The Central Valley Jon DeChambeau Memorial Junior Tour, founded by Mike Schy and named after Bryson DeChambeau’s father, is closing due to lack of funding. Schy, feeling betrayed by Bryson backing out of underwriting the tour, decided to post an official statement online after waiting for three weeks. This decision sparked a dramatic turn of events, with DeChambeau calling Schy a disgruntled employee, denying extortion claims, and claiming the tour’s 501-C3 foundation setup was incorrect.
The relationship between Schy and DeChambeau started when Schy noticed the lack of affordable junior golf tournaments for local players, leading them to team up and create the now-closing tour. Schy had requested $125,000 for two years from DeChambeau, who instead proposed a non-recourse loan that Schy found perplexing. DeChambeau now maintains that there was no viable business plan presented to him, while Schy insists that they had everything in place to run the tour successfully.
The rift between Schy and DeChambeau deepened when the latter won the U.S. Open and failed to mention Schy during his winner’s press conference. Feeling hurt and sidelined, Schy demanded $2 million in compensation, leading to further misunderstandings and tensions between the two parties. While there have been attempts to reconcile and resolve the situation, the relationship is strained, with Schy feeling neglected and unappreciated by DeChambeau.
Despite the challenges and setbacks, Schy remains hopeful that the junior tour can be revived with the necessary funding and support. He has received offers from others willing to help, and he is focused on providing a platform for local golfers to compete and hone their skills. However, DeChambeau’s perspective on the situation differs, with him emphasizing the need for sustainability and proper planning before investing in the tour.
The complex dynamics of the Schy-DeChambeau relationship, from mentorship to financial disputes, have brought to light the intricacies of their partnership. While Schy feels let down and undervalued, DeChambeau maintains that the decisions made were necessary for his career and financial stability, highlighting the challenges of navigating personal and professional relationships in the competitive world of golf.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that there are deep-seated emotions and unresolved issues at play. The future of the Central Valley Jon DeChambeau Memorial Junior Tour hangs in the balance, with its fate intertwined with the strained relationship between Schy and DeChambeau. Only time will tell if reconciliation is possible and if the tour can be revived with the necessary support and funding.
