"Why they would leave out '83?"

Thanks to reader John for noticing this Gary Van Sickle story pointing out a tacky Larry Nelson-related omission by The Golf Channel GOLF CHANNEL:

Now add the Golf Channel, which touts itself as the home of golf, to the list of those snubbing Nelson. Have you seen Golf Channel's promo for its upcoming U.S. Open coverage at Oakmont? The spot is lathered thick with Oakmont history — images of Ben Hogan in '53, Jack Nicklaus in '62, Johnny Miller in '73 and Ernie Els in '94. They are all shown, and all of Oakmont's Open champions from the past half-century are mentioned. Except for Nelson.

Say it again for effect: Except for Nelson.

"I told my wife, just tell my why they would leave out '83?" Nelson said. "Is there somebody out there saying, 'Let's not mention Larry.' I mean, I beat two of the best players in the world that week — Seve Ballesteros and Tom Watson. I'm actually going to call the Golf Channel and say, just for my benefit, I'd like to know. I could care less. I'm done and all that stuff, but this is what's happened throughout my career. Somebody inside the Golf Channel, just tell me why you would leave my name out. I don't care, but why? Why?"

Comments

[JB]

It's been awhile but didn't Larry Nelson hole a bomb of a putt, something like 80 feet after coming off an extended rain delay? I also recall Larry going something like 12 under on the weekend?

Larry my hats off to you, especially your service in Vietnam. Rember Larry, this stuff happens when a bunch of Yahoos start siting around the studio drinking Grey Goose Vodka all day.

I agree with you, if your going to blast the history of US Opens played at Oakmont then cover all the history. GOLF CHANNEL, being as incompetent as it is, probably doesn't even know where the US Open was played back in 83. This too happens when well compensated journalists are hired into a field they know nothing about, or the technical savy to know where to go in researching information. Remember, GC is about 11 years old, and most working there weren't even born in 83, that's going to be their excuse, but it's a piss poor one.

[R. Thompson]

How could the PGA Tour, which owns the GOLF CHANNEL, allow this to happen?

PGA Tour joined the "America Supports You" program, and last year it's TPC golf courses donated $450,000 to this cause. How can the PGA Tour support the troops and not support one of its past U.S. OPEN Champions who is also a past armed services veteran?

What are they smoking in Ponte Vedra, and how many flat screens do they have in their new 77,000 square foot clubhouse? Hopefully some day soon we can begin to focus on the golf again.

[Martin Del Vecchio]

The PGA Tour does not own Golf Channel. Comcast does. Check this Sports Illustrated link:

http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1616283-0,00.html

"In December 2003 Comcast bought out all remaining parties to take 100% ownership of Golf Channel, and that is the first entry on the time line of how the PGA Tour came to Golf Channel."

[Martin Del Vecchio]

At any rate, I think Larry Nelson gets ignored by casual golf fans because of his quiet personality. Fans prefer a personality like Tiger's, or John Daly's, or even Tom Watson's.

That's no excuse for professionals in the golf industry, however. Give the man his due.

[jneu]

Yes, give the man his due, both as a player and as a veteran. At the same time, if I'm making a commercial aimed at attracting viewers to the Open, I'm going to emphasize the glamour names -- Nicklaus, Hogan, Miller, Els. They're not saying a whole lot about Sam Parks or Tommy Armour either. "All of Oakmont's Open champions from the last half-century are mentioned" is disingenuous (seems to be my word of the month), especially since that wouldn't include Hogan.

Guys, they're not trying to be encyclopedic, IT'S A FRIGGIN' PROMO. You want to make the point that Larry Nelson is overlooked? Fine. I'm with you about that. Want to say that it's a shame they're not going out of their way to feature him, especially over Memorial Day weekend? OK, I'll be happy to agree. But let me ask you this: If the promo said, "Come and see where Larry Nelson made history!" would you watch?

[Martin Del Vecchio]

Of course I would watch! It's the US Open! I always watch!

[Smolmania]

How could the PGA Tour allow this to happen? Because they're populated by the same type of morons who ignored Larry Nelson when it came time to make him the Captain of our Ryder Cup team. Who better to wear the colors than a veteran? Nah, Lanny's a good ol' boy who's great at cocktail parties. He's the man for the job.

[Four-putt]

Larry Nelson has always been crapped on.

He was not of the perfect teeth, Gucci loafers "country club" set. In fact, he never played golf until AFTER he returned from 'Nam, when he was 21. He learned to play the game well enough in his first six years, he was able to qualify for the PGA Tour at age 27.

How does that compare with some of the names he beat, guys who started playing (and getting lessons) and playing all levels of competitive golf since they were five years old?

Larry's record includes ten PGA Tour wins, including three majors in a six-year period --- a pair of PGAs to go with the Open. Plus three Ryder Cup teams.

He is a great American, one of the game's greatest gentlemen, and a thoughful interview, and if he is your friend, it is for life. I believe he still makes his home in Cobb County, Ga.

Smols is dead-right. Maybe the person who designed this promo is the same guy who came up with that phony "Drive To A Billion" campaign. And I wouldn't look to the Golf Informercial Channel to find someone with a sense of history, either. There are people working at MTV that know more about golf.

4p

[Four-putt]

BTW, on the PGA Tour's new (for this year) TV promo merging archive BW footage showing Hogan, Palmer, Player, et al in modern settings, who is the first guy pictured? He's in plus-fours, I think just before Walter Hagen?

4p

[pc]

Does Larry Nelson get the respect he deserves? Probably not. But remember, this is not the PGA that is not including him in this promo. It is The Golf Channel. The promo is geared to drive ratings. Names like Hogan, Nicklaus, Miller and Els will drive ratings. Those names and images will more likely get the less informed golfer (who may not watch) to watch. No disrespect to Larry Nelson but including him in the promo will not likely increase viewers. It's really just the nature of the marketing beast.

[Four-putt]

I'd say every PGA Tour promo run by the Golf Channel has to be approved by an authoritative someone at the PGA Tour. Just like the PGA Tour has to approve the announcers.

A total control freak, The Timothy would NEVER allow anyone to freelance creative where the image of the Tour is involved. Not even the Golf Channel.

[JHC]

Why no Larry? Maybe because it's hard to promo Larry without promo'ing Rainbow Man - Rockin' Rollen Stewart.

[CBell]

Maybe it's a TV conspiracy.

I'm quite certain that the morning after his championship, one of the networks wanted him to be on their big-money show: Good Morning America, or the Today Show, or the CBS one. I recall clearly that Larry declined politely, opting instead to honor a commitment to a local church or school group back home.

He is singular, and his story is astonishing.

[Hawkeye]

Larry Nelson played the final two rounds at Oakmont in '83 in 132 strokes. That, in my book, is not far behind Miller's 63. By the way, speaking of Oakmont major champions, where's John Mahaffey?

[Dick Mahoon]

Hawkeye,
Good point, there's a 'unknown' gentleman named Sam Snead who won at Oakmont in 1951, another 'unknown' named Gene Sarazen who won in 1922 but these were winners of the US PGA and not the US Open. While we're at it another no-name called Bobby Jones won the US Amateur at Oakmont in 1925 which would have been a major at the time methinks.
Why aren't they celebrating ALL the majors and majors that aren't really majors but they could be (the US Amateur)? And yes let's celebrate ALL the winners at Oakmont....
Here's a list: (http://www.youroakmont.com/newspaper/article/72614/Major-championships-played-at-Oakmont/)