The Bear Trap Keeps The Slow Play Spotlight Shining!

Even with turtles Crane, Holmes and Cink having WD'd from the Honda Classic, Thursday's winds and the atrocity that is PGA National conspired to give birth to 5 1/2 hour rounds in the morning and I believe, even a longer rounds in the afternoon. Play was halted at 6:25 with several groups still on the course.

Steve Elling writes:

In a steady 30 mph breeze, the scoring average through the partially completed opening round was 73.826 for the field, or a staggering 3.83 strokes over par, which is rarefied air indeed in PGA Tour circles.

The highest scoring at any tour-sanctioned event in 2010 came at the difficult U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, where players averaged 3.98 strokes over par for the week.

"It's U.S. Open-like conditions out there," said Nick Price, a three-time major winner, after shooting 70 on Thursday.

In tough conditions like today I find the pace less offensive. It's the 5 to 5 1/2 hour rounds when the weather is good that really speak to what a blight this has become.

Tiger Hints At Another Way Augusta Makes The Course Play Longer?

The big takeaway from Tiger's CNN International interview with Shane O'Donoghue revolved around his suggestion that maybe he wasn't ready when he came back at Augusta last year. But I was fascinated by something he mentioned in responding to a question about whether the club will have to lengthen the course for today's bombers.

Note that he mentions the added length, the second cut, the cutting of the fairways toward the tee to slow balls down, but I don't recall anyone before saying that the fairway cut is a little longer, as he does here. He certainly would know and it's something I'm going to ask a few former champions about next week.

My number one observation from watching the 86 Masters today was how much more the tee shots roll when they hit the ground. It's great fun watching what the ball does on the ground, especially on 15 fairway.

Jack: "Amazing the number of people that just told me those kind of stories. I said, you've got to be kidding."

I finally got around to reading Jack Nicklaus's press conference from Wednesday in Palm Beach and despite a few rally kills, the 25th anniversary of 1986 was on everyone's minds.

Bob Harig has a nice summary of Nicklaus's memories here.

Of course, his legacy was secured with his success in major championships, winning a record 18, the last of which came at the 1986 Masters. That stirring Sunday at Augusta National will come up often as the 25th anniversary approaches of one of golf's most iconic occurrences and it was the main reason for chatting for more than an hour with the media.

"I don't care where I go, I always run into somebody who says, 'I was in an airport in '86, I canceled my airplane and sat there and watched it because I couldn't leave.' Or I had to do this or I had to do that and I had to stop.

"Amazing the number of people that just told me those kind of stories. I said, you've got to be kidding."

ESPN also includes their Masters memories clip with the piece...though having just watched the entire final round for the first time in years, a 30 second clip is just not quite the same!

S.C. State Legislature Revisiting State Sponsorship Of Heritage Classic

Josh McCann reports that the bill from last year to get taxpayer money to fund the Heritage Classic purse is back, with a caveat. State legislature Rep. Bill Herbkersman is the sponsor. Thanks to reader Jonathan for this:

For now, though, the bill offers no specific proposals; it merely summarizes the economic impact of Hilton Head Island's PGA Tour event, Herbkersman said.

The details would be added later if the tournament does not secure a new sponsor, he said.
He said the bill will provide a way to discuss the tournament with colleagues so they can swiftly act if necessary.

"It will give us an opportunity to talk about the ramifications, the financial impact on the state and what would happen if we didn't have" the tournament, Herbkersman said.

iPad And Golf Instruction

I've had little time today to look at the specs on the iPad2, but with the same HD camera as the iPhone, I'm curious if we'll see this device become part of the golf instructor's bag of tricks? So many already use video, but it just seems that if the screen resolution is strong enough in the daylight, that this could become a revolutionary teaching tool due to its simplicity, screen size and portability.

Teachers out there: your thoughts?

USGA To Name Mike Davis New Executive Director**

Even though he said he was not interested and that the job description would have to be changed. So something obviously changed!

Ryan Herrington with the exclusive.

Update on 2011-03-02 22:46 by Geoff

**Here's the official release:

MIKE DAVIS NAMED SEVENTH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION
 
Far Hills, N.J. (March 2, 2011) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) has named Mike Davis as the organization’s new executive director. Davis becomes the seventh executive director in the 116-year history of the Association, after serving as senior director of Rules and Competitions since 2005.

Davis succeeds David Fay, who retired on Dec. 31, 2010, after holding the position for 21 years, concluding a 32-year tenure with the USGA.

"I am humbled and extremely grateful to the United States Golf Association for the trust and confidence it has placed in me as the executive director,” said Davis, who assumes his new responsibilities effective immediately. “I am passionate about the USGA and its mission. The work of the Association is done by thousands of volunteers and hundreds of staff, whose collective efforts truly help better the game that so many of us love.”

Davis, 46, joined the USGA in April 1990 as assistant manager of Championship Relations. He was promoted to manager of Championship Relations in December 1990 and served in that capacity until his promotion to director of Championship Relations in October 1995. In 1997, he was promoted to U.S. Open Championship Director, responsible for managing the day-to-day organizational activities for the U.S. Open. He assumed responsibilities as senior director of Rules and Competitions in 2005.

As senior director of Rules and Competitions, Davis was charged with conducting the 13 individual national championships and four team championships conducted by the USGA, as well as overseeing the Rules of Golf Department. He was also the staff member responsible for the golf course setup and Rules conduct of the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, and U.S. Amateur Championships. During that time, Davis also supervised the Walker Cup Match when it was contested in the United States. In addition to his championship duties, he has taught Rules of Golf workshops and has officiated annually at non-USGA tournaments, including the Masters, the British Open, The Players Championship and the Presidents Cup.

"Mike Davis is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced administrators in the golf industry today and will be an ideal steward of the game as the USGA’s new executive director," said USGA President Jim Hyler. "In two decades of organizing and managing all our national championships, Mike has demonstrated creativity and impartiality that will serve him and the organization well in his new position. This was a comprehensive and thoughtful search process and Mike’s candidacy stood out. He has long been a respected member of the USGA staff and our Executive Committee stands united in its support of Mike as our executive director."

The Executive Director is the senior staff member of the USGA, responsible for managing all aspects of the Association’s day-to-day operations. In this role, the Executive Director oversees the core functions, essential programs, and human and financial resources of the Association to further its stated mission. The Executive Director reports to the President/CEO of the USGA.

Working together with the President and Executive Committee, the Executive Director provides overall strategic guidance for the Association. With the President, the Executive Director is the lead spokesperson for the Association with internal stakeholders and external constituencies. The Executive Director represents the Association’s interests within the golf community, with courses and clubs, state and regional golf associations, the media and with national and international golf organizations.

Introduced to golf at age 8 by his father, Davis played competitively as a junior and in college. He was the 1982 Pennsylvania State Junior champion and competed on the Georgia Southern University golf team. He has also played in several prominent national amateur tournaments.

Davis holds a business degree (BBA) from Georgia Southern University (1987). A native of Chambersburg, Pa., Davis is married to Cece and they have one son named Grant. They reside in Pittstown, N.J.