Ridley Given PGA Distinguished Service Award

Fred Ridley, whose wallet is a shade lighter without the Citation Vector JetCard that helped him overcome the burdens of USGA presidential travel, follows Titleist CEO Wally Uihlein as winner of the PGA of America Distinguished Service Award.

Hey, hey hey hey...I hear you giggling. Stop that! This is a very, very important award.

Ridley's duties with the USGA include serving as chairman of the Championship Committee from 2000-2003, the group responsible for the conduct of all USGA competitions. He also has chaired the Amateur Status and Conduct, as well as the International Team Selection Committees.

"Fred Ridley's contributions to the administration of golf have had a direct impact on the millions of amateur players throughout this country that enjoy this game," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "His leadership also has enabled an even stronger bond to develop between the USGA and The PGA of America which has resulted in enhancing our respective programs that drive participation in golf. We are most proud to present Fred Ridley with the PGA Distinguished Service Award."

More WGC Talk

An AP story on the lack of world in World Golf Championships.

 "We're in the planning process," Finchem said. "We would like to play a full-fledged World Golf Championship in the fall in Asia. It's premature to say where, but our intent is to do something next year."

This might be the only avenue Finchem has to Asia, a market he covets.

Covets it so much that I understand from a reliable source that they've already signed on with a site in Asia.

So why are they waiting to announce it? 

Man of the People

Yes, Golfweek's Jim Achenbach says Walter Driver's speech in Atlanta demonstrates that the new USGA president may just be a man of the people after all. Despite memberships in ultra-private clubs that don't admit women while whizzing around in a private jet at the USGA's expense (where he's already logged plenty of hours as vice president), man of the people doesn't quite come to mind.

But I didn't get to see his acceptance speech.

Driver made an apparently heroic leap for mankind by stepping away from the podium to talk to the jury audience. I've already heard from two people present who found it to be a cheap ploy.

But not everyone felt that way...

ATLANTA – To gain an appreciation of how Walter Driver thinks, consider this: The U.S. Golf Association is 112 years old, and Driver is believed to be the first president in USGA history to deliver a formal acceptance speech from the middle of his audience and not from a podium above them.

And...

Driver, one of the most prominent attorneys in the United States, descended from the stage where the podium was located. He walked into the crowd of 500 and gave an emotional and thoughtful speech. It was easy for an observer to imagine Driver in a courtroom, displaying his skills. Driver, 60, is considered an expert in the field of international banking and finance.

For the record, Driver recently left his position as chairman of the law firm of King & Spalding to become Chairman-Southeast for financial conglomerate Goldman Sachs.

Once a chairman, always a chairman.

Oh, and it gets more maudlin.

Driver's message was one of appreciating the people who are mentors and friends in our lives. He focused on golf, of course, humanizing it by introducing his parents and a lineup of golf buddies who have enriched his life.

That was the point of this address: Golf and the people who play it are responsible for making our lives richer and more rewarding, and we should honor the game and all who play it.

And I'm sorry, what does this have to do with the job of the USGA Executive Committee at arguably its most critical junction?

Let's read between the lines in analyzing Driver.

If Driver takes golf to the people, he will counteract the widespread notion that the USGA is run by rich white men who are out of touch with ordinary golfers.

As the longtime chairman of King & Spalding, Driver established a stellar record of hiring minority lawyers. It is no coincidence that Bill Lewis, a high-powered investment banker and an African-American who is a golf fanatic, joined the USGA Executive Committee on the same day that Driver ascended to the presidency.

What this has to do with protecting the integrity of the sport, I have no idea. (And if you want read an alternative take on King & Spaulding's hiring record, head here.)

There is another reason that Driver's presidency is considered crucial by many people: The USGA is considering whether it should change golf ball rules and regulations. Some powerful USGA ex-presidents, among others, have lobbied diligently for a shorter golf ball to preserve the integrity of older, shorter golf courses and eliminate the need for newer mega-length layouts.

A decision on the golf ball is not expected this year but could come in 2007, which would be Driver's second and final year as president.

At the annual meeting, as Driver walked through the audience and talked about the joys of the sport, the world of golf seemed at peace.

But, with major challenges lying ahead, this was misleading. If Driver is to become golf's great communicator, if he is to deal effectively with golf equipment manufacturers, he may need divine, as well as human, accommodation.

"That's why we have presidents," someone said respectfully as the crowd bumped its way out of the Grand Hyatt ballroom.

And that's why they call it groupthink!

Ron Sirak at Golf World also found the speech "moving," but he wasn't as mesmerized as Achenbach. Sad to say, but ten years from now people will be writing the same columns about the USGA needing to diversify.

But more importantly, in ten years will we be wondering if that will be the year they actually address issues impacting the game?

"Just The Way It's Going Now"

J.B. Holmes in this USA Today story on the shift to power/flogging:

"It's better to have a wedge in the rough than a 7-iron in the middle of the fairway. That's just the way it's going now."

And this, which is hard to imagine since he seemed to have wedge into every par-4 at Scottsdale:

"I'm not overswinging or anything. That's just my normal swing to try to get it in the fairway. There's probably been times I've hit the driver better. When that happens, I can go low because I have so many wedges in my hand."

Huggan On WGC's

Well so much for wondering when writers would notice that the PGA Tour has anchored the "World Golf Championships" in the U.S.

John Huggan vents on Golfobserver. Make sure you read all of this one. The highlights:

There was, given the reaction of the other Federation members, not so much as a warning phone call from Ponte Vedra. Tim Finchem, commissioner of the PGA Tour, had simply done what was financially expedient for his organization and members. And everyone else? They could, as my granny used to say, take a running jump to themselves.

As an example of corporate arrogance, it was breathtaking. As an example of international cooperation and friendship, it was, to put it in crude Scottish parlance, piss-taking. 

It was also, of course, an example of blatant hypocrisy. While the PGA Tour wants the kudos that goes with being seen to metaphorically join hands with their 'friends' across the oceans, they also have no intention of listening to anything said in anything but an American accent. 

Make sure to check out the chart of WGC venue sites accompanying the column. 

Driver Coming Around?

Jerry Potter looks at Walter Driver taking over as USGA president.

"The main thing we have to do is remain vigilant," Driver said, "and make sure technology doesn't outweigh skill, especially among the elite players."

Lerner On Recent Events

Rich Lerner offers a bit of this and that looking at recent events in golf.

The Presidential Address

Consider the difference between the USGA presidential acceptance speeches of Fred Ridley and Walter Driver.

Ridley outlines "four clear goals," then goes to discuss them at length.

Driver outlines goals too:

1) The USGA continue to conduct the very best championships in golf;
2) Communicate better with all our constituencies so every golfer will be a true advocate for amateur golf and for the USGA; and
3) Continue to monitor technology in equipment developments to preserve the game and adhere to our charter -- "To promote and conserve the best interests and true spirit of the game of golf."

That ends the substance of tonight's speech. It's time to talk about himself.

"Instead of the ‘normal’ speech, I want to do that by recognizing some people who have meant a great deal to me in my life on and off the golf course."

Sure looks like it's not going to be a "normal" year with Driver. 

Oh, wait, apparently he believes he has been elected to a two year term!?

And my commitment to you tonight is that in my two years as president of the USGA, I will do everything I can to bring out that passion in all the members of our organization and to the members still to join.

Sounds a bit presumptuous if you go by the USGA press release.

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Vol. 5

The PGA Tour driving distance average rose 2.3 yards in Scottsdale to 289.4 yards for the season.

In the 350-yard or longer drive category, the tally was boosted by 22 tee shots, pushing the season total to 481 for the season. (Sheesh, J.B. Holmes must have had at least half of those 22!?)

There were 2059 drives of 350 yards or more in 2005.

Ah but the two-week streak without a 400 yarder ended, with 2 hit, bringing the season total to 15 and just four behind last year's total of 19.

Sirak on Long John (Holmes)

Ron Sirak writes about the emerging youth in men's and women's golf, with J.B. Holmes as his prime example of the next generation inspired by Tiger Woods.

While there is no doubt that the occassional power player that comes out of no where and drives it insane distances proves fascinating (as Sirak says), there does not seem to be much consideration for the ramifications that this equipment-aided boom might be having on say, course design or setup.

Nor is there acknowledgement that this phenomenon is in large part the product of improved equipment, not necessarily improved skill.

It would seem the question of skill and what exactly it means is one worth debating. Because if nothing else, it would be an interesting debate. No?

Ballmark Study

Not the sexiest topic, but there are some interesting findings with photos in this Kansas State study on ballmarks.

I wonder if most golfers do it incorrectly because they see how PGA Tour pros fix ballmarks? 

True Bomber's Paradise

From an AP story on Justin Leonard and David Toms at Scottsdale:

One explanation for the two's demise on Sunday is that the TPC of Scottsdale course is a true bomber's paradise. The fairways were hard and fast and the rough thin, both caused by 109 consecutive rainless days.

Remember that last comment.

Consider the last six golfers who have won this event: Phil Mickelson, Jonathan Kaye, Vijay Singh, Chris DiMarco and Mark Calcavecchia. All but DiMarco are ahead of Leonard and Toms in driving distance average and are plenty capable of bombing it well past 300 yards.

"I think [length] is a huge advantage," Leonard said. "You can carry the bunkers and the water and avoid the trouble."

Can carry the bunkers and water. Not roll it through the bunkers and around the water. Carry it. Hmmmm...

Toms was resigned to his lack of length, but is concerned that it is starting to overrun the game.

"Some guys have to work between the bunkers like me," Toms said. "Other guys can blow it over. That's just the way it is."

Just blow it over? Wait, what about the roll? The agronomy?

This year's event provided more evidence that long drivers rule in the desert.

The final threesome of the day averaged more than 300 yards off the tee.

Holmes was first in driving distance average at 319.7 yards. His longest drive was 365 yards on No. 13 in round two. Henry was averaging 303.9 yards and was ranked 12th. His longest drive was 353 yards on the ninth hole in the first round. Palmer was the short hitter of the group, only ranking 16th and averaging 301.5. His longest drive was a paltry 340 yards on the 13th hole in the final round.

Conversely, Leonard averaged 284.1 yards off the tee, 67th out of 72 players. Toms was 47th, averaging 290.8 yards.

Holmes Post Round Talk

J.B. Holmes after his round: 

J.B. HOLMES: Yeah, 13 was in the fairway. I was in between clubs, picked the wrong one, hit a great shot and just landed in the middle of the green and went over. Then went over in about the worst spot it could be. I played an okay shot, really wasn't that great of a shot to 25, 30 feet.

Then hit a great putt and it went in. So that was all the way around.

Q. What was the club on that?

J.B. HOLMES: I hit a 6 iron.

Q. What was your number in, do you remember?

J.B. HOLMES: I think it was it might have been 216 to the pin or something.

JOAN v.T. ALEXANDER: 15, you had eagle?

J.B. HOLMES: I hit a good 3 wood. That was probably one of the bigger swings of the day, just getting it in that fairway. It's so firm and the ball can take off to the left there. Then just hit a great 4 iron right where I aimed it and just smoked it. It went up there, rolled right up there and then made a great putt.

Q. You had 257 to the flag and you hit 4 iron over water?

J.B. HOLMES: Yeah. It was only 230 to the front. It flew like 235 or something.

Q. Was that the second best shot of the day?

J.B. HOLMES: Yeah. The putt was probably the second best shot. The 4 iron was definitely huge. Ryan being in the water and then hitting it up there like that, that was a big change for me.

JOAN v.T. ALEXANDER: 17, you had a birdie.

J.B. HOLMES: 17, just aimed middle of the green, hit it out there pretty good, and it started turning a little bit towards the hole and bounced up. I thought I made my first one, just didn't hit it hard enough, and tapped in for birdie.

Q. 3 wood?

J.B. HOLMES: Yeah.

Uh, that's a par-4 he's talking about, in case you were unsure. 

Oh and nice 77-yard approach into 18! Wow. 

Tiger In Dubai

This has to be scary for anyone dreaming of winning the Masters this year:

TIGER WOODS: I just have to my list of things I needed to work on is a lot shorter than it was last year at the same time. And I just felt like I didn't have this ability at this time last year to turn things around, because I had so many things to try and work onto get things to where I could do that, and my understanding of my new swing.

But after another year of experience with it, I had that ability now to turn things around because I have an understanding of ball flight and my swing and the mechanics that [instructor] Hank [Haney] has been trying to teach me.

And I'm not sure if this qualifies as a rally killer, a point misser, or a point missing rally killer?

Q. Did it ever cross your mind as you were going back on the 18th tee that you don't like that hole and Ernie Els has a fantastic record on that hole?

TIGER WOODS: No. I thought the hole was playing pretty easy for me today because it was into the wind. If I hit the ball on the line like I did earlier in the week, I can't get to the hazard. So it eliminates an obstacle for me. So even if I hit a straight ball, I'm still fine. I'm still going to be in the fairway. And so I don't have to turn it that much and the wind is coming off the right a little bit, just hit a straight ball at the indicate, kind of bring it over, and I can't run into the hazard. So for me, I thought it was playing easier being into the wind than it was downwind.

Q. Going back to memories, what is your fondest memory at Stanford?

TIGER WOODS: At Stanford? [Here Tiger's thinking huh!? But you'd never guess it...] There's so many, there really are...

Golf In China

Charles McGrath in the Sunday NY Times' new sports magazine:

Golf has now replaced karaoke as the preferred way of entertaining business clients.

What all this means, though, is that golf hasn't evolved in China: it has arrived more or less full-blown, in its high-end and even slightly decadent form. If you think of the country as a kind of golf laboratory, it's one that skipped over all the populist experiments — the developmental stage of public links and pitch 'n' putt and little rural nine-holers — and went straight to the exclusive clubs and the gated golf course communities whose manicured fairways are lined with McMansions. There are no munis, just a handful of daily-fee courses, and the membership at most clubs would set you back more than it would at Winged Foot.

Officially the Chinese government appears to be ambivalent about golf, which it eradicated, along with other vestiges of Western luxury and elitism, in 1949. In Shanghai, for example, where the British introduced golf to the Chinese in the 19th century and where the most famous club, Hung-Jao, was taken over by the municipal authorities and turned into a zoo, government officials are still discouraged from playing. Many do, anyway. They just use assumed names.

It has been said that if Hu Jintao, the country's president, were ever photographed holding a club, a million new golfers would come leaping out of the closet. Occasionally you also hear that China is in danger of turning into Myrtle Beach, S.C., with more courses than there are players to keep them profitable. But you would never think so from visiting Chinese clubs, which teem with golfers from dawn to dusk. At Mission Hills, the country's largest golf complex, outside the city of Shenzhen, people play under the lights until two in the morning.