A lesson in harsh reality

Given the money available South Africa’s professional golfers did not cover themselves in glory in the Alfred Dunhill golf championship at Houghton.

Considering that 20th place in the tournament translated into a monetary prize of R68,226.36 – not to mention a first prize of R913,539.41 - there was plenty of incentive for local pros to do well in familiar surroundings.

Yet of the 65 locals who got into the main draw only 29 were among the 81 that survived the halfway cut and therefore breached the first barrier to earning some money.

Professionals are notorious for complaining about all and sundry and they often whinge about the two European Tour sanctioned events included on the Sunshine Tour.

Their argument is that their opportunities to play are curtailed because of the fact that card-carrying European Tour players gain automatic entry in the tournaments.

They miss the fact that the kind of money put up for the tournaments is only attainable because of the European Tour status, while the way they played at Houghton suggests that their golf is also not up to the standard it should be.

Pro golf is not a charity; a lesson to be learnt by both privileged young scions of the country club set as well as the many young black players from disadvantaged backgrounds.

It is a harsh world with a simple test of standards. You play, you compile a score and if that score is good enough you advance in the tournament. Eventually after four rounds your total score decides the money you earn.

There is no other way around this reality. If you’re not good enough, your scores not low enough, no amount of benefits and opportunities will alter the fact.

It is debatable, too, whether a country with the resources and population of South Africa can really support more than 65 “touring” professionals.

In fact, if local professionals do want something to be concerned about it is the ever-escalating Rand/Pound/Dollar exchange rate.

At the present levels it might soon become impossible for sponsors such as Alfred Dunhill and Mercedes Benz to continue to afford the kind of prize funds that entitle them to European Tour status.

Soon many more pros might find themselves being eligible for tournaments, but they will be playing for a lot less money.