Equipment sponsorships as an amater...?

Question

First off, I'm not looking for you to tell me to fill out a form and be a good player. Currently, I am 16 (17 in 3 weeks), my handicap is a 2 and I play in local and some regional tournaments, but my family cannot afford the AJGA (and I don't qualify for AJGA scholarships). In addition, today I finished second in my league finals event (out of 36) and beat many AJGA players and tied a guy sponsored by Titleist. So my question is, is it possible for someone like me to be sponsored, even though I don't play nationally (I will be trying for the Junior Am in the summer)? Also, what compaines (other than Titleist) offer sponsorships? Finally, are their different levels to sponsorship (ie. are there different levels where you can have a different amount of "free money" to spend on equipment every so often)?

THANKS

by the way... EQUIPMENT ONLY, NO MONEY

Answer 1

I think Nike might sponsor amateurs also, but its extremely difficult.  When I played in the AJGA I met a kid that was 16 from China and he was sponsored by Titleist, but think it can only equipment.  He said he got $2500 a year in balls, clothes, and clubs, but that was the limit.

Answer 2

Equipment sponsors for amateurs are rare. You might ask the club pros who carry various brands if an amateur could get equipment. The next best thing would be to get the names and addresses of equipment companies and contact them to see if they have any policy for amateurs.