20th November 2014

The 2014 European Tour Qualifying School (Q-School) came to a close this afternoon with 27 players earning a European Tour card for the 2015 season.  All of the 76 professionals who made the cut shared a prize fund of €152,278 with the winner, Finland’s Mikko Korhonen, taking home €16,000.  I am sure the money is not that important to the qualifiers.  It was always about the ‘golden tickets’ and the opportunity that now lies before them.

2014 Q-School Winner – Mikko Korhonen (Photo: Getty Images / European Tour)

Whilst the wannabes will now be reflecting on their season the Tour’s superstars have today also teed off in the Dubai Ports World Tour Championship, the European Tour’s season finale.  The Top 60 players on The Road To Dubai (R2D) 2014 Order of Merit will be fighting it out for the US$8m prize fund and on Sunday the Final 15 will also carve up a US$5m R2D Bonus Pool.

The difference in prize money at the two ends of the European professional golf spectrum couldn’t be more clearly highlighted than during this week. This got me thinking about the Q-School’s finances and how it must feel to be one of the 899 ‘unsuccessful’ players.

I was surprised to discover a few weeks ago that the 2014 Q-School entry fee was “€1,725 (or the sterling equivalent of £1,400)”.  This seemed expensive to me, particularly when I considered who the majority of the participants were likely to be.  Even more so when I added on the accompanying travel, accommodation and possibly caddie costs associated with competing.

I estimate it costs a Q-School competitor anything between £500 and £5,000 in ancillary costs. The amount obviously depends on where they enter the process and how far they go.

First Stage entries closed on 27th August, with later cut-offs put in place for those exempt from the First (27th October) and Second Stages (6th November).  All of the players have had to pay the full fee irrespective of their entry point into the qualification process.

So let’s have a look at how each stage has gone from the financial perspective of the European Tour:-

First Stage Q-School
Eight 72-hole First Stage events were held across Europe between 9th September and 3rd October on eight different courses.  102 places were available at each First Stage course, meaning a maximum of 816 players could have entered the process right at the beginning.

In the end 737 scratch or better players teed off.  Therefore the European Tour received First Stage entrance fees of €1,271,325.  Prize money of €5,000 was paid to the Top 5 professionals at each First Stage event.  In addition to this €40,000 the European Tour will have also incurred staff costs as well as host course fees in staging these qualifiers.  €25,000 per venue doesn’t appear unreasonable to me after allowing for the marketing benefits / hospitality income that could be realised by the venues.  Allowing for other upfront administrative costs and some contingencies (say, €60,000) I estimate the Tour will have spent c.€300,000 completing the First Stage.  It should therefore have generated a surplus to take to Second Stage of around €975,000.

Second Stage Q-School
Four 72-hole Second Stage events were held between the 7th and 10th November.  The fields were made up of 191 First Stage qualifiers and a 102 exempt players who had earned the right to enter the process at the Second Stage.

102 new players means additional entry fees of €175,950.  The Second Stage prize fund remained at €5,000 per site.  Deducting costs for staff and courses of, say €125,000, means it is not unreasonable to think that a further c.€30,000 may have been added to the rolling surplus.

Final Stage Q-School
A field of 156 started the 108-hole Final Stage event at PGA Catalunya which ended today.

87 golfers were exempt to this Stage, meaning an additional entry fee income of €150,075.  The total entry fees received this year have therefore been €1,438,990 by my calculation.

The PGA Catalunya Resort courses are taken out of play for a week which is not going to come cheap albeit the prestige of hosting the dramatic Final Stage must count for something.  Let’s assume a deal has been done for €50,000.  If I deduct staff costs of €25,000 and the above-mentioned prize money of €152,278 that leaves a standalone Final Stage deficit of -€77,203.

Adding up the figures from each Stage suggests that the European Tour will leave Spain with a surplus of c.€930,000.

I believe making such a profit out of the Q-School is unfair.  I appreciate that the European Tour has many other costs to meet during the year and perhaps it is unfair to look at this specific event in isolation.  I also know that many tournaments are increasingly requiring subsidies to keep them going.  However, the Tour also has a TV broadcasting contract with Sky and does it not share in the proceeds of the Ryder Cup too.  Without seeing their accounts it is of course hard to comment with real clarity.

Nevertheless it does seem inequitable to me that many golfers are asked to incur quite sizeable costs for a ticket to the Q-School lottery for a European Tour card.  By definition many of them will be just starting out or have found it difficult to make a living as a Touring Pro to date.  Surely the costs could be reduced in someway, even pro rated depending on status or better still the prize money across the three stages increased.

In many ways the current arrangements appear to be a case of ‘robbing the poor, to pay the rich’, particularly when you look at the riches available in Dubai this week. The implication has to be that the Q-School surplus is needed to help keep the main European Tour (and probably the Challenge Tour) going throughout the year.  I know this is naive, given the dog-eat-dog world of professional sport, but shouldn’t the Main Tour players be helping to achieve this as they are the ones who really benefit from it.  Higher tournament entry fees (do they pay these ?) or slightly lower prize funds every week could help in this regard.   I was pleased to read this week that Rory McIlroy, via his Foundation, was putting something back into the game and supporting the 2015 Irish Open at Royal County Down.  More of this is needed from our multi-millionaire golfers.

Rory McIlroy tees off at the DP World Tour Championship (Photo: Getty Images / European Tour) 

Am I missing something ?  If so what ?

Good luck to the 27 golfers who have secured their Category 15 2015 European Tour playing rights today (and those who have gained other Categories and / or rights on the Challenge Tour) but do spare a thought for the other 899 who haven’t and have once again lost a lot of money pursuing their dreams over the last few weeks and months.

ME.

Copyright © 2014, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

18th November 2014

The 72-hole cut has today been made at the Final Stage European Tour Qualifying School (Q-School) event at the PGA Catalunya Resort in Spain.

The 926 players who entered Q-School had already been whittled down to 156 by the start of Final Stage qualifying.  We are now down to the final 78, all of whom scored -1 or better over the first four days.

The final 36-holes will now take place on the 7,333 yard, Par 72 Stadium Course, starting tomorrow.

To recap once play is complete on Thursday:-
– the top 25 players (and ties) are eligible for Cat. 15 European Tour and Cat. 5 Challenge Tour membership.
– those that made the cut are eligible for Cat. 20 European Tour and Cat. 9 Challenge Tour membership.
– Players who failed to make the cut will be eligible for Category 15 membership of the Challenge Tour.

So let’s have a look at how the 51 GB&I players have got on so far.  I have listed each player below.  The colour, as you see from the Notes, signifies where they entered the Q-School process.

Notes
Final Stage Qualifying Entrants (25)
Second Stage Qualifying Entrants (14)
First Stage Qualifying Entrants (12)
* Geoff turned Pro. ahead of competing at Second Stage Q-School.
~ Zander and Renato turned Pro. ahead of playing in the Final Stage.

Made Cut

•  1st  Matt Ford (ENG)  74, 64, 65, 68  -13
•  8th  Richard McEvoy (ENG)  73, 65, 64, 72  -10
• T  9  Chris Lloyd (ENG)  72, 66, 66, 71  -9
• T12  John Parry (ENG)  68, 68, 71, 69  -8
• T12  Tom Murray (ENG)  76, 64, 63, 73  -8
• T12  Paul Maddy (ENG)  67, 72, 68, 69  -8
• T12  Stuart Manley (WAL)  66, 72, 67, 71  -8
• T20  Andrew Marshall (ENG)  69, 71, 69, 68  -7
• T20  Chris Paisley (ENG)  70, 69, 68, 70  -7
• T26  Max Orrin (ENG)  69, 73, 66, 70  -6
• T26  Kenneth Ferrie (ENG)  66, 75, 65, 72  -6
• T26  Kevin Phelan (IRE)  69, 72, 65, 72  -6
• T37  Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG)  70, 66, 67, 76  -5
• T37  David Dixon (ENG)  68, 72, 65, 74  -5
• T37  Peter Lawrie (IRE)  71, 67, 67, 74  -5
• T43  Simon Thornton (IRE)  68, 69,67, 76  -4
• T43  Sam Walker (ENG)  66, 71, 68, 75  -4
• T49  Phillip Archer (ENG)  68, 74, 72, 67  -3
• T49  Peter Whiteford (SCO)  77, 66, 65, 73  -3
• T49  Ben Evans (ENG)  73, 68, 66, 74  -3
• T54  Scott Fallon (ENG)  72, 65, 71, 74  -2 
• T54  Garrick Porteous (ENG)  80, 64, 69, 69  -2
• T54  Duncan Stewart (SCO)  67, 76, 71, 68  -2
• T54  Gary Lockerbie (ENG)  76, 67, 70, 69  -2
• T54  Gareth Maybin (NI)  74, 71, 72, 65  -2 
• T67  Dave Coupland (ENG)  76, 70, 69, 68  -1 
• T67  Scott Henry (SCO)  70, 72, 68, 73  -1
• T67  Simon Griffiths (ENG)  76, 68, 67, 72  -1

• T 2 Renato Paratore (ITA)~ 67, 70, 66, 69  -12
• T12 Emilio Cuartero Blanco (AM) (SPA) 74, 65, 66, 71  -8

Comments
– 28 out of the 51 GB&I players (55%) who started the Final Q-School event on Saturday have made the cut.
– Based on point of entry those who made the cut came from – Final Stage 15, Second Stage 9 and First Stage 4. 
– However, just 9 of the 28 are inside the important Top 25.
– After a slow start Matt Ford (ENG) has recorded three superb rounds.  Today he recorded his second eagle and had a bogey free round on the Stadium Course.
– Tom Murray (ENG) is well placed on -8 and T12 to complete the full Q-School journey as a First Stage entrant.
– Garrick Porteous (ENG) has again showed great mental strength.  To make the cut on -2 after a Rd. 1 80 (+8) is impressive.  He was also +4 after 5 holes today before recovering to shoot 69 (-1)
– Gareth Maybin (NI) 65, Phillip Archer (ENG) 67, Dave Coupland (ENG) 68, Duncan Stewart (SCO) 68 Gary Lockerbie (ENG) 69 also all played their way into the Cut today.

Other News
– 17 year old Renato Paratore’s (ITA) decision to turn Pro ahead of the Final Q-School is looking inspired.
– Emilio Cuartero Blanco (SPA) is the last Amateur still competing.
– John Hahn’s (USA) 58 (-12) Rd. 4 on the Tour Course saw him rise 92 places and make the cut in T12 (-8)

Missed Cut

• T79   William Harrold (ENG)  Par
• T90   Callum Shinkwin (ENG)  +2
• T90   Ross Kellett (SCO)  +2
• T90   Nathan Kimsey (ENG)  +2
• T101 Simon Wakefield (ENG)  +3
• T101 Wallace Booth (SCO)  +3
• T101 Garry Houston (WAL)  +3
• T101 Lloyd Kennedy (ENG)  +3
• T101 Toby Tree (ENG)  +3
• T111 Ben Parker (ENG)  +4
• T111 Michael McGeady (IRE)  +4
• T116 Lee Slattery (ENG)  +5 
• T126 Robert Coles (ENG)  +7
• T126 Billy Hemstock (ENG)  +7
• T131 Matthew Southgate (ENG)  +8
• T131 Paul Howard (AM) (ENG)  +8
• T131 Nick Dougherty (ENG)  +8
• T136 Neil Chaudhuri (ENG)  +9
• 144th Rhys Davies (WAL)  +12
• 145th Ross McGowen (ENG)  +14
• RETD Stephen Dodd (WAL) 
•  W/D  Phillip Price (WAL)  
•  W/D Jamie Elson (ENG)

• T111 Geoff Drakeford (AUS)*  +4
• T121 Zander Lombard (SA)~  +6

The European Tour’s Final Q-School Leaderboard can be viewed by clicking here – Live Scores.

ME.

Copyright © 2014, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

18th November 2014

This time last year 27 players obtained a Category 15 Card via the Final Q-School event at PGA Catalunya.

So how did last year’s European Tour graduates get on in 2014 ?

Following last weekend’s Turkish Airlines Open The Race To Dubai (R2D) Rankings now confirm the following results: –
2 – Finished R2D Top 60, qualifying for the DP World Tour Championship.
6 – Finished R2D 66th – 111th, securing a Cat. 10 2015 ETCard.
1 – Finished R2D > 111th but won a 2014 ET winner (Cat. 5 membership).
9 – Finished R2D > 111th, currently playing at Final Q-School.
6 – Finished R2D > 145th, failed to progress from Second Stage Q-School.
3 – Finished R2D > 145th, status / plans currently unclear.

Therefore: –
30% of the players retained their European Tour cards for the 2015 season.
4% won a tournament and therefore have some 2015 playing rights.
33% can still salvage the year by coming through Final Q-School this week.
33% are already seeking alternative playing options for next year.

The two ‘stars’ were Fabrizio Zanotti (33rd) and Wade Ormsby (49th), the latter playing his way into the Tour Championship last week in Turkey.

If proof were required of the high standards required here it is.  The message seems to be Q-School may be hard to get through but staying on the European Tour thereafter is even harder.  Let no one tell you that the life of a professional golfer is anything other than a tough one.

The specific player results were as follows: –

1. Carlos DEL MORAL (Spa) -26
R2D €217,778 (113th) – 29 events / AT FINAL Q-SCHOOL

2. Fabrizio ZANOTTI (Par) -21
R2D €1,004,024 (33rd) – 27 events / TOP 60 CARD RETAINED

3. Marco CRESPI (Ita) -15
R2D €241,717 (105th) – 26 events / TOP 111 CARD RETAINED

4. Gary STAL (Fra) -14
R2D €294,998 (89th) – 25 events / TOP 111 CARD RETAINED

5. Mikael LUNDBERG (Swe) -13
R2D €269,690 (96th) – 24 events / TOP 111 CARD RETAINED

6. Adrien SADDIER (Fra) -13
R2D €176,547 (127th) – 27 events / AT FINAL Q-SCHOOL

7. John HAHN (USA) -13
R2D €197,124 (120th) – 22 events / AT FINAL Q-SCHOOL

8. Connor ARENDELL (USA) -12
R2D €19,073 (219th) – 13 events / WEB.COM Q-SCHOOL

9. Wade ORMSBY (Aus) -12
R2D €741,089 (49th) – 27 events / TOP 60  CARD RETAINED

10. Stuart MANLEY (Wal) -12
R2D €182,305 (125th) – 29 events / AT FINAL Q-SCHOOL

11. James MORRISON (Eng) -12
R2D €302,098 (88th) – 28 events / TOP 111 CARD RETAINED

12. James HEATH (Eng) -11
R2D €111,257 (151st) – 23 events / SECOND STAGE Q-SCHOOL (T21)

13.  Simon WAKEFIELD (Eng) -11
R2D €135,575 (142nd) – 26 events / AT FINAL Q-SCHOOL

14. Jens DANTORP (Swe) -11
R2D €85,408 (154th) – 23 events / SECOND STAGE Q-SCHOOL (T56)

15. Brinson PAOLINI (USA) -11
R2D €50,103 (177th) – 23 events / SECOND STAGE Q-SCHOOL (T41)

16. Patrik SJÖLAND (Swe) -11 / UNKNOWN
R2D €61,957 (168th) – 17 events

17. Kevin PHELAN (Ire) -10
R2D €174,382 (129th) – 26 events / AT FINAL Q-SCHOOL

18. Andreas HARTØ (Den) -10
R2D €73,299 (163rd) – 26 events / SECOND STAGE Q-SCHOOL (T58)

19. Daniel BROOKS (Eng) -10
R2D €138,641 (140th) – 24 events / WON 2014 MADEIRA OPEN (CAT. 5)

20. Thomas PIETERS (Bel) -10
R2D €332,371 (83rd) – 27 events / TOP 111 CARD RETAINED

21. Lucas BJERREGAARD (Den) -10
R2D €291,549 (90th) – 26 events / TOP 111 CARD RETAINED

22. Jason KNUTZON (USA) -9
R2D €119,040 (149th) – 21 events / AT FINAL Q-SCHOOL

23. Mikko KORHONEN (Fin) -9
R2D €174,775 (128th) – 21 events / AT FINAL Q-SCHOOL

24. Estanislao GOYA (Arg) -9
R2D €136,954 (141st) – 21 events / AT FINAL Q-SCHOOL

25. Jack DOHERTY (Sco) -9
R2D €51,630 (175th) – 22 events / SECOND STAGE Q-SCHOOL (T27)

26. Adam GEE (Eng) -9
R2D €117,527 (150th) – 23 events / SECOND STAGE Q-SCHOOL (T21)

27. Alistair FORSYTH (Sco) -9
R2D €83,020 (157th) – 24 events / UNKNOWN

ME.

Copyright © 2014, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.