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The PGA, WWE or A Three Ring Circus?

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Every so often I like to check in and see what is going on in the professional world of golf. It never ceases to amaze me the crap that actually happens. I get the feeling the PGA operates in a world of it’s own. I know, I know…sad.


Let’s start with Mr. Steve Williams. If you haven’t been following, Tiger’s ex-caddie blurted out a comment about his former boss at a recent caddies’ awards party. The comment might have been considered a racist slur but Woods confirmed Williams is not a racist. The part I find amazing is there’s actually a caddies’ awards party…interesting.

If it was baseball, basketball or football, forget it; the media coverage would rival that of the Kardashian wedding. The feds would have gotten involved and there would have been a hearing or two. Since it’s the PGA, the two spoke, shook hands and are moving forward like nothing happened.

Here’s what I think: This boisterous caddie loved the attention he was getting with Tiger. Now that it’s gone, he pulls this crap to be back in the spotlight. I don’t know about you but I foresee Williams being a candidate for another award…Jack Ass Of The Year. Let’s have a party for that.

Speaking of awards, the PGA has also decided to not award a 2011 Comeback Player Of The Year. Are they saving it for Tiger? Come on, there isn’t one person on the tour that can be a possible candidate? If I followed the tour I’m sure I could nominate someone. I find it hard to believe not one golfer on the tour deserves this.

What the heck is going on? I understand that this is not a prestigious award but I’m sure it will mean a lot to someone who busted their ass to make a comeback. No? So, what you are saying is that every pro golfer on the tour did exactly the same. I don’t get it…this is why I only check in every so often.

Hit’em long…yell FORE!!! Keep it real.

Chicks? No. Dudes Dig The Long Ball!

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Quick, name five players on the LPGA Tour. Ha! It wasn’t as easy as you thought, was it? Don’t worry, it wasn’t for me either. As a matter of fact, I scrolled down the money leader list and by the time I reached the bottom, a list of about 150 names, I was only familiar with eight or nine of them.

So what’s the problem here? Is it the same as the PGA Tour? Well, yes and no. I guess the actual problem is the same, but how they got there is a bit different.

We all know about the PGA’s player recognition deficiency. And we all know about the lack of player promotion by the PGA, the sponsors and the media. But this problem is compounded for the LPGA by dealing with the problem that any women’s sport deals with. That problem? Simply, it’s not a men’s sport.

Take a look at the WNBA for a second. These women are some of the best female basketball players in the world. The last player on the bench on a WNBA team can destroy me, and most men for that matter, in a game of one-on-one. As a matter of fact, some of the women who have been cut by WNBA teams will destroy most men in a game! But despite the fact that these women can play, the game isn’t as physical (and subsequently isn’t as exciting) as the NBA – and that causes a lack of viewership, a lack of support at the gate and an overall lack of interest.

This same problem transfers over to the LPGA. Forget for a minute the fact that any one of the women on this tour will beat you. But take into account that, again, these are the best female players in the world! But when it comes to viewership, tournament turnout and sponsorships, that’s not what matters. It’s a female sport, so what matters again to viewers (especially male viewers) is the longball.

The old joke was “Chicks dig the longball.” Well, guess what…dudes love the longball as well. This is why guys carry big drivers in their bags. It’s why we watch the long-drive contests when they’re on TV. It’s the reason we watch the Home Run Derby. It’s why we prefer men’s sports over women’s. It’s not right. But that’s the way it is. But what can be done to change this? Actually, is there any way to change it at all? Well, the way I see it there are two. However, one is highly unlikely and the other is just not a good one.

Idea #1 – The media needs to start pushing some women’s sports to the forefront. I understand that this is a long shot, but no one is asking for it to be permanent. It just needs a little more attention. We Americans want to see excitement and physicality. We are not so much interested in the fundamentals, even though they are the foundation of the sports we love. But if ESPN would take the time to make the WNBA Championship games, or women’s golf tournaments a little bit earlier in their broadcasts, it may do something to help attract more attention to sports that deserve it. However, I understand that this is highly unlikely.

Idea #2 – I’ll go on the record as saying that I hate this idea. But it’s an idea nonetheless, and one that has worked in the past. Maybe the LPGA needs to sex it up a bit. Again, I don’t like the idea of using your appearance to somehow boost attention to your sport, but you can’t deny the effect. Looked at women’s tennis. Anna Kournikova became more well known for her looks than her game (or lack thereof). Ever since then, many of the women of tennis are given a fair amount of attention for what they look like. And guess what, it’s been good for viewership and attention to the sport.

Want the perfect example? Think of some of the best women’s soccer players in recent memory – Marta, Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Hope Solo. But years from now, just as it is currently, one name will always be remembered right alongside these – Brandi Chastain…and we all know why. That one celebration is now a permanent highlight of any women’s soccer promo. And the stir that moment caused did wonders for the sport. Again, is this the right way to gain attention? Probably not. But will it work?

I guess the bottom line is women’s sports in general, but golf in particular, need a boost and it’s got to come from somewhere. Is the media going to do it? I doubt it. The leagues themselves? I’m sure they’re trying. But if not the media or the leagues, then where? The answer is, it has to come from us, the viewers. But are we going to do it? Well that remains to be seen…

Swing ’til you’re happy!

Tiger’s Back…And The Media Sure Is Letting Us Know About It!

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So it looks like Tiger finally put an end to that 20 tournament losing streak. He wrapped up the WGC-Bridgestone, like he has so many times before. The longest winless streak of his career is over.

Now maybe he can just get back to his normal routine and just go back to being the same player he always…What? What do you mean he didn’t win? I saw him on every sports news show on TV. I saw Tiger on ESPN constantly! He must have won!

Adam Scott you say? Well I knew he was playing well, but he couldn’t possibly have beaten Tiger. 17 under?! He finished 18 strokes better than Tiger?! Well then, what the hell was I watching?!

Nope, my eyes and ears did not deceive me. Tiger was never really in the hunt after Day 1, but that doesn’t stop the sports media. Rather than focusing on the guy who led the tournament from start to finish, we’re focused on the guy who, after the first day, was never closer than six strokes back. Rather than pay attention to the guys who finished tied for 2nd (each shooting a final round 66), we’re worried about the guy who only broke 70 once in the four rounds.

I get on the PGA’s case for failing to properly promote its players on the tour. But I guess that’s only part of the problem. Just as much of the problem, if not more, is the media. No matter what happens (on the course anyway) the media just can’t get enough of Tiger. It’s been 21 straight winless tournaments, but the media acts like it’s just the opposite. Once again, it’s “Tiger, Tiger, Tiger….oh, and by the way, blah blah blah won.”

Need an example? Friday night, I tuned into Sportscenter. Before they even showed the results of the second round, there was an entire segment on Tiger’s second round struggles, even though he was only three strokes off the day before. A few segments of the show later, we get to the actual highlights of the round. Here, we see a few more strokes and reactions from Tiger before we get to see anyone who is actually in contention. Need further proof? Check out this clip

Still leading off with Tiger. We have to wait through three of Tiger’s putts before we hear about the guy who won. And there’s barely even a mention of either Luke Donald or Rickie Fowler, who finished tied for second. And people wonder why the sport is in the shape it’s in…

So here’s a bit of a plea to the mainstream media – do the sport a favor and start focusing on some of the other great players on the tour. Please realize that, until he shows otherwise, Tiger is no longer the elite player he was. Until he shows otherwise, he is a middle-of-the-pack player. OK, benefit of the doubt due to his accomplishments…he’s still a top-tier player. But he is NOT the Tiger of years past. And until the time comes that he does show otherwise, why not take the time to introduce us to, and promote the other great, young talent on the tour. It can do nothing but help the sport as a whole.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

Is A Teenage Competitor Good For Golf?

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So by now, most golf fans probably know who Beau Hossler is. If not, he’s the 16-year old playing in the U.S. Open who, after the first round, currently stands at 5-over. Not bad for a 16-year old. Actually, not bad for anyone! I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve approached that number on 9-holes. So for me, a 76? Unfathomable.

Needless to say I find myself, like many other fans of the sport, rooting for this kid to do well. But as I do root for him, I also find myself wondering if that’s a good idea. It’s strange, but as much as I would like to see him do well, part of me thinks this is not good for the sport as a whole. Let me explain myself.

We as Americans, in general, are smitten with sports that are either fast, physical or a combination of the two. Golf, as if it isn’t obvious enough, is neither. Hence golf’s declining audience and participation. So when the likes of a high school junior are able to hang with the pros for a round or two, in a major no less, I can understand how non- or casual golf fans can be turned off by this.

Look at some of those other fast and physical sports. Take football for instance. I would like someone to point out one single 16-year old who could hang on the gridiron for even a few plays with some NFL pros. Imagine handing a football to some pizza-faced kid and having him run up the middle against the Baltimore Ravens D? His career would be over after a play or two.

Basketball? OK, before you go ahead and mention the names, Kobe, Garnett, LeBron and Moses Malone (some of the players who successfully made the jump from high school to the pros), keep in mind for every Kobe, there are three Korleone Young’s, Leon Smith’s and DeAngelo Collins’ (among the unsuccessful jumpers). Further, these players were all at least 18 and playing a sport far less physical than football. Further, one can even make the argument that high school players and college underclassmen making the jump to the NBA have been a detriment to the game.

Even in baseball, only 28 players in the history of MLB have made the jump directly from high-school to the pros. And of those, only a handful can be considered to have had successful careers. Quite simply, even though the sport is not overly physical, the strength and speed of players in the majors simply cannot be matched by 18-year old kids. But in golf, 16-year olds can compete with the pros? And in the case of Matteo Manassero, a 17-year old can make the cut?!

While I, myself, have no real issue with it (and as mentioned, I’m pulling for the kid to do well) I do believe it is a turn-off to fans of the faster, more physical sports that many of us love. After all, this is America. There’s a reason we love football, not futbol. Watching a teenager hang with the big boys, ala Pele, makes the sport seem less challenging and require less experience and less physical ability and prowess. While us golfers may understand that is not necessarily the case, you would have to admit that you can understand where the critics are coming from.

For a sport that is losing spectators and players every year, the last thing they should want is to turn-off any potential fans. Obviously, it’s not the kids fault – he’s just a damn good player. But if the PGA found the way to promote this properly, such as to use his age as motivation for the next generation of golfers, they could have a potential game-changer on their hands.

Swing ’til you’re happy!

Why I Suck at Fantasy Golf

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I’ve played fantasy football since 1998 and I’m not too bad at it. I usually make the playoffs and the year our prize money was at its largest, I won the entire league. Needless to say, my overall winnings outweigh my overall entrance fees.

So when a golf buddy asked me to join his fantasy golf league this year, I figured why not? Anyway, there were a few advantages to his league – First; there were only 5 people in it (better odds for me to win). Second; I knew two or three of the people had never played fantasy golf before (same boat as me). And third; it was free – so what did I have to lose?

Despite never playing fantasy golf before, I figured how hard can it be? You just pick the top-ranked players every week and hope the odds pan-out. Au contraire. Turns out fantasy golf is a whole lot harder than it looks.

First of all, you can’t just pick the same players every week, because in my league (Yahoo!) you can only use a player 9 times. So now I have to mix and match. The only problem with that is I have no idea who many of these players are! Stinky Golfer Chris has posted about this issue and he’s right – if the media wasn’t so hung up on Tiger, I may be a better fantasy golfer!

Anyway, not knowing many of the tour players, I’ve relied on the “expert” picks. And when you start reading-up on fantasy golf from the experts, you realize these guys are choosing players each week for a multitude of reasons. For example, they won’t start a player who is hot because he historically doesn’t play well at a particular course. Or even in particular weather!

Now I’m sunk. Not only do I not know many PGA Tour players, but I don’t really follow the PGA Tour to begin with! How am I supposed to know how a particular player has done at a specific course? That’s just too much research for me.

Oh and I’m having a hard time remembering to change-out my players too. In the NFL, players tend to play every week (unless they’re injured or on bye). So if you forget to change your lineup, chances are your team will still be intact enough to give you a shot at winning anyway. But not in golf. Not every player plays every stop on tour, so if you forget to check, you can (like me this week) have no golfers from the previous week playing in the tournament this week! That translates to a big fat goose egg for my weekly score.

But there’s more. In football, there’s only one game a week. In golf, the tournament lasts four days. So there’s an opportunity to switch starters with bench players after the first, second and third rounds. The problem is, I can never remember to do it! I’d set my lineup on Wednesday and check how I did on Monday…only to learn two of my four starters missed the cut on Friday! That led me to set a reminder on my phone for Friday night at 10 PM to make sure my starters actually make the cut for the weekend!

It doesn’t matter – I have no business playing fantasy golf. Of the five that started-out in our league, only three have kept it up (myself included). And of those three, I’m last. It’s pathetic. I play golf, I write about golf, I love golf. But I suck at fantasy golf. But, I signed up and I will compete till the end of the season.

Speaking of that, the summer session is about to begin – another 13 weeks of me stinking-up the fantasy golf links. Joy.

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