Yes, the size of the two markets may be similar , but the European market is split by differing languages,currencies ,cultures and legislation. If you sponsor a European tournament, the spread of spend across the market place is much weaker than USA.The sponsors of the Italian Open recieve very little recognition outside of Italy. Very few brands cover the whole continent , and most European countries have little interest in Golf.
Ahhh the root of the problem, most European countries have very little interest in golf. What else needs to be said. All the other excuses about language, currencies (whats wrong with the Euro?) and cultures ect, don't seem to bother the sponsors of F1 racing or futbol... Schumacher made $80 million last year, and that Beckham guy made $28 million. So realistically if... IF golf was a popular sport all over Europe, they wouldn't have the problem that they do with sponsors.
Ahhh the root of the problem, most European countries have very little interest in golf.
Yes, this is in fact the problem. And I would point one finger of blame at the insular R & A. Among all it's other duties and objectives, the R & A should be the leading force in growing the game of golf throughout Europe. They've been derelict in this duty.
David Howell gives an interesting view on the difference between the tours
Interesting article. If I were a European, there's absolutely no way I'd abandon my home tour just for more money and/or world ranking points. These Euros are killing their own tour.
The only way the European Tour has any chance of not only surviving, but hopefully, eventually, rivaling the PGA TOUR is by these European players staying home and supporting their tour...no matter the costs.
Again, if I were a European pro, I'd come to the states for only The Masters and U.S. Open. That's it.
I've posted it before...the US spends 12 times the amount of money on golf as Europe does, so why should we give them any more than their fair share of the bigtime events? It appears we'll be bringing the Open Championship over here to America....don't worry, you can have it every third year. OK, joking aside now.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lefty
That sums up the average US pro's attitude.
Most non USA pro's would like to play more events outside USA , especially in their home country. USPGA are against the players returning to their home tours , for example, USPGA requires Ernie Els to ask permission to play in South Africa.
Not only does it sum up the US players' attitudes, it sums up the attitudes of nearly all the top golfers today. Other than Ernie Els, none of them spend much time anywhere but in the US and Ernie only leaves for enormous appearance fees. If the Euro Tour banned appearance fees starting now, I'd guarantee you'd see considerably less of Mr. Els on foreign soil.
As for the PGA Tour being against players leaving to play other events, it only makes sense does it not? The Tour is a business, and if Ernie wants to be a part of their team, why should they just allow him to skip off and go work for their competitors anytime he wishes?
Attempts to take bigtime events (WGCs, etc.) overseas have been met with lukewarm response so far, and I wouldn't see that changing unless they were throwing a lot more than $7 million at them. Would I like to see the top players playing against each other more often? Yes. But, on the other hand, would I like to see it happen at the expense of the PGA Tour and American golf? No.
Last edited by stlcard_25 : May 19th, 2005 at 11:10 PM.
David Howell gives an interesting view on the difference between the tours
Interesting view? Sounds like the guy couldn't cut it with the big boys, missed his mommy, and high tailed it home. Maybe if he wins about 20 weak European Tour events he'll get enough points to make the top 50 so he can come back over here and get his hat handed to him again!
Poor guy. It rains over here all the time, he got a courtesy Chevrolet instead of a Buick, and he's got no one to play with when he misses another cut. Could he possibly come up with any more excuses? If he's the future of the European Tour, you guys are in more trouble than you think!
Interesting view? Sounds like the guy couldn't cut it with the big boys, missed his mommy, and high tailed it home. Maybe if he wins about 20 weak European Tour events he'll get enough points to make the top 50 so he can come back over here and get his hat handed to him again!
Weak? You'd better watch out there mister!! Just because only 5 of the top 50 guys play in it, it doesn't make it weak. Besides, we all know the ranking points are doled out on a purely subjective basis. The powers that be are just out to try to destroy the European Tour.
Don't you mean the "powers that PLAY? They seem to be the ones running the Euro Tour into oblivion. :nodsmiley
Ah yes, those terrible guys....shame them for abandoning the proverbial "sinking ship" and heading for greener pastures to make the best living they can.
Ah yes, those terrible guys....shame them for abandoning the proverbial "sinking ship" and heading for greener pastures to make the best living they can.
They're not abandoning a sinking ship. They're just doing what Arnie, Jack, Tom, and Payne did. They're playing in the US to "broaden their minds."
So USa has more golfers and golf courses.Not a newsflash.
European Tour has grown significantly over the last twenty years,with prize money growing significantly.The winner of the money list in Europe wins double every five years ,so 20% per annum is a reasonable guide.In 1996 , European winner of money list won c.$1.4 m,winner of US money list won $1.7m.Then Tiger hit town , in 2001 winner of European won $2.9m , Tiger won $5.7m in US. European tour does not have a Florida/HAwai/Arizona venue available in winter, so they have co sponsored events in southern hemisphere and far east.Now they have a 12 month calendar, but with serious air miles.
The European Tour has welcomed the rest of the world, joined with them , supported them and treated them as partners in the growth of golf.
Is it unreasonable to expect USA to consider the same?
European tour does not have a Florida/HAwai/Arizona venue available in winter, so they have co sponsored events in southern hemisphere and far east.Now they have a 12 month calendar, but with serious air miles.
The European Tour has welcomed the rest of the world, joined with them , supported them and treated them as partners in the growth of golf.
Out of necessity and, as you point out, the US does not share the same weather constraints, so they don't need to have events outside the US like the European tour does. The US does welcome the rest of the world, if they are good enough they are welcome to come and compete.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lefty
Is it unreasonable to expect USA to consider the same?
Interesting view? Sounds like the guy couldn't cut it with the big boys, missed his mommy, and high tailed it home. Maybe if he wins about 20 weak European Tour events he'll get enough points to make the top 50 so he can come back over here and get his hat handed to him again!
Poor guy. It rains over here all the time, he got a courtesy Chevrolet instead of a Buick, and he's got no one to play with when he misses another cut. Could he possibly come up with any more excuses? If he's the future of the European Tour, you guys are in more trouble than you think!
Not entirely sure you read the article properly League... First of all Howell says he intends to continue playing US events - he wants to be in the top 50 and therefore have it easier to play on both Tours. He's come back to Europe to support this leg of the Tour where all the events are in England or close by.
When he says he gets in different cars, I don't think he means Chevy/Buick (and I expect you are intelligent enough to see this too) - he means he gets into a different car FROM THE OTHER PLAYERS, whereas in Europe they tend to go to the course/hotel all together...
Not entirely sure you read the article properly League... First of all Howell says he intends to continue playing US events - he wants to be in the top 50 and therefore have it easier to play on both Tours. He's come back to Europe to support this leg of the Tour where all the events are in England or close by.
When he says he gets in different cars, I don't think he means Chevy/Buick (and I expect you are intelligent enough to see this too) - he means he gets into a different car FROM THE OTHER PLAYERS, whereas in Europe they tend to go to the course/hotel all together...
I read the article properly, and I know an excuse making whiner when I hear one. The car thing was just an exaggeration to emphasize my point. Do you think for one minute Howell would've made any of these comments if he was ranked in the top 10 or was higher on the money list? Maybe if he was playing better and making more cuts his Euro buddies would hang out with him. That begs the question.....Why aren't the rest of his Euro buddies hangin' out with him? After all, the best of them are playing over here.
May 19th, 2005, 05:47 PM
OK, joking aside now.....
Sounds like the guy couldn't cut it with the big boys, missed his mommy, and high tailed it home. 
Maybe if he wins about 20 weak European Tour events he'll get enough points to make the top 50 so he can come back over here and get his hat handed to him again!
Could he possibly come up with any more excuses? If he's the future of the European Tour, you guys are in more trouble than you think! 
Just because only 5 of the top 50 guys play in it, it doesn't make it weak. 
Besides, we all know the ranking points are doled out on a purely subjective basis. 
They're just doing what Arnie, Jack, Tom, and Payne did. They're playing in the US to "broaden their minds." 
That begs the question.....Why aren't the rest of his Euro buddies hangin' out with him? After all, the best of them are playing over here. 
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