"The entire business 'smelled of sleaze'"

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I'm not well versed in Scotland's political system, but by the sounds of this Kate Devlin story in the Telegraph, The Donald's victory in Aberdeenshire is going to be scrutinized and could unravel.

The SNP leader is accused of breaking regulations by meeting representatives of the developer the day before his ministers announced they would make the final decision on the project, previously rejected by Aberdeenshire county council.

Damagingly, the proposed development is in his Gordon constituency and Mr Salmond claims he met the Trump team only in his capacity as MSP.

He also insists that he had no knowledge that his ministers were about to "call in" the application because, as a local MSP, he is barred from knowing anything of the process.

It also emerged that members of the Trump Organisation were in the office of Scotland's chief planner when he called the council to discuss ways to resurrect the application.

Last week Mr Stephen, himself an MSP for the Aberdeen area, told the First Minister that the entire business "smelled of sleaze".

 

Rory's Courtesy Car Spotted!?

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The La Habra branch of this web site's vast art department was passing by LAX and nearby Hawthorne's classy Bare Elegance en route to a Monday evening church service when he caught a glimpse of this Target World Challenge-logoed courtesy car parked in front of the club.

Why, could that be Rory Sabbatini's lost courtesy car, ditched after the great one couldn't get an airport ride following his WD from the Target World Challenge? You be the judge...

Rory.jpg 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Golf is unprepared for its first big scandal, and maybe it will never come."

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Michael Bamberger wonders what golf would do if a drug scandal comes along and whether fans would really care.

Donald Trump, the budding golf impresario who would own a baseball team in a New York minute if he thought he could make money at it, said a while back, "Do you care if these ballplayers are using steroids? I do not. I just want to see them hit home runs." Trump has a knack for saying what others are thinking, which may explain why baseball set attendance records in 2007, steroid scandal and all.

For golf fans, the question is really the same. It's the answer that makes all the difference. When a professional golfer clocks a drive 360 yards and straight, it's an awesome sight, right? But would you find it less awesome if you suspected the golfer was juiced?
The equipment has been juiced and most just want to know where they can buy the same fix. However, attendance in golf most certainly isn't setting records. Either way, the authorities have known the equipment was juiced and chose to do nothing, therefore the cost, pain and degrading nature of drug testing is the result. No need to sympathize.

On another note, the PGA Tour is already suggesting privately that writers will declare the testing insufficient or not-credible after no one tests positive.

It's a clever bit of spin, perhaps even dreamed up by the Powell-Tate folks, designed to make scribblers feel guilty when they sit down to write a column wondering why no one flunked the testing.  I'm of the school that the mere introduction of testing will serve the most important purpose: stopping kids from trying something that could do serious harms to their bodies.

I also believe that drug testing in golf will go the same way driver testing went: right off everyone's radar screen.

Thoughts? 

“There would be no Bandon Dunes if it weren’t for Howard McKee"

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John Gunther reports on the passing of Howard McKee, probably best known to readers of Steve Goodwin's book on Bandon Dunes.

“There would be no Bandon Dunes if it weren’t for Howard McKee,” Keiser told me in a phone interview this week.

The two met nearly two decades ago, when Howard was the land planner for the proposed 1992 World’s Fair in Chicago, home of Keiser’s Recycle Paper Greetings business.

They became fast friends, and when Howard learned Keiser was looking for property on the East Coast to build an Irish-style links golf course, he suggested Keiser also look at the West Coast.

“I had never considered Oregon,” Keiser said.

They looked at various properties, and after choosing the site near Bandon, Howard took on the entire burden of the challenging land permit process that led to approval of the site for the resort.

A GolfClubAtlas.com thread includes remarks from Tom Doak. 

Add A Courtesy Car To Rory's Stolen Loot!

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Rory's right, the media is to blame for his lousy reputation. They report his most basic activities!

From Doug Ferguson's story we learn he not only made off with $170,000, but also seems to have taken his Buick Enclave to LAX without telling anyone. Think he left it at the curb? Lot C? The In-and-Out parking lot?

A locker room attendant, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information, said Sabbatini cleaned out his locker on Saturday afternoon and gave away sweaters and shoes. He told them he was headed to Hawaii, where he spends his Christmas vacation.

His agent, Bud Martin, said Sabbatini told him he withdrew because of shin splints.

``He had shin splints that were bothering him yesterday,'' Martin said after talking to Sabbatini on Sunday. ``He went home overnight and worked on them with his trainer, and they weren't getting any better. He said he wasn't going to risk it.''

Tournament director Greg McLaughlin wasn't informed until 8:30 a.m., although he had a hunch Sabbatini was leaving when he was checking out of the hotel and overheard the concierge trying unsuccessfully to book Sabbatini a limo for eight to get to the airport.

``We're disappointed that he withdrew,'' McLaughlin said. ``It's the first time in the history of the event that we've ever had a professional not complete four rounds of competition.''

By Sunday afternoon, McLaughlin still could not locate Sabbatini's courtesy car. Paul Casey said he saw the South African loading up the car in the hotel parking lot.

 

Rory's Shins Will Be Split If He Keeps This Up **

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Karl MacGinty reports on Rory's latest brand-building moment.

Yet Rory Sabbatini was the talk of the Target World Challenge as he became the first player in nine years not to finish this end-of-season benefit for Tiger's Foundation. Sabbatini, who irked Woods a couple of times this year with controversial public comments, cleared out his locker on Saturday, saying he was heading for Hawaii, his usual Christmas retreat.

A third round 76 had left him in last place on 10-over and while PGA Tour officials announced he'd withdrawn for "personal reasons", Sabbatini's management later said he had shin splints.

Tiger simply shrugged when asked of Sabbatini's non-appearance but Fred Couples commented: "He (Sabbatini) is messing with the wrong guy."

Sabbatini's entitled to $170,000 for last place but Couples said "he should give that back to the Foundation."

Not our Rory!

My "Can you break 100?" Entry

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content_left_pic_a.jpgAccording to NBC's Dan Hicks, Golf Digest has received over 4000 entries now for the pre-U.S. Open reality show.

Well, I've decided to enter and need your help. Here's the challenge:

Can you break 100? Tell us what you think you would shoot, and why you should be the Golf Digest reader in the foursome with three celebrities. Max 100 words.
So here's what I wrote: 
Yes, I can break 100. I feel a 99 is definitely possible, particularly if I'm inspired by playing with one of my heroes, such as Donald Trump or Danny Gans. I should be the Golf Digest reader playing because (A) I love famous people and what little they stand for, (B) I can explain to viewers how Torrey Pines is one of the great missed opportunities in golf course design history, pointing out the remarkable sameness of the bunkering, the horribly insufficient use of the clifftop edges, and the almost completely lack of risk-reward opportunities, and finally, (C) I can tell viewers about all of the great things the USGA should be doing but is afraid to try.

What do you think? How would you touch it up before I hit the send button? 

USGA Finds Next PR Director For Walter Driver To Blame**

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His name is Chris Wightman, and while I'm still waiting on the USGA release, GolfDigest.com has an unbylined story that reads eerily like a press release about the poor bastard lucky recipient of Marty Parkes' old job.

Following a comprehensive national search, the United States Golf Association has named Christopher P. Wightman to the position of Managing Director, Communications. In this newly-created position, Wightman will oversee all communication functions and work across the organization to integrate the growing initiatives of the USGA.

"The addition of Chris, with his talents and experience, will help the USGA in identifying and presenting new, creative approaches to our programs and services," said USGA Executive Director, David Fay.
With 25 years of media expertise, Wightman brings the USGA a diverse and sophisticated background in publishing, broadcast, digital media, marketing and media relations. Wightman recently completed five years as Publisher of GOLF Magazine, one of the largest media companies serving the golf category.
Publisher of Golf Magazine to figuring out where to seat Art Spander in the press room? What an ascent!

Time for the quote pile-on:
"Our communication efforts at the USGA are expanding rapidly and Chris has a unique blend of communications, marketing and business skills that will help take our efforts to new and diverse venues," USGA Chief Business Officer Peter Bevacqua said. "As we continue to transform our approach to communications, public relations, branding and other related initiatives, his leadership and strategic guidance will be critical. Chris is exactly what we need and we are confident that his knowledge of the game, business acumen and rich professional experiences will help improve our approach to everything we do throughout the game of golf."
That ought to please the shareholders.
"My past 15 years serving the golf market gives me an important level of confidence as I join one of the most trusted brands in the world of sports," said Wightman. "To be part of the team that is driving the evolution of this historical organization and to build out dynamic new paths to its future success provides an inspirational challenge. And, as a life-long golfer, I am honored to be given the chance to enhance the incredible reputation of the USGA."
There's reputation to be enhanced?

 

The Donald Can Help You Make Millions In Foreclosures!

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34219486.jpgL.A. Times business columnist David Lazarus is in trouble with The Donald!
The column in question involved a seminar held recently at the Pasadena Hilton. It was one of a number of such events held in the region by Trump University, Trump's online business school, founded in 2005.

An ad in this paper quoted Trump as saying that "investors nationwide are making millions in foreclosures . . . and so can you!" It also promised two hours of "priceless information . . . all for free."
Yes, the USGA should definitely do business with this man!
The column included a pretty flattering photo of Trump standing before a poster of himself at a recent event.

In his letter, Trump seemed particularly upset with my observation that his "primary claim to fame these days has been hosting 'The Apprentice' on TV." He wasted no time rebutting this notion.

"I am worth many billions of dollars, am building large-scale developments all over the world, am considered by many to be, by far, the hottest name in real estate," Trump wrote, "and I have to read an article by a third-rate reporter in your newspaper that my 'primary claim to fame' is hosting 'The Apprentice.' "

Show of hands: How many people think of Donald Trump as, by far, the hottest name in real estate? How many think of him as the guy who fires people on TV?

Thank you.

"Unlike many other people that make their money giving seminars," Trump continued, "I made my money in real estate and, as your reporter should have known, I never filed for bankruptcy."
Look what his first...so sorry...Trump card was:
He noted that his Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes is "one of the most successful and highly rated golf courses in the state of California," and that he bought it for "a mere fraction of its current worth."
Wow, no better than Pebble Beach reference. The Donald is off his game.

Anyway, read the rest of the column it's a beauty.

"This entire exercise exists to bring you the 20 least interesting things they pick up."

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Intrepid L.A. Times NBA columnist Mark Heisler pens a fun look at the league's mike-the-participants idea and I couldn't help but think that golf is the one sport that would stand to benefit from such an idea, assuming that the sanitizing wasn't excessive. Because as Heisler notes, we never hear the good stuff and therefore, these exercises are not translating into increased viewership numbers.

With all this interactivity, everyone's ratings continue to decline, even the NFL, which this season had the five lowest-rated Monday night games ever.

Despite the new insights from its managers, Major League Baseball just saw the World Series post its three lowest ratings ever in consecutive seasons.

Now for the exciting debut of babbling coaches with the Denver Nuggets in Dallas!

Denver Coach George Karl:

"OK, Marcus Camby, get in the game, babe!"

Johnson:

"Way to go, Stack!"

That would be Jerry Stackhouse. Talk about participating in the experience! Then there was Karl's memorable interview on the bench, in which he concluded: "I really think the key to our team is passing the ball."

It may be the key to his team, which doesn't pass the ball much after it's inbounded. Everyone else already knew it was good to move the ball.

Not that it was a total waste of time. In that night's second game, Portland's Brandon Roy told the sidelined Greg Oden that Miami's Shaquille O'Neal said to tell him, "You're lucky you're sitting out tonight."

In the high point, Utah Coach Jerry Sloan was caught telling his team there were "four @#$%^&! minutes" left during Wednesday's loss in Phoenix.

Unfortunately, this was a mistake on the part of someone at ESPN, who may not be at ESPN anymore.
If ESPN and TNT actually showed the interesting stuff, it would be great. But as NBA partners, their first obligation is to see that nothing too interesting goes out over the air.
In other words, this entire exercise exists to bring you the 20 least interesting things they pick up.

 

"The handling of this case has raised a number of matters of principle."

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As shocking as it may seem, turns out that the sudden approval of The Donald's Scottish golf course may not have been entirely on the up and up.

Eddie Barnes reports for Scotland on Sunday:

In a highly unusual move, the national director of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has written to Finance Secretary John Swinney, reminding ministers of the need to be "politically impartial" and "transparent" when handling planning applications. Dr Veronica Burbridge warns Swinney that her members have been in contact to "express concerns" about the way the case has been handled.

The move follows a week of turmoil after ministers decided they, not the local council, would decide whether plans by American tycoon Donald Trump to build a huge golfing complex in Aberdeenshire should go ahead.

It emerged that a day before the decision, First Minister Alex Salmond, who is also the local MSP for the area, met two of Trump's representatives to discuss the case.

It then emerged that the pair had also met the Scottish Government's chief planner on the day the decision was made.

The matter led to a bitter political row which continues to rage, with opposition parties accusing Salmond of "sleaze", while the SNP accused them of risking an investment of up to £1bn.

In the RPTI letter, Burbridge states: "The handling of this case has raised a number of matters of principle. Members of the institute have expressed concerns that the manner in which this case is handled should not appear to damage the integrity of the planning system."

It adds: "They stress the need to ensure that procedures are transparent, respected and clearly understood by all those involved. Members of the institute are concerned that the approach to scrutiny of this case should be politically impartial and according to planning law and planning policy."

Opposition parties seized on the letter last night, claiming it supported their own concerns.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen said: "This is an exceptional move which underlines the seriousness of the institute's concerns. This matter has grave implications for the conduct of Government.

"Ministers are ultimately responsible for the actions of Government and there is a fundamental lack of transparency and openness in the SNP Government's approach to this issue."

Swinney is expected to make a statement to Parliament this week answering questions about the Government's handling.

No one was available for comment from the Scottish Government.

Callaway v. Titleist Spin, Round 1

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AP's story on Callaway prevailing over Acushnet features quotes from the company flacks:

"We have now established in court that our golf ball patents are valid, and that Titleist Pro V1 golf balls infringe those patents," she said. "We will immediately start the process of requesting an appropriate remedy, including injunctive relief and damages."

And from Fairhaven...

"The jury's mixed decision has created ambiguity that will have to be resolved post-trial," said Joseph Nauman, an Acushnet executive vice president.