A Few Minutes With George Bradford

commentary by Pro Golfer George Bradford (photo left)

For most golfers, the decision to turn professional doesn’t come with much fanfare. No agent, no equipment, no endorsement deals. The choice to chase one’s dream really comes down to two basic things: how much you believe in your own ability to compete and perhaps more importantly, how much is in your pocket.

Golf is an individual sport but, in order to be a successful professional it takes team work. Unlike most athletes, golfers don’t join teams. They assemble them. Swing coach, fitness trainer, mental coach, and caddy. Agent, sponsors and donors. The professional’s team plays a vital role in performance as well as funding the opportunity.

Each year, we as players get one chance to obtain our PGA Tour Card via Qualifying School. Qualifying School consist of three non-consecutive “stages” or weeks of tournaments. In the third and final stage, the top 25 players receive their PGA Tour Cards and the rest receive "status" on the Nationwide Tour. If you don't get to the finals of Q-School, you must make your living on golf's minor league circuit. The main three "mini-tours" include Hooters, Tar Heel and Gateway Tours. These tours are great for experience but about as far from the glitz and glamour of the PGA Tour as you can get.

For the past seven seasons, I have competed on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour. This, unlike “mini-tours”, is a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. Though it is still referred to in the industry as a “mini-tour”, we receive World Ranking Points for top six finishers. Currently, I am one of three African Americans ranked in the world (Tiger Woods, Andy Walker and myself). While the lack of prominence on the “mini-tours” is a concern, the biggest challenge is the cost of these pay-to-play tours. Entry fees alone on these tours can exceed $1,100 per event.

In general, expenses to compete full-time on any tour for one year can range from $60,000-100,000. Tournaments, lessons, practice and living expenses just to name a few all add up quickly. For example, here is a barebones budget for a typical week on the Hooters Tour:

Entry Fees $1,100
Hotel $350
Car $250
Food $200
Weekly Total $2,000 (excludes airfare and gas)

On average, the leading money winners on these tours can earn $150,000-$200,000. However, success on the "mini-tours" doesn’t always translate to "status" or a PGA Tour Card. While it does fatten your bank account, there is no direct link between the “mini-tours” and the PGA Tour. Meaning you still have to go to earn your Tour Card through Qualifying School. It does however, prove that you have the ability to compete on golf’s highest stage.

As a community we want to see the demographics of golf change. In order for African Americans to be successful on the golf course, we need your support. If you are interested in supporting my bid to join the PGA Tour please contact Sarah Daly (Sarah@kbsportsmgmt.com ) or Allie Taylor (allie@kbsportsmgmt.com ).

Keep 'em in the fairway....

George Bradford

George Bradford is a member of the Canadian Tour. He is one of three African Americans currently ranked in the world and has playing experience on the PGA and Nationwide Tours.