Recently, 22-year-old SA golfer Garrick Higgo dominated global golf headlines with his back-to-back triumphs on the European Tour, followed by a breakthrough PGA Tour victory in the Palmetto Championship.
Higgo had taken an interesting route in a short time to rocket into the top 40 in the world rankings.
After matriculating, he gave the US collegiate circuit a year. Back home, he competed on a local feeder circuit, made his way on to the Sunshine Tour and then leapt on to the European Tour via the Challenge Tour. All in the space of four years.
Around the same time as Higgo’s fabulous run, Jovan Rebula — nephew of four-time Major champion Ernie Els — picked up the 15th and final qualifying place on the PGA University rankings and earned playing privileges for the Forme Tour. And a few weeks earlier, yet another GolfRSA national squad graduate, Dylan Naidoo, qualified for the Mackenzie Tour (the PGA Tour of Canada).
These two minor league tours, with the Korn Ferry Tour, form the top three feeder circuits to the Holy Grail of golf, the PGA Tour, and the achievements by the SA trio reignited the debate around the best route for young amateurs who hope to carve out a successful pro career.
Do you cut your teeth on a developmental golf tour or take the college/university route?
Like Higgo, Naidoo cut his teeth at the University of Arkansas short. He campaigned on the IGT Challenge and Big Easy Tours until he qualified for the Sunshine Tour. By contrast, 2018 amateur champion Rebula graduated from Auburn University in May, after opting for a fifth year to push for a top 15 in the PGA University rankings.
There are benefits to getting an education first. It gives the amateur an extra three to four years to mature, an opportunity to harness social connections, a chance to gain experience at a higher level and a deeper understanding of the level of their game.
Undeniably, many college graduates have gone on to greatness.
Tick off Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and the current top four in the world rankings — Jon Rahm (Arizona State), Dustin Johnson (Coastal Carolina University), Justin Thomas (Alabama) and Collin Morikawa (California).
Yet world No 5 Xander Schauffele dropped out after just one year at Long Beach State.
World No 8 Patrick Cantlay lasted only two years at UCLA, while Adam Scott, Paul Casey and Luke Donald also cut their college stints in the US short. SA’s Els and fellow Major champions Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen gave post-school education a complete miss, as did Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, YE Yang and countless others.
The alternative is cutting your teeth on one of golf’s many developmental tours. These low-purse tours are gaining popularity on a global scale, for two reasons.
First, many of these feeder circuits allow amateurs to test the waters and compete against professionals while retaining their amateur status. Second, the economics of professional golf is harsh. Almost every player without major tour status needs to be subsidised as they continue chasing their dream. The feeder circuits offer a lower cost alternative while accelerating development.
It may not be where the money is, but it gives youngsters the experience of being in contention and seeing themselves on the leader board. It’s a really good starting point for amateurs and young professionals. Even golfers who have lost their playing privileges and veterans are embracing these circuits to make it back to the big time. And while these tours are considered the lower rung of professional golf, there is some serious talent at this level.
We are lucky to have some great circuits right here on home soil.
Graduates of the IGT Challenge Tour, established 11 years ago, include a host of Sunshine Tour champions including 2020 Order of Merit winner JC Ritchie and European Tour winner Danie van Tonder. The Big Easy Tour has similarly produced a slew of international winners, such as Higgo.
The Bushveld Tour further broadens the scope for young guns to gain experience as they plot their way to the country’s premier professional circuit, the Sunshine Tour, and if you can prove yourself here, you are in a good place to make the next jump.
When I talk to young amateurs about their goals, “play on the PGA Tour” or “best golfer in the world” — or both — always feature on the bucket list.
While goals are undoubtedly important and push them to maximise their talents, the harsh reality is that very few accomplish such formidable targets. Professional golf has gone global, with purses increasing and far more international kids than before carrying the dream of becoming a tour pro.
The bottom line is: if a young person’s final goal is to do everything possible to become a world-class player, playing college golf for four years could be the answer. As could the feeder circuit option. Or a young player with the rare talent and ability could go straight for Q-School.
It’s a personal choice, but one that demands you take a really hard look at your game and make the best decision based on your game, your personality and your financial position.
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