SGU SHOULD INVOLVE SQUAD FRINGE PLAYERS MORE OFTEN

By PAUL CORMACK
A Scot on the American mini-tour scene
Playing golf to make a living is not all rock and roll, especially at the lower end of the spectrum. We all work hard, some just adapt quicker than others. The guys that were on my Scotland squads were just as good as the guys that have came through the last few years but I believe that they (the next generation) were given better opportunities.
I for one got left out of the Scotland squads when I decided to come over to the United States to college. How do you leave out your boys' home international top points scorer and probably one of the most consistent performers over my last year or so as a junior?
The guys that were in those squads got a lot more help than I did. Now that is not a dig at the SGU. They pick those squads on who they think are the best players. They just didn't think I was one of them.
Had I been in those squads I may have delayed turning pro but when you are not involved in the squads and have no hope of getting in them it was an easy decision.
You just have to look at the leaps and bounds my friend Kris Nicol has came in since being involved in the SGU set-up. Little things or opportunities to speak to the correct people about fitness and the mental side of the game help. I'm sure those guys have had the best available to them.
My one hope still for the SGU is that they involve the players on the fringes of their squads more often, especially during the winter to give them the taste and the belief that they can get there. That's all I would have ever ask. Just a chance.
My biggest win as an amateur was probably winning a regional tournament on the US college golf circuit. I equalled a record that I believe still stands at 18 under par for the three rounds.
I attended McLennan Community College at Waco, Texas.
Pro wise i haven't won much apart from the odd alliance competition and the North-east Alliance championship (pictured above with the trophy two or three years ago). That's something I'd like to rectify sooner rather than later.
I personally think that the perception of us lower tier golfers is that we all don't work or try as hard as the big boys. I know for a fact that's not true. I'd  welcome the chance to inform people of the life of "the mini tour" player. Money has never been or will ever be the object of me playing golf. It wasn't like that at the start of my career and hopefully it never gets that way.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Paul has agreed to write for scottishgolfview.com a regular Golfing Letter from America).
I think I'll enjoy writing about the emotional and hard working side of the game that not many people know about. Golf fans all over the world read about the winner and just see everyone else in the field's score. They don't really know the day-to-day grind at any level of golf, never mind the lower tiers.
I think it will be fun and interesting for me anyway. I hope scottishgolfview.com readers will like it too.

I will keep you up to date with my progress after every series of the the NGA Tour during the year.

I find there is actually something therapeutic about writing down my thoughts and the state of my game. I don't know how many people will be interested in reading the trials and tribulations of a mini tour golfer but I'd be more than happy to keep you informed.

As of now I'm taking a short break but within the next couple of weeks I'll be back practising and getting myself prepared for the winter series tournaments and the start of the NGA Tour (formerly the Hooters Tour) season in February.

Regards,

Paul Cormack

+If you have any questions on golfing matters for Paul, send them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com and they will be forwarded to him without delay.