“I suggested to (R&A chief executive) Peter Dawson yesterday maybe we should introduce some kind of scheme along the lines of that which we have with historic buildings in this country,”

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Tony Jimenez tells us about Paul Casey pulling aside R&A secretary Peter Dawson with a little advice to prevent the Wentworthization of classic courses by giving them the same status as listed historic buildings.

“I suggested to (R&A chief executive) Peter Dawson yesterday maybe we should introduce some kind of scheme along the lines of that which we have with historic buildings in this country,” Casey told reporters on the eve of the PGA Championship.

“(For instance) Ernie’s beautiful house by the 16th hole with the thatched roof and the (superb) plaster work. He owns it but that doesn’t give him the right to paint it pink and put a tin roof on it.

“When you’re an owner of a Grade II listed building it’s much like you’re the caretaker for the next generation… (similarly) if you’re the owner of a golf course does it give you the right to make the changes you want?

“Is that in the best interests of that particular course or for golf in general?”, added the world number eight.

The Briton went on to suggest the rule-making R&A could play a role in protecting venues.

Uh Paul...don't go there.

“I think we need to keep courses in as good a condition as we can… but maybe (owners) need to go through a procedure to make sure these changes are in line,” said the 32-year-old.

“Maybe that’s something that would have to go through the R&A… along the lines of listing golf courses.”

Okay just one question for Casey. Was Peter Dawson nervously twitching, sweating or otherwise behaving oddly as you told him this?

Just curious. After all, he's going around to the Open venues and...altering them!

Somehow I'm guessing the irony was lost on young Paul, but he gets major points for a wonderful idea. He's just talking to the wrong folks.

Why Dr. Galea, Why?

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One thing is clear in reading the Anthony Galea charges filed Tuesday: Tiger Woods is not named in the complaint, nor is there any evidence presented that he was the recipient of the special knee potion that the doctor cooked up for his NFL clients, leading to the charges filed against Galea. The only possible reference to Tiger appears to be under the name Athlete D, when Galea visited Orlando on August 2nd.
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"Other players have reportedly received TUEs. Why?"

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Doug Barron continues to make a convincing case for a Therapeutic Use Exemption while raising questions about the tour's desire to single him out.

I played four Nationwide events early in 2009 and was never tested (I think because officials knew about my condition). In June, I received a sponsor's exemption to the Tour's St. Jude Classic. As the tournament approached, I was so depleted I could hardly get out of bed, so I took a shot of testosterone. I knew I was tempting fate.

I shot 72 in the first round, and was then asked to supply a urine sample. Last November, I was notified that I'd tested positive. I was suspended and blocked from Q school. I planned to appeal, but commissioner Tim Finchem, the sole arbiter in such cases, told me I'd never win.

Other players have reportedly received TUEs. Why? What are their levels and what are they taking? I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but one Tour round, one drug test, for a guy with a widely known issue, didn't feel right. Was I being made an example?

Of course. But why is the question that will inevitably be answered in court. And we know how well that worked out last time.

Another World Golf Village Visit

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ou may recall that last year I wrote about my first visit to the World Golf Village and the Hall of Fame. With a few hours to spend after this year's Players, I made the short drive down to St. Augustine to pay another visit and as impressed as I was last year, I have no problem stating that my latest visit only confirmed what an amazing place this is.
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