NY Bowhunter, no disrespect, Im not following, you said your were a PGA pro, yet you have not made the PGA Tour?? I know nothing about golf, how do you do that?? Please don't think Im being an *ss, I really don't understand how it works. Can you be a pro without doing the tour??
VA...
The PGA of America is a separate entity from the PGA TOUR. The PGA TOUR players are Professional Golfers. Members of the PGA of America are Golf Professionals. There's a difference.
The TOUR players make their living PLAYING golf. Memeres of the PGA of America make their livings teaching, merchandising, operating golf facilities, managing clinics, etc..., etc,... etc... .
Now it gets a little cloudy.....because, now....ALL members of the PGA TOUR are PGA of America members (or will be, in short order). That's due to the PGA of America's reign of controlling the Ryder Cup. To play on the Ryder Cup team.....you MUST be a member of the PGA of America.
So....Members of the PGA of America (to which I was elected, in 1994, and NYBow is a member) DO NOT (except under VERY, VERY limited circumstances) make their livings PLAYING golf.
Think of it as the GM's/Owners/Management/League executives of MLB v. the players (for a crude correlation). Lots will refer to what NY and I did/do as "Club" pros.
I've known a few "Club" pros who have padded their livings with their playing winnings....but I've never known one to make a living at it. I won a few sectional tournaments......and the 1st place purse, for those, was typically under $500. We did it to remain cometitive with our games......and for the camaraderie. I know guys who wtill make in the teens of thousands of dollars in our section playing those events.....but even today....they are the elite within our section. What they probably give up in regular club earnings (the best players play a LOT.....and usually don't have the better club positions) probably doesn't balance it out in the long run.
Hope this clears this up a little better.