Champion's Tour Requirements

[Rhythm&TempoRenzo]

How do I get on?

I'll be eligible (the big 5-0) for the Champion's Tour next year. Can anyone explain to me how to get in? Do you really need to have a 2 handicap - whats the actual number? Can you go to a qualifier? Whats the real deal?

Thanks in advance...

[KevCarter]

I found this via Google search.

http://www.pgatour.com/2009/s/10/19/qschool_info/index.html

[Hidalgo]

[quote name='Rhythm&TempoRenzo' date='11 January 2010 - 09:20 PM' timestamp='1263262853' post='2175901']
I'll be eligible (the big 5-0) for the Champion's Tour next year. Can anyone explain to me how to get in? [u][b]Do you really need to have a 2 handicap[/b][/u] - whats the actual number? Can you go to a qualifier? Whats the real deal?

Thanks in advance...
[/quote]

The "2 handicap" question tells me one thing .......

Stay at home, play weekends, and try to make some money off your foursome.

I've been there, done that. If you can't HONESTLY shoot 3-4 under on a consistent basis, you have ZERO chance of even getting through Q_School. (Which is the only way you're getting out there)

Here's a quick discussion that was on here a while back........
http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/296128-shooting-for-the-champions-tour/


.

[QuickFeet]

Pay your money and enter a pre-qualifier to see if you can get to the regular Monday qualifier.

I think Hidalgo nailed it. If you aren't 4 to 5 under on your "home" course when you tee it up you need to improve your game. A bad day would be 1 or 2 under; a good day will be 7 to 10 under par. The other thing, most of those guys have 30 years experience playing golf at the highest level possible.

[boabola]

I can confirm everything Hidalgo said as well.

Before turning "Pro"(assuming you're not), enter local and national amateur events and see how you do. Regaining amateur status is a pain. If you beat everyone there, enter some senior mini tour events and go from there. There's a few around but most don't survive financially.

I tried it and have several observations. To get there, you'll spend a great deal of money and be miserable like most of the guys out there on the mini tours who are really good but just a couple of intangibles away from getting to the big tour. It's more dificult than ever...even many former tour players don't make it. In amateur events you'll play better courses, spend alot less cash, have more fun, find all the competition you can handle, and not stay in flea bag hotels 4 nites a week.

Eventually I decided to have fun playing golf again, got my amateur status back. I realized I was just interested in the competition and the battle within.

[jwfgolfpro]

It is the HARDEST Tour in world to get on. Without a doubt.

JWF

[XYB34A]

this is the truth. if you have never played on the PGA. then YOU DONT GET ON

[Pepperturbo]

 If you're not scratch and capable of going sub par forget it; presuming your hope is to make the cut.  On the other hand if you're just looking for that kind of tournament experience which is exhilarating and fun, as I have done it "2" is max.  Pay your entry fee and have at it...  I met some great guys. 

[fats]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' date='31 January 2010 - 03:29 PM' timestamp='1264969767' post='2217094']
 If you're not scratch and capable of going sub par forget it; presuming your hope is to make the cut.  On the other hand if you're just looking for that kind of tournament experience which is exhilarating and fun, as I have done it "2" is max.  Pay your entry fee and have at it...  I met some great guys. 
[/quote]


Good advice ... I'm chewing on a Cohiba Maduro 5 as I'm typing this...LOL

[Pepperturbo]

fats.. you've got excellent taste in cigars.  I love dem dar Cohiba's, especially Maduro Genio. 

[70sSanO]

I tend to agree with justaman5.

Senior tours or senior events in any sport are only successful because it is a way for fans to see former great pros compete.

I would think that you would have to be head and shoulders better than they are because you have no fan base and will have to develop that base after you join the tour.

John

[TitleistMuscleback]

[quote name='justaman5' date='31 January 2010 - 12:42 PM' timestamp='1264959724' post='2216759']
this is the truth. if you have never played on the PGA. then YOU DONT GET ON
[/quote]


That is not completely true, but you're pretty much right

[highergr0und]

You know who else turns 50 in the next year?

Mark Calcavecchia and Kenny Perry, not to mention Couples who started the season there.

The odds are long, but if you have the money and desire you never know

[shankapotamus]

If your handicap is not in the area of +3 or better your chances are "0". Been there done that. If you want to test
the waters without a big expense, sign up for the US Senior Open qualifier in your area and go for it.

[fats]

[quote name='70sSanO' date='12 February 2010 - 03:23 PM' timestamp='1266006181' post='2246944']
I tend to agree with justaman5.

Senior tours or senior events in any sport are only successful because it is a way for fans to see former great pros compete.

I would think that you would have to be head and shoulders better than they are because you have no fan base and will have to develop that base after you join the tour.

John
[/quote]

I hear you, but prize winnings have zero to do with fan base.

[marrigo]

Here's a summary of a local player who made it to the Senior Tour this year by way of Q-School as the last qualifier (only the top five make it I believe).
[url="http://www.syracusehalloffame.com/pages/inductees/2007/Jim_Roy.html"]http://www.syracusehalloffame.com/pages/inductees/2007/Jim_Roy.html[/url]

[TigerStrong]

You can't maybe the golf channel tour is the better route. If you have to ask you're not even close.

[jmvargas]

when i was 45 years old and only a weekend player with a 3 hdcp{am now 64) i entertained fantasies that if i prepared well enough i may have a chance of trying to make it to the US senior tour..

i then played in the pro-am of our national open with an american journeyman pro who shot 66(30-36) on his own ball and we won first place with a net 55(-17) score for our team of 3 ams and 1 pro using our hdcps in the best-ball format...

i had 2 natural eagles(both on par 5s) and 3 birdies and contributed the most to improving our pro's score..since we could pick up if we felt we could no longer help the team score i did not keep track of my medal score but it would have been in the high 60's..( my lowest ever score at that time was a 64 on my par 71 home course)...

feeling a bit smug after a few beers while celebrating our win i asked the pro if he thought i would have a chance at making it to the US senior tour considering i had about 5 years to prepare...

he looked me straight in the eye and very seriously said........"NO"..

[Hidalgo]

If you're thinking about playing the Champions Tour ... and you "think" you might be good enough ...

Do you REALLY think you can beat Fred Couples or Tom Watson?

Well ... do ya?

FWIW, I played 18 with Freddie a few years ago, and I can ASSURE you that the guy is much better than you can imagine. Seeing him play on TV or even walking in the gallery gives you no idea what he is capable of doing with a golf ball.

[Rhythm&TempoRenzo]

Thanks to all who replied to my original post, the info was great. Here's a bit of my history:

When I was in my 20's I had aspirations of becoming a Pro Bowler - I was told that I did'nt have a candles shot, but I worked hard and played the PBA Western Regional Tour for 4 yrs and graduated to the National Tour where I made a good living for close to 6 years.

Can you imagine the pressure of bowling a 54 game block just for the opportunity to continue competing. It was always tough - but any spectator who asked me how could they get to the PBA Tour - I laid the whole thing out for them - built up their confidence with "IF I CAN - YOU CAN", signed an autograph and kept bowling trying to reach the finals.

Tendonitis took me out of the sport. Although I never made the TV telecast (I missed it by a single pin once) I played with greats like Hall of Famer Earl Anthony, the Webbers, Williams, Dukes and many others. It was an awesome experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Now back to golf - I have played a few rounds with some present day tour members (I will not mention any names) and performed very well, I have'nt played on any leagues in my local area - I just worked hard on my game 7 days a week. I've been asked multiple times as to why I have not thrown my hat into the professional golf arena. My answer was always: "I believe that I need more experience".

By my 51st birthday I'm confident that I will be ready, why? - because I have confidence in me. Thats what its all about - if you don't have confidence in yourself - you'll never attain any of your dreams. On any given day the most confident player (not the most arrogant) can beat anyone at least once. Is'nt that what we all really want?

[number9]

[quote name='Rhythm&TempoRenzo' date='11 January 2010 - 09:20 PM' timestamp='1263262853' post='2175901']
I'll be eligible (the big 5-0) for the Champion's Tour next year. Can anyone explain to me how to get in? Do you really need to have a 2 handicap - whats the actual number? Can you go to a qualifier? Whats the real deal?

Thanks in advance...
[/quote]

If you have to ask then you probably have no business wasting people's time.

[boabola]

[quote name='number9' date='20 February 2010 - 08:57 AM' timestamp='1266677876' post='2264625']
[quote name='Rhythm&TempoRenzo' date='11 January 2010 - 09:20 PM' timestamp='1263262853' post='2175901']
I'll be eligible (the big 5-0) for the Champion's Tour next year. Can anyone explain to me how to get in? Do you really need to have a 2 handicap - whats the actual number? Can you go to a qualifier? Whats the real deal?

Thanks in advance...
[/quote]

If you have to ask then you probably have no business wasting people's time.
[/quote]

Your post was a waste of time.

[pitch]

This is a great topic. I played with the Seniors in pro am's for 8 straight years. 2 day pro am so I got to play with a lot of different pros. At the time my handicap was between scratch and 3. Best ever was +2.
It was an awesome experience. I was in my late 30's to mid forties when I played these. I even beat a couple of the pros, of course they were basically playing practice rounds.
Before I did this I had visions of practicing and playing really hard and possibly trying the Senior Tour one day. After playing with them for 16 rounds I decided that I was a pretty good amateur. No way could I play with them consistently.

But good luck if that's where you're headed.

[Ruleschamp]

Dreams are nice.............as long as you have the talent and skills to back it up. One can be confident and dream all day long to be a all Pro left tackle on the Dallas Cowboys but if your physical build is such that the good Lord didn't intend for you to be 6-2+ and 300+ lbs, it ain't gonna happen no matter how much one dreams or how confident you are you're gonna get there. Nothing wrong with being an optimistic person as long as you roll in a little bit of realism.

Glad to hear you're obviously over your tendonitis issues that caused you to give up bowling. Good luck in your pursuit!

[Sean2]

[quote name='Rhythm&TempoRenzo' date='20 February 2010 - 08:45 AM' timestamp='1266673513' post='2264527']
Thanks to all who replied to my original post, the info was great. Here's a bit of my history:

When I was in my 20's I had aspirations of becoming a Pro Bowler - I was told that I did'nt have a candles shot, but I worked hard and played the PBA Western Regional Tour for 4 yrs and graduated to the National Tour where I made a good living for close to 6 years.

Can you imagine the pressure of bowling a 54 game block just for the opportunity to continue competing. It was always tough - but any spectator who asked me how could they get to the PBA Tour - I laid the whole thing out for them - built up their confidence with "IF I CAN - YOU CAN", signed an autograph and kept bowling trying to reach the finals.

Tendonitis took me out of the sport. Although I never made the TV telecast (I missed it by a single pin once) I played with greats like Hall of Famer Earl Anthony, the Webbers, Williams, Dukes and many others. It was an awesome experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Now back to golf - I have played a few rounds with some present day tour members (I will not mention any names) and performed very well, I have'nt played on any leagues in my local area - I just worked hard on my game 7 days a week. I've been asked multiple times as to why I have not thrown my hat into the professional golf arena. My answer was always: "I believe that I need more experience".

By my 51st birthday I'm confident that I will be ready, why? - because I have confidence in me. Thats what its all about - if you don't have confidence in yourself - you'll never attain any of your dreams. On any given day the most confident player (not the most arrogant) can beat anyone at least once. Is'nt that what we all really want?
[/quote]
I'm just a tad older than you and I think it is terrific that you want to get on the Senior Tour. You obviously understand pressure from your bowling days, which I think is a huge component.

Don't let the naysayers discourage you. There are people who have gone the route you want to take and succeeded, why not you? Again, I think it's great you want to do this. I'll be rooting for you RTR, and wish you all the luck and success. It's nice to see folks our age still having dreams and doing their utmost to achieve them.

[hardten]

[quote name='Rhythm&TempoRenzo' date='11 January 2010 - 09:20 PM' timestamp='1263262853' post='2175901']
I'll be eligible (the big 5-0) for the Champion's Tour next year. Can anyone explain to me how to get in? Do you really need to have a 2 handicap - whats the actual number? Can you go to a qualifier? Whats the real deal?

Thanks in advance...
[/quote]
As the late PGA champ and TV announcer Bob Rosburg use to say " He's got no chance". Trevino said when asked your exact question by an amatuer champ and scratch to + HC player " If you can go to your home course (providing it's good enough) and shoot 66 or better 6 days in a row you might be able to maybe think about it".

[jmvargas]

many of the posters here--me included--had similar dreams like yours but "woke" up quickly when faced with the hard realities..

you obviously have better experience and more preparation than us and also have the right attitude--so i say "go for it!"....

....i wish you the best of luck and success in your pursuit!!

[ahl3bomber]

i know a guy who is a legit +3 handicap who is going out for the Champions tour...
he is already extremely wealthy and retired, so it has nothing do to with money
he has not quite made it through the qualifiers, but he will still try
all in all, most of the guys at the lower end are approx. +4 to +6 handicaps, and shoot 65-68 easily when playing non-tournament rounds....
now if you can do that, then give it a shot, but odds are against you

[petter7]

Move to Florida. Play the Mini Tours for a year and if you can shoot consistently in the 60's against the kids,
then enter a Friday Champions Tour qualifier, get through that, go to the Monday qualifier and get through
that, and actually play in a Champions Tour tourney. If you can do that several times over a year, then you
can consider going through the Champions Tour Qualifiers. (Regional & Finals). Good luck!!!

[Rhythm&TempoRenzo]

Thanks to all who responded positively, I appreciate & value your input - Thanks to all who responded negatively, because you drive me to even greater heights. News flash: I just got a few new sticks for 2010 and I'm about to go to the Trackman to test them out. The new stuff is a Callaway FT Tour 9.5 - VooDoo SNV6 1/2" Tipped (Green) & Vokey C-C wedges 54, 60 (bent to 59) & a 64. I could easily get 105 yards out of my old 64 on a full swing - I wonder what I'll get with the C-C's?

I'm definately still going to pursue my Champions Tour dreams - maybe I'll do well, maybe I won't - but at least I'll have the courage to give it a try. For all of you who have been discouraged from pursuing your dreams - I wish you luck in discovering them again & possibly this time - putting the wheels in motion.