January 14, 2011

"I think the good news about golf is that there isn't a lot of data that suggests that somebody's career peaks at 14 to 16."

January 14, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

I know I should care about the Lexi Thompson controversy but I just can't get excited about her plight. Which consists of only getting a limited number of sponsor exemptions because she's under 18. I do like Commissioner Mike Whan's stance, which isn't very consistent with commissioners in other sports who welcome athletes, no matter how young. Steve Elling on Whan's split decision of sorts.

January 14, 2011

Ben Crane Will Do Anything To Make You Forget He's The World's Rudest Golfer

January 14, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

PGA Tour executives considered it a breakthrough moment when they acknowledged Ben Crane's Bruno-esque viral video and now the slow-play specialist has produced another remarkably lame image-enhancer.

January 14, 2011

Engineers Members Fearing Gold Bathroom Fixtures And General Donald-Accoutremental Tackiness

January 14, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

The New York Post has picked up on the story first reported by Evan Rothman: The Donald's attempt to purchase historic Engineers and turn it into Trump National Long Island Sound.

January 13, 2011

Tom Kite Owes Camilo An Apology!

January 13, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

At least, that's one takeaway from Frank Hannigan's excellent "Voices" contribution in this week's Golf World (story not posted) addressing the Camilo Villegas DQ following a viewer-reported violation. It seems that after Paul Azinger infamously improved his stance in a Doral water hazard in 1991, former Commissioner Deane Beman "ordained that one of his field staff would go into the TV production truck at the start of every telecast and monitor play from in front of a monitor."

January 13, 2011

"It’s more difficult today, Weiskopf believes, for Woods or any skilled player to separate himself."

January 13, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Randall Mell talks to Tom Weiskopf about "mystique" and the likelihood that Tiger has lost his after the last year's worth of news. But he also makes an interesting point about technology that in some ways speaks to just how dominant Tiger has been and, as some of us believe, how modern equipment has made his competition better.

January 13, 2011

"In the age of blogging, Tweeting and podcasts, wearing microphones shouldn't be a big deal. I think it's worth a try."

January 13, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

According to Sal Johnson in this uniquely conveyed disquisition, SI Golf Plus commissioned a counterpoint My Shot to Justin Rose's view that players should not wear wireless microphones. However, Ted Purdy's piece did not make the magazine and was buried at golf.com, but here it is.

January 13, 2011

"Golf Writer and Editor James Dodson to Receive ASGCA’s Donald Ross Award"

January 13, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

(click to enlarge)An improvement over last year's recipient, Tim Finchem who is Commissioner of the PRG Tour according to the ASGCA website. And George Pepper is a former winner. Wonder if he's related to Dottie?

January 13, 2011

Just When Dana Garmany Thought He Was Out, Troon Board Pulls Him Back In

January 13, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Jack Crittenden reports that Troon has re-installed Dana Garmany as CEO after his one year of retirement. This is mostly only of interest to those in the golf course industry, but Garmany is one of the rare breed of CEO types who play do the b-speak game but who also has a big picture view with plenty of interesting things to say. Glad he's back in the game!

January 13, 2011

Intimacy Of Player-Caddy Relationship At Stake With Wireless Mics?

January 13, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Stephanie Wei talks to more players about their microphone-wearing reservations and, well, it's getting into a personal area for Matt Bettencourt.

January 12, 2011

"We don't really like how the golf world is viewing these type of things, but at the end of the day, it is the players' responsibility to know the rules."

January 12, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Bob Harig reviews the politics and particulars of the Villegas DQ at Kapalua and asks the USGA's Mike Davis about reviews of the penalty of disqualification for signing an incorrect card.

January 12, 2011

"The Tournament of Champions felt less like opening day than it did the first day pitchers and catchers report to camp."

January 12, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Rex Hoggard suggests that the Hawaii start to the PGA Tour season just isn't work, whether because of timing or energy or most likely, location.

January 12, 2011

Rush Sets "Milestone" Golf Channel Rating

January 12, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

It's so depressing that a 0.3 household rating and 310,000 average total viewership constitues a milestone showing.

January 12, 2011

"The Potent Putter"

January 12, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

I asked a few people what they thought of the National Enquirer story on Tiger purportedly leafing through Elin's diaries. The reactions unanimously expressed approval for the "potent putter." And not much else.

January 12, 2011

Kapalua Ratings Up, Free Attendance Down

January 12, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Reader Robert emailed to ask about Hyundai Tournament of Some Champions ratings and Alex Miceli delivers the good news...

January 12, 2011

Mr. Clutch Pulling Out The Luxury Boxes And Perks

January 12, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Jill Painter on Jerry West's latest efforts to lure top players to the Northern Trust Open, which already has an improved field thanks to a move back to its pre-WGC Match Play date. On his time with Tiger at the Chevron: