Golf: South Africa trip too costly for James (From Bournemouth Echo)

Golf: South Africa trip too costly for James

7:00am Saturday 16th January 2010 in

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CASH-STRAPPED Lee James had to turn down an opportunity to play in this week’s Joburg Open in South Africa due to a lack of funds.

The Broadstone touring professional, who turns 37 later this month, qualified for the fourth European Tour event of the season as a 2009 Challenge Tour winner.

“I just didn’t have enough money to cover the travelling expenses,” explained James, whose category 13 ranking would have also got him into last week’s Africa Open in the Eastern Cape.

Unfortunately for James, the events are two of only a handful of tournaments he will qualify for on this year’s main tour.

“I’m gearing myself up for this season’s Challenge Tour which starts next month in Colombia,” he added.

“I have just enough money for that trip, after that it’s make or break.

“If I don’t find a sponsor in the meantime or earn enough money from the event I may have to quit the tour altogether.

“I just about broke even last year, but after Tour School had nothing left for this month’s events.”

James has won and lost his European Tour privileges on two separate occasions since topping the Challenge Tour rankings in 2002.

He claimed his fifth Challenge Tour title in France last year, but could only finish 29th in the order of merit – 17,500 Euros short of 20th place and a regular spot on this year’s main tour.

James is hoping to raise between £15-25,000 to fund a 13th year on the European circuits.

The 1994 British Amateur champion, however, is under no illusion how difficult it is to find sponsorship.

“Last year we sent my CV to more than 100 local businesses, but only had four replies,” said James, who teed up with golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Vijay Singh in the 1995 US Masters.

“Despite the recession, I am still hopeful that a company will support me and realise the other benefits that I can offer.”

Apart from the advertising on clothing and golf bag, James is offering 20 days of his time for corporate meetings and other similar dates.

The golf days would be fitted around the forthcoming Challenge Tour season. James can be contacted on leejam753@aol.com