What is a pro am?

A Pro-Am, short for Professional-Amateur, is an event or competition that brings together professional and amateur athletes to compete or collaborate in a particular sport or activity. Typically, Pro-Ams are held in sports like golf, tennis, basketball, and surfing, but they can also be found in various other fields such as video gaming or dance.

1. Golf Pro-Am: Perhaps the most common type, a golf Pro-Am usually involves professional golfers being paired with amateur players to form teams. These events provide amateur golfers with the opportunity to play alongside professionals and gain an insight into their skills and techniques.

2. Tennis Pro-Am: In tennis, a Pro-Am might involve a professional player partnering with an amateur to play doubles matches against other pairs. This format allows amateur players to learn from the professionals, receive coaching, and gain exposure to high-level competition.

3. Basketball Pro-Am: Basketball Pro-Ams often take place during offseasons or as exhibition games, featuring mixtures of professional players, college players, and local amateur players. These events provide entertainment for fans, allow amateur players to showcase their skills, and sometimes serve as a platform for aspiring athletes to attract attention from professional teams.

4. Surfing Pro-Am: Surfing Pro-Ams are typically community-driven events where professional surfers compete alongside local amateurs. They often take place in coastal towns or popular surf locations, enabling local surfers to compete against some of the best in the world and gain exposure.

Benefits and purposes of Pro-Ams:

• Learning opportunity: Amateurs get a chance to learn from and interact with professionals, gaining insight into their techniques, strategies, and mindsets.
• Networking: Pro-Ams provide a platform for amateurs to connect with professionals, coaches, and industry insiders, potentially opening doors for future opportunities in their respective fields.
• Exposure: Professionals often use Pro-Ams as brand-building exercises or to promote their sponsors, while amateurs benefit from potential exposure within their sport or activity.
• Charity and fundraising: Many Pro-Ams are organized as charity events, raising funds for specific causes or organizations, increasing community involvement, and giving participants a sense of contributing to a larger cause.

Overall, Pro-Ams create unique opportunities for amateurs to connect with professionals, develop their skills, and experience higher-level competition in the sports or activities they love.