Professional Golf tourney question

herr_oberst · 07-05-2009, 07:25 PM

Anybody know what the range for entry fees is for a pro level tournament? I assume that the fees for a major are much more than for something like today's AT&T presented by Tiger Woods?

Just curious, because the prize money is obscene... and in my opinion, no one has a better job than a pro golfer in the top 25 or so money...

9dreizig · 07-05-2009, 07:45 PM

I don't think there's much of an entry fee.. Once you get the PGA card you enter the tournament... They get all the cash from the thousands of spectators and TV revenue.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

PGA Tour members don't pay fees for PGA Tournaments.
The Masters is by invitation only.
The Open and US Open are something less $200 IIRC.

Yes, for the top 25 it is great. Don't underestimate the amount of work (hours) they put in practicing, working out every week. No one mails it in. But this is true of the top 25 of almost any profession/talent. It gets easier to focus on your craft when you don't have to worry about the logistics of life.

Years ago there was an article that talked about the life of a journeyman pro - the guys in to top 100-200. Traveling week in and week out, hoping to make the cut. Cheap hotels, bad food, rental cars, RV's and airplanes. Expenses were eating up any winnings. Tough way to make a buck.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Anybody know what the range for entry fees is for a pro level tournament? I assume that the fees for a major are much more than for something like today's AT&T presented by Tiger Woods?

Just curious, because the prize money is obscene... and in my opinion, no one has a better job than a pro golfer in the top 25 or so money...

You of course know that the prize money comes from the sponsors and TV contracts (advertising)? The average purse ranges from $3M to $8M per tournament. But the "real" money for the players comes from endorsements, Monday morning corporate outings, etc. Tiger has some $85M in total tour winnings, but makes $100M a year from endorsements.

If you move down 24 places, Jerry Kelly (whoever he is) made $1.5M this year so far, made $1.6M last year. You figure at least $100-150K in travel expenses, plus caddy share ($1K/week plus 5-10% of purse), so you are right, he's making bank as long as he can play.