The former Premier League footballer is part of the popular ‘Golf Life’ channel, which boasts 350,000 subscribers and garners millions of views across Instagram and YouTube. As a scratch golfer with genuine aspirations to qualify for the Legends Tour when he turns 50 in a couple of years’ time, the tournament in Greece provided a unique opportunity to benchmark himself against seasoned Professionals and help him to understand the standard required to compete against a field packed with Ryder Cup players, Major champions and proven Tour winners.
While not strictly ‘in the field’, Bullard played with Legends Tour Chairman, Ryan Howsam, and Chief Executive, Phil Harrison, from the same tees as the Legends Tour players and under full tournament conditions. His rounds of 71, 68 and 72, for a five-under-par total represented an impressive return at this challenging venue, but left little doubt as to the step-up in quality from talented amateur to Legends Tour professional. For context, tournament winner and former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker finished at -16 without dropping a shot all week.
Speaking of his first experience of life on the Legends Tour, Bullard said: “I loved every minute of it. I want to say a big thank you to everyone at the Legends Tour, especially Ryan Howsam, it’s been an amazing experience. All the players were so welcoming, and the whole week has been absolute class. This was a proper step up for me, and to play alongside the legends of the game was so special. I’ve always been a big admirer of the Legends Tour, and this has given me a real insight into where I need to be to qualify in a few years’ time. The standard is unbelievable, and it’s clear the Legends Tour is only getting stronger.”
Jimmy’s rounds were filmed to produce dynamic, inside-the-ropes content that captures both the challenge and excitement of competing at an elite level. The collaboration sparked real buzz around the Legends Tour, with top-tier content being shared across both the Golf Life and Legends Tour social media channels and picked up by mainstream sports media.
Phil Harrison, CEO of the Legends Tour, himself a former European Tour player who made more than 200 appearances on the European Tour, was suitably impressed with what he saw: “This collaboration is a fantastic way to shine a light on just how good our players are and how competitive the Legends Tour players are still. Jimmy’s a very talented golfer with a real passion for the game, and we hope the experience has inspired him to progress his game with an eye on qualifying in a few years’ time. But at the heart of this is our commitment to celebrating the legends who play on our Tour week in, week out, and I hope this content will also help introduce their skill and stories to a much wider audience.”
The numbers would certainly suggest that happened, with more than 1.5 million views across social platforms and a significant uptick in follower growth and website visits on the back of such engaging content that garnered coverage on a number of sports news platforms.
Formerly known as the European Senior Tour and the Staysure Tour, the Legends Tour is the men’s professional golf tour for members aged 50 and older. Created in 1992, the Legends Tour’s active membership features many of the pioneering champions who played on the European Tour including Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal, Ian Woosnam, Michael Campbell, Paul Lawrie, Paul McGinley and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
The Legends Tour also provides unmatched playing experiences for amateur golfers at its Legends Experience, Championship Pro-Am and Celebrity Pro-Am events, giving golfers unique opportunities to rub shoulders with and play alongside legends of the game at world-class venues around the world before and during regular tournament play. Click here for more on Playing Experiences.
It’s important to note that Jimmy was not competing in the official field and his involvement:
• Had no impact on prize money or Order of Merit ranking points
• Was conducted in collaboration with the Legends Tour
• Was designed to showcase the standard of play and generate high-profile media coverage across digital and traditional platforms
To see more of Jimmy’s week at the Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy click here.
The Legends Tour remains committed to delivering authentic and innovative initiatives that raise the profile of its players, expand the Tour’s reach, and drive long-term value for all stakeholders.
