Gas prices and how much travel for junior

[tiger1873]

Are a lot people cutting out travel for Golf Tournaments.  I am noticing that a lot kids are staying close to home.  It's too the point that tournaments need to be near major population centers to have a decent chance of a good field.  

 

In prior years I would think nothing of doing a road trip half across the country to do a big tournament but this year I have reservations. I am sure every one else does too.

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

Personally, at the price of some of the tournaments + hotel + gas.  I would buy the dip in the SP 500 and hold it for 5, 10, 12 years.  This would probably net more money than most partial scholarships.  That frees you up to recruit a college of your choosing vs the highest bidder.

 

/soapbox

[MRx747]

2 minutes ago, TripleBogeysrbetter said:

Personally, at the price of some of the tournaments + hotel + gas.  I would buy the dip in the SP 500 and hold it for 5, 10, 12 years.  This would probably net more money than most partial scholarships.  That frees you up to recruit a college of your choosing vs the highest bidder.

 

/soapbox

 

haha a whole different way of looking at things. I like it!

[leezer99]

I’d just like to remind everyone that it used to be that kids only ever played locally. This whole traveling across the country nonsense is manufactured FOMO by every major junior sport organization. 

[wildcatden]

1 hour ago, TripleBogeysrbetter said:

Personally, at the price of some of the tournaments + hotel + gas.  I would buy the dip in the SP 500 and hold it for 5, 10, 12 years.  This would probably net more money than most partial scholarships.  That frees you up to recruit a college of your choosing vs the highest bidder.

 

/soapbox

We ain’t had the real dip yet. But yeah, when it happens unload.

[kekoa]

Try owning a suburban.  Average cost to fill up around here is $150.  But to answer your question, I haven't seen any dip in golf fields.  In fact, the fields here are packed and fill up quicker than ever. 😞

[leezer99]

7 hours ago, kekoa said:

Try owning a suburban.  Average cost to fill up around here is $150.  But to answer your question, I haven't seen any dip in golf fields.  In fact, the fields here are packed and fill up quicker than ever. 😞

 

My wife was at an event this week and she said the parking lot looked like a Tesla showroom.  

[BloctonGolf11]

12 hours ago, TripleBogeysrbetter said:

Personally, at the price of some of the tournaments + hotel + gas.  I would buy the dip in the SP 500 and hold it for 5, 10, 12 years.  This would probably net more money than most partial scholarships.  That frees you up to recruit a college of your choosing vs the highest bidder.

 

/soapbox

Putting the money you spend on Junior Golf into a 529 or stocks will always net way more of a return than a golf scholarship. Hard truth for some on here but it is factual. Also, prepping for standardized tests and getting a 4.0 will do way more than a golf scholarship.

 

On the travel front, I think it is also how gnarly flying is right now. Flying right now is a gamble so yeah I think parents are having to make hard decisions on travel for sure. 

[heavy_hitter]

I haven't seen the dip with guys.  Girl's fields have been as weak as I have ever seen.

[tiger1873]

22 minutes ago, heavy_hitter said:

I haven't seen the dip with guys.  Girl's fields have been as weak as I have ever seen.

 

I know they're always tons of boys in events.  With Girls it the fields have just dried up on some tours.  The worst tournaments are in out of the way locations no one shows up.

 

At least here in Florida we still have some choice but looking around to travel north it is shocking how small some fields truly are. 

[TwistedSister]

1 hour ago, leezer99 said:

 

My wife was at an event this week and she said the parking lot looked like a Tesla showroom.  

If they have that kind of money why worry about scholarships?

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

37 minutes ago, tiger1873 said:

 

I know they're always tons of boys in events.  With Girls it the fields have just dried up on some tours.  The worst tournaments are in out of the way locations no one shows up.

 

At least here in Florida we still have some choice but looking around to travel north it is shocking how small some fields truly are. 

I've checked some events that my daughter played during COVID that might have 1 or 2 girls signed up.  Might chalk it up to other sports being active again.

 

She played a lot with girls that mainly played Soccer, lacrosse, or softball.

[kekoa]

On 6/23/2022 at 8:01 AM, dhacker56 said:

If they have that kind of money why worry about scholarships?

 

Teslas are a dime a dozen around here.  Plus, these kids aren't worried about scholarships.  They are all going pro.

[leezer99]

On 6/23/2022 at 8:01 AM, dhacker56 said:

If they have that kind of money why worry about scholarships?

Why was there a bunch of parents paying out the butt to get kids into certain universities?  One word: Status

[TwistedSister]

52 minutes ago, leezer99 said:

Why was there a bunch of parents paying out the butt to get kids into certain universities?  One word: Status

another word....GREED!

[kekoa]

1 hour ago, dhacker56 said:

another word....GREED!

Its also very hard to get into a decent college these days outside of being a stellar athlete.  High GPA's and SAT scores just don't get it done anymore.

 

Sorry for the threadjack! 

[TwistedSister]

13 hours ago, kekoa said:

Its also very hard to get into a decent college these days outside of being a stellar athlete.  High GPA's and SAT scores just don't get it done anymore.

 

Sorry for the threadjack! 

One can wish their child will be a stellar athlete all they want...But won't make it so.

[Tannerbug33]

i drive a Corolla Hyrbid, Im to poor to have any status lol

[mikedellgolf]

23 hours ago, kekoa said:

Its also very hard to get into a decent college these days outside of being a stellar athlete.  High GPA's and SAT scores just don't get it done anymore.

 

Sorry for the threadjack! 

Where I work, it seems like everyone is driving either a Telsa or Lexus 570SUV.  They have lot disposable incomes.   $150 to fill up the tank means nothing to them when their income is around 500k/year.

 

You don't need to have high GPA and SAT scores.  You just to have a unique skill set.  One of my neighbors kids got accepted into two Ivies because she is a Youtube and Tiktok influencer with over 1M+ subscribers on YT and 500K followers on Tiktok.

[Noles]

Our local association (GAP) administers a qualifier for the USGA Junior every year.  Last year it was held in a northern suburb of Philadelphia and there were almost 90 players.  This year they held it in Wilkes Barre, which is a significant drive for those in the suburbs and even further for those in South Jersey.  Only 41 kids played this year.  Combination of gas prices and just not wanting to drive that far is my guess for the lack of participation.  What made it worse was that low number of kids lead to fewer spots awarded.  Last year we got 4 and only 2 this year.  

[caniac6]

I was practicing at Tanglewood Park in Clemons, N.C. yesterday. They are hosting an AJGA put on by Harold Varner. I talked to one parent from California. He said there were kids there from Canada, Mexico, and Australia. This was a 15 and under tournament. I watched some kids on the range, and some were good, and some were average at best. 

[leezer99]

Where my son is playing this week. Tesla row. 

[Hawkeye77]

32 minutes ago, leezer99 said:

Where my son is playing this week. Tesla row. 

Okay, I give up - I keep seeing Ferguson's avatar and then end up on your posts, lol.  What gives? 

[leezer99]

8 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Okay, I give up - I keep seeing Ferguson's avatar and then end up on your posts, lol.  What gives? 

Who’s Ferguson?

[Hawkeye77]

8 hours ago, leezer99 said:

Who’s Ferguson?

Seriously? Not cool man.

[leezer99]

10 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Seriously? Not cool man.

I don’t know what you’re talking about.