Get JT In The FedEx Cup Now!

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It was disappointing that the usually uber-hip SI/Golf.com Confidential failed to note that Justin Timberlake put on another stellar event, albeit one that will go largely unnoticed on the moribund fall schedule. This is not exactly a newsflash, but considering how the PGA Tour schedule is taking hits and the game's demographics are skewing gray, it's becoming obvious the tour needs to get the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open onto the West Coast Swing ASAP.

Timberlake hasn't been shy about his hopes for the event, and it seems the tour is noticing.

According to the PGA Tour's Rick George, as quoted in a story by Steve Carp, there is hope for moving out of the fall:

"I think the Shriners have done a great job of building and growing the tournament, and I know their desire to be part of the FedEx Cup," George said. "It can't happen in 2010, but there will be opportunities in 2011, and should a date become available and the time works, we would consider a change for Las Vegas."

The tour does seem to be bracing everyone for major changes in 2011 when several expired deals impact the schedule, but believe it or not, I continue to hear that there are folks in the world of golf who are uncomfortable with Timberlake, all because they can't get that earthshattering flash of nipple that they never actually saw during the 2004 Super Bowl.

Example 237,891 of golf taking itself way too seriously.

Timberlake is in the second year of a five-year deal he inked to host the golf tournament in Vegas, but the tour needs to figure out a way to keep him as enthusiastic as he once again was in presenting the event. What better way to do that than to make a 2011 spring date a top priority?

This year's event again included his charity concert with some of the hippest acts in music and coverage at places like MTV.com and People.com (which also featured a story on JT's mom doing hospitality duties for tour wives this week, obviously a campaign for sainthood). 

No, I know that it's not Huey Lewis and Clay Walker breaking out in a duet to serenade Kevin James, but when a concert tied to a PGA Tour event is drawing Taylor Swift, Timbaland and Alicia Keyes, it can only do wonders for golf's cool factor. So would fully embracing Timberlake's energetic attempts to make the Las Vegas event a marquee event on the PGA Tour.

“While I feel like the comments published were taken out of context, I did call Anthony to apologize for anything that I said or inferred that could possibly portray Anthony as anything less than a professional of the highest caliber."

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The PGA Tour issued this release from Rick George, Anthony Kim and Robert Allenby that risks further fanning the flames after Sunday's comments and inevitably will lead to more scrutiny of Kim's behavior. (However, this unbylined ESPN.com account quotes Fred Couples as saying Kim was "crushed" by the remarks and from Couples' perspective, Kim was on good behavior all week.) Anyway, the statement:

Statement from the PGA TOUR regarding Anthony Kim and Robert Allenby, post-Presidents Cup, including quotes from Kim and Allenby

October 14, 2009

“Robert Allenby and Anthony Kim were both part of a fantastic week at The Presidents Cup in San Francisco, representing the U.S. and International Teams, respectively, with utmost professionalism, competitive spirit and good sportsmanship.  Concerning the reports published after the fact with unfortunate comments attributed to Robert regarding Anthony, we understand that both players have since spoken and have put the incident behind them.  We wish them both the best as they play out the remainder of their 2009 schedules.” – PGA TOUR Executive Vice President & Chief of Operations Rick George

Was that as good for you all as it was for me?

“Robert and I have spoken about the comments he made after the final day of competition, and I’ve accepted his apology.  We are both moving on, and I don’t have anything more to say about the issue.  I had a great experience at my first Presidents Cup and look forward to competing in many more international team competitions for my country.” – Anthony Kim

“While I feel like the comments published were taken out of context, I did call Anthony to apologize for anything that I said or inferred that could possibly portray Anthony as anything less than a professional of the highest caliber.  He was a key member of the U.S. Team last week and a formidable opponent on Sunday when we faced each other in singles competition.  I am glad we had the chance to speak and clear the air.” – Robert Allenby

Oh I'm sure it was the highlight of your year.

Can you imagine how many of these clarification statements the PGA Tour would have to issue of they ran the Ryder Cup?

"For the first time in history guys will be begging to play in the pro-am."

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You know SI's anonymous pro is fired up about a new PGA Tour rule forcing non-pro-ammers to schmooze with sponsors and their annoying guests, or else face losing their spot in a tournament. Why? Because he sat down to pen a commentary. The PGA Tour's finest do not write columns, they dictate!
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If You Can't Build 'Em, Sign Licensing Agreements

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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?

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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?

Finchem: BCS Is "Blessed"

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I've never actually seen someone label college football's BCS "blessed" for all of the controversy it generates. (You know, the relentless bashing, the congressional hearings, the President saying it needs to go, etc...). Only Tim Finchem could like the BCS, but it tells you how doomed the FedEx Cup is when its architect envies the most reviled and integrity-challenged championship structure in all of sport.
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