James Nitties: A True Success Story
BY Anthony Powter | 30 May 2009
Last November in his local region of the Hunter Valley just north of Newcastle, James Nitties was playing the season ending NSW Open on the Von Nida Tour, not knowing what his options in 2009 would be.
Nitties the following week headed to the USPGA Tour Q-School in an attempt to gain playing privileges of some type, little did he know that he would return with a US PGA Tour card and his immediate future set after years of uncertainty.
Following six gruelling rounds at the Final Stage of the USPGA Tour Q-School, Nitties finished in a share of second place and secured his right in 2009 to play the world’s richest tour. In a space of just two weeks, he had by-passed the Nationwide Tour and gone straight to the main tour.
Nitties had in his pocket what most consider “the perfect” rookie playing card, better than the majority who had graduated from the 2008 top-25 Nationwide Tour moneylist.
“I had no status at all prior to heading to the US last year,” said Nitties this week in Texas, as he was preparing for the Crowne Plaza Invitational.
“I’ve always believed that if I was able to get myself on to a permanent tour, that my game would be there.”
Nitties’ objective has always been to gain a US tour card of some type and to settle in to the grind of four-round tournament golf. Scheduling consistency was something he had missed and to an extent, injury aside, it had restricted his career since turning professional in 2004.
His formative years on tour were marked by grit, determination and the desire to succeed. Nitties never lost sight of his goals, it kept him motivated and moving forward.
In 2006, Nitties came off a torrid period that had seen him plagued by injury. Diagnosed with reactive arthritis, the injury would hamper his immediate playing future. There was also considerable frustration with his game that came from having to Monday qualify in order to gain one of the few spots in the main event every Thursday.
During 2007, Nitties played fifteen of those qualifiers from which he progressed to the main draw six times. He was living from his winnings from the runners-up finish in the 2004 Australian PGA Championship, as he travelled extensively throughout America in search for the illusive playing rights.
Nitties also played any other events for which he could qualify as he had no playing privileges on the Nationwide Tour. In fact he has never had any Nationwide Tour playing rights.
“I was playing well, shooting three or four under and still missing out,” remarked Nitties.
“It’s not easy and at times you think it’s not going to happen, but you keep focussed and that is just what you’re up against when you have no card.”
Nitties powerful approach to the game is impressive and there is his uncanny talent to remain composed while the heat is on. Many others have faded under the same circumstances and become statistics of the tour, Nitties survived and is better for it.
This year alone on the PGA Tour Nitties has recorded two top-10 finishes, including a 4th at the FBR Open, and pocketed just under US$735,000 to be 56th on the money list.
“I would not say that it has been a dream start,” he says.
“But it’s certainly a start that I’m happy with and my main goal is to stay in the top 70 on the money list.”
Since 2004, Nitties has been trying to make a name and establish himself on a tour. This season in the US he’s already done that to be all but assured of retaining his playing privileges there for next year.
“For years I was trying to make a name and establish myself, grinding my way on the Gateway and Hooters Tour, where your expenses can be more than your winnings. It puts a lot of pressure on you, but it is definitely one of the stepping stones that got me here.”
Nitties has always possessed the game to match it with the world’s best. Despite all the trappings associated with the PGA Tour, he recognises the hard yards are still required to remain competitive and is mindful of the road that he has travelled to get to where he is today.
“You pick things up by competing with the best players in the world, although I tend to keep to myself out on Tour,” he says.
“I’ve put myself into contention out here a few times this year to lead the tournament, but just have not been able to finish it off. Maybe that’s got to do with experience a little, maybe not.”
With each tournament Nitties’ confidence grows and he knows there is room for improvement and that he’s yet to play his best golf despite nearing winning on the PGA Tour.
The Nitties story is a success story all the way from the play-to-pay ranks to the PGA Tour and it’s only the beginning for one of our most promising golfing prospects.
“It’s my rookie year and I’m still learning a lot, learning to finish off my rounds and the most positive thing that I’m taking out of this season is that I’ve put myself into position a lot this year and I’m yet to play my best golf.”
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