Paying It Back

Phil Mickelson did it by playing in the Fry's Electronics Open at Grayhawk - a course that sponsored him from the very start. Then he went and cashed in on guaranteed money in Singapore and China, but that's not the point.

Now Nick Flanagan is doing the same thing. He's going to play on the Von Nida Tour (imagine an Australian N'Wide Tour with 1/3 of the N'Wide Tour prize money and a shorter schedule) this week as a payback for those who supported him during his struggles after turning pro in 2004.

Before those big three, Flanagan wants to re-visit his origins.

“Playing in this week’s NSW Open up at The Vintage in Cessnock is a perfect warm-up tournament for me, and it also gives me the opportunity to repay those who assisted me earlier in my career by supporting the Von Nida Tour,” remarked Flanagan, who won his first professional tournament on the Von Nida Tour, with the 2005 Queensland Masters.

“I was initially approached by the late Alex Johnston from the NSWGA – who passed away suddenly in September – and my decision to play is also a way to honour Alex’s memory. If it had not been for Alex contacting me and our relationship, the event may not have been on my radar.”

This year’s venue for the NSW Open is in the heartland of the Hunter and with Nick’s hometown, Newcastle, only a forty-five minute drive away, Flanagan is looking forward to playing in front of his home crowd.

“To be able to play in front of my local community is very special and hopefully I will perform well and repay all the support given to me from those in the Hunter Valley.”

Flanagan is a person who will never forget those formative years on the Von Nida Tour as he strove to forge his presence onto the world golfing stage. For Flanagan they certainly were hard times, but at the same time, extremely rewarding. A player also never forgets their first professional victory and how it came about.

Clearly a classy guy - simple as that. Good on ya, Nick.