Tadd! Don't Do It!
Tadd Fujikawa is turning pro in three weeks at the Reno-Tahoe Open, according to an AP story out today. In a statement released by his management group, the 16-year old said, "I will work hard to achieve my dreams as a professional golfer and to be a good representative for Hawaii."
If you don't remember, Tadd became the youngest player to make the cut on the PGA Tour in 50+ years at the Sony Open in Hawaii this year. He also caught eyes playing at the US Open at Winged Foot in 2006. He was given a sponsor's exemption into the Reno event.
This is a horrible decision in my view. Has Tadd not seen what happened to Ty Tryon, Michelle Wie, and several other young golfers that have turned professional with disastrious results? Is Tadd 100% sure that he will be successful in a professional career at this point in his life? Does he realize what he will be missing from his teenage and college-aged years by embarking on a nomadic, lonely life on whatever professional tour he calls home?
The money is not guarantee for Fujikawa. Though he is a great kid and interesting story, that will not necessarily translate into big bucks for him in endorsement money. He does not have the transcendent appeal that Wie does as a gender-bending player and golf prodigies are nothing new. He will have to make his nest egg on his play, not his hype.
That's a lot of pressure for anyone to endure, much less a 16 year old kid. Since I cannot stop him, I can only hope that he has the support network required to sustain himself in this kind of life. Michelle Wie lacks it and it's hurting her now. Sean O'Hair had to create his own to become successful.
It is a demanding lifestyle and, for the sake of Tadd, I hope he is as prepared as possible for what is about to come his way.
2 comments:
One thing that Tadd can be sure of...there will be a kazillion armchair coaches/critics to tell him he's wrong/doing it all wrong/no good/didn't win enought amateur events or any combination of the above.
Of course, none of these critics could make the cut themselves in any of the PGA tournies but they'll all yammer at Tadd anyway.
There's definitely going to be a bevy of people who question his talent, ability, etc. He's proven he can make a PGA Tour cut, so I'm not too worried about his talent. My concern is that I remember not too long ago what it was like to be 16. Now in my mid 20's, I cannot imagine giving up the past decade or so of experiences to be intensively involved in any job. BUT, if it's what he wants and craves, then Tadd is probably very willing to give that up for his larger goal. So long as he can do this with no regrets, more power to him.
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