End of the season fun

Simply Golf

As the year-end approaches, most major Tours like the US PGA, Nationwide, European, Japan, LPGA and Asian wind up for the season "" though the Indian season because of summer heat and climatic conditions, begins in August and ends in late April-early May "" but professional golf does not end with these regular Tours across the world.

Once the drama of Tour Championships, Money Lists, saving cards and earning new ones is over, it is time for some relaxed golf "" and for decent money at that. It is time for team events, shootouts, Skins and events with different but interesting formats.

These special events are good for the audience, who get to see top stars, TV rakes in post-season TRPs and players make some good money. Last week saw the $4-million EMC World Cup with the world's top 24 teams contesting in Kiawah Island, where South Africa won the title, and India "" qualifying for the first time since 1997 "" finished 21st.

Last week in US, Hank Kuehne and Jeff Sluman won the annual Franklin Templeton shoot-out and split $550,000 between themselves. In Singapore, Retief Goosen teed up with women's top star Annika Sorenstam, the colourful Jesper Parnevik and local lad, Lam Chih Bing, for the Tiger Skins event, which had on offer nearly $250,000 over two days.

The Franklin Templeton shoot-out is played with two players in each pair and the tournament format changes each day. The first round has an alternate shot format, while second round sees better-ball and then it is scramble on the third day.

In the Skins format, the player's play for money on each hole "" each with a different purse and the money is carried forward in case of a tie at any hole. A player must win the hole outright to take the Skins and often they carry for quite a few holes.

In Singapore last week, Goosen struck it rich by winning 10 Skins on a single hole and pocket $110,000. He took back a total of $130,000, while Sorenstam won $35,000 and Lam Chih Bing $15,000.

This week it is time for the President's Cup in South Africa. The Jack Nicklaus-led US team, which includes Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the 12-man squad, square up against an international dozen led Gary Player. This side includes Vijay Singh, who dethroned Woods from the Money List this year, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and K J Choi among others.

This weekend also sees the UBS Warburg Cup, where the seniors (over 40s ) come into the picture. It is another United States versus Rest of the World event and is being held at Sea Island in Georgia. Teams comprise six players aged 40-49 and six players 50 and over in a $3-million Ryder Cup style event. Formats include fourballs, foursomes, singles etc. The Rest of World side sees Colin Montgomerie, who turned 40 in June, make his Warburg Cup debut.

Just in case you thought this was it, there will be a few more big money post-season events like team matches, the prestigious PGA Grand Slam of Golf, Target World Challenger and Wendy's 3-tour challenge, all of which have interesting and unique formats and, big money, too.