Player's Comments: Editors' Blog: Golf Digest

Player's Comments

Monday, July 30, 2007 Comments

Right now there is no cheating in golf because we don't ban anything. Gary Player

We got several very nasty letters about Gary Player’s statements that steroids have made their way to the PGA Tour. Here is the nice part of Wisconsin reader Dave Riffey’s letter:

The comments of Gary Player are evidence of an aging old man who has lost his way. Typical, is his lack of intestinal fortitude to give the names.

Paul Andre Van Reenen of St. Catharine’s Ontario took the occasion to criticize Player for not doing enough to fight apartheid. That's a discussion for another day. (The fact is, Player's recent efforts have been acknowledged by Nelson Mandela).

Graned, Player seems to love attention and his comments in Carnoustie shed little light on the question. As Golf World’s Ron Sirak pointed out, he left the story on the floor. He should have named names if he was going to come forward with these accusations.

Player defends himself in this coming week’s Golf World:

“Tiger Woods and other top players have been calling for testing, so why the big fuss when I say something. All I’m saying is that we have to have a policy. Lots of golfers have taken things like beta blockers and many have said so⿿Right now there’s no cheating in golf because we don’t ban anything. Once we start testing the ones who are taking things are going to stop. That’s the beautiful thing about having a policy."

Just one person’s opinion, but much of the upset over Player’s comments seem to me to be rooted in denial. The world of golf would like to think itself holier and cleaner than thou, or at least than other sports. Okay, then let's prove it. Player was simply saying if you do test, you’ll find something or put a stop to what he believes is already there.

Deane Beman used to say that the Tour had drug testing. It was called the four-footer. Player says that’s not good enough any more. A lot of drug experts agree with him.

--Bob Carney

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Archived Comments (2) Click to expand

Making The President's Cup Meaningful!

With this year’s President’s Cup underway, I have an idea that would really enhance golf, and make the Ryder Cup and President’s Cup truly special events for all professional golfers.

Although I find the Ryder Cup to be an amazing event, and a joy to watch, I always ask myself, “Wouldn’t it have been great if Gary Player had a chance to add this event to his resume?” How about Peter Thompson? Today, we have the contrived President’s Cup to allow Ernie, Mike, Vijay, Retief, et.al, to say, “We can beat the Americans also.” Yes they can, and the President’s Cup is enjoyable, but the Americans have admitted it does not hold the same intensity and meaning as the Ryder Cup.

I have a strong and bold proposal, and I will outline my plan as follows:

⿢ Starting with the next Ryder Cup (or when they can truly have time to implement this idea), the losing team will play The International Team in the President’s Cup.
⿢ Then the Winner of that event would earn the right to play the winner of the last Ryder Cup at the next Ryder Cup. A semi-final type concept-now adding great importance to the President’s Cup!
⿢ In order for the Americans to play in the next Ryder Cup, They have to beat the Internationals at the President’s Cup. That should add some true intensity to that contrived event-making it as important as the Ryder Cup. If the Internationals win, then they get to play Europe at the next Ryder Cup!
⿢ I guarantee that 2 out of the 3 teams involved would love this idea. In fact, the only thing holding back this great idea (if I don’t say so myself) is the TV networks and the USGA/PGA whining that Americans not being involved in either tournament would kill ratings. Maybe, but the best and most fair version of golf would take place. It is my hunch, and only a hunch, that only true golf fans watch both the Ryder and President’s Cup. If that is correct, then those same fans would continue to watch, regardless of who is playing.

Finally, and it is a small matter, but it drives me crazy that Mike Weir plays on the International team. For crying out loud, he is a short car ride away from New York. How far away is Mike to Vijay’s house, or Ernie’s house? Florida homes not included! Is it too much to ask to have a North American team? Hell, we are being challenged by so many combined countries, I don’t think adding Canada to our side would destroy golf. Remember, the integrity was challenged when we added all of Europe to the English side years ago. Such a change to the integrity of the game helped golf.

Thank you for your time!

Please consider,

Dan Green
dgreen1355@comcast.net

Posted by dgreen August 11, 2007 7:40 PM

It's a very interesting idea. You've put your finger on one main objection: The PGA of America could be faced with the non-appeal of a non-U.S. Ryder Cup and for several years at a time. Conversely, the Presidents Cup, with the U.S. trying to play its way into the Ryder Cup, might have more appeal than the Ryder Cup, especially if the U.S. doesn't make it. And that, too, could happen several Matches in a row. It's a lot to risk. A bit like the World Series allowing Japanese professional baseball to send a champion to the World Series. On the other hand, it worked pretty well when the NFL accepted the AFL, didn't it?

Posted by Bcarney August 14, 2007 3:20 PM