For millions of us, playing competitive on a professional tour has been nothing but a unachievable dream. Now, thanks to the Legends Tour, it can become a reality.
What was formerly the European Seniors Tour and, since 2017, the Staysure Tour is now the Legends Tour, after Staysure CEO Ryan Howsam bought a majority equity share in the over-50s circuit on this side of the Atlantic.
The ground-breaking joint venture agreement between the European Tour and Howsam, who founded insurance company Staysure in 2004, will be the first time an individual will have a controlling stake and leadership role in a major tour.
Howsam will be assisted by Head of the Legends Tour Mark Aspland, while Ryder Cup legends Paul McGinley and Mark James, 1991 Masters champion Ian Woosnam, and 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie have been named as the first official ambassadors.
So what does this mean for you?
The quartet of stars will be tasked with growing the Alliance format, which gives amateurs the chance to play alongside some of golf’s biggest names in tournament conditions.
This will include a range of playing experiences including pro-ams, celebrity pro-ams, and the aforementioned Alliance format, which pits amateurs against tour pros, European Tour winners, Ryder Cup players and captains, and major champions.
The Alliance format will see amateurs play competitively alongside two different pros each day for three days at some of the best courses in the world.
If that doesn’t make you feel enough like a tour player, there will also be a dedicated Order of Merit for the amateurs to compete for a spot in the Tour Final, as well as luxury accommodation, private transfers, and caddies. You’ll also be playing in front of a crowd and on TV.
There’s a reason Howsam describes it as “the greatest amateur experience in golf”.
The NCG Podcast: How the European Seniors Tour was reinvented as the Legends Tour
I was joined on the NCG Podcast by Ryan, Mark and Paul to discuss everything you need to know about the Legends Tour.
You can listen with the link below or wherever you get your podcasts from.
For more information visit the Legends Tour website or listen to the NCG Podcast where we’re joined by Ryan Howsam, Mark Aspland and Paul McGinley to explain more.
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