Forbes: Finchem Leaps Tall Buildings In Single A Bound!

Monte Burke looks at how Tim Finchem--all by himself!--saved the tour from ruin as the markets crashed and a fire hydrant jumped in front of Tiger's Escalade.

Thanks to all who sent what, despite the focus on Finchem with little mention of some of his hard-working lieutenants, lays out the business model for the PGA Tour in often impre$$ive detail. If the PGA Tour was a Jewish Tea Party group, the IRS would have a field day!

A few noteworthy parts in the interest of being able to hyperlink these in the future (the story is in the May 27 Forbes).

Under Finchem the tour has been able to stockpile investment assets that are now almost precisely $1 billion. *(Some $675 million of that money is in player retirement funds, which the tour lists as both an asset and a liability. Another $73 million is in cash.)

So when the perfect storm appeared, Finchem was negotiating from strength. He was able to assure nervous broadcasters that the game would be a risk-free investment. In a worst-case scenario the tour could use that money to fund its tournaments and keep the game on TV. “Even in the worst of the recession, we never missed a beat financially with the guarantees the tour gave us,” says CBS’s McManus.

The model stuff...

Here’s the model that continues to this day: A corporation–say, AT&T–signs up with the tour as a title sponsor of a tournament, usually paying between $8 million and $13 million for the honor (events that are televised only on the Golf Channel and do not have the final two rounds on either CBS or NBC pay a little less; a handful of sponsors pay more). Nearly half of that money goes directly to the event’s broadcaster, in the form of presold ads. The tour guarantees that between 60% and 65% of the broadcaster’s ads will be accounted for and traditionally delivers up to 85%. The remaining ad time is easy enough to fill: Unlike other sports, many viewers of tour events actually play the game, which gives endemic advertisers–like ball, clothing and club manufacturers–strong incentive to buy spots.

The rest of the title sponsorship money goes to a local tournament organizer, which is a nonprofit entity (the tour itself runs 16 events). These local groups use that money to put on the tournament–mainly with volunteers–and pay a share of the purse (the tour chips in as well). Revenues are generated through ticket sales, hospitality and local advertising. Any leftover money, after expenses, is donated to local charities.

Love this from the Shark...who is also quoted wanting to audit the tour in a sidebar for the story.

In 1999 the tour, along with four of the world’s other large professional golf tours, started what’s known as the World Golf Championships, a series of now four tournaments for only the top players in the world, with purses of close to $9 million. It was basically Norman’s idea. “It still irritates me, big time,” says Norman. “He cast me as a guy who was trying to ruin the game of golf, then he does this.”

And it seems Tim will be taking retirement in 2016...

Finchem expects to retire that year, and the Olympic debut provides him with a closing chapter. “My team here is mature and ready,” he says. His retirement challenge, he says, will be hiking to the summit of the 50-plus 14,000-foot mountains in Colorado. “I’ve done 16 so far,” says a man who knows a thing or two about peaks and valleys.

CSI: Tigerdrop Sawgrass '13 Winners!

Cork Gaines wins for the best forensic of Tiger's tee shot, noting the angle of splash and how it doesn't match the hard hook angle that would be necessary for the drop spot to have worked.

And there should be some sort of award for use of Photoshop.


And this "angle of view" importance breakdown is also quite impressive:

More Reasons To Root For Homa

Super column by Sean Martin on Cal senior Max Homa, whose 61 in the Pac 12's led him to the individual title.

It also turns out that Homa was wearing the basketball jersey of friend David Stroud, who passed away at 19 from cancer.

“It’s about honoring him. It makes me smile because I feel like he’s with me,” Homa said. “He was so resilient and positive about everything.”

And if that wasn't enough reason to root for the lad, he's bucking the trend of college players rushing to try to make the PGA Tour and focusing on gaining a Walker Cup team spot.

“You only get one chance at (the Walker Cup),” he said. “I’d rather go down swinging than say I never gave it a chance.”

Only On ebay Files: The Unworn Memorial Shirt

Thanks to reader John for sending this link to an auction ending soon on a shirt with quite the backstory in the seller's mind.

I'll just copy and paste the opening graphs in case they disappear...

This is a NWOT, never been worn Jack Nicklaus "The Memorial Tournament" commemorative golf shirt which was purchased at the PGA Tour 2011 Memorial Tournament gift shop at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin Ohio as a gift from my significant other who of course is a golfer.  Feel free to ask any questions.
 
I never liked golf - frankly if you need to wear a collared shirt to play it, it is not a sport.

Dare you to tell that to a rugby player!

My SO wanted to introduce me to his "classy" gentleman's game for whatever reasons since I've always found it Freudingly peculiar that grown men want nothing more than to stare down and wrap their hands around a shaft for 5 hours a day in a toxic artificially manmade environment they call "nature".

So, so cynical. Clearly this person hasn't heard of the minimalist movement.

Anyway, the buyer goes on to detail a broken foot and ankle. It's quite the yarn!

2013 Players Week Ratings Roundup...

Tiger gets the most credit for a big television week, followed in no particular order by Sergio, the 17th hole, Wednesday's historic episode of Grey Goose 19th Hole and that whole synergistic promotional platforming thing coming together.

For Immediate Release:

MOST-WATCHED WEEK EVER FOR THE PLAYERS ON GOLF CHANNEL
 
NBC’s Final Round Coverage Garnered 7.6 Million Viewers, Making It the Most-Watched Final Round at THE PLAYERS in more than 20 Years
 
Golf Channel’s LIVE FROM THE PLAYERS and Digital Content Post Record Numbers for THE PLAYERS Championship
 
ORLANDO, Fla. (May 14, 2013) – THE PLAYERS Championship’s coverage on NBC and Golf Channel last week caught the attention of America with record audiences for its tournament coverage and signature programming according to data released today by The Nielsen Company.
 
NBC Sports Group’s comprehensive coverage of THE PLAYERS experienced surges in viewership across the board, highlighted by:

· NBC’s final round coverage on Sunday garnering 7.6 million viewers (+59% YOY), 5.0 rating, making it the most-watched final round at THE PLAYERS in more than 20 years
· NBC’s third round coverage on Saturday pulling in 3.7 million viewers (+12%), 2.6 rating, which was the best since 2009
· Golf Channel’s first round coverage on Thursday posting the most-watched first round in the history of THE PLAYERS with 1.7 million viewers (+54% YOY)
 
Golf Channel posted its most-viewed week ever for THE PLAYERS on record as more than 11.5 million unique viewers (+23% YOY) tuned in to Golf Channel during the week. It also was Golf Channel’s most-watched week ever for THE PLAYERS with 212,000 average viewers per minute for 24-hour Total Day (6AM-6AM), which represents a 25% increase year-over-year.  Contributing to this success was record numbers for Golf Channel’s news programming and digital content including:

· 96 hours of LIVE FROM THE PLAYERS – 160,000 average viewers (+50% YOY)
· Golf Channel’s LIVE FROM THE PLAYERS audience peaked on Sunday with 1.4 million average viewers for both the 15 minutes leading into and out of NBC’s coverage (1:15-1:30 PM and 7:15-7:30 PM)
· Most-watched LIVE FROM THE PLAYERS on Sunday from 8 AM to 1:30 PM – 679,000 average viewers (+20% YOY)
· Most-watched “Prime-time” LIVE FROM with Sunday’s night telecast (7:11 PM – 9:11 PM) delivering 646,000 average viewers (+339% YOY)
· GolfChannel.com drew 1.08 million unique visitors, 50% YOY, making it the website’s  most-clicked week ever for THE PLAYERS
· Golf Channel Mobile App drew 319K unique visitors, 69% YOY, making it the app’s most-clicked week ever for THE PLAYERS

WADA Softening Stance On Mary Jane

Alex Miceli on the World Anti-Doping Agency raising the threshold for a positive marijuana test, reducing positive test results.

Under the Tour’s Anti-Doping Policy, enacted in 2008, cannabinoids – which include marijuana – is considered a recreational drug and not performance-enhancing. The Tour tests for the drug under an unknown threshold and holds players accountable, but a violation is considered as recreational, not performance-enhancing. Thus, any violation would not be publicly disclosed.

Tour spokesman Ty Votaw would not comment on WADA’s move, saying the Tour was made aware of the change Monday.

Maybe one of the players rumored to have been suspended for a positive test will sue the tour in the way Vijay has following WADA softening its stance on deer antler spray? Or maybe not.

"ROYAL LIVERPOOL TO HOST 2019 WALKER CUP"

I know I said this when Lytham was selected for 2015, but with all the great links that can't host big events any longer, why take the Walker Cup to Open Championship venues?

For Immediate Release...

ROYAL LIVERPOOL TO HOST 2019 WALKER CUP

14 May 2013, St Andrews, Scotland: Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake has been named as the venue for the 2019 Walker Cup match.

The 47th biennial match between the amateurs of Great Britain and Ireland and the USA will be played in September 2019 at Royal Liverpool as the Club celebrates the 150th anniversary of its foundation.

Hoylake was the venue for a match between the USA and Great Britain in 1921 and the following year the first official Walker Cup match was played at the National Golf Links of America in Southampton, New York.

The prestigious team event was held at Hoylake in 1983 when the USA side, led by captain Jay Sigel, overcame Charlie Green’s GB&I team with a 13 ½ - 10 ½ victory.

The Open Championship will return to Hoylake for the 12th time next year. In 2012 the club hosted the Ricoh Women’s British Open and it is no stranger to top class amateur events having hosted The Amateur Championship on 18 occasions and the Curtis Cup in 1992.

Fate Of Keiser's Bandon Muni TBD

Matt Ginella with an update from Mike Keiser on his attempts to acquire a parcel of land in a state parks land swap to build a muni for the town of Bandon.

It doesn't sound great...

“It’s no better than 50/50 that this will happen,” says Mike Keiser, owner of Bandon Dunes, the five-course resort on the Southwest Coast of Oregon.

Keiser’s admittedly frustrated. He has land, money, a vision for a lasting legacy that would continue to positively impact the locals and the local economy, and yet he’s having a hard time giving it away. He has been trying to negotiate a land swap with the Oregon State Parks Department for four years. He’s set to meet again on Wednesday, May 15, where he says he will make his final offer.

'13 Players Final Round Ratings Up 68% On A 5.7

Ed Sherman with the details via SBD.

"Why would Dottie Pepper walk away from a big job covering televised golf?"

If you're missing Dottie Pepper's on-course announcing on NBC as I am, check out Ron Sirak's Golf World profile this week.

Pepper talks about life after playing and television.

Her decision, conveyed last October to executive producer and senior vice president of Golf Channel Molly Solomon, stunned everyone. Pepper, who stepped behind the microphone full-time in 2005, had emerged as one of the most respected commentators and, along with mentor Judy Rankin, was a pioneer for women in covering the men's game.

"We could have made a how-to tape from her work last year at the Ryder Cup and FedEx Cup," says Tommy Roy, producer, live tournaments/Golf Channel on NBC. "She was unbelievably good. I would call Molly and say, 'Dottie said X today at such and such a time. Put it in the seminar [for other announcers].' It surprised us all that she quit. It was kind of like when [former NFL great] Barry Sanders retired [at 31]."

Those who worked with her agree that, as an announcer, Pepper's biggest strength was her preparation. "She always had a tidbit about a player, the course or the event," Roy says. She was also candid and possessed the crucial and hard-to-teach skill necessary for TV work: knowing when to jump in and out, rarely interrupting and never rambling.

Sirak also talked to Ryan Herrington for a Golf World Preview podcast about visiting Pepper in upstate New York and how Dottie was bulletin/dart board material at the Solheim Cup.

Golf 20/20 Hopes To Grow Number Of American Golfers To 30 Million

For stakeholders and those with an interest in various golf initiatives, check out Adam Schupak's lively give and take with Golf 20/20 honcho Steve Mona who reports a goal of increasing participation from 25.7 million to 30 million by the end of 2017.

They'll be doing it by backing just five initiatives, all no doubt with some glossy ad campaigns...

Q: One could argue it’s a mistake to only support industry-led initiatives. Aren’t these the same organizations that failed to grow the game since Golf 20/20 was created in 2000?

It doesn’t mean the other initiatives going on aren’t worthy initiatives. I can name a whole bunch, and they still will be supported. You look at a program like The First Tee that went from zero in 1997 to today more than 200 chapters and reached somewhere in the order of 6 million young people. We have a goal to reach an additional 10 million in the next five years. I would say that program has been successful from the standpoint of reaching young people, as an example. Get Golf Ready in 2012 reached 76,000 students, 80 percent of which have stayed in the game, spending incrementally another $1,000 in the game so I wouldn’t say that’s been unsuccessful.

Q: Yet the number of youth golfers (based on NGF data) has declined. The First Tee may have touched a lot of kids, but the NGF numbers don’t match up, do they?

Yes, the youth category has declined, but I think you have to look at broader, more societal issues rather than just say that youth golf is smaller today than it was five years ago it was The First Tee’s fault.

But one of the issues to that point, one of the problems we see with our sport is it doesn’t lend itself to a team sport environment. That’s why we’re getting behind PGA Junior League Golf. It creates that kind of team environment.

Players Champ Marshals: Tiger Never Asked About Sergio

Michael Bamberger slips it in late in his entertaining story on Tiger's win at The Players, but it seems the marshals that Woods said he consulted about whether it was okay for him to play--when he disrupted Sergio--were not actually consulted.

Worse for Tiger and the English language, they've spoken.

One of them, Gary Anderson, said on Sunday, “He didn’t ask us nothing, and we didn’t say nothing. We’re told not to talk to the players.”

Anderson’s boss, John North, was the chief marshal for the first three holes. He stood over Woods’s ball to protect it from the throng and was five feet away when Woods played his shot. North has worked the tournament as a volunteer marshal for 30 years, he’s a graduate of the Naval Academy, he served in Vietnam, he’s a FedEx pilot and he donates his round on the Stadium course for being a volunteer to the Wounded Warriors project.

“Nothing was said to us and we certainly said nothing to him,” North said. “I was disappointed to hear him make those remarks. We’re there to help the players and enhance the experience of the fans. He was saying what was good for him. It lacked character.”

Another Tiger Drop Debate; Grassy Knoll In Play

Jay Busbee breaks down the latest Tiger Woods ball drop controversy, the third this year (as Bob Harig noted in his story about the situation at 14 tee Sunday at The Players). The Big Lead has about two minutes of the telecast posted.

After watching the recording multiple times, reading the description of the shot and hearing NBC's Mark Rolfing describe it, that at best, playing partner Casey Wittenberg's assertion appears to be a stretch when suggesting where the ball crossed the hazard. As quoted in an unbylined AP notes story:

"He asked me exactly where it crossed," Wittenberg said. "I told him I thought it crossed on the corner of the bunker, right where he took his drop. And it's all good."

I'm guessing Sergio Garcia wouldn't have seen it this way based on the commenters here who could smell trouble right from the get go and also had some wise follow-up observations.

At least based on the blimp shots and the obvious skepticism from Peter Jacobsen and Johnny Miller, the ball would have had to have flown very straight, then hooked hard at the end. It does not take a genius to see by Tiger's reaction and the video, that the hook was immediate, not late as Wittenburg's drop point would require.

As noted in Harig's story, the PGA Tour's position was clear: this was the call of Woods and his playing partner Casey Wittenberg with help from Mark Rolfing of NBC. Since Woods took his eye off the ball by the time it made the purpoted late hook, he could not speak with certainty about where the ball crossed the hazard. The call is Wittenerg's then.

The PGA Tour's Mark Russell, as quoted by Harig:

"They both saw it," Russell said of Woods and Wittenberg. "They're back there with a television commentator [NBC's Mark Rolfing], who basically agreed with them. He said he hit a high hook. The problem is on television, that area looked the same, and they thought he dropped up there where it splashed. He dropped it 60 yards back of that. The players had the view of it."

What caused the doubt for me was this statement by Rolfing speaking of hazard stakes by tees on the fairway side of the lake, no where near where the ball crossed:

"It looked like it was over water at this point, if not before."

"Before" seems to be what the video and screen captures suggest.

Here is the overview photo of the hole as taken from the blimp, which did not appear to move much and had what seems like a very good angle to capture the tee shot's general flight.

Below is the "at this point" Rolfing refers to, which appears to be well right (from the player perspective on the tee) of the entry point detailed in the third photo.

Thanks to all the readers who sent in this YouTube analysis by filmmaker John Ziegler dissecting Tiger's 14th hole tee shot, questionable drop and NBC coverage of the situation.  Now, it should be prefaced by saying this video was put together by a  filmmaker who is devoted to clearing Joe Paterno's name in the Sandusky affair, not exactly a cause for the ages. Still, Ziegler makes some strong points and calls out Rolfing's shift from his original call to supporting the drop location even as Johnny and Peter Jacobsen are so clearly not buying the assertion.

Update on Monday, May 13, 2013 at 12:38 PM by Geoff

**Joseph LeClair Tweeted a telling photo showing the ball flight that would be necessary to make the drop work.

Tiger Prevents Players Championship Death Knell: A Streelman, Lingmerth, Maggert Playoff

What almost assuredly would have forced Tim Finchem to end the Players after a wildly successful 40th anniversary--a sudden death playoff between runners-up Kevin Streelman, David Lingmerth and Jeff Maggert--it never materialized thanks to Tiger Woods' PGA Tour victory 78 and his second overall fifth-of fourth major. Or as Tiger called it, the next in line should a major find itself forced to resign.

I think Tiger and Tim are even now after Finchem loaned him the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse for the blue curtain press conference and Tiger prevented the towers in that same clubhouse from becoming suicide perches for execs trying to rationalize a Streelman, Lingmerth, Maggert three-ball playoff in Eastern prime time.

Doug Ferguson's game story includes the heartbreaking story of staggering comedy that was Tiger and Sergio's weekend bickering.

While rallying to win, Tiger botched his least favorite driving hole (14) at TPC Sawgrass. His water ball drop prompted viewer concerns and the tour reviewed the drop in light of recent events.

Bob Harig explains the latest drop escapade.

Brian Wacker talked to instructor Sean Foley after the round.

There was perhaps no better example of that than in the third round when Woods saved an impossible par from behind the fourth green to a short pin with a green that ran away from him in slope and grain.

“Imagine a swing that’s moving 50 mph to create a shot that went 2 1/2 feet,” Foley said. “That’s just so cool.”

It’s also a shot Woods might not have been able to execute when he and Foley began working together late in 2010.

“It was a different type of situation,” said Foley, who added that Woods has learned to adjust to the balance of being a father and not practicing as much because he has more going on in his life than just golf compared to when he was younger.

“It’s wonderful to see for golf and for Tiger because I’ve been fortunate enough to have an inside look at what he’s been through and what he’s pulled himself out of,” Foley said. “It’s a maturity and evolution you can’t teach.”

ESPN.com's highlights.

And the official highlights from PGA Tour Entertainment:

Video Tiger Will Never Tire Of: Sergio's 17th Hole Water Balls

Oddly, the editors of this package deprive us of one of Sergio Garcia's balls going into the TPC Sawgrass's 17th hole lake, but nemesis Tiger Woods will no doubt savor seeing Garcia's Players Championship hopes unravel.

From PGA Tour Entertainment.

Sergio-on-17 highlights from the NBC gang:

Johnny Miller, on Sergio Garcia’s first tee shot into the water – “It was almost too much for him.  The minute he hit that, he knew it was right.”
 
Gary Koch, on David Lingmerth’s tee shot on 17 – “That is the first tee shot I have seen end up right of the flag.”
 
Gary Koch, on Sergio Garcia’s second tee shot on 17 that hit the water – “Absolutely amazing he would come up short.”
 
Johnny Miller, on Sergio Garcia’s struggles on 17 – “Tough to watch.”
 
Dan Hicks, on Sergio Garcia’s struggles on 17 – “You just never want to be one of those guys at 17.  One of those guys in contention who feels all alone when things just start going the other way.”

And while we're piling on, golf.com's Ryan Reiterman posts a nice compilation of Sergio's greatest meltdowns.

DVR Alert: Rocco On Feherty

I ran into David Feherty strolling his second home--the DFW airport--and asked him how the Rocco show Monday was and he reported that Mediate was in great spirits. Hardly surprising that those two could yammer up storm about the '08 US Open, Arnold Palmer, the long putter and other stuff, as evidenced by the preview clip.

The show first airs Monday, May 13 at 10 pm ET.

Sergio On Tiger: "He's not the nicest guy on tour.''

More from Sergio Garcia after completing the Players third round Sunday morning and learning he and Tiger would not be playing together in the afternoon.

Bob Harig reports:

"I'm not going to lie,'' Garcia said after completing the third round in a three-way tie for the lead with Woods and David Lingmerth. "He's not my favorite guy to play with. He's not the nicest guy on tour.''

Later, Garcia told the Golf Channel: "It's good for both of us. We don't enjoy each other's company. You don't have to be a rocket engineer to figure that out.''

2013 Players Championship Final Day Open Comment Thread

It's going to be a long day for Sergio and Tiger as they finish three holes at 7 am ET Sunday, then pursue unknown leader David Lingmerth (Doug Ferguson's gamer here).

Hopefully the weather will hold up and we'll get an exciting final day in. Or at least, video of Tiger and Sergio's emotional locker room hug.

And to all of the mothers out there, Happy Mothers Day!

Big Break Ponte Vedra: Tiger & Sergio In Raucous Row!

Ron Sirak breaks down in entertaining fashion what he claims could have been a "Big Break" episode between Tiger and Sergio (I, in year six of my strict doctor-ordered Big Break diet, cannot say for sure if this is an appropriate metaphor).

The Showdown At Sawgrass went something like this: Sergio is going for the par-5 second green, Tiger pulls his club on a par-5 as Sergio is hitting but he can't see Sergio hitting. Sergio, as he's known to do, heard the crowd reaction to Tiger pulling driver and well, we have ourselves an episode!

"It was my shot to hit," Garcia said on NBC during the weather delay that halted play with the two on the seventh hole. "He moved all the crowd that he needed to move, and I waited for that. I want to say that he didn't see that I was ready. But you do have a feel when the other guy is going to hit. Right as I was on top of the backswing . . . everybody started screaming, so that didn't help very much. It was unfortunate."

And Tiger showed that if the golf thing doesn't work out, he can always star in a reality show.

"Well, the marshals, they told me he already hit, so I pulled a club and was getting ready to play my shot, and then I hear his comments afterwards and [it's] not real surprising that he's complaining about something," Woods said. Asked if they discussed the matter, Woods said: "We didn't do a lot of talking."

On Twitter, former Tiger instructor Butch Harmon just found the whole thing so unfortunate. Right Butch, right.

Sorry to hear that Woods & Garcia are trading words thru the media. If they have a problem they should talk it out in private .

— Butch Harmon (@43BH) May 12, 2013

The eleven minutes of Golf Channel's Live At roundup include a split screen that backs up Sergio's version of events along with some strong reactions from Lerner, Nobilo and Chamblee apparently broadcasting from an executive VP's office at tour headquarters.

Frank Nobilo – “The word respect.  Tiger Woods respects Sergio Garcia and his ability to play this game.  Sergio Garcia respects and admires Tiger Woods’ ability to play this game and his resume.  Like?  No. Respect? Yes.
 
Brandel Chamblee – “It certainly makes for the next three holes these guys play in what is the third round, far more interesting.  And should they get paired together?  Well, we might have those fireworks.”
 
Rich Lerner (@RichLernerGC) – “Where is Vince McMahon when you need him.”

Golf Channel will pick up the conclusion of round 3 live Sunday at 7 am ET.

Update on Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 07:58 AM by Geoff

**More from Sergio, courtesy of Bob Harig's account:

"I'm not going to lie,'' Garcia said after completing the third round in a three-way tie for the lead with Woods and David Lingmerth. "He's not my favorite guy to play with. He's not the nicest guy on tour.''

Later, Garcia told the Golf Channel: "It's good for both of us. We don't enjoy each other's company. You don't have to be a rocket engineer to figure that out.''

Viral Video Roundup: Players Championship Round 3

A wild and wacky day at The Players in the viral video department, starting with Chris Stroud's 13th hole ace which reminds yet again how fun it can be to see what the ball does after it hits the ground.

In the wildlife division, this family of Canada geese decided to walk across (and make a subtle statement) about No. 2 green.

And then there was Lee Westwood's "lay up" on No. 1. Well, he whiffed.