Senior Tour

First Up

Looking at the results from last weekend's event on the European Senior Tour. The winner got €61,000 which is fair enough but it drops away awful fast. The three Irish players (Brendan McGovern, Ronan Rafferty and Philip Walton) were at the tail of the field and made €4,700 between them. Walton finished 29 shots behind the winner.

You would wonder why they bother.

callaway92

First Up wrote: »

Looking at the results from last weekend's event on the European Senior Tour. The winner got €61,000 which is fair enough but it drops away awful fast. The three Irish players (Brendan McGovern, Ronan Rafferty and Philip Walton) were at the tail of the field and made €4,700 between them. Walton finished 29 shots behind the winner.

You would wonder why they bother.

Sponsorship money makes it all worthwhile.

First Up

callaway92 wrote: »

Sponsorship money makes it all worthwhile.

Really? Can you name any of their sponsors?

Senna

First Up wrote: »

You would wonder why they bother.

Suppose they don't go out each week to come last, they're there to win.
It may seem nothing compare to the PGA, but if they finish in the top 30-40 they will more than cover their cost.

The mini-pro tours are much worse off, travel, accommodation, pay to play and these guys don't have 30+years of a career to build up a nest egg.

First Up

Senna wrote: »

Suppose they don't go out each week to come last, they're there to win.
It may seem nothing compare to the PGA, but if they finish in the top 30-40 they will more than cover their cost.

The mini-pro tours are much worse off, travel, accommodation, pay to play and these guys don't have 30+years of a career to build up a nest egg.

True but the guys on the mini tours are hoping to graduate to the tour proper.

I accept that some of the seniors have commercial interests that help and some are probably doing it more as a a hobby than a profession at this stage. But 29 shots off the lead after three rounds doesn't suggest a potential high finish is in the offing.

callaway92

First Up wrote: »

Really? Can you name any of their sponsors?

1) Every golf brand

2) What has that got to do with anything?

First Up

callaway92 wrote:

What has that got to do with anything?

You are saying sponsorship makes it all worthwhile. I'm asking you to tell me which sponsors are making it worthwhile for Brendan McGovern, Ronan Rafferty and Philip Walton to play on the European senior tour.

callaway92

First Up wrote: »

You are saying sponsorship makes it all worthwhile. I'm asking you to tell me which sponsors are making it worthwhile for Brendan McGovern, Ronan Rafferty and Philip Walton to play on the European senior tour.

I'm saying the money they'd be making makes it worthwhile. How does that not make sense?

First Up

callaway92 wrote:

I'm saying the money they'd be making makes it worthwhile. How does that not make sense?

Because you are not explaining where this money is coming from.

Senna

First Up wrote: »

Because you are not explaining where this money is coming from.

Are you saying that none of them have sponsorship deals, clothing, clubs, balls, shoes....nothing? I really doubt that, they are still on TV regularly and all clubs manufacturers still include senior tour wins in their stats.

First Up

Senna wrote: »

Are you saying that none of them have sponsorship deals, clothing, clubs, balls, shoes....nothing? I really doubt that, they are still on TV regularly and all clubs manufacturers still include senior tour wins in their stats.

I watch golf on TV regularly and I couldn't tell you when I last saw Raferty or Walton play. The only place I ever saw Brendan McGovern was the pro shop in Headfort.

The claim was that sponsorship deals "make it all worthwhile". I'm asking someone to tell me who who sponsors any of them.

martinkop

Raftery has a deal with Doonbeg (on his shirt in senior tour pics) and €33K prize money this year. Not much by Pro standards but more than the rock'n'roll

First Up

martinkop wrote:

Raftery has a deal with Doonbeg (on his shirt in senior tour pics) and €33K prize money this year. Not much by Pro standards but more than the rock'n'roll

Fair enough.

callaway92

First Up wrote: »

Fair enough.

Christ you seem like a seriously stubborn so-and-so.

First Up

callaway92 wrote:

Christ you seem like a seriously stubborn so-and-so.

Wha???

Rikand

callaway92 wrote: »

Christ you seem like a seriously stubborn so-and-so.

You must be new here.

:pac:

callaway92

Rikand wrote: »

You must be new here.

:pac:

Haha ya I only venture into the golf forum the odd time when bored in work. Hate his dismissive attitude.

First Up

callaway92 wrote:

Haha ya I only venture into the golf forum the odd time when bored in work. Hate his dismissive attitude.

Dimissive attitude about what?

charlieIRL

And we're back on topic please

First Up

Looking at the Order of Merit and I see that McGovern has made €38,000, Rafferty €34,000, Walton €23,000 and Des Smyth €22,000. So it is a handy enough few bob, although you would hardly call it a living. (Eamonn Darcy has earned €5,000 in four events.)

So back to the sponsorship; does anyone know if any of the above have actual sponsors - above and beyond maybe getting their balls, shirts, gloves and shoes for free?

Senna

First Up wrote: »

Looking at the Order of Merit and I see that McGovern has made €38,000, Rafferty €34,000, Walton €23,000 and Des Smyth €22,000. So it is a handy enough few bob, although you would hardly call it a living. (Eamonn Darcy has earned €5,000 in four events.)

So back to the sponsorship; does anyone know if any of the above have actual sponsors - above and beyond maybe getting their balls, shirts, gloves and shoes for free?

Have you even tried to find out for yourself?

First Up

Senna wrote:

Have you even tried to find out for yourself?

Yes, without result, which is why I'm asking.

Johnny_Fontane

im with firstup here, cant imagine there is any sponsorship bar free gear. would love to see the numbers and very difficult to find this stuff out other than probably knowing someone in the mix.

First Up

Johnny_Fontane wrote:

im with firstup here, cant imagine there is any sponsorship bar free gear. would love to see the numbers and very difficult to find this stuff out other than probably knowing someone in the mix.

If they have sponsors, they are getting poor enough value for it if nobody knows who they are.

I'd imagine they get a few corporate days, pro ams etc. but that's about it.

Adiaga 2

I'd say they make little or nothing from sponsorship. To answer the OP, I'd say they bother to try and win that sixty odd grand for first place. Walton and Rafferty are more than capable on their day. Before the crash the European Seniors Tour was fairly strong with plenty of events and decent prize money but it's on the decline for a few years now no doubt. Des Smyth did very well on that tour for a few years after a good stint on the Champions Tour. Denis O'Sullivan did too - multiple winner and only turned pro at 50. I would say guys like Philip Walton make more steady income from corporate days and pro-ams. Probably breaks even on the tour.

Mantis Toboggan

Must say I never knew there was a European seniors tour.

Senna

Couple of pictures of Walton with a blue cap, can't make out the name "power" - something.

PARlance

First Up wrote: »

You would wonder why they bother.

I could think of worse things to be doing in my retirement tbh. They've got to an age where they've probably made their money. They're playing nice courses around Europe, they've no "work void" to fill like most pro sportsmen. The worst of them are probably breaking even or if not, I'm sure they're not devouring the kids inheritance to play. Some are probably making a nice little earner for it.

Playing golf around Europe, having a blast with old friends. Utter madness.

Now if you ask most of us why we bother... that could take some justifying.

First Up

PARlance wrote:

Now if you ask most of us why we bother... that could take some justifying.

There have been times for sure when I was grateful I wasn't doing it for a living.

The idea of a sociable re-union with old pals sounds appealing. Only thing is that any pro golfers I've encountered on the course didn't seem to be enjoying themselves very much. They were very clear it was all about the money.

Goldenjohn

First Up wrote: »

Looking at the Order of Merit and I see that McGovern has made €38,000, Rafferty €34,000, Walton €23,000 and Des Smyth €22,000. So it is a handy enough few bob, although you would hardly call it a living. (Eamonn Darcy has earned €5,000 in four events.)

So back to the sponsorship; does anyone know if any of the above have actual sponsors - above and beyond maybe getting their balls, shirts, gloves and shoes for free?

Don't forget they have to pay the tax man too!

paulos53

Brendan McGovern won the European Senior Tour Q-School today by 6 shots. All the more impressive with only 5 tour cards up for grabs.