How to Attend European Tour Golf Events
By Bill Herrfeldt
There are almost 40 events on the main U. S. golf tour, but many of the foreign players opt instead to play on the so-called European Tour. It allows them to stay relatively close to home for European events, and the purses are large enough to get their attention. As a consequence, U. S. golfers have little chance to see them play unless they plan to attend one of those events. If you're in that category, here are some things to think about.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Be aware that while the P.G.A. tour ends in October and resumes in January, the European Tour goes for all 12 months. Furthermore, in recent years, the European Golf Tour has expanded greatly, and it now encompasses the entire world except the U. S. While the professionals might play one week in Europe, they might play in South Africa, or Dubai the next. Such information is critical for someone interested in attending these events.
Choose the European Tour event you would like to attend then look into what it will take to gain entry into that country (see European Golf Tour Information in Resources). First, make sure that you have a passport and that it is up to date. If you need a new one, visit any post office where you can find the forms. It will take about one month for the U.S. to process your application. Furthermore, while it may be easy to obtain a visa to enter England or France, if you plan on attending an event in Hong Kong, for example, the process of gaining one could take a long time.
Click again on the European Golf Tour Information link and look for information about the promoter of the event to get ticket information. In many cases, you will have to snail mail your enquiry, so allow a lot of time to secure your tickets.
Choose the ticket package that make the most sense for you. Since most of the golf run for about one week, you can buy either a single day's pass or one for the entire tournament.
Make your travel plans and decide where you plan to stay. Because the promoters can change both the venue and the time of the tournament you plan to attend, make sure that your flight plans can be changed on short notice, and that any deposit you make on hotels or car rentals will be returned if the event is canceled.
Visit the website of the particular tournament for on-course details before you arrive at the course. You will find it helpful to know the proper gate, the location of the concession stands and the restrooms. Also, many of the tournament websites will provide a layout of the course and the best vantage points to see the most of the tournament.
About The Author
Bill Herrfeldt specializes in finance, sports and the needs of retiring people, and has been published in the national edition of "Erickson Tribune," the "Washington Post" and the "Arizona Republic." He graduated from the University of Louisville.
