Senior Writer
ORLANDO, Fla. – Each week, the PGA Tour circulates a list of players nearing status as a “veteran member.’’ The magical number of 150 made cuts heralds a new status on Tour:
>> Tournament Players Club privileges for life;
>> pension-fund contributions;
>> annual health-insurance subsidy;
>> lifetime exemption into second stage of Q-School.
Tiger Woods likely gave no more than a passing glance at having zipped past the 150-cuts milepost years ago. For journeymen such as Craig Barlow, however, achieving “veteran member’’ status can be a career milestone.
With 149 cuts made, Barlow hopes to clear that hurdle soon. Barlow, 36, a Nevada native, has made steady progress in his 12-year career. In 2006, his best season, he finished 93rd on the money list, earning more than $1 million.
That was Barlow’s last healthful year. A wrist injury in 2007 limited him to 16 events, in which he made 10 cuts and earned $154,214.
Last year, with a major medical extension from the wrist injury, Barlow played in 15 events. However, with a troublesome right hip flaring from a 2001 surgery, he made only six cuts and earned $129,732, not near enough to keep his card.
During one stretch in 2008, Barlow received a sponsor exemption at the Canadian Open and Monday qualified at the Buick Open, where he tied for 32nd, his last made cut on the PGA Tour.
Barlow eventually would have a second surgery on the hip, this time removing a bone spur, as well.
“I want to have this 150 cuts behind me,” Barlow said from his home in Las Vegas, where he was preparing to fly to this week’s Chitimacha Louisiana Open on the Nationwide Tour.
Barlow sees his opportunity on the Nationwide Tour as “a positive.’’
“The last two years have beaten me up,” he said.
The benefit of life membership is not lost on Barlow. Foremost, it means he will get into six to 10 events annually as a “veteran member.’’
Now, Barlow must write for a sponsor exemption or try to Monday qualify. Because he has no status on Tour, he does not qualify for restricted sponsor exemptions that are held for members. Instead, he can seek only unrestricted exemptions. But those often are used to invite foreign players or local amateurs who can help boost the gate.
At last week’s Transitions Championship in Palm Harbor, the unrestricted exemptions were given to Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros. Both will be playing in the Masters later this month.
Barlow did receive an exemption into the AT&T Pebble National Pro-Am, but he missed the cut. He thinks he stands a good chance for a spot in the Shell Houston Open next week. If not, he will continue his letter-writing campaign.
“Making cuts on the PGA Tour was never a goal of mine,” Barlow said reflectively. “I wanted to win golf tournaments.”
Posted: 3/24/2009
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