Hi. Welcome to my new pseudo-column that I'm going to tentatively call, "So You're Telling Me?" Now, what's the gist? Well, instead of me explaining my column, let's just start with the first dig and you'll see what it means.
Lately, it seems some of my colleagues from other golf-related (I say "related", since many of them are barely golf magazines anymore) magazines have duly noted that the average driving distances among PGA Tour professionals hasn't increased as of late. They cite PGA Tour stats, which seem to indicate that not only has the player's driving distance hit a wall this year, it's bounced back a few yards. (The first time since 1993. Hey, go look it up if you want the numbers.) Previous years also have indicated wimpy increases in distance at best, proving that the guys on Tour have maxed out as far as distance is concerned. Ugh, wait. So, you're telling these guys aren't continuing to hit the ball too far? Come on now.
The only thing going in reverse is the way the PGA Tour calculates driving distance. Of course these guys are hitting it farther than ever, and until the Tour begins publishing the latest Shotlink numbers (which accounts for every shot hit on the course by a given player), the truth will never be told in writing. Then again, do we really need stats to tell us what's going on? Do we really need lab results to show that Barry Bonds was or is still on the juice? Do we need another story about Kobe Bryant wanting out of Los Angeles? So you're telling me we need more proof? Come on now.
Angel Cabrera won the US Open bashing driver to almost embarrassing distances. Tiger, who we all know can be as long as he wants, can hit a 3-wood past just about anyone. In case you haven't looked it up already, the PGA Tour still calculates driving distance the old-fashioned way. They pick two holes, in generally opposite directions. It doesn't matter what club the player uses (the Tour picks driver holes, but that doesn't guarantee drivers are always what are hit) nor if the ball hits the fairway. Come on now. Two holes? Most guys probably hit at least 10 drivers per round. Why just two holes?
Maybe there's more too it. Maybe the Tour doesn't want to show the truth on paper, fearing backlash and the criticism that has once come from those who feel the game is being ruined by big hitters who have made many courses obsolete. Me, I don't agree with them either. So what if guys hit the ball further. Let them continue to crush it, as long as they play by the rules. (You don't see anyone complaining that the basketball rim is too high and it should be lowered to 9 ft so shorter guys have a chance, do you?) All I ask is that the Tour stops hiding behind old-school stats, and let folks see just how far these guys are killing it. That's all.
If you still don't believe me, just look at your own driver. if you bought it after 2002, it's longer than your previous driver, right? I'd bet my house on it (even though I rent). Today's equipment has helped you, and it's helped the best players even more. Why? They hit the sweetspot an awful lot, and when you have the right ingredients in a ball, shaft and clubhead, amazing things can happen.
Come on PGA Tour. Stop hiding those Shotlink numbers and tell us what's really going on. And to my colleagues, stop falling for it. These guys are hitting it further than ever.
Next Installment of SYTM: Accuracy Matters...NOT!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
What Off-Season?
For those of you naysayers who think the snow, rain and cold weather means it's time to hang up the sticks until next Spring, I'm hear to tell you to get your head out of the sand and look to some of the country's hottest (pun intended) golf spots this fall and winter season.
We editors just got back from a week of work in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona.
Unfortunately, our last trip marked the first time we travelled sans golf bags, and boy did we regret it. Our trip took us to the beautiful town of Carefree and Cave Creek, both located a chip shot north of the golf-rich Scottsdale. We conducted photoshoots at places such as Eagle Mountain (pictured), We-Ko-Pa, Grayhawk and TPC of Scottsdale, each of which look so well-manicured that you'd bet a Tour event is just around the corner. (There happens to be one at the TPC in a few months.)
So, if you want a ringing endorsement, go visit any or all of the courses mentioned above. And don't be shy to book a golf lesson with the instructors at those fine facilities. You'll be seeing them in our magazine in '08.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Michelle Whoop-ie!
Yes, I know.
Many of my peers have already lamented on Team Wie and the gang's insistence on making MW play in this week's Samsung World Championship via a sponsor exemption handed to her several months ago (before the evidential downward spiral). All this in lieu of Annika Sorenstam bowing out as a courtesy to the higher-ranked Sarah Lee (I'll bet she's got some great recipes), who's getting the chance to play. Classy...
Yeah, yeah yeah. Nice work Annika, but this blog is all about the ridiculousness that is Wie. I sat in a press conference a couple weeks ago and heard Tiger comment on, (I'm paraphrasing) why Michelle Wie flat out stinks.
He said she doesn't know how to win. She has no clue what it's like to face competitors who at times, are just as good as you are---are then know how to beat them. I couldn't agree more with Sir Woods. Wie has no clue what it means to win and beat opponents who are playing at not his or her highest level, but THE highest level---unless you count the millions of dollars she's already made. I guess that's winning in some messed up way.
So Michelle, if you're listening here's my advice: quit. Stop pretending you're a professional. Cuz you're not. Go to school, enjoy it, then consider going pro. We're tired of this.
And to B.J. Wie: knock it off. You're not helping anything, and the micro-management of your daughters aspirations have darn near killed her shot at ever competing at the highest level of WOMEN's golf. You're greedy, and everyone can see right through you.
Michele Wie is blessed with incredible talent, and cursed with horrendous career advice. She'd be better off trying to qualify to play for Stanford and working her way through the college ranks to learn what it takes to win. Maybe that's what she needs to get her head in the game.
Otherwise, I'm too annoyed to even finish my blog and support my cause. Maybe you bloggers out there can do it for me. I'm going to go back to watching the Whatchamacallit Open on The Golf Channel. Sorry, I mean, Golf Channel (sans the).
Many of my peers have already lamented on Team Wie and the gang's insistence on making MW play in this week's Samsung World Championship via a sponsor exemption handed to her several months ago (before the evidential downward spiral). All this in lieu of Annika Sorenstam bowing out as a courtesy to the higher-ranked Sarah Lee (I'll bet she's got some great recipes), who's getting the chance to play. Classy...
Yeah, yeah yeah. Nice work Annika, but this blog is all about the ridiculousness that is Wie. I sat in a press conference a couple weeks ago and heard Tiger comment on, (I'm paraphrasing) why Michelle Wie flat out stinks.
He said she doesn't know how to win. She has no clue what it's like to face competitors who at times, are just as good as you are---are then know how to beat them. I couldn't agree more with Sir Woods. Wie has no clue what it means to win and beat opponents who are playing at not his or her highest level, but THE highest level---unless you count the millions of dollars she's already made. I guess that's winning in some messed up way.
So Michelle, if you're listening here's my advice: quit. Stop pretending you're a professional. Cuz you're not. Go to school, enjoy it, then consider going pro. We're tired of this.
And to B.J. Wie: knock it off. You're not helping anything, and the micro-management of your daughters aspirations have darn near killed her shot at ever competing at the highest level of WOMEN's golf. You're greedy, and everyone can see right through you.
Michele Wie is blessed with incredible talent, and cursed with horrendous career advice. She'd be better off trying to qualify to play for Stanford and working her way through the college ranks to learn what it takes to win. Maybe that's what she needs to get her head in the game.
Otherwise, I'm too annoyed to even finish my blog and support my cause. Maybe you bloggers out there can do it for me. I'm going to go back to watching the Whatchamacallit Open on The Golf Channel. Sorry, I mean, Golf Channel (sans the).
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Who Knew?
By Charlie Schroeder
That sigh of relief you heard last Sunday came from Justin Leonard when he beat Jesper Parnevik on the second playoff hole of the Valero Texas Open. Leonard's victory, his first since 2005, catapulted him up 53 spots on the Money List from 94th to 41st. While recent lackluster play isn't what we've come to expect from the 1997 British Open Champion, it's hard to feel too bad for him. After all he sits in a very comfortable 8th place on the all-time Money Leaders list.
How much has Leonard won? After his recent victory his total comes to about $22 million. The victory also catapulted him (by $600,000) past Mark Calcavecchia to take the 8th place spot.
Wait a minute you say. Calc is in 9th place all-time? Yup, I had the same reaction.
I'm not even going to tell you who's in first place all-time. He has $76 million, while Vijay comes in second with $54 million and Phil, poor guy, has only $45 million settling for a distant third.
But what's really shocking, however, is how many major-less players are in the top fifteen. In fact Kenny Perry (10th place), Stewart Cink (11th), Scott Verplank (12th), Stuart Appleby (13th) and Fred Funk (14th) all have close to $21 million each and none of them have won a major.
It's a sign of the Tiger Times. Purses have grown considerably since he started dominating the tour and all players have been rewarded. Consider this year's money list. Major-less Harrison Frazer is currently holding down the #125 spot with a healthy $688,000. Good cash, yes, but unless Frazer and others below him can't crack the Top 125 in the next four tournaments they'll have to head back to Q-school.
Don't feel too bad for Frazer if he doesn't earn his exemption this year. He ranks 94th on the all-time money list with $7.9 million, 53 spots ahead of 19-time major winner Jack Nicklaus who comes in with $5.7 million.
That sigh of relief you heard last Sunday came from Justin Leonard when he beat Jesper Parnevik on the second playoff hole of the Valero Texas Open. Leonard's victory, his first since 2005, catapulted him up 53 spots on the Money List from 94th to 41st. While recent lackluster play isn't what we've come to expect from the 1997 British Open Champion, it's hard to feel too bad for him. After all he sits in a very comfortable 8th place on the all-time Money Leaders list.
How much has Leonard won? After his recent victory his total comes to about $22 million. The victory also catapulted him (by $600,000) past Mark Calcavecchia to take the 8th place spot.
Wait a minute you say. Calc is in 9th place all-time? Yup, I had the same reaction.
I'm not even going to tell you who's in first place all-time. He has $76 million, while Vijay comes in second with $54 million and Phil, poor guy, has only $45 million settling for a distant third.
But what's really shocking, however, is how many major-less players are in the top fifteen. In fact Kenny Perry (10th place), Stewart Cink (11th), Scott Verplank (12th), Stuart Appleby (13th) and Fred Funk (14th) all have close to $21 million each and none of them have won a major.
It's a sign of the Tiger Times. Purses have grown considerably since he started dominating the tour and all players have been rewarded. Consider this year's money list. Major-less Harrison Frazer is currently holding down the #125 spot with a healthy $688,000. Good cash, yes, but unless Frazer and others below him can't crack the Top 125 in the next four tournaments they'll have to head back to Q-school.
Don't feel too bad for Frazer if he doesn't earn his exemption this year. He ranks 94th on the all-time money list with $7.9 million, 53 spots ahead of 19-time major winner Jack Nicklaus who comes in with $5.7 million.
Friday, September 21, 2007
PGA Bore
It's lunch on a Friday, so my colleagues and I sat down in the conference room to watch some midday PGA Tour coverage on the Golf Channel. The event is the Turningstone Resort Championship, the first in the post Fed Ex Cup era.
Oh boy....I think I'd rather watch paint dry.
Not only does the Fall Finish lack real star power, it looks like the golf courses are ridiculously easy. Now, a conspirator I am not, but when courses are this benign, it's likely the PGA Tour is expecting uber-low scoring in hopes of sparking interest in these events (hey, some guy shooting a 59 is exactly what the Fall Finish needs.) Either way, it's still dull. And don't even get me started in the Golf Channel's coverage of the event...watching 15-year veterans milk out a few extra thousand dollars so they can play next year is a tough sell (yawn.)
Now, I don't want to be a groaner without providing some new ideas. So here we go.
1. Double Cuts: Cut the field after Friday, then again after Saturday. This will reward the players who are playing better with more money, and really make the guys who are teetering on the bubble start to sweat.
2. Free admission: Seriously, let the fans in for free. All the money is made on booze anyway.
3. Celebrity Pro-Ams: Why only in the early season? Let's see Ray Romano make a fool out of himself one more time a year.
4. LPGA and PGA: Invite not one, but 20 of the LPGA's best to play. Let em play the forward tees and see what happens.
5. The Caddie Cam. Rig some of the caddies on tour with cameras and mics. Hey, I'd watch it.
How about you? Any ideas? Log on and comment!
Oh boy....I think I'd rather watch paint dry.
Not only does the Fall Finish lack real star power, it looks like the golf courses are ridiculously easy. Now, a conspirator I am not, but when courses are this benign, it's likely the PGA Tour is expecting uber-low scoring in hopes of sparking interest in these events (hey, some guy shooting a 59 is exactly what the Fall Finish needs.) Either way, it's still dull. And don't even get me started in the Golf Channel's coverage of the event...watching 15-year veterans milk out a few extra thousand dollars so they can play next year is a tough sell (yawn.)
Now, I don't want to be a groaner without providing some new ideas. So here we go.
1. Double Cuts: Cut the field after Friday, then again after Saturday. This will reward the players who are playing better with more money, and really make the guys who are teetering on the bubble start to sweat.
2. Free admission: Seriously, let the fans in for free. All the money is made on booze anyway.
3. Celebrity Pro-Ams: Why only in the early season? Let's see Ray Romano make a fool out of himself one more time a year.
4. LPGA and PGA: Invite not one, but 20 of the LPGA's best to play. Let em play the forward tees and see what happens.
5. The Caddie Cam. Rig some of the caddies on tour with cameras and mics. Hey, I'd watch it.
How about you? Any ideas? Log on and comment!
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Secret of his (Recent) Success?
By Charlie Schroeder
Roger Federer's recent victory at the U.S. Open started a pointless debate among sports journalists: "Who's better: Federer or Tiger?"
Although each owns nearly the same amount of major victories, or "slams," (Tiger has 13, Federer 12) Federer has yet to complete the career grand slam, having been shut out at Roland Garros. Tiger's not only won all four majors, he's won them all at least twice. (U.S. Opens are the toughest for him; he's won twice and finished second twice.)
While Federer is exciting to watch (he's as precise and powerful a player to ever swing a racquet, and has rekindled my interest in the game), it's important to keep in mind that tennis is head-to-head competition. The shots he plays have immediate impact on his opponent. Outside of the 285 yard 5-wood that Tiger hit onto the 9th green (interrupting Zach Johnson and Sergio Garcia's battle for second place) during yesterday's final round of the Tour Championship, his interaction with other players is limited to shaking hands, saying "nice shot" and shooting the breeze (if they're friends). Certainly Tiger's mind-blowing play must get in his playing partners' heads, and the throngs of fans following him are a great distraction not only to players in his group but within a couple holes, but when all's said and done, it's Tiger against the course (and, for that matter, Tiger against himself). If you think he's won a lot of tournaments in stroke play, imagine how many he'd win if every tournament were match play, where a more traditional head-to-head format applies.
Tennis has typically had dominant players like Sampras, Lendl, Borg and Navratilova (and that's just in the last thirty years) whereas golf has, traditionally, not. (And as result been the most difficult individual sport to dominate.) In the last thirty years only Woods and Sorenstam have dominated the game for a significant period of time. (Norman too, but he never capitalized in majors the way the other two have.)
A friend of my father's mentioned the other day that we were lucky, really lucky, to witness the game's greatest golfer play the game. (My father's generation is doubly lucky having witnessed both Tiger and Jack in their primes.) After his domination of the FedEx Cup where Tiger won two out of three tournaments and averaged 66.81 strokes per round (no, that's not a typo), it's clear, like this time last year, that he's in the middle of something really, really special.
One last thing: in today's USA Today, Tiger's caddie Steve Williams is quoted as saying that Tiger hasn't hit a post-round practice ball since the British Open. Nothing to tweak, so no reason to work on it, says Williams. Its clear Tiger's swing has come around, but something tells me there's another explanation for his stellar play. A month before the British, his daughter was born. Could fatherhood be the secret to his success?
Roger Federer's recent victory at the U.S. Open started a pointless debate among sports journalists: "Who's better: Federer or Tiger?"
Although each owns nearly the same amount of major victories, or "slams," (Tiger has 13, Federer 12) Federer has yet to complete the career grand slam, having been shut out at Roland Garros. Tiger's not only won all four majors, he's won them all at least twice. (U.S. Opens are the toughest for him; he's won twice and finished second twice.)
While Federer is exciting to watch (he's as precise and powerful a player to ever swing a racquet, and has rekindled my interest in the game), it's important to keep in mind that tennis is head-to-head competition. The shots he plays have immediate impact on his opponent. Outside of the 285 yard 5-wood that Tiger hit onto the 9th green (interrupting Zach Johnson and Sergio Garcia's battle for second place) during yesterday's final round of the Tour Championship, his interaction with other players is limited to shaking hands, saying "nice shot" and shooting the breeze (if they're friends). Certainly Tiger's mind-blowing play must get in his playing partners' heads, and the throngs of fans following him are a great distraction not only to players in his group but within a couple holes, but when all's said and done, it's Tiger against the course (and, for that matter, Tiger against himself). If you think he's won a lot of tournaments in stroke play, imagine how many he'd win if every tournament were match play, where a more traditional head-to-head format applies.
Tennis has typically had dominant players like Sampras, Lendl, Borg and Navratilova (and that's just in the last thirty years) whereas golf has, traditionally, not. (And as result been the most difficult individual sport to dominate.) In the last thirty years only Woods and Sorenstam have dominated the game for a significant period of time. (Norman too, but he never capitalized in majors the way the other two have.)
A friend of my father's mentioned the other day that we were lucky, really lucky, to witness the game's greatest golfer play the game. (My father's generation is doubly lucky having witnessed both Tiger and Jack in their primes.) After his domination of the FedEx Cup where Tiger won two out of three tournaments and averaged 66.81 strokes per round (no, that's not a typo), it's clear, like this time last year, that he's in the middle of something really, really special.
One last thing: in today's USA Today, Tiger's caddie Steve Williams is quoted as saying that Tiger hasn't hit a post-round practice ball since the British Open. Nothing to tweak, so no reason to work on it, says Williams. Its clear Tiger's swing has come around, but something tells me there's another explanation for his stellar play. A month before the British, his daughter was born. Could fatherhood be the secret to his success?
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Another Monkey Gone
By Charlie Schroeder
Like the back nine on Sunday at Augusta, the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship is quickly becoming golf's must-see TV.
For the past few years Tiger and Vijay were the players in this drama, but those showdowns couldn't compare to yesterday afternoon's dart throwing clinic put on by Tiger and Phil. If, on Thanksgiving it's the turkey that gets cold while Uncle Mort watches the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, then on Labor Day it's the coleslaw that loses out to the awesome play at the Deutsche Bank.
Of course today the Tour is claiming yesterday's nail biter of a finish was a boon for the FedEx Playoffs. Huh, that's strange, because I didn't once think about whether Phil was going to lead the FedEx Cup standings at the end of the day. (Phil probably didn't either. In his post-round interview he admitted he was torn as to whether he should play in Chicago this week at the BMW claiming that Tour commissioner Tim Finchem hasn't held up his end of the deal on a couple of important issues.)
What excited me (and probably everybody else) was watching Phil match Tiger shot for shot down the stretch and finally pull off a victory. It's another monkey off his back and now that his wrist is finally healed, Mickelson is back in top shape. Just in time for football season.
Like the back nine on Sunday at Augusta, the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship is quickly becoming golf's must-see TV.
For the past few years Tiger and Vijay were the players in this drama, but those showdowns couldn't compare to yesterday afternoon's dart throwing clinic put on by Tiger and Phil. If, on Thanksgiving it's the turkey that gets cold while Uncle Mort watches the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, then on Labor Day it's the coleslaw that loses out to the awesome play at the Deutsche Bank.
Of course today the Tour is claiming yesterday's nail biter of a finish was a boon for the FedEx Playoffs. Huh, that's strange, because I didn't once think about whether Phil was going to lead the FedEx Cup standings at the end of the day. (Phil probably didn't either. In his post-round interview he admitted he was torn as to whether he should play in Chicago this week at the BMW claiming that Tour commissioner Tim Finchem hasn't held up his end of the deal on a couple of important issues.)
What excited me (and probably everybody else) was watching Phil match Tiger shot for shot down the stretch and finally pull off a victory. It's another monkey off his back and now that his wrist is finally healed, Mickelson is back in top shape. Just in time for football season.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Negative Space
By Charlie Schroeder
A couple months ago a friend pointed out the subliminal arrow in FedEx's logo. If you don't know what I'm talking about check out the "negative space" between the "E" and the "x." Trust me, after seeing this you'll never be able to see the "FedEx" name again, just an arrow pointing to the right.
That's kind of what it's like with the FedEx Cup, the PGA Tour's NASCAR-like end of the year playoff system. Once you see some of its negative space it's hard to focus on anything else.
For one thing the winner gets a $10 million annuity. Not a $10 million dollar direct deposit (checks are so 1995), but $10 million that'll mature in 2027. Just in time to buy that new jetpack!
Secondly, it's not quite the same thing if Tiger's not there. Last week's no show at the Barclays was a strong opening statement by the World's #1. Personally I think Tiger should take a four-week holiday and spend some time with his wife and daughter, just to get under Tim Finchem's skin. Or just show up for the Tour Championship, blow out the field and win enough money for his daughter's college education (because that's what it'll cost twenty years from now). Sadly that's not going to happen as Woods is playing this week. Ernie Els on the other hand, who's already admitted he knows nothing about playoffs, will be in London getting his kids ready for school. Seems Ernie doesn't have much interest in winning funny money either.
And really why should he? For that matter why should Tiger or Phil? (Come to think of it Lefty is sticking around more than usual. Surprising considering he loves the pigskin. I guess he TiVos the preseason games. We'll see if he sticks around come opening weekend.)
Even though I'm a golf nut I liked it more when the season ended earlier. Most casual golf fans tune out after the PGA Championship, some who don't get jazzed for that so-called "fourth major" zone out after the Open Championship. With the fun-to-watch Presidents Cup on the horizon, I wonder if the FedEx Cup is just a big distraction for the Tour?
The irony with the FedEx Cup is that the players it's most important to are the guys viewers like to watch the least. The journeymen who grind it out each week, praying they don't have to go back to Q School, the Doug LaBelles and George McNeills who are dangerously close to not getting into the BMW Championship (and, as result, staying stuck around the all-important 125 money list ranking). These guys don't have huge endorsement contracts and a $10 million direct deposit would really make a difference.
Oh, and one more thing. If the PGA Tour really wants to add some excitement the season should end after the playoffs. Don't forget there are still seven tournaments on tap after the "playoffs" end. If the McNeills and LaBelles had to fight for their lives during the playoffs some Cinderella stories could be written.
A couple months ago a friend pointed out the subliminal arrow in FedEx's logo. If you don't know what I'm talking about check out the "negative space" between the "E" and the "x." Trust me, after seeing this you'll never be able to see the "FedEx" name again, just an arrow pointing to the right.
That's kind of what it's like with the FedEx Cup, the PGA Tour's NASCAR-like end of the year playoff system. Once you see some of its negative space it's hard to focus on anything else.
For one thing the winner gets a $10 million annuity. Not a $10 million dollar direct deposit (checks are so 1995), but $10 million that'll mature in 2027. Just in time to buy that new jetpack!
Secondly, it's not quite the same thing if Tiger's not there. Last week's no show at the Barclays was a strong opening statement by the World's #1. Personally I think Tiger should take a four-week holiday and spend some time with his wife and daughter, just to get under Tim Finchem's skin. Or just show up for the Tour Championship, blow out the field and win enough money for his daughter's college education (because that's what it'll cost twenty years from now). Sadly that's not going to happen as Woods is playing this week. Ernie Els on the other hand, who's already admitted he knows nothing about playoffs, will be in London getting his kids ready for school. Seems Ernie doesn't have much interest in winning funny money either.
And really why should he? For that matter why should Tiger or Phil? (Come to think of it Lefty is sticking around more than usual. Surprising considering he loves the pigskin. I guess he TiVos the preseason games. We'll see if he sticks around come opening weekend.)
Even though I'm a golf nut I liked it more when the season ended earlier. Most casual golf fans tune out after the PGA Championship, some who don't get jazzed for that so-called "fourth major" zone out after the Open Championship. With the fun-to-watch Presidents Cup on the horizon, I wonder if the FedEx Cup is just a big distraction for the Tour?
The irony with the FedEx Cup is that the players it's most important to are the guys viewers like to watch the least. The journeymen who grind it out each week, praying they don't have to go back to Q School, the Doug LaBelles and George McNeills who are dangerously close to not getting into the BMW Championship (and, as result, staying stuck around the all-important 125 money list ranking). These guys don't have huge endorsement contracts and a $10 million direct deposit would really make a difference.
Oh, and one more thing. If the PGA Tour really wants to add some excitement the season should end after the playoffs. Don't forget there are still seven tournaments on tap after the "playoffs" end. If the McNeills and LaBelles had to fight for their lives during the playoffs some Cinderella stories could be written.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Is Boo Weekley for real?
Here's the deal.
I have sources. Sources who say the man behind the poe-dunk veil is actually more clever and more intelligent than his I-don't-really-know-much-about-the-Ryder-Cup persona may project.
But frankly, does it matter?
Not if you're asking me, it doesn't. I happen to like Boo's schtick, whether it's real or not. His irreverence is refreshing to me. So what if he's not that familiar with the Ryder Cup (which ironically, he just might wind up playing in.) Before I write my ticket to golf journalist oblivion and say one negative thing about it, I'll say that I tend to feel similar sentiments towards the RC matches myself. I mean, sure, they're fun to watch, and occasionally serve as a stage for some excellent golf. But so does literally every Tour event for that matter. And if if you're busy working on your game, why would you be concerned with it?
And, not to harp on the Ryder Cup, but really. The US against the UK/Europe? A "blood match" against some of our closest allies on the War on Terror? Come on. It's golf. A lot of the competitors live and/or earn a living in the US anyway.
I'm with you, Boo. I don't see what all the fuss is about. I think it'd be more fun if the Ryder Cup was, well, more fun. That's how it used to be, before it became a big marketing blitz fueled by overzealous golf writers. If anything, the upcoming Presidents Cup is a more worldly and interesting approach to competition. Throw Europe in there and we can kill two birds with one stone.
Finally, I'm not sure if you heard, but Boo approached Paul Lawrie during the Scottish Open and while referring to the Open Championship he asked, "How'd you get in? You qualify?"
A faux pas? Yes. Funny? Also yes. Boo received his fair share of embarrassment for not identifying the '99 winner, but then again, how many of you out there can pick Paul Lawrie from a lineup?
The FedEx Cup is coming up, which Boo also stated he doesn't "get." Now, how could you not root for someone like that? He's got the game to actually win the thing.
I have sources. Sources who say the man behind the poe-dunk veil is actually more clever and more intelligent than his I-don't-really-know-much-about-the-Ryder-Cup persona may project.
But frankly, does it matter?
Not if you're asking me, it doesn't. I happen to like Boo's schtick, whether it's real or not. His irreverence is refreshing to me. So what if he's not that familiar with the Ryder Cup (which ironically, he just might wind up playing in.) Before I write my ticket to golf journalist oblivion and say one negative thing about it, I'll say that I tend to feel similar sentiments towards the RC matches myself. I mean, sure, they're fun to watch, and occasionally serve as a stage for some excellent golf. But so does literally every Tour event for that matter. And if if you're busy working on your game, why would you be concerned with it?
And, not to harp on the Ryder Cup, but really. The US against the UK/Europe? A "blood match" against some of our closest allies on the War on Terror? Come on. It's golf. A lot of the competitors live and/or earn a living in the US anyway.
I'm with you, Boo. I don't see what all the fuss is about. I think it'd be more fun if the Ryder Cup was, well, more fun. That's how it used to be, before it became a big marketing blitz fueled by overzealous golf writers. If anything, the upcoming Presidents Cup is a more worldly and interesting approach to competition. Throw Europe in there and we can kill two birds with one stone.
Finally, I'm not sure if you heard, but Boo approached Paul Lawrie during the Scottish Open and while referring to the Open Championship he asked, "How'd you get in? You qualify?"
A faux pas? Yes. Funny? Also yes. Boo received his fair share of embarrassment for not identifying the '99 winner, but then again, how many of you out there can pick Paul Lawrie from a lineup?
The FedEx Cup is coming up, which Boo also stated he doesn't "get." Now, how could you not root for someone like that? He's got the game to actually win the thing.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Hot and Heavy in Tulsa
Lately, I've been wondering why the PGA insisted on hosting its Championship in the middle of August in Tulsa, Oklahoma. No discredit to the Southern Hills, it's a worthy venue. But in August?
Monday in Tulsa has already seen upwards of 18 people treated for heat exhaustion. And those are just the spectators during practice rounds! Just wait until Sunday rolls around. Temps are expected to top out at over 100 degrees. I don't even want to know what the humidity will be.
In case you weren't aware, Golf Tips HQ is a chipshot from the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. I can see it right now, actually. So, I can personally attest that the weather is always perfect here, especially in August.
Why wouldn't the PGA and other late summer events take advantage of the best summertime weather in the country? I'm talking about taking advantage of cooler, more comfortable temps and optimized course conditions out west? What about Pebble Beach? It's perfect there this time of year. Same goes up the entire coastline...Bandon Dunes would be amazing too.
My point is, it'd be nice to get more late summer events along the west coast. We get a bad rep, considering the West Coast Swing is in the winter. And while it's rain and not snow to contend with, it's still not as nice in the winter as it is in the summer out here.
For those who don't believe us, wait'll you see the US Open at Torrey Pines next year. And to the PGA Tour, come see what I mean.
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