Doug Ferguson's Race to Dubai Breakdown

I'm pretty sure Ferguson basically read some of my work because I don't see a lot of other people trashing the premise that the Euro Tour is going to crush the PGA Tour. He gets a quote from Finchem that is interesting (and true):

"The players that move the needle significantly -- whatever list you go by -- most of them are players that are playing a couple of times overseas now, anyway," PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said. "It wouldn't take players a lot to play the requisite number, and they can get there without changing their PGA Tour schedule.

"We're keeping an eye on it," Finchem said. "What currently is on the table wouldn't appear to have a dramatic effect."

about 1 year ago Ryan Ballengee 10 comments 0 recs |

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OH MY !!!

"Tiger Woods does not plan to join. What the last four months have shown is that if Woods doesn’t play, does anyone care? "

Did Dougie really say that ?? He may have his spot up Tiger’s rectum evicted before the end of the week.

Otherwise, this is just another mailed in article – old news old news old news. Gee – the European Tour plays on 5 continents ? Wow – since when ? (umm – with the exception of Asia the last few years – pretty much EVERY year ?) This is news to Dougie ?

“The most compelling component is renaming the Order of Merit to ‘The Race to Dubai…’” ?? How about that – I would’ve thought the $20 million would have caught more people’s attention.

“If there is cause for concern about Europe’s new world — beyond the 11 "TBAs” on the schedule, including the Irish Open and European Open — it is the dependence on one group for so much money." Hmm – sort of like the FED EX CUP ?? Geez – the Dubai people aren’t sponsoring a majority of the events – just the regular Dubai event and the big championship at the end. I wouldn’t call that dependence on one group.

Dougie’s not working very hard these days.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Oct 8, 2008 1:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The rest of the article

was total junk. The only thing of interest to me was Finchem. And that’s irony.

by Ryan Ballengee on Oct 8, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

at least...

…it was good for a few laughs. :-)

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Oct 8, 2008 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What does it take...

to join the European tour? I realize that this whole Dubai thing seems to be an enticement to get the world’s best players over to Europe (and all the other countries on that tour), but what about guys further down on the PGA money list? Do you think the journeyman PGA tour guy would choose to go to Europe to play because they could have a better chance at the Dubai 10 mil over the Fed Ex milllions?… or is the depth of field now going to make that a mute point? Or maybe they wouldn’t even qualify to play? (admittedly, I don’t know much about the European tour at all so any enlightenment would be terrific)

by red tees on Oct 8, 2008 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

depends on their ranking

Getting a Euro card is pretty much the same as the PGA Tour. Tournament results (money), ranking points, Q-school. The top guys can pretty much just ask – they already have the qualifications.

The journeymen pretty much have to qualify through Q-school or exemptions. Notah Begay went over there last year to Q-school and got his card.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Oct 8, 2008 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the entry fee

is incredibly cheap. It’s less than 200 Euros!

by Ryan Ballengee on Oct 9, 2008 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

where's my passport ??

naaahhhh – check out page 5 here – entry fee for the European Tour Q-school is 1,250 pounds

http://dps.twiihosting.net/pga/doc/content/doc_528_590.pdf

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Oct 9, 2008 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OR

1,650 Euros

4. METHODS OF PAYMENT AND PAYMENT ADVICE
When considering entering the European Tour Qualifying School it is vital to organise the payment method in
advance as an application for entry will not be processed until the full payment of £1,250.00 has been
received and banked.
The following methods of payment are acceptable:
1) Credit Card – The preferred method of payment is by credit card for which there is no administration charge.
The following card types are accepted: VISA / MASTERCARD / AMERICAN EXPRESS. The applicant
will need to supply the following information:
• Card Type
• Card Number (should be 16 digits except for Amex, which is 15 digits)
• Security Code (normally the final 3 digits on the signature strip except Amex, which is 4 digits)
• Full Name as shown on card
• ‘Valid from’ and ‘expiry end’ dates
• Signature as it appears on the card
It is acceptable for a third party (eg. sponsor, partner) to pay on behalf of the applicant. If this is the case,
their address as listed on their credit card statements must be supplied.
VERY IMPORTANT: The applicant must ensure that the credit card account has the funds available
and should check the card limit with the credit card company if in any doubt.
Should the funds not be collected on the first attempt to process payment, the European Tour Accounts
Department will try on a further two occasions (allowing a few days between attempts) before contacting the
applicant. Delays in receipt of payment could result in failure to be allocated to the preferred venue.
The Accounts Department will issue a receipt advising the exact date when the funds were collected from
the credit card account.
It is recommended that two weeks after sending in the entry form (and before close of entries) that the applicant
check with the credit card company to see if the entry fee of £1,250.00 has been debited from his
account. If not, it is likely that processing problems are being experienced and the applicant should contact
Sara Brooks without delay. (Contact details below).
Please remember that the onus is on the applicant to ensure that his entry fee payment is not delayed.
2) UK Bank Account Cheque – No administration charges. Cheques must be made payable to the ‘PGA
European Tour’. If paying by cheque please be aware that the entry will not be accepted until the cheque
has cleared which may take around 7-10 days.
3) Sterling Cash – No administration charges. The mailing of cash is not recommended.
4) Euro Cash – Euro cash is acceptable in the amount of €1,650.00. The mailing of cash is not recommended.