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Benefits for the PGA Professional
For PGA Professionals, Pro-Ams are great ways to blend the worlds of coaching and playing, as well as looking aſter friends, family or even key-clients.
Prize Money/Income One of the biggest benefits for PGA Professionals is the additional
income that can be generated by playing in Pro-Ams. Within PGAs of Europe-Sanctioned Pro- Ams the prize fund pays out to all the Professionals in the field meaning a Professional can earn money even if they don’t perform to their highest capabilities. In the majority of the
tournaments, PGA Professionals also stay and play for free with a team of three paying amateurs, so even if the team cost is spread across all four individuals, the Professional can make money from their endeavours. Supplementary income is a big issue for many PGA Pros, especially
those that have shortened or intermittent seasons, so the opportunity to compete during their off-season time can really help boost a Professional’s income.
Out of Season Practice The essence of being a Professional golfer is playing and generating
revenue; it can be difficult for a Pro to keep up practice during times when courses are closed and facility access is limited. Pro-Ams taking place at out of season times in warmer climes can make all the difference when a Professional begins playing more in his home country when the season gets underway.
Amateur Coaching/Entertaining Taking three amateur players away with you can be a great
opportunity to wine and dine your best members or clients, or even go away with a group of friends. As mentioned, it’s not oſten that Professionals and amateurs are able to compete in the same tournaments, and it is certainly even rarer for amateurs to be involved in professional tournaments on an international scale. It might also be good to take students away with you for some warm weather training and competitive practice. The packages put together by tournament organisers are aimed at
getting the best value for money for the amateur golfers and are a simple and easy way of coordinating a trip away. Generally everything bar the flights and some meals is included in the packages meaning a Professional and his amateurs can enjoy themselves and concentrate on the tournament.
Opportunity to play different courses Pro-Ams take place across the globe and are used as great ways to
promote all types of destinations, offering fantastic opportunities to visit new countries and courses. Both Pros and amateurs can really enjoy themselves playing well known courses and perhaps even at some future classics.
Benefits for the Pro-Am Host Facility/Country
It’s not just Pro-Am competitors that can benefit – host venue courses or resorts, regions and countries can all take advantage of Pro-Am tournaments as well…
Revenue Pro-Am tournaments don’t strictly have to be profitable and many set
out to break-even with the view that the event is a marketing activity or an investment into future potential business. That said, many tournaments can be profitable for a host, especially when you factor in the additional spend that comes with an influx of golfers to the venue for 5-7 days. Many venues schedule Pro-Am tournaments in the quieter parts of
their season to act as additional income when business might be sparse and when tee-times are not at as much of a premium.
Exposure One of the main reasons Pro-Ams take place is to gain exposure for the
venue or a region to a high-quality audience. PGA Professionals are key influencers in the world of golf, particularly when it comes to golf travel, and they can be an excellent trusted source of information. PGA Pros will oſten send their members and clients to venues they have visited themselves or take groups with them to places they are confident will deliver. Pro-Ams are a great shop window for potential amateur and professional customers to experience a venue first hand. The media coverage that comes from hosting a Pro-Am tournament
can take this exposure to higher levels. PGAs of Europe Pro-Ams are covered extensively across many platforms and can expand the reach from approximately 120 individuals into huge numbers on the international stage. This provides the host with exposure way beyond just those directly involved with the event. As already mentioned, the costs involved with holding a Pro-Am are oſten regarded by the host as marketing spend, understandable when you consider the numbers the event can reach both in-person and virtually.
Golf Development Bringing together Amateur and Professionals golfers from all over the
world can raise the profile for a host country where golf is in the developmental stage, and can oſten be a springboard to bigger things. A great example of this is the BlackSeaRama Pro-Am in Bulgaria together with Pravets Golf & Spa Resort that hosts the UniCredit PGA Professional Championship of Europe. As a result, clubs in the country have received increased funding for their junior development programmes, and the country even hosted the European Tour’s 2013 Volvo World Match Play Championship at the Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort. As time has gone on the country’s clubs have received increased funding for their junior development programmes, and have even hosted the European Tour’s 2013 Volvo World Match Play Championship at Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort.
For more information on PGAs of Europe Pro-Ams and Championships visit
www.pgae.com www.pgae.com SGBGOLF 11
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