Sea Island Auction Looms As Tour Event Is Played Before Invisible Gallery

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One reader likened it to a "club invitational-sized" crowd for the McGladrey Classic. I thought that was kind. But they certainly do seem to be sticking to their 7500-a-day gallery limit!

Meanwhile, Monday is auction day for Sea Island, as J. Scott Trubey reports. Just all around good vibes!

After two years of doubt, a measure of clarity should come Monday for Sea Island in the form of a bankruptcy auction.

The remaining assets of the bankrupt Sea Island Co. — the five-star Cloister and Lodge hotels and four celebrated golf courses among them— will be sold to the highest bidder at the headquarters of Atlanta law firm King & Spalding.

Walter Driver's old stomping grounds where diversity makes for prime Awkward Family Photos material!

But an auction is required by bankruptcy law, and a competing group of bidders has brought drama to a community known more for tranquil marshes, elegant hotels and plush service.

“We’ll be holding our breaths on Monday,” said Jane Fraser, a Sea Island member and resident.

The partnership of Oaktree Capital Management and Avenue Capital Group won a lengthy bid process to acquire the storied resort for $197.5 million. Its offer, known as a “stalking horse bid,” is said to honor Sea Island memberships, keep Sea Island’s 1,400 employees and retain Sea Island Co. scion A.W. “Bill” Jones III as chairman and CEO.

A competing team made up of Starwood Capital and Anschutz Entertainment is also cleared to bid at Monday’s auction.

Uh Oh, Lee Westwood Caught Talking About Lee Westwood

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The dreaded third person self references reared as he discussed sticking with the European Tour.

"I don't want to be dictated to by having to go to America to play FedEx Cup when it doesn't really mean that much to me," said the 37-year-old. "It doesn't mean enough to me anyway.

"I think they (the PGA Tour) would like me to go and be a member there, but as of Monday evening I became an individual again and I do what's right for Lee Westwood now."

PGA Tour Fines Department Looking Into Kuchar's Alleged FedExCup Criticisms**

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Surely a sweety-pie with a smile like that, a family man to boot, a Southern gentleman, couldn't have said this. It just couldn't be!

Matt Kuchar must have been misquoted by the subversives in the media center. Paul Newberry reports:

Not that he had any idea what was going on, given the complex nature of the points system.
“It’s impossible to be aware of it,” Kuchar said. “Who really was aware of it? Maybe some kid in front of a computer. But certainly I was not.”

Kuchar was preparing to tee off at the final hole when thunderstorms swept into the area, leading to a two-hour break. Even then, he didn’t bother looking at the possible FedEx Cup scenarios.

“I watched football,” he said. “I had no real idea and was completely unconcerned with it today. It was not even on my radar screen. I was out there trying to hit good shots and really didn’t give the FedEx Cup one ounce of thought today.”

Hicks, Sands May Vie For Emmy In Lead Actor Comedy Series

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Of course, the FedExCup would have to qualify as a comedy but I think Sunday's tape would convince the nomination committee in no time that this farce should be recognized for the passion and salesmanship of NBC's Dan Hicks, and The Golf Channel/soon-to-be-nauseatingly-reinforced-NBC-sister-network announcer Steve Sands, given the hideous job of trying to make sense of the FedExCup points chase. Steve Elling wrote:
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Ryder Cuppers Rounding Into Dismal Form As Cup Nears

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With four of the five contenders for the $10 million FedExCup prize and the format leaving the points chase up to a riveting algorithm race, attention is already turning to how the Ryder Cuppers are faring.

Luke Donald has the round one lead while Paul Casey is right there so…oh well, one bit of good news for Monty. I was, however, surprised by Donald's quotes about the omission of Casey in this Lawrence Donegan story.

"I was certainly – what's the right word? – surprised he wasn't one of the three picks," he says. "I thought his name would have been before mine. He's a great match player, with a great matchplay record. He hits the ball long and straight off the tee, which is not a bad thing to have around Celtic Manor, and he is a decent putter. I'm not sure if we should blame Monty or the selection process for what happened."

Meanwhile as Casey eyes a possible $13 million payday, Padraig Harrington fired a 68 at the Vivendi Pro-Am and trails by seven. But he offered some Yogi Berraesque thoughts on his beleaguered game.

“If I had putted well it would have been a tremendous score,” Harrington said. “You have to hole putts to shoot a low number. I could see the two weeks of practice I’ve just done and I got stalled over the ball a bit, but another three rounds will do me no end of good.”

On the American side, Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton are stinking it up, but at least Bubba knows why, according to Jason Sobel.

"The golf course doesn't set up good for me," Watson said. "I've never played good here -- never played close to good here -- and that's the difference. Just not a fan of the golf course. It just doesn't set up good for me."

As for Overton, his round was doomed from the beginning.

"I missed a 2-footer on the first hole, then hit a bad 8-iron on the second hole," he explained. "It's just one of those things where I really didn't get into the round right away, for some reason."