Post by silap on Dec 27, 2014 7:39:41 GMT -5
We are one week away from the start of TGC Tour’s European Tour 2015. Time for a little season preview.
The European Tour might not be the tour where new millionaires pop up every other week. It’ll actually take quite some time before our first millionaire is born. Not that money isn’t important on our tour, it is very much so. Money equals ranking points and as the ‘Order of Merit’ progresses .. we will finally have our fair share of millionaires.
But money isn’t what sets us apart from the other big tour. The European Tour reaches out to golf fanatics globally, bringing the best golf to all far corners of the world and serving it on a silver plate. That’s what it’s all about. So guys and gals .. show me your passports please, here we go …
Africa (South Africa, Morocco, Mauritius)
The tour kicks off in Johannesburg with the South African Open at the beautiful Eagleton Bend Resort. South Africa brought us several great golfers such as The Black Knight (Gary Player) and The Big Easy (Ernie Els) and since we will be returning to this fine country three more times, one can rightfully say that the land of ‘Springboks’ is the European Tour’s most favourite country to visit.
In May we will make a stop in the middle of the Indian Ocean where, for the first time in history, the island of Mauritius will take centre stage. This is after we make camp in March behind the palace walls in Agadir, Morocco for the Trophee Hassan II.
Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Qatar)
If it weren’t for the United Arab Emirates the real life European Tour as we know it might have been dead and buried. Or somewhat less dramatic .. invisible. This country, smaller than for instance Portugal, is keeping the European Tour very much alive. So naming the tour ‘The Race to Dubai’ seams only fair.
After Johannesburg the tour enters its so called Desert Swing. Three tournaments in the Middle East with serious purses will cause ditto movement in the Order of Merit. So you better polish up your clubs and be more than ready for playing in the desert.
Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, India, China, Hong Kong)
With four tournaments set in China, two of them being in our version of the final four, it goes without saying that this country is of upmost importance to the European Tour. Together with its growing economy the interest in the world of golf blooms as never before. Shanghai could very well be the next golf capital of the world with the WGC - HSBC Champions as its highlight.
The regular season ends in Hong Kong (or Miguel Angel Jiménez land) .. it will be your last chance to save that all important European Tour card or else it is Q-school all over again for you.
Europe (Portugal, Spain, England, Northern Ireland, Sweden, Austria, Germany, France, Scotland, Switzerland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Russia, The Netherlands (yeah!!), Italy and Turkey)
Let’s forget about Madeira for a minute (there aren’t any Portuguese people on this forum right?). In May the European Tour finally turns home. Foreplay is over, Wentworth Club is here, let’s separate the (wo-)men from the boys. The BMW PGA Championship is the flagship tournament of the European Tour. Can you follow in the footsteps of Seve Ballesteros, José Maria Olazábal, Colin Montgomerie, Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy? That’s right .. if you consider yourself one of the greats in this game than this tournament should be on the top of your list.
Did I say ‘home’? Every five years golf truly comes home .. to the home of golf that is. For the 144th Open Championship once again the Old Course at St. Andrews will take centre stage and it will look as beautiful as ever. It might rain, it might even hail, gusty winds will blow taking your ball wherever it feels like and it’s probably cold out there too. If your putter isn’t as hot as lava than forget about it. Try again in 2020. This just isn’t your year.
United States of America
It goes without saying that the host of the other tour will have a big, no huge impact on the outcome of the European Tour. Three Majors and three World Golf Championships will be played across the pond. These six tournaments altogether could easily be responsible for half the money (a.k.a. points) you earn during the entire 2015 season.
Is it just the money than that brings us closer to ‘the others’? Think again! Have you ever witnessed the beauty of Augusta National in the spring? Never wanted to fight Blue Monsters beside the ones in your nightmares. There are Scott’s and Steve’s and James’ and Rick’s out there taking the world by storm. Are you going to sit by the side line and just watch, tip your hat and nod for approval? Oh no! Who said Canadians could rule anything outside Hockey. Well I didn’t! It’s game on guys and gals.
Best of luck to all of you .. and oh yeah HAVE FUN!!
The European Tour might not be the tour where new millionaires pop up every other week. It’ll actually take quite some time before our first millionaire is born. Not that money isn’t important on our tour, it is very much so. Money equals ranking points and as the ‘Order of Merit’ progresses .. we will finally have our fair share of millionaires.
But money isn’t what sets us apart from the other big tour. The European Tour reaches out to golf fanatics globally, bringing the best golf to all far corners of the world and serving it on a silver plate. That’s what it’s all about. So guys and gals .. show me your passports please, here we go …
Africa (South Africa, Morocco, Mauritius)
The tour kicks off in Johannesburg with the South African Open at the beautiful Eagleton Bend Resort. South Africa brought us several great golfers such as The Black Knight (Gary Player) and The Big Easy (Ernie Els) and since we will be returning to this fine country three more times, one can rightfully say that the land of ‘Springboks’ is the European Tour’s most favourite country to visit.
In May we will make a stop in the middle of the Indian Ocean where, for the first time in history, the island of Mauritius will take centre stage. This is after we make camp in March behind the palace walls in Agadir, Morocco for the Trophee Hassan II.
Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Qatar)
If it weren’t for the United Arab Emirates the real life European Tour as we know it might have been dead and buried. Or somewhat less dramatic .. invisible. This country, smaller than for instance Portugal, is keeping the European Tour very much alive. So naming the tour ‘The Race to Dubai’ seams only fair.
After Johannesburg the tour enters its so called Desert Swing. Three tournaments in the Middle East with serious purses will cause ditto movement in the Order of Merit. So you better polish up your clubs and be more than ready for playing in the desert.
Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, India, China, Hong Kong)
With four tournaments set in China, two of them being in our version of the final four, it goes without saying that this country is of upmost importance to the European Tour. Together with its growing economy the interest in the world of golf blooms as never before. Shanghai could very well be the next golf capital of the world with the WGC - HSBC Champions as its highlight.
The regular season ends in Hong Kong (or Miguel Angel Jiménez land) .. it will be your last chance to save that all important European Tour card or else it is Q-school all over again for you.
Europe (Portugal, Spain, England, Northern Ireland, Sweden, Austria, Germany, France, Scotland, Switzerland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Russia, The Netherlands (yeah!!), Italy and Turkey)
Let’s forget about Madeira for a minute (there aren’t any Portuguese people on this forum right?). In May the European Tour finally turns home. Foreplay is over, Wentworth Club is here, let’s separate the (wo-)men from the boys. The BMW PGA Championship is the flagship tournament of the European Tour. Can you follow in the footsteps of Seve Ballesteros, José Maria Olazábal, Colin Montgomerie, Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy? That’s right .. if you consider yourself one of the greats in this game than this tournament should be on the top of your list.
Did I say ‘home’? Every five years golf truly comes home .. to the home of golf that is. For the 144th Open Championship once again the Old Course at St. Andrews will take centre stage and it will look as beautiful as ever. It might rain, it might even hail, gusty winds will blow taking your ball wherever it feels like and it’s probably cold out there too. If your putter isn’t as hot as lava than forget about it. Try again in 2020. This just isn’t your year.
United States of America
It goes without saying that the host of the other tour will have a big, no huge impact on the outcome of the European Tour. Three Majors and three World Golf Championships will be played across the pond. These six tournaments altogether could easily be responsible for half the money (a.k.a. points) you earn during the entire 2015 season.
Is it just the money than that brings us closer to ‘the others’? Think again! Have you ever witnessed the beauty of Augusta National in the spring? Never wanted to fight Blue Monsters beside the ones in your nightmares. There are Scott’s and Steve’s and James’ and Rick’s out there taking the world by storm. Are you going to sit by the side line and just watch, tip your hat and nod for approval? Oh no! Who said Canadians could rule anything outside Hockey. Well I didn’t! It’s game on guys and gals.
Best of luck to all of you .. and oh yeah HAVE FUN!!