Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Departure Date
I'm leaving for Japan on August 2nd, 2007. Depending on the outcome of the first stage, I may come home as soon as August 10, otherwise, I'll be there until late September for stage 2. I will be in the States until I return to Japan late October/early November for stage 3 and 4.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Mickey's Golf profile
I've been asked to elaborate on my skills, handicap index and accomplishments. So here we go.
Basics:
~22 years experience.
~Primary right-handed golfer. High 90's golfer left-handed.
~3-Class A professional instructors. Began instruction at 8.
~Past member of the Southern California Junior Golf Association.
~4-year Varsity Letterman at Torrance High.
2-year conference champions
1-year team captain.
~2-year member at El Camino CC.
1-year team captain.
Winner of all conference team championship.
Recovered 9 strokes with a score of 65 in final round to edge competition by 1/2 point.
2nd in team regionals.
4th in team state.
3rd in individual conference championship.
~2-year member at CSU Dominguez Hills.
2nd team all conference individual in state championship.
~2003 player on the Pepsi Tour, Open Division.
6 Wins
~Independent instructor for 10-years.
Over 50 students.
Known for the "One-Point Lesson" and emphasis on basics.
~Volunteered for the Young Junior Golfers of America.
~Assistant Golf Coach for CSU Dominguez Hills in 2007.
Interesting facts:
~Current index: -1.4
~Longest drive: 393 yards (twice)
~Driving Avg: 305 yards
~Holes in One: 2
~Lowest Round: 60 (executive course); 63 (regulation course)
~Most birdies in a round: 11
~Most consecutive birdies in a round: 5
~Favorite club: 8-iron
~Shot type: Straight/Slight draw, mid-trajectory, low spin rate.
~Lowest round left handed: 92
~Strongest game: Mid-irons
~Weakest game: Putting/Driver
In the Bag:
Woods:
Cleveland Hi-Bore Driver(Tour Head), 9.75 loft, 1.5 degree open face, Diamana X-stiff 83 gram graphite shaft.
Mizuno 001 3-wood, 15 degree w/ 757 Speeder Fujikura graphite shaft
Irons:
2-Iron Mizuno Grad w/ Innovative x-stiff comp graphite shaft.
3-PW Mizuno MP-37, 1/2 inch extended, 2 degrees flat w/ x-100 True Temper shafts.
Wedges:
Cleveland 900 Series, 56 degree, low bounce, black finish
Mizuno NF Series, 60 degree, chrome
Putter:
Oddessey Tri-Hot #3, 34 inch.
Ball: Bridgestone Tour
Glove: Nike
Basics:
~22 years experience.
~Primary right-handed golfer. High 90's golfer left-handed.
~3-Class A professional instructors. Began instruction at 8.
~Past member of the Southern California Junior Golf Association.
~4-year Varsity Letterman at Torrance High.
2-year conference champions
1-year team captain.
~2-year member at El Camino CC.
1-year team captain.
Winner of all conference team championship.
Recovered 9 strokes with a score of 65 in final round to edge competition by 1/2 point.
2nd in team regionals.
4th in team state.
3rd in individual conference championship.
~2-year member at CSU Dominguez Hills.
2nd team all conference individual in state championship.
~2003 player on the Pepsi Tour, Open Division.
6 Wins
~Independent instructor for 10-years.
Over 50 students.
Known for the "One-Point Lesson" and emphasis on basics.
~Volunteered for the Young Junior Golfers of America.
~Assistant Golf Coach for CSU Dominguez Hills in 2007.
Interesting facts:
~Current index: -1.4
~Longest drive: 393 yards (twice)
~Driving Avg: 305 yards
~Holes in One: 2
~Lowest Round: 60 (executive course); 63 (regulation course)
~Most birdies in a round: 11
~Most consecutive birdies in a round: 5
~Favorite club: 8-iron
~Shot type: Straight/Slight draw, mid-trajectory, low spin rate.
~Lowest round left handed: 92
~Strongest game: Mid-irons
~Weakest game: Putting/Driver
In the Bag:
Woods:
Cleveland Hi-Bore Driver(Tour Head), 9.75 loft, 1.5 degree open face, Diamana X-stiff 83 gram graphite shaft.
Mizuno 001 3-wood, 15 degree w/ 757 Speeder Fujikura graphite shaft
Irons:
2-Iron Mizuno Grad w/ Innovative x-stiff comp graphite shaft.
3-PW Mizuno MP-37, 1/2 inch extended, 2 degrees flat w/ x-100 True Temper shafts.
Wedges:
Cleveland 900 Series, 56 degree, low bounce, black finish
Mizuno NF Series, 60 degree, chrome
Putter:
Oddessey Tri-Hot #3, 34 inch.
Ball: Bridgestone Tour
Glove: Nike
How to get a JGTO card?
My gosh. If I knew it would be this difficult to get a damn golf tour card...hehe, ya, I'd still do it. Dude, if Japanese procedures weren't complicated enough, there are no loopholes to use to my advantage to get my application pushed through. So here's what I've encountered so far:
Let me say first off, the JGTO does not submit 2007 applications until late April and it must be turned in by June 8th. The timeframe I have to obtain material from Japan and the items they request cut my deadline very close. Bastards.
1. To apply for the JGTO (Japan Golf Tour Org), you must fill out an "ORIGINAL" application from the JGTO headquarters. So basically, I can't have the bastards fax me a copy nor can I download it from the net. They purposely don't have it on the net for that very reason. I received the application in the mail but I don't see the big deal.
2. Must show proof of a 3-handicap or better authorized by the USGA of America (for American players). I've never had to get my handicap because nothing on the US Tour requires it because there's other methods of proving your ability. I have a letter from my own golf instructor AND an official letter of my play on the Pepsi Tour. Still, no go. I had to get a USGA handicap established, which by the way, took me a month to get.
3. Must show proof of liability insurance. Not only do I need insurance that will be covered in Japan, but I have to freakin show proof. For some reason, our Homeowner's Insurance doesn't cover out of country property so I've had to apply for "renter's insurance."
4. A payment receipt for the entry fee must be attached to the application upon submittal to show proof of payment into the organization's personal banking account. Here's the tricky part. To wire money internationally, there's a wire transfer fee. The JGTO doesn't know that amount but their bank does. When you fill out the application, you also need their address which isn't listed on the application. So not only do you have to overpay to compensate the fee, you need to call Japan (international rate phone bill) to get their damn address and routing number. PAIN IN THE @$$.
5. Your chosen location of play is not guaranteed. So basically, if I chose to play in Chiba, Japan and it got filled up so I was transferred, all AFTER purchasing plane and hotel tickets, you're screwed. Why can't I just plan those things after I receive confirmation? By the time I receive confirmation of my play location, plane tickets or hotel accommodations may not be available or at a reasonable price.
NOW...if I get past all the discrepancies, how does my play earn me a card?
1. There are 4 stages you must pass. You must pass each subsequent stage to continue to the next stage...so if I fail to pass the first stage, I may not continue to stage 2 and so on.
2. They take the top 20~25 players + ties to advance to the next stage out of a given field at each testing site. (Each stage has approx. 5 different testing sites to choose from.)
3. Research shows that any score under par has qualified past all 4 stages. Stage 1 has three rounds, stage 2 has four rounds, stage 3 has four rounds and stage 4 has six rounds. As long as my combined score in each stage is under par, my chances of receiving a card is very high.
4. In stage 4, the top 50 advance to the highest golf tour level in Japan. The top 150 will be allowed to play in "open" events as well as their "Challenge Tour" events (equivalent to the US Nationwide Tour).
The funny thing is, it would seem that passing the qualifier is MUCH easier to accomplish than properly filling out the application process. Headache.
Let me say first off, the JGTO does not submit 2007 applications until late April and it must be turned in by June 8th. The timeframe I have to obtain material from Japan and the items they request cut my deadline very close. Bastards.
1. To apply for the JGTO (Japan Golf Tour Org), you must fill out an "ORIGINAL" application from the JGTO headquarters. So basically, I can't have the bastards fax me a copy nor can I download it from the net. They purposely don't have it on the net for that very reason. I received the application in the mail but I don't see the big deal.
2. Must show proof of a 3-handicap or better authorized by the USGA of America (for American players). I've never had to get my handicap because nothing on the US Tour requires it because there's other methods of proving your ability. I have a letter from my own golf instructor AND an official letter of my play on the Pepsi Tour. Still, no go. I had to get a USGA handicap established, which by the way, took me a month to get.
3. Must show proof of liability insurance. Not only do I need insurance that will be covered in Japan, but I have to freakin show proof. For some reason, our Homeowner's Insurance doesn't cover out of country property so I've had to apply for "renter's insurance."
4. A payment receipt for the entry fee must be attached to the application upon submittal to show proof of payment into the organization's personal banking account. Here's the tricky part. To wire money internationally, there's a wire transfer fee. The JGTO doesn't know that amount but their bank does. When you fill out the application, you also need their address which isn't listed on the application. So not only do you have to overpay to compensate the fee, you need to call Japan (international rate phone bill) to get their damn address and routing number. PAIN IN THE @$$.
5. Your chosen location of play is not guaranteed. So basically, if I chose to play in Chiba, Japan and it got filled up so I was transferred, all AFTER purchasing plane and hotel tickets, you're screwed. Why can't I just plan those things after I receive confirmation? By the time I receive confirmation of my play location, plane tickets or hotel accommodations may not be available or at a reasonable price.
NOW...if I get past all the discrepancies, how does my play earn me a card?
1. There are 4 stages you must pass. You must pass each subsequent stage to continue to the next stage...so if I fail to pass the first stage, I may not continue to stage 2 and so on.
2. They take the top 20~25 players + ties to advance to the next stage out of a given field at each testing site. (Each stage has approx. 5 different testing sites to choose from.)
3. Research shows that any score under par has qualified past all 4 stages. Stage 1 has three rounds, stage 2 has four rounds, stage 3 has four rounds and stage 4 has six rounds. As long as my combined score in each stage is under par, my chances of receiving a card is very high.
4. In stage 4, the top 50 advance to the highest golf tour level in Japan. The top 150 will be allowed to play in "open" events as well as their "Challenge Tour" events (equivalent to the US Nationwide Tour).
The funny thing is, it would seem that passing the qualifier is MUCH easier to accomplish than properly filling out the application process. Headache.
Would you be interested in becoming my sponsor?
I am asking for support to help my travels and fees associated with qualifying for the Japan Golf Tour. Sponsorships may benefit from advertising or marketing of products that I may use during the course of my play.
~Travel airfare
~Entry fees associated with the Japan Golf Tour qualifiers (approx. $7000)
~Hotels
~Transportation
~Food
~Golf Attire
~Golf Equipment
~Practice round fees
~Golf caddy fees
~Temporary liability and medical insurance coverage
If you are interested or wish to discuss your ideas, concerns or comments, please email me at:
micks578@gmail.com
Subject: Sponsorship
Serious inquiries only please.
~Travel airfare
~Entry fees associated with the Japan Golf Tour qualifiers (approx. $7000)
~Hotels
~Transportation
~Food
~Golf Attire
~Golf Equipment
~Practice round fees
~Golf caddy fees
~Temporary liability and medical insurance coverage
If you are interested or wish to discuss your ideas, concerns or comments, please email me at:
micks578@gmail.com
Subject: Sponsorship
Serious inquiries only please.
My decision to go to Japan
For the last year or so, I've been very wishy-washy about going to Japan to pursue a career in golf. With anything in life, you're faced with obstacles that test your character and the limits of your will. In the grand scheme, saying "I want to play golf for a living" is quite simple. But here's where it becomes difficult and it separates those who will from those who won't:
1. Money. I'm not a rich person. My family isn't all that wealthy. All four stages to attain a Japan Tour card will cost $7000. This does NOT include food, rooms, airfare, clothing, golf balls, practice rounds, caddy fees, liability and medical insurance, and transportation. Would you be willing to fork out close to $15000 of money to pursue a dream? It's tough when $15000 is, in my world, a LOT of money. Especially if passing doesn't necessarily mean you get any of it back.
2. Living situation. Oh the culture shock...living in smaller confined spaces of Japan will take getting used to, improving on my language skills, and just culturally having to learn their norms. The cost of living is much higher than the US. Take gas for example...you're complaining about $3.75 for gas now? Its about $5~$6 a gallon in Japan, not to mention you also have to pay for their toll roads. No "free"ways out there.
3. Friends/family. All you people close to me live in the US. Trust in character is extremely hard to find, especially from what I've been through. Imma be lonely man.
4. Weather/earthquakes. It's pits hot in the summer, damn cold in the winter, typhoons, hurricanes, frequent earthquakes. It's what you get when you have an island on the Ring of Fire.
5. Time. I'd basically be wasting time if I don't pass. Now some of you will say, "we'll its a great experience, and you'll get it out of your system knowing you tried." I could be using this time to get a job and start building more experience. I'm 29 now and I have very little to show for my life since graduating college. And besides, I've golfed competitively my whole life...since I was 7. The urge and drive to compete will never escape me no matter what I try. This isn't a urge satisfier. This is a serious, money-making, prove what I've got mission.
So why bother? It's just my time. No more holding it off. There are many who know me who think I have the talent to be great. Many of the same people also believe that I may have the talent within but it has yet to surface or that it may never surface. Some just flat out think I don't have what it takes.
But my decision is simple. I'm going because I know I can make it. If I don't, I'll be sorely disappointed. What more can I say? Believe what you want. I don't have a second chance...I don't have money to do this just for fun. I'm going with the confidence and desire to make their tour and make a lot of money...period.
1. Money. I'm not a rich person. My family isn't all that wealthy. All four stages to attain a Japan Tour card will cost $7000. This does NOT include food, rooms, airfare, clothing, golf balls, practice rounds, caddy fees, liability and medical insurance, and transportation. Would you be willing to fork out close to $15000 of money to pursue a dream? It's tough when $15000 is, in my world, a LOT of money. Especially if passing doesn't necessarily mean you get any of it back.
2. Living situation. Oh the culture shock...living in smaller confined spaces of Japan will take getting used to, improving on my language skills, and just culturally having to learn their norms. The cost of living is much higher than the US. Take gas for example...you're complaining about $3.75 for gas now? Its about $5~$6 a gallon in Japan, not to mention you also have to pay for their toll roads. No "free"ways out there.
3. Friends/family. All you people close to me live in the US. Trust in character is extremely hard to find, especially from what I've been through. Imma be lonely man.
4. Weather/earthquakes. It's pits hot in the summer, damn cold in the winter, typhoons, hurricanes, frequent earthquakes. It's what you get when you have an island on the Ring of Fire.
5. Time. I'd basically be wasting time if I don't pass. Now some of you will say, "we'll its a great experience, and you'll get it out of your system knowing you tried." I could be using this time to get a job and start building more experience. I'm 29 now and I have very little to show for my life since graduating college. And besides, I've golfed competitively my whole life...since I was 7. The urge and drive to compete will never escape me no matter what I try. This isn't a urge satisfier. This is a serious, money-making, prove what I've got mission.
So why bother? It's just my time. No more holding it off. There are many who know me who think I have the talent to be great. Many of the same people also believe that I may have the talent within but it has yet to surface or that it may never surface. Some just flat out think I don't have what it takes.
But my decision is simple. I'm going because I know I can make it. If I don't, I'll be sorely disappointed. What more can I say? Believe what you want. I don't have a second chance...I don't have money to do this just for fun. I'm going with the confidence and desire to make their tour and make a lot of money...period.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Welcome to my blogspot!
Hello everyone. Thank you for visiting my blog spot. I created this post to allow myself to reflect, advertise, give thanks, vent, keep in touch and update my on-goings in regards to playing golf in Japan.
It has been a difficult decision and even more difficult task to pursue a career in golf. I've had many countless days and nights contemplating whether I have the ability to even make it on any tour. I will be turning 29 this May and aside from graduating college and being somewhat of an entrepreneur, I have nothing to show for my time spent thus far.
I hope that though this blog, I will share and possibly pull support from all those who find my pursuit interesting and even inspiring. I will be fighting for my place in this world, to live my life doing what I know best...golf.
I want to thank all of my friends and family who have and will continue to endure my struggles and success. I'll hold close to my heart the love and encouragement and hope to share with all of you, my dream of a life on the tour.
It has been a difficult decision and even more difficult task to pursue a career in golf. I've had many countless days and nights contemplating whether I have the ability to even make it on any tour. I will be turning 29 this May and aside from graduating college and being somewhat of an entrepreneur, I have nothing to show for my time spent thus far.
I hope that though this blog, I will share and possibly pull support from all those who find my pursuit interesting and even inspiring. I will be fighting for my place in this world, to live my life doing what I know best...golf.
I want to thank all of my friends and family who have and will continue to endure my struggles and success. I'll hold close to my heart the love and encouragement and hope to share with all of you, my dream of a life on the tour.
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