Fraser Mulholland didn’t have to be convinced how there needed to be a hometown option for top young golf professionals looking to get traction in one of the world’s most competitive sports.
“It was 2006 and I had just come off some travels through Asia and South Africa (playing on some pro tours),” recalled Mulholland. “I had spent a bunch of money, unnecessarily in my mind.
“I thought ‘why do I have to go that far to find out if I am good enough?’ That’s why we dropped anchor and said this has to be done.”
Mulholland would launch the Vancouver Golf Tour.
The inaugural season featured about 50 to 60 members and 12 tournaments. Now there are over 250 full tour members and Mulholland estimates over 1,000 pros or amateurs will tee it up in at least one of the 50 plus events on the 2015 schedule.
The spring/summer season began back in late April at Mulholland’s one-time home course — the Beach Grove Golf Club. The VGT swings through Richmond over the next week with the amateur only Mayfair Lakes Classic on Saturday and the Hadassah-WIZO Pro-Am on Monday at the Richmond Country Club.
“It was born out of necessity for local golfers to have a more affordable place to play,” continued Mulholland. “A tour where they could learn how to play, learn how to win and find out if they are good enough or not. If they are not after five years then at least they won’t go broke over it.”
One VGT alumni who found out he was good enough is Abbotsford’s Nick Taylor.
After an outstanding amateur career where he starred at the University of Washington, Taylor made his pro debut at the VGT Tour Championship. When he wasn’t playing abroad, he found time for VGT events and dominated the 2013 schedule, winning eight of the 14 tournaments he teed up in.
A year later, Taylor secured his PGA Tour card and became the first VGT alumni to win - capturing the Sanderson Farms Championship in November. A feat that was worth $720,000.
It was also the first victory by a Canadian on the PGA Tour in seven years as Taylor upstaged regulars Graham Deleat, David Hearn and another VGT alumni - Adam Hadwin - who also had just earned his full-time PGA Tour card.
“Nick had taken that first win away from others,” said Mulholland. “It was a bit of a shock to some but not us, knowing how good he was. He had a 66.2 stroke average (here) in 2013 and all of a sudden he is on the PGA Tour.”
It’s the success of Taylor and others that has helped the VGT continue to grow.
As tour commissioner, Mulholland is busy in the off-season lining up sponsors and potential tournament venues. Two of the biggest supporters are title sponsor IGA and order of merit sponsor Cleveland Golf/Srixon Canada. In total, over $500,000 of cash and merchandise will be awarded to pros and amateur this season.
Mulholland also has a team of dedicated volunteers working with him.
“The tour is not here without them or the support of our sponsors,” he added.
“There has always been good tournaments in the Lower Mainland but never a series or a schedule. You want to have good venues to play and pros to have money to play for so it’s worth their while. It’s really fun to see the graduation of our players and to see how many are coming on board as well.”
