Minnesota Golfer - Directory 2014 - 25

Cameron Beckman
" Caddies are expensive, " Herron says.
John Harris
" You have to be prepared to have enough
money, [but] you can't worry about
money. You have to sleep in decent hotels
and decent beds. You may have to suck
it up and get to an event a little early to
prepare for the tournament. The priority
is to be prepared when you are playing.
So you can't cut corners. Sometimes you
might have to take that red-eye that is a
little more expensive so you can play a
practice round the next day. You have to
be willing to spend money to make money
on the PGA Tour. "
Lehman also believes that Minnesotans
start at a slight disadvantage from
other players around the country because
they can't golf year-round. Constable
went to Texas and Herron to New
Mexico to prepare year-round for the
next level.
" That doesn't mean you can't become
just have to wait and see what happens,
and sure enough he has been a really
good player and has had a really good
PGA Tour career. "
Lehman warns that it takes more than
just ability and desire to make it these
days. When it comes to the support
group of coaches, representation, business
assistance and others, it can truly
Tim Herron
Cameron Beckman, who turned pro
in 1993 and has three PGA Tour wins,
had the right attitude-and Israelson
saw it. A prospective sponsor for Beckman
wanted Israelson to check him out
to determine what level he should play
at, so they played a round at Northland
Country Club. Beckman shot a 77 and
Israelson three-putted the last two holes
for a 65.
" I am sure Cam was pretty disgruntled, "
Israelson says. " Even the sponsor
said he would rather sponsor me than
Cam. I told him that Cam had a tough
day, but he has the intestinal fortitude
that it takes to be a good player. I said you
take a village.
" Another big factor for these kids is
whether they have the money to be out
there, " Lehman says. " It's a pretty expensive
investment for friends and family to
get behind a kid and help them pursue
their passion of playing professional golf.
So a lot of times it ends up fizzling out
because they've run out of money. "
Tim Herron agrees, saying the key to
turning pro is having some money behind
you. Herron played his first pro
event in 1993, played Australia, Canada
and Nike tours with great success (and
paid back his sponsors) and then qualified
for the PGA Tour in 1996. In his seventh
event that year, he won the Honda
Classic and finished 31st on the money
list. He said the biggest surprise was
" how much you spend to get from point
A to B. "
a successful professional coming out of
Minnesota, but it does make it tougher, "
Lehman says.
Chasing the Dream
Despite the caveats for turning pro, the
overwhelming sentiment among those
interviewed here is that players, armed
with requisite skill, desire and means,
should chase their dream.
Israelson, who has spent his life in golf,
is now a club pro at The Vintage at Staples,
where he revels in teaching young
players the game. He still competes in
state events and won the 2013 Minnesota
Senior PGA Championship.
" They have to follow their hearts, " Israelson
says. " If they really have that passion
and desire, I encourage them to at
least give it a try. Start on a tour where
they can win. "
Harris chased his dream twice and
couldn't be happier playing full-time on
the Champions Tour. He urges younger
golfers to do the same.
" Follow their dream, " Harris says. " If
they are willing to make the sacrifice
and open their eyes to the fact that it's a
five- or 10-year process with a 5 percent
chance of success, then go ahead and do
it. You've got to enjoy the journey. I enjoy
getting up every day and trying to get
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Directory 2014 MINNESOTAGOLFER 23
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Minnesota Golfer - Directory 2014

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