PGA Prez: Bethpage News Not Leaked By Us

Because the NCAA's Summer Match Play is going on this week...err the U.S. Amateur, PGA President Ted Bishop was asked by Matt Adams on PGA Tour Radio if this was a PGA of America return punch. Though it's hard to disrupt an event that so few are paying attention to.

On Matt Adams' Fairways of Life Tuesday, PGA of America President Ted Bishop was asked if the finalization of the long-rumored Bethpage PGA/Ryder Cup was meant as a shot back at the USGA. Since the PGA hasn't finalized the deal with no press conference is set, Bishop was fired up.

 “the PGA of America would not make any kind of a major announcement that would upstage any of one of our major championship partners or the PGA Tour, it’s not the right way to do things. ”

He also said...

“I am insulted that anyone would think that.” (on whether they leaked Bethpage info)…

You can listen to the full interview here. Bishop starts at the 38:40 mark.

All Set: Bethpage Black For '19 PGA, '24 Ryder Cup

Golfweek Staff reports that the PGA and State of New York are putting the finishing touches on a package delivering the 2019 PGA to Bethpage and the 2024 Ryder Cup to the Black Course. Golfweek Staff says the announcement is set for August 13th, but my sources say the negotiations are not complete and an announcement is a ways off.

As reported by Sam Weinman two years ago, this process started under PGA CEO Joe Steranka and has been finalized by new CEO Pete Bevacqua, who worked at the USGA during the 2009 U.S. Open there. A native New Yorker, Bevacqua negotiated with then Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on an amicable settlement for U.S. Open ticket refunds after rain inundated the event.

Last week, Bevacqua praised the now-Governor for his help with the PGA at Oak Hill.

Just to echo Ted's thoughts, Rochester is such a golf savvy town and we have received such unbelievable support, it's really been incredible to see these first three days. Also, I think it's absolutely worth noting that the reception we've had from the State of New York and Governor Cuomo's office, almost unprecedented support. I think bringing a major championship into any part of the country is a big endeavor and it's big business for this region, and I want to thank the governor's office in the State of New York.

This does not get a future PGA out to the west coast, something Bevacqua stated last week was a top priority. However, because you all watched the Grey Goose 19th Hole last week where John Feinstein, David Fay and myself discussed this news, the Ryder Cup at The Black will be most electric venue the event has ever seen. And the awkward routing of the Black actually works beautifully in a Ryder Cup format.

I have just two requests for the PGA of America: integrate the event more closely with New York City any way you can. And please, please use the 18th hole on the Red Course for the finishing hole. Please!

Update on 2013-08-13 16:55 by Geoff

**Our Bethpage discussion from the Grey Goose 19th Hole last week:

AP: "It was the second time in five years that the USGA made a major announcement during the PGA"

Granted, the last time was at least rules related but this is the second time, first time though for the modern USGA that has prided itself in disciplined messaging.

(click to enlarge)From Doug Ferguson's expanded AP story on the USGA-Fox partnership:

The timing was peculiar. It was the second time in five years that the USGA made a major announcement during the PGA Championship — it announced a change in the size and shape of grooves in golf clubs at the 2008 PGA Championship.

The PGA of America was the most outspoken against the USGA's ban on anchored strokes.

"Given the very nature of major media and broadcast deals, they have a way of taking on a life of their own," Goode said in an email. "Rest assured, it was not our intent and it is not our style to disrupt a partner's event."

A life of their own? Rest assure not your intent? Joseph, sure you have better than that?

PGA Statement On Tackily-Timed USGA TV Announcement

A statement from the PGA of America at the request of this website on the stunningly disrespectful and classless move by the USGA to announce their new television contract on the eve of the PGA Championship:

"On a night when we honored Lee Trevino with our PGA Distinguished Service Award and on the eve of the PGA Championship, we would hope that the attention of the entire golf world would be on the season's final major."

So not only does the USGA trip up, the PGA of America scores more points for taking the higher ground. And gets in a plug for Trevino's Distinguished Service Award!

PGA On West Coast Venues: "It's certainly a priority"

From today's PGA of America press conference, answering a question from Doug Ferguson about Torrey Pines as a possible PGA Championship venue:

Q. Secondly, for Pete, there's been some talk over the last couple of years whether Torrey would be interested in a PGA Championship. Just curious if you could say whether they have asked to host, and where that stands if they have.

PETE BEVACQUA: Yeah, Doug, I would tell you, part of our strategy is to look at locations and potential locations, obviously for both the PGA Championship and The Ryder Cup.

We don't have any definitive answers regarding the West Coast, other than we think being on the West Coast makes a lot of sense at some point in the future. So we certainly have our eye on different venues on the West Coast. We think it's important to bring the PGA Championship to that part of the country, as well as The Ryder Cup at some point, and it's certainly a priority of the organizations.

USGA "Pleased" PGA Tour And PGA Of America Saw The Light

A statement released today after the PGA Tour and PGA of America came on board with the anchoring ban. No acknowledgement of the suggested extension for the amateur game. 

“The United States Golf Association is pleased with the decision by the PGA Tour and The PGA of America to follow Rule 14-1b, when it goes into effect in January 2016, for their respective competitions. As set forth in our report, “Explanation of Decision to Adopt Rule 14-1b,” the game benefits from having a single set of rules worldwide, applicable to all levels of play, and the acceptance of Rule 14-1b by the PGA Tour and The PGA of America supports the game in this regard.”

 Translation: as it should have been all along until you guys decided to get all independent minded...

PGA Of America Letting PGA Tour Take The Anchoring Ban Reins

Mike Stachura reports that after all that huffing and puffing about the anchoring ban, the PGA of America will be leaning on the PGA Tour to determine its future stance on the anchored putting ban.

"As we have seen over the past few months, the Rules of Golf can affect recreational golf in addition to play at the elite level. The PGA of America will continue to confer with the PGA Tour on the subject of Rule 14-1b, and The PGA of America will reserve any public comments on this matter until after the PGA Tour Policy Board meets on July 1."

The decision to let the PGA Tour dictate things was made at Sunriver, Oregon during the PGA Club Pro which ended with a dramatic playoff shot when Rob Labritz, Director of Golf at GlenArbor Golf Club in Bedford, N.Y., holed his third on the par-4 11th at Sunriver Resort (Ore.) to capture the 20th spot.

Thanks to Alex Myers for catching this.

The video:

Golf World Feature: "Behind Closed Doors."

In his latest blog post, PGA of America President Ted Bishop writes that watching Adam Scott win "was probably as painful as swallowing a handful of nails for USGA and R&A officials."

The increasingly confrontational tone between Bishop's PGA and Peter Dawson's R&A is just one of the many topics covered in my Golf World feature from Augusta, posted on GolfDigest.com.

The centerpiece topic, of course, is the Woods ruling and the handling by Fred Ridley as yet another recent black eye for casual observers of the Rules.