Tour golfer update
Season is over for me
There is still plenty of golf around, but I admit I don't get thrilled at made-for-TV stuff or many of the end-of-season tournaments once the official season is over.
So I'm hanging up the virtual pen for December, and off to do some Christmas shopping for family and friends. See you again in January, 2005...may you all enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday season...
Monday, November 29, 2004
There is still plenty of golf around, but I admit I don't get thrilled at made-for-TV stuff or many of the end-of-season tournaments once the official season is over.
So I'm hanging up the virtual pen for December, and off to do some Christmas shopping for family and friends. See you again in January, 2005...may you all enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday season...
Monday, November 29, 2004
A sad Case(y)
Paul Casey probably isn't going to win any awards for tact and intercultural understanding in the next few weeks.
When you're in a hole, the best thing you can do is to stop digging. Casey's initial attempts to defuse the situation seemed to make things worse, rather than better.
There are a lot of issues raised by the whole situation. About the nature of international golfing competition for one. But the nuances of such things - and his actual comments - inevitably got buried in the Pavlovian and often ridiculous response of the media and the public.
Judging by the comments submitted to me about Casey, few people have the critical faculties necessary to understand quotes in context.
Nor are they able to recognize that newspapers are in the business of selling newspapers and not the truth. And that applies particularly to the British tabloids, who have no morals when it comes to increasing circulation. Casey never said Americans were stupid, for example.
Most of the comments I saw complained about the language he used, before launching into their own hateful tirade (against Casey and even the UK) of a far worse nature. Hypocrisy, anyone?
The end result is that Casey's poor judgment now threatens his career and have knocked some of the gloss off of what was a wonderful Ryder Cup triumph for the Europeans.
Titleist have already distanced themselves from him, and I can't see him enjoying any round of golf in America for the foreseeable future.
But frankly, these situations just leave me shaking my head, as nobody comes out of it with much credibility - not golf, not the (tabloid) media, but most of all not the ignorant masses. Not a great day for all involved, really.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Paul Casey probably isn't going to win any awards for tact and intercultural understanding in the next few weeks.
When you're in a hole, the best thing you can do is to stop digging. Casey's initial attempts to defuse the situation seemed to make things worse, rather than better.
There are a lot of issues raised by the whole situation. About the nature of international golfing competition for one. But the nuances of such things - and his actual comments - inevitably got buried in the Pavlovian and often ridiculous response of the media and the public.
Judging by the comments submitted to me about Casey, few people have the critical faculties necessary to understand quotes in context.
Nor are they able to recognize that newspapers are in the business of selling newspapers and not the truth. And that applies particularly to the British tabloids, who have no morals when it comes to increasing circulation. Casey never said Americans were stupid, for example.
Most of the comments I saw complained about the language he used, before launching into their own hateful tirade (against Casey and even the UK) of a far worse nature. Hypocrisy, anyone?
The end result is that Casey's poor judgment now threatens his career and have knocked some of the gloss off of what was a wonderful Ryder Cup triumph for the Europeans.
Titleist have already distanced themselves from him, and I can't see him enjoying any round of golf in America for the foreseeable future.
But frankly, these situations just leave me shaking my head, as nobody comes out of it with much credibility - not golf, not the (tabloid) media, but most of all not the ignorant masses. Not a great day for all involved, really.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Unsung heroics
Writing a short biography of Se Ri Pak today, I was struck by her amazing results list. Since 1998, she's won four majors and 22 tournaments. She won five tournaments in 2001, and repeated the feat in 2002. She's the second youngest ever to win a major, and the third youngest to win 20 events.
You'd think she'd be some kind of icon by now. But the shadow of Annika, the status of professional women's golf and (maybe) the fact that she's not a home-grown US girl mean she doesn't get the adulation and adoration she surely deserves.
Which made me think about some of the other unsung heroics on tour. Everybody's busy patting Vijay Singh's back for his record winnings this year. But often you see people insinuating that the large number of tournaments he enters somehow demeans his achievements.
But he is one of the very few golfers (especially among the top golfers) who takes the trouble to turn up to the lower-tier PGA Tour events. He even does it when it makes no sense in playing terms, like when he defended his title at the John Deere Classic in Illinois, rather than prepare locally for the British Open the following week.
He thinks it's respectful to return to defend your title. Whatever you may think of him, you have to admire that.
Then of course there are all those who raise unspoken millions for charity. Sometimes it gets coverage, mostly it doesn't. Think of Briny Baird and his work for missing children.
I know all those arguments about how much they earn and what an "easy life" they have out on tour compared to a "real job". And, yes, it raises my hackles when some pro recounts how he can't be bothered to get out of bed for a $40,000 appearance fee in some foreign location that desperately needs a name to raise the profile of the game locally.
But even given the rewards they already get, seems to me that some of them deserve even more.
Next week: why I like fluffy rabbits and kittens.
Monday, November 15, 2004
Writing a short biography of Se Ri Pak today, I was struck by her amazing results list. Since 1998, she's won four majors and 22 tournaments. She won five tournaments in 2001, and repeated the feat in 2002. She's the second youngest ever to win a major, and the third youngest to win 20 events.
You'd think she'd be some kind of icon by now. But the shadow of Annika, the status of professional women's golf and (maybe) the fact that she's not a home-grown US girl mean she doesn't get the adulation and adoration she surely deserves.
Which made me think about some of the other unsung heroics on tour. Everybody's busy patting Vijay Singh's back for his record winnings this year. But often you see people insinuating that the large number of tournaments he enters somehow demeans his achievements.
But he is one of the very few golfers (especially among the top golfers) who takes the trouble to turn up to the lower-tier PGA Tour events. He even does it when it makes no sense in playing terms, like when he defended his title at the John Deere Classic in Illinois, rather than prepare locally for the British Open the following week.
He thinks it's respectful to return to defend your title. Whatever you may think of him, you have to admire that.
Then of course there are all those who raise unspoken millions for charity. Sometimes it gets coverage, mostly it doesn't. Think of Briny Baird and his work for missing children.
I know all those arguments about how much they earn and what an "easy life" they have out on tour compared to a "real job". And, yes, it raises my hackles when some pro recounts how he can't be bothered to get out of bed for a $40,000 appearance fee in some foreign location that desperately needs a name to raise the profile of the game locally.
But even given the rewards they already get, seems to me that some of them deserve even more.
Next week: why I like fluffy rabbits and kittens.
Monday, November 15, 2004
All the US media want for Christmas is...
It's been a funny year on planet US golf. It started well with Phil Mickelson winning the Masters, but then kind of faded from there on in.
Vijay Singh comprehensively outplayed everyone. But he didn't set fire to the imagination (which is not to take anything away from his wonderful year). Even the much-hyped Ryder Cup fizzled into a Eurofest.
So I daresay the US golf media has a few things on the list they're sending to Santa this year. For example...
* David Duval to win a tournament
Every year needs its feel-good story to convince us that despite much evidence to the contrary, things can get better.
Now that Phil Mickelson has a major in his pocket, and Colin Montgomerie has hit his winning Ryder Cup putt, it just leaves Duval to give everyone that fuzzy-warm feeling come Monday morning.
* Tiger to win a major.
Woods as just another top golfer doesn't seem right. You can see the unspoken thoughts in tournament organizers' minds: "We think it's wonderful that you have a life outside golf, but couldn't that maybe wait a little...say, ten or fifteen years?"
The same thoughts are coursing through the minds of the TV people, who gather together every Sunday morning and pray to whatever deity they follow for a Tiger charge up the leaderboard.
* Grace Park (actually, anybody) to raise her game one more notch and go head-to-head with Annika Sorenstam
The LPGA are doing a great job of spreading interest in women's professional golf. An in-form Annika Sorenstam (is there any other kind?) is exciting to watch but you get the idea that people wouldn't mind just a smidgeon or two of competition, just to add a little element of uncertainty come Sunday. I mean she just won the Mizuno Classic by 9 (nine) strokes.
* Michelle Wie to win an LPGA event.
All the hype is difficult to sustain with top 10 finishes and "nearly made the cut"s. But everyone can dust off their "female Tiger Woods" monikers should she go out and win a tournament.
* Mickelson, Woods, Singh and Els to be in a four-way tie for Player of the Year come the TOUR Championship.
The end of the 2004 season has been a noted anti-climax. All the medals had been handed out long ago, Tiger was off scuba diving, and nobody wanted to mention Phil Mickelson's equipment.
The core PGA Tour season is a long one, beginning with the Mercedes Championships in early January, and effectively ending in November with the TOUR Championship. Sustaining interest across the year demands superheroes (see Tiger Woods) or a close rivalry (Vijay Singh versus the media doesn't count).
Monday, November 08, 2004
It's been a funny year on planet US golf. It started well with Phil Mickelson winning the Masters, but then kind of faded from there on in.
Vijay Singh comprehensively outplayed everyone. But he didn't set fire to the imagination (which is not to take anything away from his wonderful year). Even the much-hyped Ryder Cup fizzled into a Eurofest.
So I daresay the US golf media has a few things on the list they're sending to Santa this year. For example...
* David Duval to win a tournament
Every year needs its feel-good story to convince us that despite much evidence to the contrary, things can get better.
Now that Phil Mickelson has a major in his pocket, and Colin Montgomerie has hit his winning Ryder Cup putt, it just leaves Duval to give everyone that fuzzy-warm feeling come Monday morning.
* Tiger to win a major.
Woods as just another top golfer doesn't seem right. You can see the unspoken thoughts in tournament organizers' minds: "We think it's wonderful that you have a life outside golf, but couldn't that maybe wait a little...say, ten or fifteen years?"
The same thoughts are coursing through the minds of the TV people, who gather together every Sunday morning and pray to whatever deity they follow for a Tiger charge up the leaderboard.
* Grace Park (actually, anybody) to raise her game one more notch and go head-to-head with Annika Sorenstam
The LPGA are doing a great job of spreading interest in women's professional golf. An in-form Annika Sorenstam (is there any other kind?) is exciting to watch but you get the idea that people wouldn't mind just a smidgeon or two of competition, just to add a little element of uncertainty come Sunday. I mean she just won the Mizuno Classic by 9 (nine) strokes.
* Michelle Wie to win an LPGA event.
All the hype is difficult to sustain with top 10 finishes and "nearly made the cut"s. But everyone can dust off their "female Tiger Woods" monikers should she go out and win a tournament.
* Mickelson, Woods, Singh and Els to be in a four-way tie for Player of the Year come the TOUR Championship.
The end of the 2004 season has been a noted anti-climax. All the medals had been handed out long ago, Tiger was off scuba diving, and nobody wanted to mention Phil Mickelson's equipment.
The core PGA Tour season is a long one, beginning with the Mercedes Championships in early January, and effectively ending in November with the TOUR Championship. Sustaining interest across the year demands superheroes (see Tiger Woods) or a close rivalry (Vijay Singh versus the media doesn't count).
Monday, November 08, 2004
Reflections...
Last week saw the launch of this site's alternative player of the year awards. Which got me reflecting on golf and 2004. As the season winds down, here some random thoughts about the year that was...
Biggest disappointment: The US team in the Ryder Cup. Lost at both the golf and PR. But there's always 2006.
"Don't understand that" moment: The PGA Tour hassling Ernie Els about playing more often in the USA. It shows a lack of respect for the other tours. And for Els - a man who represents what's good about golf and has done more than any other player in recent years to make golf a global game.
Els has played in 15 PGA Tour tournaments so far this year - which is already the required minimum, with the season-ending TOUR Championship to come. And that's only 3 tournaments less that Tiger Woods.
So come on folks, give the big guy a break. Or change the rules.
On the other hand, I'd welcome any efforts to do something about the reluctance of the top US-based players (with Vijay Singh a notable exception) to support some of the smaller tournaments on the tour. A couple of players from the top 10 can make all the difference for tournament organizers, sponsors and fans.
Biggest anticlimax: Phil Mickelson wins the Masters with a breathtaking final 9, and comes close in the other majors too. And then disappears come September.
Nicest moment: A tie between the return of David Duval and Todd Hamilton winning the Open. Duval didn't set the world alight with his clubs, but he seemed genuinely happy. Hamilton was a very gracious and eloquent winner, and did more than any marketing campaign to push hybrid clubs into the limelight with his shot onto the green at the final playoff hole.
Most unsurprising fact: Annika Sorenstam has done well this year - eight tournament wins to date.
Continually unreported fact: The amount of charity work done by the PGA Tour and the players. Deserves more recognition than it gets.
Most surprising fact: Statistics for Tiger Woods. In 2003, he was ranked 26 for GIR, and is currently 57. The same figures for driving accuracy are 142 and 178. But he's got longer. Funny game.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Last week saw the launch of this site's alternative player of the year awards. Which got me reflecting on golf and 2004. As the season winds down, here some random thoughts about the year that was...
Biggest disappointment: The US team in the Ryder Cup. Lost at both the golf and PR. But there's always 2006.
"Don't understand that" moment: The PGA Tour hassling Ernie Els about playing more often in the USA. It shows a lack of respect for the other tours. And for Els - a man who represents what's good about golf and has done more than any other player in recent years to make golf a global game.
Els has played in 15 PGA Tour tournaments so far this year - which is already the required minimum, with the season-ending TOUR Championship to come. And that's only 3 tournaments less that Tiger Woods.
So come on folks, give the big guy a break. Or change the rules.
On the other hand, I'd welcome any efforts to do something about the reluctance of the top US-based players (with Vijay Singh a notable exception) to support some of the smaller tournaments on the tour. A couple of players from the top 10 can make all the difference for tournament organizers, sponsors and fans.
Biggest anticlimax: Phil Mickelson wins the Masters with a breathtaking final 9, and comes close in the other majors too. And then disappears come September.
Nicest moment: A tie between the return of David Duval and Todd Hamilton winning the Open. Duval didn't set the world alight with his clubs, but he seemed genuinely happy. Hamilton was a very gracious and eloquent winner, and did more than any marketing campaign to push hybrid clubs into the limelight with his shot onto the green at the final playoff hole.
Most unsurprising fact: Annika Sorenstam has done well this year - eight tournament wins to date.
Continually unreported fact: The amount of charity work done by the PGA Tour and the players. Deserves more recognition than it gets.
Most surprising fact: Statistics for Tiger Woods. In 2003, he was ranked 26 for GIR, and is currently 57. The same figures for driving accuracy are 142 and 178. But he's got longer. Funny game.
Monday, November 01, 2004
