The Last Heritage Classic...Before It Gets A New Sponsor?

/
I've read a lot of doom-and-gloom stories about the potential that this is the last Heritage Classic at Harbour Town and after reading Ron Green Jr.'s take, it sure sounds like efforts are being made and companies are flirting with signing on. And because you longimte readers know I'm always an optimist on these things, this sure sounds positive to me:
Read More

"They just have zero fear, which is perhaps the greatest difference between the kiddie corps of today and those of the previous era."

/
Steve Elling mines a topic that has been severely undertouched by the golf media: why are there so many more talented and mature young players than ever before? Lots of interesting food for thought, though the role of technology is not delved into. Still, I found this part with David Leadbetter reminding us of those who didn't make it just as interesting:
Read More

The Donald Lists His Properties Amongst Cypress, Winged Foot's Of World

/
The best part of Golf Digest's America's Best coverage (other than the incredible iPad edition that lets you see each course from above), is the package of letters from golf dignitaries and well known blowhards listing their top 10 American courses. The Donald's will give you a hearty chuckle, especially when you see our future former presidential candidate places Cypress Point and Oakmont on either side of Trump National LA, which, incidentally, The Donald is putting out feelers to the golf world for suggestions on how to fix the mess he made.?
Read More

Augusta's Lack Of OB: Were You Bothered?

/
When Rory McIlroy's Sunday drive careened off of an Augusta National tree branch and headed toward the cabins, I found it refreshing that he was able to find and play the ball. Then again, I'd like to see the OB removed from the right side of the Home hole at St. Andrews so that we could see someone play off the steps of Old Tom Morris' Golf Shop.
Read More

Someone Has Been Taking Malcolm Gladwell Too Seriously!

/
Thanks to reader Jeff for Michael Kruse's lengthy St. Petersburg Times story on Dan McLaughlin, and Oregonian who is testing the Gladwell-preached theory from "Outliers" that says with 10,000 hours of deliberate practice you can lift yourself from ordinary to excellence, even though McLaughlin was not a golfer prior to conceiving "The Dan Plan."
Read More

Dawson: Tours Need To Open The Books On Disciplinary Action

/

I'm sure the R&A's Peter Dawson's fellow powerbrokers at the various tours just loved the International Golf Federation head's answer to the question Tuesday about the tours opening up their books and making public disciplinary actions. Iain Carter reports.

"In terms of what Tour disciplinary policies should be and whether disciplinary action should be made public I think if you look at the wider world of sport that has become the norm.

"I think keeping it quiet, whilst there are many good reasons for doing that at tour level, is probably something that tours should look at changing because I do think that keeping these things in the public domain has a lot of benefit in keeping our standards of behaviour high," Dawson said.

This is especially true with pace of play, not that what he or anyone else thinks matters to the tours.

Meanwhile Dawson did a nice job squelching the much-talked about behind-the-scenes grumbling about the "shock exit" of R&A championship manager David Hill, reports Martin Dempster.

"David had groomed some very good people, the likes of Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Michael Wells, Robin Bell and Rhodri Price, for example. We are confident that the knowledge David has passed on and their experience will see us through."

Jim McArthur, chairman of the R&A's championship committee, added: "After 32 years, David decided to retire and we thank him for his immense contribution, as well as wishing him well."

The members of Hill's Open team are currently reporting to Dawson, who revealed he will be waiting until the autumn, after the last of the events the R&A run is held, before looking at the options in terms of a new director of championships.

"You have to love Manassero."

/
There's been quite a bit of chatter about Matteo Manassero's second pre-18th birthday win and most of it focuses on his lack of length off the tee. Naturally, I could use this opportunity to rant about how the game has become so power-lopsided that it's sad the game could potentially eliminate a skilled but distance deficient player from winning majors, but instead I'll leave it to John Huggan and Steve Elling to discuss what Matteo should do.
Read More

"It really is time that someone at the R&A started to do something about those alarm bells that have been ringing for way too long without any action being taken."

/
Add The Scotsman's Martin Dempster to the list of fed up and not going to take it anymore about governing body regulatory malfeasance. In his case, he watched the lads rip apart his beloved Dunbar during the Scottish Boys' Championship.
Read More

Dustin Johnson, Caddie To (Finally) Split

/

Shocking to believe after the PGA debacle and a near missed tee time in LA, but Dustin Johnson and caddie Bobby Brown have decided to spend less time with each other, reports Tim Rosaforte.

In a move that comes as a surprise, Brown and Johnson have split up. Brown, who is dating the sister of Johnson's girlfriend, initiated the dialogue and both have agreed it's better to move on. They started working together in the middle of Johnson's 2008 rookie season and have been together for four victories, including two AT&T National Pro-Ams and the 2010 BMW Championship.

"This is part of the game and we both understand that," Brown said Tuesday.

Johnson, a native of Myrtle Beach, S.C., is not playing in this week's Heritage in Hilton Head, S.C. David Winkle, Johnson's agent, said the breakup was "mutual," adding, "I guess only time will tell if their break proves to be temporary or permanent."