[JPsuff]

Originally Posted by droogy33

One thing which must be kept in mind is this: During the 30s, 40s and 50s, there was not a proper TOUR. At least not in the way we know it today.

Back in those days, there were about 15 guys (same as today) who were demonstrably superior golfers, and they made the lion's share of the loot which was thrown around.

The 50 to 60 other guys which made up those times' smaller fields were largely local and/or regional pros who didn't travel very much. They would take their 55th place finish, with little or no earnings, and just go back to their regular jobs.

No one was starving back then. If you were a Byron Nelson, you were good enough to retire at the age of 34. If you were Joe Average, you supported your wife and kids by working in the factory.

My use of the word, "starved" was just a figure of speech.

And you're right, there was no "official" tour back then (even though the PGA would like us to think otherwise). It's like the term "The Boys of Summer" used in reference to baseball players. They played professional baseball during baseball season (mostly in the summer months) and then went back to their regular - or "real" - jobs after the season was over. The idea of playing baseball (or golf) as one's sole source of income is a relatively modern thing.

-JP