Where Do Golf's Leading Bodies Stand On Trump?

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Forget the question of where you stand on Donald Trump politically--even though most seem to despise the man as he racks up votes and states in the Republican presidential primary.

I'm more interested in knowing if anyone understands where the PGA Tour, USGA, PGA of America and R&A stand with the man.

After all, they joined forces to condemn him last July in a strongly-worded, unprecedented Four-Of-Five Family statement. The PGA Tour continues to signal in roundabout ways that they won't mind the Doral partnership ending this week, though much of that tension may stem from philosophic course setup differences.

Upon consuming some pre-Doral writings and a well-produced TV piece (like the one from Golf Channel hosted by Gary Williams), I'm more confused than ever as to where they all stand on the man. We've heard how he's bad, he's wrong, he's divisive, he's Mussolini, he's...we still kind of like him!

I sense Golf.com's Cameron Morfit has picked up this weird inconsistency, prompting a commentary calling on the tour to cut ties with Trump:

It was only two years ago that the PGA of America swiftly fired President Ted Bishop for calling Ian Poulter a "lil girl" on social media. Compared to Trump's bombast, Bishop's slip-up seems small, but context is everything. Golf was and is in the midst of a reckoning as it deals with declining participation; the sport needs little girls to feel welcome at their local course, not wondering why one of the sport's leaders would use "lil girl" as an insult.

And in Karen Crouse's NY Times analysis of the Trump-golf relationship, there was this from the former Carter Administration member who makes political donations (not that there's anything wrong with that!).

In January, at a tour stop outside Palm Springs., the PGA commissioner, Tim Finchem, was asked about the extent of former President Bill Clinton’s involvement with the event. The Clinton Foundation was one of the sponsors, but Clinton, a tireless promoter of the tournament in recent years, was spending time on the campaign trail with his wife, Hillary Clinton, a front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination.
“We like to think that presidential politics doesn’t affect the situation here,” Finchem said.

Perhaps with an eye toward defusing any controversy here, Finchem added that the tour and its tournaments were “apolitical” and said, “We’re going to stay that way.”

In golf's leadership world, they're still taking tournaments to his courses and passing opportunities to break free. It's as if they are afraid to say goodbye. And since Mr. Trump could be the Republican nominee and America's next president, you can't blame them for wanting a line to the White House. It's a lot sexier than a line to Mara-a-Lago.

So just admit it Mssrs. Finchem, Bevacqua, Davis and Slumbers: you don't like his comments but also fear getting on Mr. Trump's bad side. Or admit you like his courses and the markets they're in because you're all about the bottom line.

But don't condemn the man and his positions, and then continue to do business with him as he doesn't soften his more controversial stances. That inconsistency brings more shame to the game than taking a traditional stance on such a divisive figure.

PGA Tour: Cell Phone Pics Allowed, Except Of Play

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The policy now (officially) allows for what has been taking place at tournaments: fans taking group photos or general scene shots. Though the only people who would enforce this were marshals.

The tour still forbids photography of play, not that this has been stopping anyone.

But at least they are starting to accept reality...

PGA TOUR expands use of mobile devices by spectators at PGA TOUR tournaments

Fans now permitted to take photographs with mobile devices all week away from areas of play

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., February 29, 2016 – Effective immediately, fans at PGA TOUR events are permitted to take photographs with their mobile devices throughout tournament week, except in areas of play during official tournament rounds or when requested by players, security, and TOUR officials to refrain from taking a photo. Previously, the policy restricted all photography to Designated Cell Phone Areas during tournament play.

Anything outside of a mobile device, such as cameras and video recorders, are not allowed during official rounds.

Following are the TOUR policy guidelines:

Devices must be on silent at all times.
Calls may be placed or answered only in designated “Cell Phone Zones.”
Devices may not be used to capture audio/video at any time during tournament week.

Well, except when a Snapchat partnership is in play.

During practice and pro-am rounds, photography is permitted in all areas.

During official competition rounds, photography is prohibited within any areas of competition (i.e. teeing grounds, tee shot landing areas and on/around putting greens) or when requested by tournament staff, security, players, or player representatives. Photography in non-competition areas is permitted.

Data use (e.g., texting, email, etc.) will be permitted outside of the designated “Cell Phone Zones” all week, but away from play.

Data use is not permitted when players are in position to compete (i.e., when QUIET PLEASE paddles are raised).

“Our mobile device policy has been met with great enthusiasm by fans,” said Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR chief of operations. “We believe the expanded policy will significantly enhance the on-site spectator experience while maintaining a suitable atmosphere for all players on the course.”

In early 2011, the PGA TOUR implemented its Mobile Device Policy which allowed fans for the first time to bring their mobile phones into tournaments. The Honda Classic was the first event for which the mobile device policy was implemented as an enhancement to the overall fan experience. This followed testing at five TOUR events in late 2010 and early 2011 to gauge the potential impact of mobile devices at PGA TOUR events.

Judge To Tour Caddies: Bibs Are Your Uniforms

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That's what Judge Vince Chhabria wrote in dismissing the federal lawsuit filed by 168 tour caddies.

You may recall that caddies were suing over a host of issues, but the primary issue was with having to wear caddie bibs with tournament or other sponsor branding, free of compensation.

Rex Hoggard reports:

“Even if this contract language might appear susceptible to two different interpretations when considered in isolation, there is only one reasonable interpretation when the language is considered in the context of this case,” Chhabria wrote. “The bib has been the primary part of the ‘uniform’ that the Tour requires caddies to wear.”

The Donald: Tour Won’t Pull Doral Event From My Course

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On the eve of his expected triumph in the New Hampshire Republican Presidential primary--there's something I didn't expect to type--Donald Trump suggested to Golf.com's Peter Bukowski that he's fine with the PGA Tour leaving Trump Doral. Why? Because he'll make more money without the annual stop.

But he doesn't see them ending the longest continuously running tour site.

"They do not want to do that,” Trump said. “There’s no site like Doral in Florida. I have the greatest site in all of Florida."

A higher power may take the decision out of the PGA Tour's hands: the lack of sponsorship going forward that would result from Cadillac not renewing, which appears to be the case.

Waste Management's Attendance Numbers In Perspective

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I always picture a group of Thunderbirds rolling up the sleeves of their blue suede sweaters and throwing darts at new record attendance numbers to announce annually.

Because right on cue, they set new records again at the 2016 Waste Management Open. Mitzvah!

Brian Wacker's tweet of the media center attendance board: 

Though I'm with reader Chris, who noted that extra three just looks a little too perfectly imperfect:

This noted, the Thunderbirds should also be praised for their ticket pricing, which encourages large crowds on a course that is pretty easy for spectators to actually see golf without working too hard.

From their website: 

Monday, Tuesday: FREE
Wednesday – Thursday: $30
Friday – Sunday: $40
Ages 17 & under are free when accompanied by an adult.

At the recently played Farmers Insurance Open, the admission price is $50, with the course closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday. The $50 price might explain the ghost town vibe there this year on Thursday.

Adult – $50 / Seniors – $35
Youth 13-17 – $10 / Kids 12 & under – free
Military FREE with ID

At the upcoming Northern Trust Open, the pricing is both higher and harder to comprehend.

Monday Collegiate Pro-Am: $19
Course closed Tuesday (oy vey)
Wednesday Pro-Am: $19
Thursday Regular Price: $39
Friday Regular Price: $49
Saturday Regular Price: $59 (includes English Beat concert)
Sunday: Regular Price: $49
Any Day Flex Ticket Regular Price: $64
Season Badge Regular Price: $139
Ages 17 & under are free when accompanied by an adult
Military Free with ID

Wounded Warrior Execs Spending Lavishly On...Themselves?

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The Wounded Warrior Project is closely aligned with golf through programs, formerly with the PGA Tour's Birdies for the Brave and mostly through the efforts of many players to raise money for the group. Jordan Spieth made a major 2014 contribution to the group. (The PGA Tour has not given money to the project for three years according to a tour spokesman.)

And while I'm not entirely comfortable questioning lavish spending by those doing the difficult task of fundraising, a New York Times special report posted by Dave Phillipps raises troubling questions. Especially since the bulk of the Jacksonville, Florida non-profit's funds come--$372 million in 2015 alone--through small donations from people over 65, not through the corporate sector.

Besides mentioning instances of excess spending and targeting of employees who questioned the culture of spending, the story points out that as far as charities go, WWP's spending on overheard is excessive at best.

About 40 percent of the organization’s donations in 2014 were spent on its overhead, or about $124 million, according to the charity-rating group Charity Navigator. While that percentage, which includes administrative expenses and marketing costs, is not as much as for some groups, it is far more than for many veterans charities, including the Semper Fi Fund, a wounded-veterans group that spent about 8 percent of donations on overhead. As a result, some philanthropic watchdog groups have criticized the Wounded Warrior Project for spending too heavily on itself.

Some of its own employees have criticized it, too. During five years with the Wounded Warrior Project, William Chick, a former supervisor, said of the charity, “It slowly had less focus on veterans and more on raising money and protecting the organization.”

Pieters: PGA Tour Provides (Photoshop) Grooming Services

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Jason Crook reports on Thomas Pieters going to Facebook to show how the PGA Tour altered his stock photo. Pieters, who finshed second to Rickie Fowler in last week's HSBC in Abu Dhabi, appears to have run into Commissioner Kiehl's and his army of Photoshopping barbers.

Look out Boo Weekley!

PGA Tour: No Plans To Cave On The Shorts Issue

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And I say, you go Tim Finchem!

Alistair Tait quotes PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw on the issue of players wanting to wear shorts in tournaments:

"We are aware of the European Tour's change in policy that allows players to wear shorts at certain events during practice and pro-am rounds. The PGA Tour's policy remains unchanged. Players are required to wear long pants when playing practice, pro-am and official competition rounds."

With 773 of you voting, a resounding 64% said pro golfers should be allowed to wear shorts to 36% of you who I agree with.