Back to school for the toughest exam
As to the 13-month Race to Dubai, spare a thought for those who are still trying to secure the right to join the European Tour's lucrative 2009 gravy train.
This week some of the most dramatic golf of the year will be played at the at the in Southern Spain. There are 156 players seeking one of the top 30 spots that give them playing privileges for the new season that began with Garcia's win in Shanghai last week.
It is a tortuous process for an eclectic mix of waning Tour stalwarts and tender, youthful hopefuls. Some have forked out their £1,250 entry fee to try to restore careers that have fallen into decline while young bucks are seeking to launch themselves to a new potentially highly profitable level.
The examination could not be tougher. It is not a mere 72 holes - the staple diet of the pro game. Four rounds have to be endured simply to make the cut. Thereafter the top 70 and ties face two more rounds trying to secure that precious top 30 berth.
"I didn't want to be there," , a veteran of more than 600 Tour events, said of his 1999 visit to Q School.
It is the most pressured golf imaginable.
"It is like playing the first hole of the Open 108 times in a row," Chapman explained. Back in 1999 he finished 12th, secured his card and a year later was back on the Costa Del Sol, but this time at , having finished inside the top 60 in the Order of Merit.
"It was the kick up the backside that I needed at the time," he reflected.
, a former winner of this event recalled: "Q School is gut-wrenching. It's not a nice week and once you are through it you want to make sure it is the last time you see it."
No one knows this better than . He grabbed his card when he finished 26th at Q School last year - on his 17th visit. He is back again this week.
Former Ryder Cup man , another who has , is trying to secure playing privileges, so too is .
Others have already come through an extended qualifying process having emerged from two earlier 72 hole events to reach this stage. Among those is Chris Wood, the winner of the Silver Medal as the leading amateur at the Open in July.
While the eyes of the sporting world were on the Ryder Cup, Wood - who won so many headlines at Royal Birkdale - .
, needed to come back for a fifth morning sudden death play-off at the second qualifying stage in Spain last week to secure his place in the field.
in Jerez he returned after what must have been a sleepless night to grab the birdie that keeps the Scot's hopes alive.
If he is successful at the Club de Catalunya he will gain Category 11 membership, which should be enough for at least 18 starts on the European Tour's International Schedule.
The unique nature of Q school is well captured in which chronicles the progress of several contenders as they headed through the 2007 Q School.
"There's more drama, more sadness and tears, more unbridled elation in this one event than any other golf tournament in Europe," Biddiscombe says.
"Q School is where a golfer's whole livelihood is at stake; there is no next week if you fail and that failure can be the end of your career."
In fact for some who fail there will be a next week - the bigger names that have fallen on harder times receive invitations to Tour events and do have the opportunity of playing their way back. But that scenario truly is the last hope and those chances soon dry up.
There might not be much prize money on offer at Q School - the winner after these six long days gets only £15,000 this week - but the stakes could hardly be higher.
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Comment number 1.
At 11th Nov 2008, cynical_spurs_fan wrote:Iain, you make this sound like the worst job in the world. Lets not forget, if they do not qualify, they still get to go back to their respective courses to play the game they love.
I would say that is slightly better than looking at my monitor for 50 hours a week!
Good luck to young Wood.
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Comment number 2.
At 11th Nov 2008, davray wrote:superb article again a lot of heartbreak
ahead but some joy for some i hope wood
makes it through he looks the part so far.
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Comment number 3.
At 12th Nov 2008, moreparsplease wrote:Iain
Do you not think it absurd that Chris Wood has to go to Q school. After all if you add the points he won after turning professional to the points he would have won at the Open had he been professional, then he would be comfortably inside the top 115. While it is obvious he will not get any money as an amateur I cannot see any justification in not giving him the points he has earned. I hope the European Your look at this closely, because to me it is a blatant injustice, and one that will be amplified if Wood fails to win his card.
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Comment number 4.
At 12th Nov 2008, Willett8 wrote:Iain
My younger brother (Danny) is playing alonside Chris tomorrow. Was just wondering if you had been following him at all?
I would just like to send my best wishes to all the young English players involved, I hope it all goes well.
Despite not getting a mention I am confident Daniel Willett, as well as Chris, should be in the top 30 by the end.
Good luck lads
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Comment number 5.
At 12th Nov 2008, punchy9 wrote:Iain
Thanks for the article, good to read the Q School getting some coverage, it is certainly quite a unique event. If I have read it right, Philip Golding is back at Q School for the 18th time, not sure if that is some sort of record?
Would love it to be covered on TV as watched the US Q School last year on Setanta and must have been one of the best events of the whole year. A lot easier watching than playing!
Such a fine line at the end of the week between success and failure.
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Comment number 6.
At 12th Nov 2008, kwiniaskagolfer wrote:Interesting to see that some of this week's contestants have already come up short at Stage One Q-School on the US PGA Tour!
And that Jonathan Lomas, for one, has already flunked out of European Q-School but is teeing it up at Stage 2 in the States!!
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Comment number 7.
At 13th Nov 2008, HeavensExhaust wrote:Yes, good luck to Willett, Wood, Moul, Boyd and Whitnall, all great talented lads.
Q School is a tough contenst, but it's not the end of the world if you are unsuccessful, those below 30 will get into a few (about 6?) Euro Tour events and all the top Challenge Tour events, plus invites.
I look forward to the challenge this time next year!
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Comment number 8.
At 13th Nov 2008, jmarsh42 wrote:Dear Ian,
PGA Catalunya is 90 Kilometers north of Barcelona in the North East corner of Spain, not in Southern Spain. It is also one of the best Courses in Europe.
JMarsh42.
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Comment number 9.
At 14th Nov 2008, kwiniaskagolfer wrote:Terrific second round comebacks by Fichardt and Golding. Amazing really.
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Comment number 10.
At 14th Nov 2008, magicpjmspencer wrote:Iain
Maybe I should send this to "Pendant's corner" at Private Eye....
PGA Catalunya is in the Girona province of Northern Spain and certainly not in the South.
I play there once or twice a year(I live just over the border in Southern France)
check this out
I think I'll pop along and have a look at the new talent
All the best
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Comment number 11.
At 15th Nov 2008, NIreland1-0England wrote:Willett8
Tremendous scoring today by your brother 63 - exceptional, best of luck for the next 3 days.
Also like to wish Johnny Caldwell all the best and Michael Hoey - could do with a larger NI contingent on tour
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Comment number 12.
At 18th Nov 2008, MightyQuin wrote:Well done Wood and Willett, both future Ryder Cup players for sure, but the highlight of the outcome for us Jocks is the return of Andrew Coltart, who must still have a few years of tour play left in him. What's the betting he wins one of the Southern Hemisphere events and locks up his card till the end of 2011?
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