Tour golfer update
Of people and players
Over the weekend, Sandy Guzzardo -- an LPGA member and breast cancer survivor -- sent in a story about how she'd tried to ask a leading player on the LPGA Tour to donate a signed hat for Sandy's local Breast Cancer Support Group. According to Sandy, she was met with rudeness (and no hat).
It's not the first time this kind of story has reached me about player-fan encounters.
Although it's easy to sympathize with the fan version of such events, there are always two sides to the story. Who knows, for example, what's happening in a player's life that might explain away or excuse perceived rudeness?
Equally, in many cases there will be no excuse. Golf talent doesn't always come with a kind character, and there are plenty of unpleasant folk who can also swing a golf club.
Let's take the players view for a moment.
Golf has changed. The influx of money, public and media interest has raised the pressure on the modern tour pro. I cannot, for example, begin to conceive of the goldfish bowl, high-pressure existence that Tiger Woods leads.
Can we expect these people to retain their composure and good demeanor 24 hours a day under all that pressure? Or should we excuse them the odd character slip?
When a pro comes off a bad round that hurts his chances of making the next major, should he be obliged to smile sweetly and happily sign autographs just seconds later? Some can do this. Others, intense in their desire to succeed at their sport, can't.
Another factor of particular relevance to the autograph issue is eBay. For those who don't know eBay, it's an online auction site where millions of individuals sell everything from cars to candlesticks online. And it has thousands of listings for golf player memorabilia.
Which is great for collectors and golf fans. Heck, I've bought signed items off eBay.
But a lot of players are now aware that a significant number of the things they sign, particularly items such as hats, gloves and balls, are not destined to grace the mantelpiece of the excited fan who asked for the signature. Instead, that "fan" rushes down to his computer and puts the item up for sale, hoping to cash in on someone else's celebrity.
You can see how players might resent this, and also become deeply suspicious of requests for "charitable donations." An unfortunate side-effect of this is that those fans who simply want a memento of a great day out can get caught up in the eBay backlash. As can those who, like Sandy, are just trying to raise money for a good cause.
So much for the player's view.
On the other hand, it is the fans who -- directly and indirectly -- pay for the typical pros lifestyle. No golf fans, no TV interest, no advertising, no prize money. No golf fans, no golf equipment sales, no fat sponsorship checks. You see my meaning?
As such, the players have a responsibility to those golf fans. Which most recognize - I get far more complimentary anecdotes about player-fan encounters than negative ones.
I also wonder just how much a pro earning hundreds of thousands of dollars needs to worry about the odd person making a few bucks out of his signature. Especially when refusing to sign something might also mean you're denying a charity much-needed funds or when you're maybe making an enemy out of a former supporter.
But perhaps we just need to realize that players and fans alike are all human. All of us with our foibles, frailties and misunderstandings. And all with our various troubles and tendencies that cause us to behave inappropriately, and perhaps regret it later.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Over the weekend, Sandy Guzzardo -- an LPGA member and breast cancer survivor -- sent in a story about how she'd tried to ask a leading player on the LPGA Tour to donate a signed hat for Sandy's local Breast Cancer Support Group. According to Sandy, she was met with rudeness (and no hat).
It's not the first time this kind of story has reached me about player-fan encounters.
Although it's easy to sympathize with the fan version of such events, there are always two sides to the story. Who knows, for example, what's happening in a player's life that might explain away or excuse perceived rudeness?
Equally, in many cases there will be no excuse. Golf talent doesn't always come with a kind character, and there are plenty of unpleasant folk who can also swing a golf club.
Let's take the players view for a moment.
Golf has changed. The influx of money, public and media interest has raised the pressure on the modern tour pro. I cannot, for example, begin to conceive of the goldfish bowl, high-pressure existence that Tiger Woods leads.
Can we expect these people to retain their composure and good demeanor 24 hours a day under all that pressure? Or should we excuse them the odd character slip?
When a pro comes off a bad round that hurts his chances of making the next major, should he be obliged to smile sweetly and happily sign autographs just seconds later? Some can do this. Others, intense in their desire to succeed at their sport, can't.
Another factor of particular relevance to the autograph issue is eBay. For those who don't know eBay, it's an online auction site where millions of individuals sell everything from cars to candlesticks online. And it has thousands of listings for golf player memorabilia.
Which is great for collectors and golf fans. Heck, I've bought signed items off eBay.
But a lot of players are now aware that a significant number of the things they sign, particularly items such as hats, gloves and balls, are not destined to grace the mantelpiece of the excited fan who asked for the signature. Instead, that "fan" rushes down to his computer and puts the item up for sale, hoping to cash in on someone else's celebrity.
You can see how players might resent this, and also become deeply suspicious of requests for "charitable donations." An unfortunate side-effect of this is that those fans who simply want a memento of a great day out can get caught up in the eBay backlash. As can those who, like Sandy, are just trying to raise money for a good cause.
So much for the player's view.
On the other hand, it is the fans who -- directly and indirectly -- pay for the typical pros lifestyle. No golf fans, no TV interest, no advertising, no prize money. No golf fans, no golf equipment sales, no fat sponsorship checks. You see my meaning?
As such, the players have a responsibility to those golf fans. Which most recognize - I get far more complimentary anecdotes about player-fan encounters than negative ones.
I also wonder just how much a pro earning hundreds of thousands of dollars needs to worry about the odd person making a few bucks out of his signature. Especially when refusing to sign something might also mean you're denying a charity much-needed funds or when you're maybe making an enemy out of a former supporter.
But perhaps we just need to realize that players and fans alike are all human. All of us with our foibles, frailties and misunderstandings. And all with our various troubles and tendencies that cause us to behave inappropriately, and perhaps regret it later.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Ryder Review
I dare say a lot of factors were responsible for the slaughtering the US got over the weekend, and journalists will have plenty of fun in coming days publishing their "5 reasons we got beaten" list. Here are my thoughts...
1. Corporate money has done the game a lot of good, but its darker side seemed to come out this weekend. A lot of people came away with the idea that the top US golfers have been turned into faceless, plastic money machines lacking in motivation (which I don't believe). At best, the Americans have an image problem. At worst, they need to rethink some fundamental values.
Phil Mickelson, especially, may well have knocked a few holes in his nice guy image. Whatever the reasons for changing equipment just 2 weeks before the Ryder Cup, it didn't score too high on the image-o-meter. And his poor performances won't have helped the Callaway cause either. Everybody loses, except maybe Titleist, who will gain some sympathy votes.
2. Don't blame Riles...
Yes, it was a little wierd that Chris Riley ducked out of playing Saturday afternoon. But people forget he became a father just a few days ago. Some take that in their stride, others find it a rollercoaster of emotion. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't all catch up with him halfway through Saturday.
3. Don't be too hard on the US team...
You can't force a team spirit and dynamic. It has to be engendered and developed through the right environment and people. If the US wants to get back on track Ryder Cup wise, maybe they need to skip the pep talks from celebrities and work on some team fundamentals. I'm sure enough people will give that due attention over the next 1-2 years.
4. Golf Gods...
This year has been a year for scriptwriters. Mickelson wins his first major. A new number 1. Hamilton winning the Open. And then Colin Montgomerie...brooding man of many troubles and a less-than-wonderful relationship with US crowds. It had to be him who won both the cup and the respect of the US audience on Sunday. All we need is for Mr. Duval to win a tournament, and the year will be complete.
And talking of golf gods, what's the betting that come the 2006 Ryder Cup, the Americans will arrive as underdogs and give Europe the thrashing of their lives?
Monday, September 20, 2004
I dare say a lot of factors were responsible for the slaughtering the US got over the weekend, and journalists will have plenty of fun in coming days publishing their "5 reasons we got beaten" list. Here are my thoughts...
1. Corporate money has done the game a lot of good, but its darker side seemed to come out this weekend. A lot of people came away with the idea that the top US golfers have been turned into faceless, plastic money machines lacking in motivation (which I don't believe). At best, the Americans have an image problem. At worst, they need to rethink some fundamental values.
Phil Mickelson, especially, may well have knocked a few holes in his nice guy image. Whatever the reasons for changing equipment just 2 weeks before the Ryder Cup, it didn't score too high on the image-o-meter. And his poor performances won't have helped the Callaway cause either. Everybody loses, except maybe Titleist, who will gain some sympathy votes.
2. Don't blame Riles...
Yes, it was a little wierd that Chris Riley ducked out of playing Saturday afternoon. But people forget he became a father just a few days ago. Some take that in their stride, others find it a rollercoaster of emotion. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't all catch up with him halfway through Saturday.
3. Don't be too hard on the US team...
You can't force a team spirit and dynamic. It has to be engendered and developed through the right environment and people. If the US wants to get back on track Ryder Cup wise, maybe they need to skip the pep talks from celebrities and work on some team fundamentals. I'm sure enough people will give that due attention over the next 1-2 years.
4. Golf Gods...
This year has been a year for scriptwriters. Mickelson wins his first major. A new number 1. Hamilton winning the Open. And then Colin Montgomerie...brooding man of many troubles and a less-than-wonderful relationship with US crowds. It had to be him who won both the cup and the respect of the US audience on Sunday. All we need is for Mr. Duval to win a tournament, and the year will be complete.
And talking of golf gods, what's the betting that come the 2006 Ryder Cup, the Americans will arrive as underdogs and give Europe the thrashing of their lives?
Monday, September 20, 2004
Differences of opinion...
This article says Europe will win the Ryder Cup by a mile, this one says the US will win by a mile. As my maths teacher used to say, they can't both be right.
Monday, September 13, 2004
This article says Europe will win the Ryder Cup by a mile, this one says the US will win by a mile. As my maths teacher used to say, they can't both be right.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Why Tiger Woods Is The Greatest
Dave Stuckey pleads the case for Mr.Woods, giving various reasons why he can be considered even greater than such sports heroes as Nicklaus, Jordan and Gretzky.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Dave Stuckey pleads the case for Mr.Woods, giving various reasons why he can be considered even greater than such sports heroes as Nicklaus, Jordan and Gretzky.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Tiger loses another no.1 spot
Apparently soccer player David Beckham is now the biggest athlete moneyearner.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Apparently soccer player David Beckham is now the biggest athlete moneyearner.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Picking the right numbers in the lottery of tournament golf last weekend...
Just to prove (again) that the no.1 spot is no fluke, Vijay Singh beat local favorite Mike Weir to take home the Bell Canadian Open.
It was a day for no.1's as Annika Sorenstam returned to competitive golf and immediately won the John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic presented by Ford. These tournament names seem to get longer and longer.
On the Champion's Tour, it was Bruce Summerhays who won the Kroger Classic.
And in Europe, Padraig Harrington built up some confidence points for the Ryder Cup by winning the Linde German Masters.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Just to prove (again) that the no.1 spot is no fluke, Vijay Singh beat local favorite Mike Weir to take home the Bell Canadian Open.
It was a day for no.1's as Annika Sorenstam returned to competitive golf and immediately won the John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic presented by Ford. These tournament names seem to get longer and longer.
On the Champion's Tour, it was Bruce Summerhays who won the Kroger Classic.
And in Europe, Padraig Harrington built up some confidence points for the Ryder Cup by winning the Linde German Masters.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Riley (and his wife) can breathe easier
Good news for Chris Riley - his baby daughter popped out a couple of weeks early, sparing her dad some extra nerves during Ryder Cup week.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Good news for Chris Riley - his baby daughter popped out a couple of weeks early, sparing her dad some extra nerves during Ryder Cup week.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Smaller events need stars too
Ron Sirak makes a perfectly reasonable request for the tour's bigger players to support the smaller events.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Ron Sirak makes a perfectly reasonable request for the tour's bigger players to support the smaller events.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
I guess that was obvious
Just a few days after dropping Titleist, Phil Mickelson's signed a long-term contract with the folks at Callaway to wear / use / praise their equipment.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Just a few days after dropping Titleist, Phil Mickelson's signed a long-term contract with the folks at Callaway to wear / use / praise their equipment.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
A new number one
So it finally happened. By winning the Deutsche Bank Championship yesterday, Vijay Singh received official confirmation of what everyone knew for a while - that he is currently the world's no.1 golfer.
The question is now, how does both he and Tiger react? Does Vijay take his foot off the pedal or strive for more. Does Tiger settle into a less stressful role as "not no.1," or make every effort to regain the lost position? Or does an Els or Mickelson step up to the plate and make it a 3- or 4-way fight. Tune in next week for another exciting episode in the continuing saga that is PGA Tour golf.
Oh yeah, and in all the fuss, did anyone notice that David Duval came in T13?
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
So it finally happened. By winning the Deutsche Bank Championship yesterday, Vijay Singh received official confirmation of what everyone knew for a while - that he is currently the world's no.1 golfer.
The question is now, how does both he and Tiger react? Does Vijay take his foot off the pedal or strive for more. Does Tiger settle into a less stressful role as "not no.1," or make every effort to regain the lost position? Or does an Els or Mickelson step up to the plate and make it a 3- or 4-way fight. Tune in next week for another exciting episode in the continuing saga that is PGA Tour golf.
Oh yeah, and in all the fuss, did anyone notice that David Duval came in T13?
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Getting extra pecan in their golf pie this weekend were...
Craig Stadler, who won "The First Tee Open at Pebble Beach Presented by Wal-Mart" tournament on the Champions Tour (hope there was enough space on the trophy to include all that).
Cristie Kerr, who won the State Farm Classic on the LPGA Tour.
...and Luke Donald who won the Omega European Masters.
Monday, September 06, 2004
Craig Stadler, who won "The First Tee Open at Pebble Beach Presented by Wal-Mart" tournament on the Champions Tour (hope there was enough space on the trophy to include all that).
Cristie Kerr, who won the State Farm Classic on the LPGA Tour.
...and Luke Donald who won the Omega European Masters.
Monday, September 06, 2004
Major enigma
Jim McCabe traces the colorful and hard career of Vijay Singh, with his fellow golfers providing a rare glimpse into his personality.
Monday, September 06, 2004
Jim McCabe traces the colorful and hard career of Vijay Singh, with his fellow golfers providing a rare glimpse into his personality.
Monday, September 06, 2004
Sutton set to light a fuse
Britain's Daily Telegraph suggests that a combination of Hal Sutton, American patriotism come nationalism, and Detroit doesn't bode well for a gentlemanly game of Ryder Cup golf.
Monday, September 06, 2004
Britain's Daily Telegraph suggests that a combination of Hal Sutton, American patriotism come nationalism, and Detroit doesn't bode well for a gentlemanly game of Ryder Cup golf.
Monday, September 06, 2004
Balls and strikes
Fascinating article at Boston.com, which describes the ball marking preferences of numerous top pros, as well as which numbers they like to play and when. All sorts of quirky superstitions to enjoy.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Fascinating article at Boston.com, which describes the ball marking preferences of numerous top pros, as well as which numbers they like to play and when. All sorts of quirky superstitions to enjoy.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
A tour of dreams
Jill Painter hears from the likes of Zach Johnson on how the Nationwide Tour is going from strength to strength and proving a great training ground for future PGA Tour winners.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Jill Painter hears from the likes of Zach Johnson on how the Nationwide Tour is going from strength to strength and proving a great training ground for future PGA Tour winners.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Tiger not winning could put a wrench in negotiations
Doug Ferguson offers a considered article on the impact Tiger's form has on forthcoming negotiations between the PGA Tour and TV networks regarding a new TV deal. When it comes to ratings, Tiger's unbeatable. But the question is whether it's quality or quantity that counts.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Doug Ferguson offers a considered article on the impact Tiger's form has on forthcoming negotiations between the PGA Tour and TV networks regarding a new TV deal. When it comes to ratings, Tiger's unbeatable. But the question is whether it's quality or quantity that counts.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Ochoa further displays her amazing talent
Bruce Young refelcts on Lorena Ochoa's prospects in the wake of her win at last weekend's Wachovia LPGA Classic.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Bruce Young refelcts on Lorena Ochoa's prospects in the wake of her win at last weekend's Wachovia LPGA Classic.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
A thought on world rankings
One of my old bosses taught me never to criticise something without offering a better alternative. I'm reminded of this advice as I read the various articles lamenting the inadequacies of the world golf rankings.
That the rankings are out of tune with reality (or not, depending on your viewpoint) now seems widely accepted. But I don't see many people offering up better alternatives.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
One of my old bosses taught me never to criticise something without offering a better alternative. I'm reminded of this advice as I read the various articles lamenting the inadequacies of the world golf rankings.
That the rankings are out of tune with reality (or not, depending on your viewpoint) now seems widely accepted. But I don't see many people offering up better alternatives.
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
