If You Can't Build 'Em, Sign Licensing Agreements

Since the PGA Tour probably won't be in the TPC building business for a while, they're adding some nice courses to the network via licensing deals. I'm not sure what this means beyond new logos and business for signmakers in Miami and La Quinta, but it is nice to see PGA West rejoining the fold after the last licensing agreement end. Maybe this increases the likelihood of the tour moving the match play to PGA West TPC Stadium Course at PGA WEST when they get tired of Tucson's small galleries and goofy greens?

Doral’s Blue Monster, PGA WEST’s Stadium Course Join TPC Fold
Famous courses will become part of TPC Network through licensing deals


PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL                                                                    October 5, 2009

Two of America’s most recognized resort golf courses, the Blue Monster at Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami and the Stadium Course at PGA WEST in LaQuinta, CA, are joining the PGA TOUR’s TPC Network through licensing agreements that were announced today.

The changeover becomes effective November 1 with the name and logo changes occurring immediately. They will become the TPC Blue Monster at Doral and the TPC Stadium Course at PGA WEST. Other aspects of course re-branding will be integrated over time.

“We are extremely pleased to bring these two outstanding golf courses into the TPC family through new licensing agreements,” said David Pillsbury, President of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties, which oversees the TPC Network. “This marks the beginning to a licensing strategy to bring select resort and destination facilities into the TPC fold. The relationship provides for preferential access to PGA TOUR business partners, marketing partners and TPC Network membership base, while further benefiting the Network with the addition of such highly respected golf courses. We also believe this sort of partnership will benefit each golf course by affiliating it with the PGA TOUR through the TPC brand, thus allowing the facility to promote itself as part of the most respected network of golf courses in the world.”  

Pillsbury said the strategy is to grow the number of licensed golf courses over the next several years, focusing on high-profile domestic and international facilities that will provide and receive benefits from the TPC affiliation.

The Blue Monster has played host to PGA TOUR tournaments since 1962 and now is the site of the World Golf Championships-CA Championship.

“We’re excited about expanding our affiliation with the PGA TOUR and joining forces with the TPC Network,” said Mark Jeffrey, general manager of Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort. “The Blue Monster has a longstanding history as a host venue with the TOUR and this new partnership undoubtedly will further elevate the visibility and award-winning reputation of Doral’s marquee golf course.”

The Stadium Course at PGA WEST, designed by Pete Dye and previously a licensed TPC course, has held various PGA TOUR and specialty events over the years. PGA WEST remains the western venue used in alternate years for the finals of the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament.

“This new partnership is an extension and enhancement of a former affiliation the Stadium Course had with theTPC Network,” said PGA WEST Executive Director Mike Kelly. “We look forward to working with PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties on creating exciting new packages and playing opportunities for the TPC Stadium Course at PGA WEST.”

For more information about the PGA TOUR’s TPC network of resort, daily fee and private clubs, go to www.tpc.com.
 

Why Does NBC Draw Much Higher Ratings For Golf?

Jon Show looks at the PGA Tour's number averaging a 2.0, back to 2007 levels with Tiger's return to regular play. But I find it more interesting that NBC averaged a 2.4 while CBS a 1.9...

NBC benefited the most from the return of Woods, boosting its year-over-year rating for 18 windows from a 2.0 in 2008 to a 2.4 this year, which is flat with 2007. NBC aired the highest-rated non-major of the year, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Woods’ first win after he returned in February.

NBC and CBS each aired coverage of six non-majors that Woods played. He won four events on CBS and two on NBC.

CBS earned a 1.9 rating for 39 telecasts in 2009, up from a 1.6 in 2008 but down from a 2.0 in 2007. The network posted the four lowest Sunday ratings this season with coverage of the FBR Open, Verizon Heritage, HP Byron Nelson Championship and Zurich Classic. CBS was also hurt by a rainout at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and Woods’ absence at the Buick Invitational, an event that normally marks the start of his season.

Why do I suspect this will come up the next time rights fees are discussed?

Rory Letting Them Down Slowly...

...as he drops the first hint that he'll be playing the PGA Tour next year. He has until December 1st to let everyone know his mind was made up a while back.

It wasn't so long ago we were hearing that the European Tour was going to overtake the PGA Tour. And now?

The PGA Tour Gets It? Volume...

...uh, I'll have to go back in the archives, but we do have a growing list of examples that the PGA Tour continues to move in the direction of downplaying rough, emphasizing the recovery shot, setting a proper example for the game and preparing us for a return to more flyer lie-golf in 2010 when groove rules are changed.

Thanks to reader Al for this Ed Sherman item about Cog Hill, site of next week's BMW Championship:

Received a call from Frank Jemsek the other day. He said he heard us speculating on our radio show ("Chicagoland Golf," WSCR-AM 670, 6-8 a.m. Saturday) about the rough the pros will encounter next week for the BMW Championship.

It turns out the rough might be as rough. Mr. Jemsek, the owner and operator of Cog Hill, said the PGA Tour has asked him to leave the rough at No. 4 at the same level of the facility's other three courses.

"That would be about 2 1/2 inches," Mr. Jemsek said.