Editors' Blog

LPGA Revolt

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:11:42 -0500

Ron Sirak's coverage of the revolt against its Commissioner Carolyn Bivens has peaked your interest in things LPGA. John Slike offers a solution to its woes.

Dear Editor,
I have read with interest the letter being sent to LPGA commissioner asking her to resign. I understand that the LPGA has major problems but a new commissioner is not the answer. Your magazine several months ago quoted Jan Stephenson stating what the problem with the LPGA is and she was roundly criticized for saying it. Too many Koreans dominating the tour has led to lack of interest in both spectators and sponsers. Unless something is done the Tour, as we know it, will collapse.

A golf tour needs heroes, someone to bring interest. The men have Tiger and Phil and others. The ladies had Nancy, then Annika, and recently Lorena, but having a different Korean with unrememberable names winning most of the time has caused a major loss of interest.

What to do? About two years ago, the Commissioner attempted to invoke a language requirement but was shot down for suggesting this probably unworkable idea. My suggestion is that the LPGA limit the number of foreign-born players to a certain number per country, say five, and they would have to qualify to fill those spots. That way they would have a chance to compete on the tour and even if one of them dominates as Annika and Lorena have, or even as Se Ri did, they would create a fan base. This would be a drastic measure, but, in my view, a necessary one.

John E. Slike
Camp Hill, PA

John, though some folks would recoil at your suggestion--it sounds too much like what other countries sometimes do to us--I know you've made it in good faith. It's a point of view that has been kicked around on web sites and blogs like Geoff Shackelford's. My own view is that we should avoid quotas at all cost, especially one aimed at a particular country, as this one is. I believe that first because I think no country has a monopoly on great human interest or engaging personalities. Not long ago I played in a pro-am with one of those rising Korean stars, Kyeong Bae, who was not only a hell of a player but delightful person to be with. Now I root for her. But you don't because you don't know her.We need to do a better job telling hers and the stories of other foreign players on tour. Not to be glib about this, but as someone who grew up in Detroit, I used to think of the New York Yankees as foreigners. Then, 25 years ago, I moved here and began listening to sports radio and got to know them, their stories, their scandals, and now I pull for them. My favorite player of all? Hideki Matsui, who speaks no English on the record, but who is as close to Al Kaline as any Yankee gets.

It's a challenge to tell the stories of the LPGA kids who speak little English, no doubt. But the LPGA and the media have got to work at it. And, frankly, fans can work a bit harder to learn who they are, too. Because they can play. The bigger issue now is the lack of U.S. LPGA events and the loss of great tournaments like Corning. How are you going to meet Kyeong Bae without them?

--Bob Carney

Stevie's Bib

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:52:51 -0500

Something about Steve Williams, Tiger's caddy, removing his caddy bib prior completing the 18th hole, bugs the heck out of you. We get a protest almost every week, few as comprehensive as the second one here.

Dear Editor,
At the conclusion of Tiger's tournament on Sunday why does Steve Williams get to remove his caddie bib while he approaches the 18th green? Noticed this before, but only with him! Is there a rule or some kind of protocol for this? To the non-golfers he may look like a player--maybe this is what he wants?

Tom Daniels
Saint Marys, PA

Dear Editor,
Like John Hawkins column, The Angry Golfer, this email is from The Angry Fan.

Is it just me--out of line and getting too old and nit-picky, or some other readers comment on this matter too?

I refer to Tiger Wood's caddie, Steve Williams removing his caddie's vest prior to the official end of the round of golf. He does this each and every time, and I question what rules of proper attire for caddies might govern his actions. It seems that all caddies are required to wear the vests, so I imagine there is some regulation to dictate how they look and when they are to be worn. If that is the case, why is Williams the only one (that I have ever seen) to remove it before his player putts out on the final hole? I believe he removed it Sunday at the AT&T before Tiger reached the final green?

He wears a logo for Valvoline Motor Oil on his shirt, so I imagine he is capitalizing on Tiger's celebrity to get air time for his "sponsor".

I resent his actions, and think it should be addressed by the policy board for proper conduct by tour caddies. If he can take it off before play has ended on the 18th hole, does that allow all the other caddies to do the same? Would the PGA Tour officials allow them to start disrobing on the 17th hole? The 16th?

In my humble opinion, Mr. Williams acts way too big for his britches anyhow, as demonstrated with his confiscating a fan's camera a year or so ago; or when he called Phil Mickelson a "prick" last year. While I appreciate Tiger's effect on the game, there is still an older generation of us who enjoy the game whether he is playing in the field or not; and who feel this wonderful game has been around much longer than all the great players, and will outlast all the fame and celebrity and fanaticism that Tiger's play can generate in his short lifetime. If honors are bestowed on a great golfer, then so be it, but let's keep his employee in line with all the other caddies in the field.

Would you please inform me of what is correct and proper in this matter? I decided long ago that Golf World is the only magazine on golf that I need to read, and I know your writers will provide a definitive answer to all of us who find his actions irritating. If you can't comment, then who should I contact to get an answer to my question?

I have found over the many years of subscribing to Golf World, that it is the only magazine about my favorite pastime I have ever needed. Keep up the good writing and reporting on the game.

Ed Church
Spartanburg, SC

Ed, thank you for those comments about Golf World. Now, on to the matter at hand. I have spoken to Tour officials who tell me that there is indeed a policy that requires caddies to wear the bibs for all 18 holes. It does not specify, however, just how much of that 18th hole the caddy is required to keep the bib on, though one might assume, all of it. Nonetheless, without their saying so explicitly, I concluded that the Tour chooses its battles and this is not one it wishes to choose. No use poking the Tiger, what? It may be annoying, and it may also be not in keeping with the spirit of the regulation, but from the Tour's point of view, is this worth a fight. Probably not, from its point of view.

--Bob Carney

Billy Burke: One man's legacy

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:06:25 -0500

Bill Fields' memorable column on Billy Burke's triumph in the 1931 U.S. Open at Ohio's Inverness Club (Golf World, June 29) drew a knowledgeable note from old friend Bruce Loman, who grew up here in Connecticut and then, after selling Callaway clubs in the early days of that start-up, moved to California 20 years ago to join Ely and company.

Dear Editor, Great article about Billy Burke. The teaching legacy that he left at the 9-hole course in Naugatuck, CT ( Hop Brook ), has never been explored: Two Connecticut state junior champions, a state woman's champion, four PGA club professionals, including John Geleski, who was the head professional at Watertown C.C. and won the Connecticut Open. (John's son Mike is Executive V.P. of Peter Jacobsen Sports.) On any given Saturday morning there were a dozen players under 5 handicap setting up games. Most worked in the same foundry at some time, including my dad, who won the club championship a half a dozen times. I myself have been in the golf business for 40 years with the Bob Hope and Dinah Shore tournaments, as well as 23 years with Callaway Golf.
If you look back I think Billy had a lot to do with all of it. Thanks!

Bruce Loman
Newport Coast, CA>

Thanks, Bruce. It's the legacy of folks like Billy Burke who keep the game alive. Golf World and Golf Digest don't have room to give them all their due, but Bill's article, and your letter, help.

--Bob Carney

Golf World grading system

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:28:33 -0500

Golf World creates a report card after every major, assigning a grade to the performance of every player in the World Ranking Top 10. In this latest grading, Tiger got a B +, Phil an A -, Paul Casey an F, etc. In the view of a Virginia reader, our grading this time barely achieved a passing mark.

Dear Editor, You often use the public school grading system to describe the performance of key golf professionals. You did it in your June 29th issue which covered the Bethpage Black US Open in depth - almost. I have to give you a C minus on that issue because of the paucity of coverage of David Duval who was arguably, the best story of the open. Don't misunderstand, I'm not to taking anything away from Phil, but guys you could at least given David his own article. It's inexplicable: You did it for Mickelson, Barnes, Weir, Mediate and a host of others, but not Duval?
Tom Jones
Roanoke, VA

Fair point by you, Tom. Duval was a big part of the game story, but he easily could have merited his own sidebar. I'll remember this Open for a conversation I had with Bob Rotella near the putting green on Friday morning. Rotella was working with Mike Weir. When they finished he came over and I asked, who do you like this week? Bob said, "I like this guy," referring to Weir, "and you know else is really in a good place?"

"Who?" I asked.

"David Duval," Rotella said.

Being all-knowledgeable but also very polite I didn't suggest that Bob was smoking something.

--Bob Carney

Phil Mickelson

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:02:41 -0500

Phil Mickelson's near-miss in the Open left some fans searching for a reason why the popular one can't win the People's Open.

Dear Editor,
I don't mean to be critical of Phil, but I really beleive he puts to much more emphasis on pleasing the fans than he does about his game. I am a diehard Mickelson fan, but I don't believe he locks himself in at certainA times in tough situations. It amazes me how such a great player can play so poorly at times. Not only the Open, but look what he did at the St.Jude Classic. If he would have only parred the 18th every day he would have been 6 shots better.

Jack Gordy
Fayetteville, NC

Interesting analysis, Jack. There is no doubt that Phil feels an obligation to please the fans, like Arnie in that respect. And like Arnie, he also feeds off the fans' adulation. Can you remove one and keep the other? Not sure...

--Bob Carney

Woods defended!

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:19:14 -0500

We get a surprising amount of mail that questions Tiger Woods' talent, well-being, schedule, vocabulary and "pampering" by the media. We even get them, like one from reader John D. Riley of St. Augustine, FL, questioning why Tiger's caddy, Steve Williams, is allowed to remove his caddy bib before completion of the 18th hole. We get surprisingly few defending the greatest player ever. Here's one.

Dear Editor,
I know that Mr. Woods hardly needs anyone (else) to speak for him or his golf game, but I feel you gave short shrift to the result of his place in the draw even as you pointed out that only 1 player in that side of the draw was in the top ten after the first 36 holes. In fact, it appears that everyone who finished ahead of Tiger started in the other side of the draw. I would just like to state this fact: Tiger was the only player in the tournament with 3 rounds under par. Luck of the Draw notwithstanding, I believe had he been on the late-early side of the draw, he would have won going away. In no way would I add this performance to "the growing list of majors he let get away". And I certainly wouldn't bet against him in the remaining two majors for 2009.

Respectfully,

Jay Sedrish
Playa del Rey, CA

Well said, Jay. Tiger got the tough end of the scheduling stick at Bethpage, but I doubt that he's cutting himself any slack because of it. I do think he's spending a lot of time working on his putting, which is what really cost him the Open title. As for the the rest of the majors, I'm with you. Take him in every pool you can.

--Bob Carney

Four-letter "bombs"

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:14:52 -0500

"Some guy hit my fender and I said, 'Be fruitful and multiply,' but not in those words." Woody Allen

In the July issue of Golf Digest columnist David Owen argued that "the occasional unscripted F-Bomb makes golf on TV easier to endure." Not so fast, said one Idaho reader.

Dear Editor,
Regarding the "Fleeting expletives" article by David Owen: To compare dropping four-letter "bombs" to ads for ED or prostate issues in the TV decency debate is like comparing raisins to coconuts. Golf has always been and should always remain a gentleman's game, the last bastion of its kind. That being said, it remains that a gentleman does not need to use 4-letter "bombs". End of debate.

Sharon Hanson
Boise, ID

Thanks, Sharon. Just how we keep golf a "gentleman's (or gentlewoman's) game" is a tough one. At our club, for example, we're currently engaged in a debate about cargo shorts, a piece of apparel that is seen as ungentlemanly by a lot of our members. Not part of the game's great tradition, what? I know that language is very different than this and it's disquieting to hear a professional athlete utter a word you'd prefer your kids not hear and certainly not repeat. And I'm not sure I'd argue that it makes golf on television better, except, as David argues, that it allows us to see more of Tiger, who seems prone to these utterances. There are obscenities I'd attack first, however, the primary one being slow play. I suspect it's the source of more foul language than imperfect shots, and the source of most golf "road rage", as Bill Pennington reported in the Times over the weekend, which results in some very poor language. If the pros all take off their hats and shake hands after the round, that forgives momentary language lapses for. Provided they play at a reasonable #$%^#ing rate of speed.

--Bob Carney

Golf in the Olympics

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:13:16 -0500

The jury is still out on the golf in the Olympics, with the decision to come within weeks. The PGA Tour, once skeptical, now leads the crusade to have golf added to the games. Our friend from Michigan, Justin Blair, is leaning "no", especially after watching the year's second major.

Dear Editor,
No way should golf be an Olympic sport--and this is coming from a golf fanatic. Four- and-a-half majors; the Ryder Cup, Presidents and FedEx Cups; the WGC events... that's asking too much. Unless, of course, they use amateurs for the Olympic Games... which they won't. The USGA, PGA and R&A are interested in "growth" (or: How To Make More Money In An Already Expensive Sport) so I can understand their need to push so hard. It's too bad that Jack and Annika's integrity look compromised.

Justin Blair
Three Rivers, MI

Justin, there are those in leadership who see the game's growth as something separate from game's economics. They genuinely love the game and want more people, young and old, to play it. So I'm not quite sure I quite agree that growth necessarily makes the game more expensive. Although to your point, the present recession seems be initiating a correction in costs. Or, as the great Dan Jenkins has said, "There's nothing wrong with golf that a good depression won't fix." Thanks for your letter.

--Bob Carney

Back-to-back Opens

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:28:57 -0500

Golf World's news of the 2014 "double major" at Pinehurst, when the USGA will conduct it's men's and women's Opens back-to-back, generated this intriguing idea from a Florida reader:

Dear Editor, To Mr. Ron Sirak and Mr. Ryan Herrington: I have always thought back-to-back (men's and women's) tournaments were a fabulous concept. Better yet would be back-to-back Masters at Augusta. A Masters for men followed by a Masters for women. This, in my view, would be a grand slam for every party involved. The Masters Committee themselves would be congratulated by women golfers and women around the world. It would be a public relations boost and a huge, positive jolt for golf, to say the least. Whatever you could do to present and push this idea would be appreciated. Perhaps you could let me know what you may think. I realize there would be obstacles, but I think the idea remains fabulous.
Jack Ridolph
The Villages, Florida

Very interesting idea, Jack. The obstacles you speak of our huge, however. On the other hand, so were the odds against the USGA conducting its two big events back to back. I remember a conversation with former USGA president Judy Bell, now in the World Golf Hall of Fame, when the idea was discussed at the Executive Committee level back in 1998 at Blackwolf Run. Judy confirmed that the idea of holding Opens simultaneously at contiguous sites had been raised. I said, "So you could use Winged Foot West and Winged Foot East, for example?" And she replied, "Yes, or Pebble and Cypress!" We did not get simultaneous Opens--too impractical--but in 2014 we will get back-to-back Opens, and that's pretty cool. And if that can happen....

--Bob Carney

Virtual U.S. Open: No rain!

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:54:41 -0500

Contrary to what's occurred with the real championship, rain has delayed zero rounds in the Virtual U.S. Open, conducted by World Golf Tour. As of Friday, Alex Withers, who heads the USGA's digital effort, said there had been 140,000 entries in the cyber event, well beyond WGT's 100,000 goal.

One player has a foot in both worlds: Ryuji Imada, who shot 75 in his opening round, prepped for the real Open using the game. "He came to us and said, 'Can you create a player with my exact specs?'" said Yu Chiang Cheng, WGT's CEO. "He gave us his yardages with every club and we built a player for him. He said it helped him get to know the course even before he'd ever been here. He said it saved him a lot of walking." And how did Imada do virtually? "I don't tell you what he shot the first time out," said Chad Nelson, WGT president. "But he said it was very hard." (As of this morning, he's also in danger of missing the real cut).

The World Golf Tour folks think many players will use games like this one to create game plans for courses they have yet to see, especially if the game is built on photographs--about 100,000 of them in this case--as WGT's Bethpage game is.

Weather forecast for today's virtual Open: Fair and sunny.

--Bob Carney

US Open: ESPN coverage

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:22:58 -0500

If it's been a challenge for the Bethpage greenkeepers and the USGA ops folks, it's been just as much of a challenge to the broadcasters trying to make sense of it. Knowledge of this did not prevent Golf World reader Jerry McKenna from commenting on the commentators.

Dear Editor,
It's to bad that ESPN couldn't get Lanny Wadkins in the booth with Curtis Stange and Chris Berman. If they could have pulled that off they would have had the three worst golf announcers in the past 25 years on their broadcast. ESPN can and should do better.

Jerry McKenna
Dublin, Oh

That's very cruel, Jerry, and with Father's Day just around the corner! Actually, I found Berman much toned-down this year, eschewing lame nicknames and trying to be well, like a golf announcer. I also found Curtis' comments yesterday on his consecutive Opens, and the pressure and physical demands of the second pretty interesting. One ought to keep an electronic scrapbook substitute candid quotes 20 years after the events for the empty ones they gave us at the time. But Curtis seemed rusty, I'll give you that. In the end, it was reassuring to hear the commentary of Johnny Miller on the ESPN re-cap show last night. Maltbie, Miller, Hicks...back on solid ground. My one beef is that we never got a graphic on exactly which players had completed exactly which portion of their rounds. It reminded me of the 1997 Ryder Cup, where the time delay coupled with rain delays left a lot of us completly disconnected from the event. I long for this thing to catch up....to the right number of holes and the right team of announcers.

--Bob Carney

US Open: How to end it!?

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:19:07 -0500

Against all odds, we will not be playing the U.S. Open on Tuesday. Against my bets, we also will not have a playoff. But one Golf World reader from North Carolina took the time to voice his opposition to the USGA's 18-hole playoff anyway.

Dear Editor,
What is the difference between 72 holes and sudden death vs. 90 holes and sudden death? NONE...... It is still a major championship determined by sudden death. The most exciting conclusions to major championships have been the sudden death playoffs at the Masters. Those are the one's people remember. The U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA should use sudden death just like the Masters to determine their champion. No one in the world would complain except for the runners-up.

Thomas Ray
Liberty NC

Thomas, we're on the other side of this one. First, it's beyond rare that the 18-hole playoff doesn't settle things. Second, I wish all four majors settled regulation-play ties with an 18-hole playoff, but the other three find it "impractical." I'm happy that the USGA does not find it so and has stuck to its guns. To me the more interesting question is this: If the 18-hole playoff is also tied, as it was in 2008, should co-champions be declared? Certainly, that might not be satisfying to the public, but one could argue that it's the most equitable result. I think the adulation for Rocco Mediate in the past year is a sign that some fans would support it. Won't ever happen, though.

--Bob Carney

Hawkins' Angry Golfer

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:31:34 -0500

When the subject is the Angry Golfer, there is little agreement but plenty of mail. His latest missive on Tiger Woods elicited the usual contradictory reactions. (For all of you who love or hate Mr. Hawkins' angry rants, note that he'll be doing them on video from the US Open at soggy Bethpage. His first report is up now.)

Dear Edtior,
Regarding the Angry Golfer column in Golf World's 6/15/09 issue: I know there's a point in there somewhere, but WHAT is he angry about?

colemantorgan@aol.com

Dear Editor,
Just want to say John Hawkins and Angry Golfer is my favorite article. I turn to it first and always enjoy John's veiwpoint. I agree or disagree which is the nature of opinions. Sometimes informing but always entertaining I look forward to Golf World and the Angry Golfer each week to be kept abreast of the news in golf and the rants of John Hawkins.

Dave Feherty's comments, jokes, adjectives, and clothing keep me in stitches. If only his column were with your publication instead of the ad rag that currently has him. So, tell all those that think they could do better or be better without John and Dave's help to give it a rest.

Thanks for a great read.

Steve Fernando
Bakersfield, CA

--Bob Carney

(Photo: J.D. Cuban)

Furyk

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:20:51 -0500

John Hawkins struck a nerve with his sympathetic story on Jim Furyk, accompanied by that wonderful cover. The Furyk fans came out of the wood work.

Dear Editor,
I have to admit, when I received my June 15th edition of Golf World, I thought the cover (with Jim Furyk in the clown suit) was a joke especially after Tiger's performance at The Memorial. But the article about Furyk was excellent. Jim Furyk has always been one of my favorite players on tour and this article confirmed the reasons why. Well written John Hawkins.

Ch
ris Hamman
Wichita, KS

Dear Editor,
Wow ... really great photo of a great guy....but...Jim Furyk is about the LAST person I would think of as a clown!
I think Adam Scott or Anthony Kim or maybe Aaron Baddeley would be more apt based on their the current state of their games.

Larry Morrison
Arvada, CO

Here's my theory. Any guy who will sit for that kind of photo session and be willing to stick his neck--er, nose--out so that you golf fans can be entertained, can't be all bad. And as Fuzzy Zoeller said the other night, he's also a contender this week, funny swing or no.

--Bob Carney

Playing for Second

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:53:36 -0500

Dear Editor,
Are you kidding me?
I was amused to hear that John Feinstein and Rocco Mediate are writing a book proudly describing how Rocco lost to Tiger in the US Open playoff. I’m trying to imagine Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Billy Casper, Raymond Floyd, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Tom Weiskopf or Lee Trevino proudly describing how they lost to Jack Nicklaus while he was playing on one leg. Is there any wonder why the current crop of PGA pros in the U.S. play for top tens and never win anything?

Marty Wasser
Assistant Golf Professional
Firethorne Country Club
Marvin, NC

Marty, if you needed evidence for your point of view, this past weekend at the Memorial was it. How can, one might ask, a field four shots up on Tiger, not at least force him into extra holes? How can player after player say, after failing to make critical shots down the stretch, that he was "pretty pleased" with his week? I've talked to Lee Trevino after he lost a tournament that way. He was not pretty pleased, I can tell you that.

We get a lot of letters here taking us and broadcasters to task for "over-covering" Tiger. Are you kidding? Who else would we cover? Twice this year, still re-habbing a knee, he spotted the field four and five shots and won without so much as a playoff hole! And nobody this past weekend, with the exception of Geoff Ogilvy, who was beyond steamed and skipped the press conference, seemed that upset about it. Pretty good week.

It's great for TV ratings. It's great for Tiger fans. But for those of us wanting to see the best challenged by the rest at their best (which Rocco, to his credit gave us last year), to see Tiger feel even the slightest bit of pressure, finishes like Sunday's leave one infuriated. Let's hope it's not what we see next week at Bethpage. I'm with you. Forget the book deal. Let's see someone take him on.

--Bob Carney