If he wanted, Michael Allen could probably get a sponsorship from Avis Rental Car, the company that ran commercials saying it was trying harder because it was only the second most popular car rental company. Allen, too, has made a habit out of being runner-up this year on the Champions Tour.
Allen lost another close one on Sunday at Harding Park Golf Course near San Francisco. John Cook edged him out down the stretch to win the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, leaving Allen to wonder again, “what if?”
It was the fourth time Allen has finished second this year on the Champions Tour. The 51-year-old also has more than 20 starts on the regular PGA Tour circuit in 2010, where he finished second to Bill Haas at the Viking Classic in October.
“They’re encouraging and they are frustrating,” said the affable Allen, referring to his second-place finishes. “It’s nice to be chasing the title. If I could do this the rest of my life, I’d be a happy camper. I know I’m going to get a few.”
Allen believes in himself more these days, after beating himself up over the 20 years of struggles on the regular PGA Tour. He even looked into odd jobs outside of golf, but kept returning to the only thing he really knew.
He rarely earned enough money to stay fully exempt for the following year on the PGA Tour. So he returned to the grueling Qualifying School tournament 15 times, making it successfully through the six-round final stage nine times.
“The boys in my club put a note on my locker, ‘Q-School all-time money leader,’” said Allen. “I don’t know if it’s true. It probably is. I don’t know who else made it that many times.”
His struggles have paid off in 2010. He may not have won a single tournament, but he has earned more than $2 million between the both Tours.
By Craig Smith, former director of media relations for the U.S. Golf Association for 20 years.
(Permission granted for general or media use).
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