College Player Feeder System to the Pro Tours?

[iacas]

PGA Tour Working On Program to Provide Access For College Stars | Golf Channel

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The PGA Tour might soon have a new feeder system – college golf.

Two quotes stand out to me.

Quote

The PGA Tour might soon have a new feeder system – college golf.

A spokesman confirmed that the Tour is working to develop a new program that will identify, prepare and transition top college players to the professional ranks. News of the new venture was first reported by Golfweek, which cited an unnamed Tour official.

… and… 

Quote

The draft-like program comes after the women’s college game saw seven top players earn tour cards through the new LPGA Q-Series. Alabama’s top two players breezed through the series and turned pro, decimating the Tide’s squad, while reigning NCAA individual champion Jennifer Kupcho of Wake Forest opted to defer membership until the completion of her senior season in May. That means that she’ll have roughly six to eight fewer events to try and retain her playing privileges for the 2020 season.

Making the leap from college to the pros often happens at a terrible time of year. Either you bail on your team mid-way through the season (in November or thereabouts), or you are stuck trying to make it as a pro with status on no Tour after the NCAA tournament in May.

[dennyjones]

I don't know about the timing of the new program and the issues it causes with teams but I like the idea of a feeder system.    Most sports teams have a feeder system from college all the way down to peewee football / basketball / hockey / soccer.    I'm all for anything that helps the athletes get to the next level.

But...

I really don't see the issue as it currently stands.   Golf after college isn't a team sport (not withstanding the Ryder, President's Cup and the Solheim Cup).   The players make the next level based upon their individual effort.    

 

[iacas]

27 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

I really don't see the issue as it currently stands.

The issue right now is that players who enter Q-School have to leave their schools in December and turn pro if they make the Tour, thus leaving, in the example above, the Alabama women's team decimated as their top two players are going to be gone for the entire spring semester and the May NCAA playoffs/championship.

[dennyjones]

Now I understand....