Gary Woodland's Coach Leaves To Be Loyal To His Agent Son

Brian Wacker explains that just a day after revealing his agent switch to Steiny, Gary Woodland is looking for a new instructor. That's because his six-year instructor Randy Smith is the proud father of Blake Smith, Woodland's former ten-percenter at Hambric Sports Management.

On Tuesday, Woodland told the Topeka Capital-Journal, “It’s a decision he felt like was best for him and his family, for us to part ways right now. I respect his decision and I look forward to the opportunities I have that are coming up.’’

Woodland and Randy Smith had worked together since 2005 when Woodland was a junior at Kansas.

The long-hitting Woodland, who won the Transitions Championship last year and ranked fifth on the PGA TOUR in driving distance, said he could name a new coach as early as two weeks.

"We have some people in mind,” Woodland said. “I want to sit down after this week. I want to play this week and get the year kicked off right and we’ll sit after that."

Comments

[StevieW]

How do you call this? Nepotism?

[High Performance Engine Guy]

Isn't it like anti-nepotism? "Since you fired my son, to spite you I'm going to cut off my face"

or something

[JW]

Randy is a class guy. Randy is being loyal to his son and the teach and rep this guy and just when he's on the verge of making big money, he drops his son. Love the move by Randy. Good luck Gary.

[Robbie]

Randy is way out of line on this. I like Randy, but it's none of his business what Gary does with his off-course business. Hambric sports is inept at doing deals and Gary has a great opportunity now with Steiny. Hopefully he'll work with Butch, play well, and get on Team USA. We could sure use him in Chicago.

[smails]

who cares. name the last coach since Harvey Penick who developed more than one player from an early age. Leadbetter doesnt count---he takes a bunch of lids on every year and cherry picks the best.

[No longer Used to be Former S & T Convert]

"he could name a new coach as early as two weeks"...Whoa two weeks is a long time. Don't you remember when Hogan, Snead, Nelson etc. would go through coaching changes, didn't those guys name new coaches within a week?

[Stanley Thompson]

Can you spell Sean Foley????

[JSS]

For a guy who has done virtually nothing, Woodland gets a lot of press? I'm still amazed at how he was chosen to play with Kucher in the world team tournament.

[JPB]

smails-

Well said. Couldn't agree more.

[7.0]

JSS: Didn't he win that tournament?

[kenoneputt]

"I'm still amazed at how he was chosen to play with Kucher in the world team tournament."


Kuchar was the tope American qualifier (or at least the top qualifier who wanted to play).

Under the World Cup rules, the qualifiers each get to select their own partner. Apparently Kuchar thought Gary was who he wanted for a partner. Since the won the thing, it's pretty hard to dismiss his choice.

K

[kenoneputt]

"I'm still amazed at how he was chosen to play with Kucher in the world team tournament."


Kuchar was the tope American qualifier (or at least the top qualifier who wanted to play).

Under the World Cup rules, the qualifiers each get to select their own partner. Apparently Kuchar thought Gary was who he wanted for a partner. Since they won the thing, it's pretty hard to dismiss his choice.

K

[Toto]

Whatever will be will be.

[Bob Dobalina]

K, spot on.

Gary Woodland is a winner first, and athlete second, and a golfer third. I think he is on the cusp of doing some great things.

[AK47]

Like a lot of players, Woodland thinks Hambric haven't shown him enough money. Maybe true but I think it's a class move by Randy, who's a class guy. Woodland's a natural for Foley cos he's got a short backswing and stays centered.

[Gregg]

Nah, don't think it had anything to do with nepotism although it surely seemed that way at first. Check out Rosaforte's article, pretty interesting read...seems it has more to do with Stein's activities of last year and differences in business ideals.

[Ghost of Perry Maxwell]

Randy is a class act for sure.