“My intention in qualifying to be eligible to play in our Turning Stone Resort Championship was to participate in a competitive opportunity which any golfer would enjoy."

The PGA Tour VP of Whispering In Tim's Ear That This Is A Really Bad Idea must have gotten his message across as Turning Stone CEO Ray Halbritter issued a statement today through the tour announcing that he was not going to take up a spot in his own event. Naturally, the statement is a train wreck we must savor!

STATEMENT from Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and CEO of Nation Enterprises

“My intention in qualifying to be eligible to play in our Turning Stone Resort Championship was to participate in a competitive opportunity which any golfer would enjoy.  

Qualifying to be eligible? The only qualifying he did was to green light the writing of a huge check!

In addition, given the responsibilities of my position as I mentioned in some interviews on the exemption issue, I wanted to use the platform afforded by our event to show the public, particularly American Indian youth, what can be accomplished by someone with a challenging background who puts his mind and heart into it.  

Taking up a spot as an unqualified golfer would inspire the youth?

My goal was to celebrate, not detract from, our wonderful tournament, its players and fans.  The focus this week should be on the great game of golf and enjoying the exciting competition on the course.  I do not want my participation to distract from our Championship and the talented professionals who have chosen to compete here.  So, I have decided to withdraw from my place in the field and to award it to another golfer to play this week.  I hope our golf community will join me in celebrating a terrific week of golf and all of the fun and festivities which our team has worked so hard to present for them here at Turning Stone.” 

Comments

[thusgone]

i thought i heard oliver wendell douglas's fife music swelling in the background as i read this statement. what a truly inspiring story for all native americans and others from challenging backgrounds.

[Elwood Fussel]

I think the guy should have kept his dough and told every one of those nice tour pro's that nobody has ever heard of to play for their own money. I bet there would have been plenty of room in the field all of a sudden. Somebody puts up 8 millions bucks with the caveat that he wants to play... outrageous! Him taking a spot would leave huge drawing card Brett Quigley with only 35 weekly opportunities to steal 175 times the amount of money he would earn if he toiled in any other discipline.

[sir real]

Good move Ray! Those Native youth would have needed to cover their eyes for the sad display of golf this fella would have put on out there. Exemptions are fine...just have some quality in the slots.

[jjshaka]

Jerry Rice has no idea what you're talking about , Ray.

[jazzman]

Publicity stunt a success. More attention paid to the event opposite Firestone, than it would have received otherwise.

[Maude Lebowski]

///"I wanted to use the platform afforded by our event to show the public, particularly American Indian youth, what can be accomplished by someone with a challenging background who puts his mind and heart into it."///

Yes, we are proud of the Little Halbritter Overacheivers, each and every one of them.

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

LOL thusgone. Eddie Albert was an American treasure!

[BenSeattle]

Bad, ridiculous idea in the first place but I'll give Halbritter at least a little credit for actually listening to the multitudes who were agast at his selfish ploy (well, except for inspired young Native kids who quickly learned the Golden Rule: 'He who has the gold makes the rules.") Too many are inclined to stick it out once the decision has been made regardless of the lack of qualifications (i.e. Jerry Rice, Bud Selig, Carly Fiorina, etc.)

Still, to actually state that you "QUALIFIED" is an insult to anyone who watched this ego run wild in simply awarding himself a free pass in the form of an exemption. Here's an idea: why not take that "two-handicap" and actually fight it out on Monday in qualifying against the talented and the hungry?

[Smails]

theres an event at turning stone? who knew? where is that?

[Chuck]

It's all about the American Indian youth. The ones learning to deal Blackjack, and espeically those who want to go on to UNLV to get their degrees in Hospitality Managment.

[Del the Funk]

Toldya this wouldn't happen.