If there is one thing about golf, it’s that this game is completely unpredictable. As I sat down last week to determine my course of action for the 2018 competitive season, I came across a scary fact, golf is expensive. In fact, my Men’s Club expenses for the season were expected to top $3000 in just a 6 month season. Now, with the idea that I am still golfing on a very limited budget, the prospect of spending nearly $500 a month while in season seemed completely nuts. Still, this is the year I want to get back to playing competitively, so I started chopping events from the calendar. As I neared the $1000 mark for the summer, and lost about 2/3’s of my rounds, I realized that this was not going to be a good match for me this season. Perhaps some other season when I have more disposable income, or feel that golf is more of a priority for me, this kind of investment may become a bit easier to swallow, but for this year, it was rapidly becoming a no-go.
That’s when I did a bit of homework about keeping my bigger goals in the picture and how was the best way (and most financially responsible way) of making sure I could still make them happen. After a bit of reading online, some searching and some fact finding, I found the perfect solution, and then an even better one. My first issue was I needed to establish a fully compliant GHIN handicap for tournament play this year. Next, I needed to find a few competitive events to enter to see if I even have a chance at entering those lofty goals for the season. Then, I needed something that provided enough local tournament locations that I didn't feel like I had to get a hotel or add major travel costs to my budget - which would quickly add up to the amount that I would spend at said Men's Club events above. After doing a bit of research, I found a few strange options that actually would work out pretty well for me, but settled on one option that seemed to be the best.
The Pro Golf Club, which is sponsored by the local golf chain, Pro Golf Discount, offers up 23 regular season events, 4 playoff rounds, a championship and a 3 silly season rounds after that to fill out the year. The events are played at courses all over Washington State and include some of the most challenging and beautiful courses around. This weekend is the kick off round at The Golf Club At Newcastle, which I unfortunately will not be able to attend. There are then three more events that will happen at Canterwood, Mount Si and The Home Course before my hopeful debut at Harbour Pointe in Mukilteo. If I'm not able to make my official GHIN number before then, I will start the following week at Willow's Run in Redmond. Here's a layout of the eight tournaments that I plan on making happen right now:
- April 14 - Harbour Pointe Golf Club
- April 21 - Willow's Run (Eagle's Talon Course)
- May 5 - Riverbend Golf Complex
- May 19 - Redmond Ridge
- June 16 - Willow's Run (Coyote Creek Course)
- June 23 - Cedarcrest Golf Course
- July 21 - The Golf Club at Echo Falls
- August 18 - Snohomish Golf Course
- October 27 - The Golf Club At New Castle
If money becomes more available over the summer, I will add a few more to my schedule, but right now, this seems like a good "investment" for the first year. It's also worth noting that I have three to five events that were on my radar as the reason to get going this season as well.
- June 26 - PNGA Men's Master 40 - Silvies Valley Ranch (Seneca, OR)
- July 9 - PNGA Men's Amateur - The Home Course
- July 23 - WSGA Men's Amateur Qualifying - The Home Course
- August 7 - WSGA Men's Amateur Finals - Gamble Sands
- August 28 - WSGA Men's Mid-Amateur - Suncadia Resort (Rope Rider Course)
So there is the possibility of adding up to 5 long tournaments right there that would completely max out my schedule for the summer. I know that sounds crazy, but with budget golfing and limited time (I'm also keeping my family life rather intact with this schedule) I feel that it's just about right to see how well or not well I do in the tournament setting after such a long layoff.
Now if plans fall apart and I can't enter any of the Big 5 that I have listed above (or I don't qualify) I have four other PGC tournaments that I could sneak into as well. March 21 at Mount Si, April 28 at Washington National, September 15 at Avalon and October 13 at Eaglemont. The Avalon and Eaglemont dates may get added even if I do make the big ones, but we will have to see how the schedule and fiscal report looks at that point.
For now, it's officially prep for tournament season. It's been a long time since I've said that and I'm not 100% sure how this year will go. For now, I know I have a solid bag, a decent game and my fitness is improving by the day. Heck, by this time next year, maybe I'll be talking about playing a full season and seeing how well I can do with it. Until then, this is going to be an adventure, so buckle up and make sure to follow along.
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