Maier sets sights on professional golf career

Posted 1/12/12

“I chose the eGolf and Hooters tours because it seems those are the two developmental leagues that do the best job of preparing golfers to play on the Nationwide Tour,” said Maier, who spent parts of last summer testing the water by playing a …

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Maier sets sights on professional golf career

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Fundraiser for UW grad in Cody

By pretty much any standard you’d care to offer, Cody’s Gabe Maier had one of the most successful careers ever recorded by a member of the University of Wyoming golf team. A two-time NCAA regional qualifier, Maier officially graduated from UW last month.

Now, like any graduate, he’s looking for a job.

Maier plans to move to North Carolina so that he can play fulltime on the eGolf and Hooters developmental golf tours — golf’s equivalent to baseball’s minor league farm system or rodeo’s local circuit systems.

“I chose the eGolf and Hooters tours because it seems those are the two developmental leagues that do the best job of preparing golfers to play on the Nationwide Tour,” said Maier, who spent parts of last summer testing the water by playing a few professional events in nearby states. “You pay your entry fees, go play and the idea is to get better competition and develop my skills over the next couple of years and get that opportunity to make the Nationwide or PGA tours.”

 

That dream comes with a pricetag. In Maier’s case, the entry fees to a single eGolf or Hooters tour event could run upwards of $1,000. Throw in travel and lodging expenses while on the road and Maier estimates it could cost him $60,000 over the next year as he attempts to play in 25 events.

“From what I got a taste of, that’s one of the biggest changes and biggest challenges,” Maier said. “In college, you don’t have to make any arrangements really. You’re told to be at a certain place because we’re leaving at a certain time. Now, there’s a challenge to get the rest of your life in order. You have to balance the sport mentally with also having to deal with housing arrangements, hotels, time on the road by yourself and getting from this event to the next one.”

To help prepare for the year ahead, there will be a fundraiser tonight (Thursday) at the Olive Glenn Golf and Country Club in Cody. The event will run from 5-7 p.m. and include free appetizers, a cash bar, a closest-to-the-pin contest and raffle prizes, including a Ruger 10/22, a Taylor Made “Burner” driver, a pie of the month club membership and more. Everyone is invited.

The event is also an opportunity for Maier to say thank you to the community and the individuals that have stood behind him over the years.

“The support I’ve received from around Cody has been one of the things that’s gotten me to where I’m at,” said Maier. “This gives me a chance to share my plans with everyone and let them in on what I’m going to be doing in the future.”

What Maier hopes to be doing is winning. With an average first prize purse of $25,000 per tournament stop, Maier hopes to win enough money to qualify for the Nationwide Tour. He also has the chance to qualify on Mondays for some of those Nationwide events, where a top 20 or 25 finish can lead to exemptions for future tournaments on the tour.

“Growing up in Cody, I haven’t been exposed to the same quality golf opportunities that most accomplished players have,” Maier said. “I haven’t had the ability to play year-round golf, nor have I had access to the best practice facilities. However, what I do have is an indomitable will to succeed as well as an amazing support team.”

That will is likely to be tested in the months ahead as Maier experiences the ups and downs that any professional sports career can hold. He is hopeful though that, with continued support from the area he’s known as home for 20 years, he’ll be able to get through.

“We have all had our own unique tests and hopefully we can learn a little after every one,” Maier said. “My life’s lessons have taught me to look at every situation with a glass-half-full attitude, never give up and the power true confidence has. Those attributes are the fuel that will propel me to be a success in the next stage of my life as I pursue professional golf.”

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