Mini Tour Play

[neudi]

There was a michelob light tour that is spread throughout the east coast I believe but it is under a different name now, there are quite a few tours that are amateur just search online.

[Shindig]

Shindig

I think when I reach the point where I can shoot in the low 70s, I'll give playing in GST as an amateur a try, just to see what tournament play is like.

[Ben]

So, after getting punished by the golf gods for mouthing off in the "I beat golf" thread I made (I shot 81 in my Buick Open pre-qualifier.) I must be back on their good side. Yesterday I cashed in my first event of the season. Played the Golden State Tour event at Seacliff CC in Huntington Beach. Came in at one-under 71, which got me a tie for third. I am a bit in different about my showing. I'm a super happy to have cashed in my first event, but, could have finished much better considering I was 3 under after only 4 holes. My next event is a Pepsi Tour event next Monday at Brookside in Pasadena.

[BritBoy]

Nice start to the year Ben!!! Hows the Japan thing looking for this year?

[Ben]

Can't play any events until I go through their QSchool, unfortunately. They don't release detailed info until April, but said the school starts in August.

[JaY_B]

How much money this year will all the entry fee's + transport costs + accommodation costs + food costs etc add up to, basically, at the end of the year how much will you have spent on golf?

[Shindig]

So, after getting punished by the golf gods for mouthing off in the "I beat golf" thread I made (I shot 81 in my Buick Open pre-qualifier.) I must be back on their good side. Yesterday I cashed in my first event of the season. Played the

You've atoned and got some good money for it. Well done. Best of luck at Brookside.

Looks like some of those prize moneys could go to amateurs without them forefitting their amateur status. How does that tour deal with these sorts of things?

[Ben]

Looks like some of those prize moneys could go to amateurs without them forefitting their amateur status. How does that tour deal with these sorts of things?

Amateurs get script which they can put towards upcoming entry fees.

How much money this year will all the entry fee's + transport costs + accommodation costs + food costs etc add up to, basically, at the end of the year how much will you have spent on golf?

Well, let's see.

Golden State Tour annual member ship $350, Pepsi Tour membership $195: $545 One GS event and one PT event per month: $600 x 12 = $7200 Gas: $40/month x 12 = $480 Food: $30/month x 12 = $360 Lodging: maybe $250/year Probably throw in a couple multi-day events: $1100 $9935 Japanese QSchool, I'm thinking is going to be around $6000 just for fees, probably another $3000 for travel. sheesh. I gotta do some winning.

[JaY_B]

Sounds expensive, but hopefully if and when (?) you turn pro you will start earning the money back. (I assume qualifying for the Japanese Tour would give you Pro Status?)

[Ben]

The only stipulation to be called a professional is that one wins money in events they play. Which I already do. Alebit I'm in the "minor leagues" I'm a pro all the same. I paid $300 for the event yesterday and got $650 for my third place finish.

[Ben]

Two for two in 2008.

Played in a Pepsi Tour event today at Brookside GC in Pasadena, finished in a tie for second. Shot 3 over which isn't all that great, and kind of weird that I finished so high, but I guess the rest of the field was having just as much trouble with the added length considering its a pretty long course to begin with, and L.A. has had rain seven days of the last eight. I was hitting a lot of 3 and 4 irons into already long, hard to place tee shot par4s where I'd normally be hitting 5 iron at the most.

Got off to an odd start. Birdie, bogey, bogey, eagle (holed out from 116y on a par4), birdie. The last birdie being on a par5 that I practically holed out from 60y. I getting a funny feeling of super confidence after holing a shot from the fairway. I remember that happening when I got my first hole in one. I thought I'd hole out on the next par3 for sure. I had that same feeling over my approach shot on that par5 today too. My irons felt really good in my hands. My putter on the other hand, not so much. Driver too...bleh.

[Shindig]

My irons felt really good in my hands. My putter on the other hand, not so much. Driver too...bleh.

Pretty much describes my game on Saturday, although it wasn't for money. What is it with putting after the rain that hurts so much?

Anyway, congrats again. Keep up the good work.

[Ben]

Well, back in business. Today was my first foutnament since the injury. Played a Pepsi Tour event at Brookside GC in Pasadena . It's the same course that holds their city championship. We played Course #1 (Koiner course). Just a nice track to play. Longish, tightish fairways, subtle greens. You can get in trouble quick, but if you play smart, you can stay out of the trouble. I felt I played pretty good today. Had good control with my irons, tee shots got out there alright too. A few up and downs, and a few misses too. Putting wasn't very sharp. No 3 putts, but lots of 2 putts. Lots. Had one real lapse today where I tripled a par 3. But, showed some good self control in not blowing up. I didn't let it anger me at all. Besides the triple, had two bogeys. Only one birdie. Those pesky 2 putts. Shot a 4 over 76. Event paid 7 spots, didn't stick around to see whether I made it. I'll check the webiste later.

One nice bonus of the day, James, from Big Break Mesquite was caddying for one of my playing partners, Blake. Chatted with him at the turn for a bit. He's playing the Hooters Tour and trying Monday qualifying for PGA events. Seemed like he was happy with things. A nice guy.

[jeffhale08]

James was the Australian guy correct? If so, I liked him and wish him the best of luck, as to you also.

[Ben]

Yeap, the Aussie.

[Ben]

Well, things are headed in the right direction. Two cashes in my last two events. Only problem, kinda small change. But still, I'm finding my way "in the money". Tied for 4th in a Pepsi Tour event three weeks ago. This last Monday tied for 9th on the Golden State Tour's event at Empire Lakes (which hosts the Nationwide Tour's Mark Christopher Charity Classic).

[tonyy]

Japanese QSchool, I'm thinking is going to be around $6000 just for fees, probably another $3000 for travel. sheesh. I gotta do some winning.

What's the difference between Japanese Q School compared to here in the US? Seems a bit cheaper I think.

I wish I could play as well as you.

[Ben]

Its about the same in price. A bit less. One round of pre-qualifying, then three rounds of stages. The competition is where the difference comes in. Its not nearly as stiff as the PGA's Q School contestants.