KEY POINTS:
This week Josh Geary makes his bid for the big time when he plays the first stage of qualifying for golf's major league, the PGA Tour.
The former amateur whiz kid will be one of 75 players at the Florence Country Club in South Carolina trying to make the second stage, for which he'll have to finish at least in the top 20.
He's one of 950 who've each paid US$4500 ($6000) to enter one of 12 stage-one tournaments. Less than a third will make stage two.
Geary has two things in his favour. He's been to a qualifying school and can shoot low scores. The Mt Maunganui professional spent most of 2007 playing the Canadian Tour, a privilege he earned through starring at that tour's q-school in April. After two rounds he looked headed to the professional golfer's no man's land, then fired 68 and 64 in the final two rounds.
He backed that up with 64 in the first tournament of the season proper and then led in Calgary after round one with the lowest score of his fledgling career, a 63.
While those numbers will be no surprise to anyone who followed Geary's often spectacular amateur career, there were too many 77s and 78s during the Canadian tour as well. But the 23-year-old is generally happy with progress in his first year as a professional.
"Realistically there are a thousand other guys in the same boat. They've all had good amateur careers. You realise pretty quickly you're not the only one.
"But having said that, I reckon I was pretty solid the whole year in Canada."
He made the cut in 10 of 14 events, earned just under $C18,000 (NZ$24,7000) and covered expenses. He's also learning how to play the game to make money.
"I was always a really aggressive player. Never stopped firing at pins. Now I weigh up the risk and reward of each shot a lot more.
"I also think I've played better under pressure, like knowing how to play when you're right on the cut on Friday. I haven't thrown away any cuts."
There are also lessons about life on the road. Geary doesn't have any management or sponsorship and he and fellow Kiwis Brad Heaven and Doug Batty have learnt about budgeting as struggling young pros.
"You can save money booking airfares and accommodation on the internet, often we can get billeted at a tournament."
Since the Canadian Tour Geary came back to New Zealand and played 72-hole events at Wairakei, New Plymouth and Titirangi, finishing runner-up at Wairakei.
Few of those who start the PGA qualifying school at stage one ever actually win one of the 30 places available on the Tour. They're mostly claimed by more experienced and accomplished players who are exempt into either the second or final stages because of past results.
For Geary even to make the second stage would be an achievement. But at least he has the fallback of another season in Canada, and becoming an elite professional is a level seldom reached quickly.
"I know I'm good enough. I want to be in the top 100 in the world by the time I'm 30."
He's got seven years and this week in South Carolina will be a good measure of his progress.
