"That's for me and him"

During Wednesday's contest to see which caddies could hit No. 17 green, it also served as a fundraiser for the Bruce Edwards Foundation for ALS Research.

Peter Morrice at GolfDigest.com offers up some insights on the day, including what some players did and did not drop cash into the collection jar.

The following players gave $100, the biggest number we know of: Ernie Els, Camilo Villegas, Tom Pernice, Ryuji Imada, Nathan Green and Kevin Stadler. At the other end, some players didn't put anything in the jar, including Fred Couples, Mark Calcavecchia, Retief Goosen, Charles Howell III and Zach Johnson ("I don't have my wallet"). To be fair, we're only naming players we saw donate (or not donate) or heard about from a reliable source, and only during part of the day; some caddies made donations, which they could have been doing for their players; some pros might be giving in other ways or at other times. Whatever the case, it was great tour-player watching.

Teacher Butch Harmon donated a hundred bucks and promised another hundred to any caddie in the group he was walking with who hit (and held) the green. None did. Bart Bryant was light on cash when he got to 17, so he slipped $10 in the pot but in a classy move sent someone back with 100 more. Sergio Garcia was playing with Villegas, and when Camilo produced a Ben Franklin, Sergio said, "That's for me and him" and left it at that. Here's a few more donations we're pretty sure about, although these players could've slipped an extra twenty by us: Vijay Singh ($40), Angel Cabrera ($25), Trevor Immelman ($20) and Stewart Cink ($20).

One player (hint: He almost won a major last year) said he didn't have any money on him, so he hit up one of his playing partners for $100. Then put $20 of it in the jar. We can only assume he later made good on the loan--or else cleared a smooth 80 bucks.

Comments

[jeff]

Come on, Calc only made $3 million last year. Expecting him to pony up $100 is like expecting someone making $100K to pitch in three bucks. Isn't that asking a bit much?

What a bunch of cheapskates. I'm sure these guys had multi-hundred dollar wagers going with each other, though.

[JB]

No surprise that Couples showed off his alligator arms. He's the cheapest guy (at least one of them) on tour.
JB

[Michael]

See... And some people think Golf Digest doesn't report the hard news in the world of pro golf!

[Jeremy Rudock]

Pretty poor form that someone is monitoring what other people pony up for a charitable cause. Shaming someone into making a donation is worse than no making one in my eyes.

[thusgone]

i was thinking the same thing, jeremy.

it's also pretty unfair because we have no idea what they're doing in the locker room or in other forums.

[thusgone]

the washington post does something similar when they receive a report of someone famous/powerful dining out. in addition to reporting who they were seen with and what everyone ate, they also make a point of reporting the tip and the total tab. thus, overtipping has become as de rigeur as american flag lapel pins here inside the beltway.

[Old Tom]

Mark Calcavecchia is notoriusly cheap. And I mean super super cheap. He has said in the past that going to the British Open is a drag because the food is so expensive. Anyone who has ever helped organize a PGA tour event has some idea how much stuff and services these guys and their families get for free. I wonder if Calc is just as cheap when that hot new wife of his is around. These guys get paid huge money for doing something considered a leisure activity, so I think it's perfectly fine to spy on them at the donation jar........after all the PGA tour markets itself on how much they give to charity. Well cough it up boys, the cameras are on! lol.

[Four-putt]

I have covered all sports during my career and can unequivocably affirm that most -- most, not all -- professional athletes are super cheap when it comes to these things.

Part of it has to do with the fact they are used to getting so much stuff for free.

I've been to many a charity event where at such a "money" hole all the amateurs in a group reach for their wallets and the celebrity does not. I've heard the celebs say, "I am helping the charity just by being here today." Yeah, free golf and food and shirt and bling-bag (including a flat-screen TV a few times) and having their ass kissed all day -- big donation. Sometimes I've wanted to knock their teeth out.

One such "celeb" had arrived in his Lamborghini and demanded special parking -- no other cars anywhere around his. If there wasn't a guard posted at his insistence, after watching his arrogant, condescending attitude for 18 holes I would have keyed the goddamn car and felt like I had done my good deed for the day.

4p

[JT]

I run a 501(c)(3) organization that has annual support from a handful PGA Tour players. Not many would have a clue what players are supporting charitably and how much they contribute. I know the players that work with my non-profit prefer to have these contributions anonymous because they are not doing if for any recognition. One of the players is a 20 something and made a contribution just shy of $100,000 last year. Another player has contributed nearly $200,000 over the last few years. That doesn't include the time they give as well to fundraise and support the organiation. Shame on them if they didn't throw $100 in the jar!!!

To make a story like this about the ALS jar on #17 is simply unreasonable and just plain silly.

[Chema]

What kind of grown man walks around without any cash? I guarantee you Darren Clarke has no less than 2,000 euros with him at all times.

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

Well, Chema, in the world that exists away from the rarefied air of the PGA Tour there are a lot of grown men walking around without any cash. And relatively few that have ever held 2000 euros or $3000 more than once or twice in their entire lives.

[Pappy]

"in the world that exists away from the rarefied air of the PGA Tour there are a lot of grown men walking around without any cash"

Must be real fun when the debit-card machine isn't working...

[Hawkeye]

The more I think about it, the less I like professional golfers as human beings.
Come to think of it, I really dislike watching telecasts that show about 15% actual golf and all the rest commercials, which help fill the pockets of these greedy, narrow-minded, right-wing republican, born-again shortbuses. Might as well quit following the game altogether, since there seems to be nothing left of what attracted me to it as a kid 20+ years ago. Sorry about the rant, but this was the most annoying read in a long time.

[Michael]

Jeremy and Thusgone - Did you actually read the article or just Geoff's excerpts of it? If you read it you would find it's kind of funny and the focus is on the closest to the pin contest and raising money for the Bruce Edwards ALS Foundation.

And besides, the players knew they were being watched and if they were stupid enough to be cheap pikers in that situation they deserve whatever negative appearance might have been created. You think they couldn't afford a lousy c-note? Come on!

[Eric Stratton]

it is inapropriate to highlight this sort of thing a the individual player level.

nobody can give money to every single charity that approaches them.

if Bill Gates had walked by this particular jar and didn't put anything in would the author have singled him out as a cheapskate?

Geoff, I think you should delete this item from your blog...

ES

[Greg Kosta]

LOL Eric!!!

Thank God you're here to police the situation. The all powerfull Eric has stated that he thinks you should delete this item, somehow he must think his opinion is worth more than everyone else. It's amazing how totally obtuse some people can be.

[Bob G]

nothing like the daily class war here at GS.com

Making donations via tip jars isn't tax efficient, and i personally don't like making donations publicly. I do my donating in private, and i understand why others would want to do so.

A story abt the tip jar is pretty far down my list of things i want to read about.

And Hawkeye--your comments are why someone should rightly be concerned about his car.

[Cornwallis]

I hear you, Hawkeye. Reading golf blogs has made me, at various times, wish to a) quit golf, b) quit reading, c) quit computers, d) all of the above.

Correct answer is d, although 'a' most frequently.

[Hawkeye]

Huh?

[Hawkeye]

That "huh" was for Bob G, not Cornwallis. I'm glad I understood someone who understood me.
Bob, are you saying I'm the kind of guy who would drag my key along the door of someone's Lamborghini? I wouldn't, because as the article suggests, the Lamborghinis aren't making the owners happier or more aware of their fortunate position. THAT's the depressing part.

[Eric Stratton]

LOL Eric!!!

Thank God you're here to police the situation. The all powerfull Eric has stated that he thinks you should delete this item, somehow he must think his opinion is worth more than everyone else. It's amazing how totally obtuse some people can be.
05.9.2008 | Greg Kosta

=============================

I wasn't aware that I had been conferred "all powerfull" status (is that better than powerful with just one "L"?) -- nice to know, thank you.

Now on another subject, you've hurt my feelings by suggesting I am lacking perception and/or intellect...

...please apologize -- or I'll have to ask Geoff to remove you from this forum permanently.

ES

[Bob G]

sorry Hawkeye, i mistook you for four-putt. i guess he was the wanna-be auto vandal, not you.