gatorade available? Just wondering...

Pepsi, Gatorade and Aquafina water actually. I just stick with the water.

Hey Ben just was curious how old you are? If you dont mind me asking.. Great stuff and thanks for sharing and letting us be a part of following your carrer!

Thanks. I just turned 33. Turned pro in 2005, but haven't really had a full season. Probably played in 5 events my first year, and handful more my second. Last year was supposed to be my first full season, but ended up

breaking my ankle , so that took me out for a while. That all being the case, this season will be my first full-fledge season dedicated to playing as many events as I can get into.

Ben one quick question I live in MN where it is still cold and snowing, but are there any good mini tours in the Midwest that anyone knows of? Thanks for your great thread and good luck.

Here's a link I've found that has a pretty good listing of quite a few mini-tours. I see there is a Twin Cities Golf Tour...

http://www.dmoz.org/Sports/Golf/Orga...ns/Mini-Tours/