Sorting Out The Wildly Entertaining Presidents Cup Scheduling Brouhaha

This one appears only interesting to a few bigwigs until you start to read about the ramifications and the hilarious backdown of a PGA Tour that for once, was outleveraged.

Here goes...

The European Tour schedules the 2011 South African Open the week of the Presidents Cup, even though the Cup's date had been set for some time. Ernie Els, not exactly a favorite of his teammates, balks and suggests he might play the South African Open instead.

Fast forward to the Masters and the all mighty Big Oak negotiating sessions where the PGA Tour, European Tour, Sunshine Tour and a certain heavyset player agent ironed out a deal that, according to Steve Elling who first broke the news on CBSSports.com, has this year's South African Open swap dates with the Dunhill Cup in South Africa, allowing the South Africans to play in the Presidents Cup and their home Open.

The real stunner in Elling's report, which was confirmed today by AP's Gerald Imray: South Africa gets a WGC event at least this year, and perhaps for the next five. Even more amazing, it'll have a $10 million purse, the richest on the PGA Tour.

The tour had no choice but to back down, notes Elling.

Five of the top six players on the Presidents Cup's current International Team points list are native South Africans who would have faced the decision of whether to play their national Open or the team event held in years when the Ryder Cup isn’t contested.

The source said that Australian players might have backed the boycott, too.

So combine the South Africans with the Aussies and well, you have no Presidents Cup team. Which would explain how, even with the date set long before the others, the PGA Tour had to cave even though we know Tim Finchem would rather talk about his old speeding ticket problem than play a World Golf Championship event outside the United States.

Even more amusing, Tiger's Chevron tournament has now been drawn into the equation. Sunshine Commissioner Gareth Tindall, quoted in the AP story:

A date and venue hasn't been decided but Tindall says organizers will look at the first weekend of December, clashing with Tiger Woods' Chevron Challenge and South Africa's own Nedbank Challenge at Sun City.

On Woods' event, Tindall says, "they will have to move it."

And you thought the Presidents Cup was meaningless...

Western Open In Chicago Area: Sayonara?

Thanks to reader Alex for Teddy Greenstein's item on Denver's Cherry Hills becoming the new host of the BMW Championship formerly known as the Western Open starting in 2014, with club member John Elway involved in Tuesday's announcement.

I'm assuming this will mean the end of the WGA as host of the event and another remarkable chapter in the PGA Tour's efforts to get out of that horrible, golf-unfriendly Chicago market!

The Old White TPC It Is!

We have the verdict. Gentlemen of the PGA Tour branding department, what say you?

In the sticky matter of trying to name a TPC course with the words Old and White, two words we try to stay away from here in Ponte Vedra for fear of conjuring up something we certainly are not, never have been and never will be, we the members of the PGA Tour branding staff have come up with...

Introducing The Old White TPC Course at The Greenbrier

Oh that one just rolls off the tongue!

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. –The PGA TOUR announced today that The Old White Course at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, is now part of the TPC Network of clubs as part of a licensing agreement for the property.  One of four championship layouts at the historic Greenbrier, the newly named The Old White TPC serves as host site of the TOUR’s Greenbrier Classic, which will be played July 25 – 31, 2011.   The announcement was made by PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties President and EVP, Championship Management David Pillsbury.

“We are thrilled to add this legendary layout to the TPC Network and look forward to continuing The Greenbrier’s tradition for superb golf, remarkable amenities and personalized service,” said Pillsbury.  “In partnership with The Greenbrier management team, PGA TOUR players and tournament fans, we also look forward to positively impacting the local community through the TOUR’s ‘Together, anything’s possible’ charitable mission.”

Included in the TPC relationship is management consultation from PGA TOUR.  As part of that, 30-year golf industry veteran Burton Baine has been hired to be on property to advise the owner regarding day to day golf course operations.  In addition to managing some of the country’s leading high-end private golf clubs, including TPC Piper Glen in Charlotte, NC, Baine is an accomplished player and Class A PGA of America golf professional – having been named PGA Northern Texas Section Player of the Year as well as PGA Northern Texas Section Golf Professional of the Year.

“We are delighted to enter into this agreement with the PGA TOUR and the TPC Network, two of the most respected brands in all of sports,” said Jim Justice, owner of The Greenbrier and West Virginia native.  “Together with the PGA TOUR, under the leadership of Burton Baine, I am confident The Old White TPC will regain its position as one of the most iconic golf layouts in the world and help restore The Greenbrier to its original glory as one of the most exclusive resorts on the globe.”