AP: "It was the second time in five years that the USGA made a major announcement during the PGA"

Granted, the last time was at least rules related but this is the second time, first time though for the modern USGA that has prided itself in disciplined messaging.

(click to enlarge)From Doug Ferguson's expanded AP story on the USGA-Fox partnership:

The timing was peculiar. It was the second time in five years that the USGA made a major announcement during the PGA Championship — it announced a change in the size and shape of grooves in golf clubs at the 2008 PGA Championship.

The PGA of America was the most outspoken against the USGA's ban on anchored strokes.

"Given the very nature of major media and broadcast deals, they have a way of taking on a life of their own," Goode said in an email. "Rest assured, it was not our intent and it is not our style to disrupt a partner's event."

A life of their own? Rest assure not your intent? Joseph, sure you have better than that?

Clippings: Round-up Of USGA's Ill-Timed Money Grab

So glad read this in Richard Sandomir's story on the USGA's new TV deal, because now the USGA can restore all those minor Green Section grants they made a few years because, well, who knows why.

It is unusual for a major tournament to change hands. NBC has shown the Open for 19 years, and ESPN for 32. And Fox is paying a steep price of entry: at least double NBC and ESPN’s combined $37 million rights fee, according to two people briefed on the contract.

And this explains how Fox moved in...

The opportunity for Fox to acquire the Open rights came when NBC and ESPN’s exclusive windows to negotiate with the U.S.G.A. ended last month.

Michael Smith in Sports Business Daily noted this:

The deal represents a significant boost in coverage hours for the USGA. Fox’s deal will increase the total hours of coverage from 90 to 146 overall, and the number of hours devoted to the 10 amateur events jumps from 30 to 76.

Wow are they going to lose a lot of money on this. Shareholders rejoice!

Brandt Snedeker took to Twitter to comment on the USGA's timing:

Don't know the relationship between @USGA and @ThePGAofAmerica but seems petty to announce new TV deal today USGA.. Couldn't wait??

— Brandt Snedeker (@BrandtSnedeker) August 8, 2013

 Garry Smits called the move "tacky."

It was a tacky move by the USGA, which professes to be the bastion of all things honorable about golf and its rules. Although terms were not disclosed, the USGA slogan, "for the good of the game," should be changed to "for the good of our bank account."

And Rich Lerner had this to say on Life From last night.

“While it's big business news the decision by a major golf organization to announce this on the eve of a championship conducted by another major golf organization is a monumental misstep of bad timing and poor judgment. The prevailing sentiment by the assembled golfing world here in Rochester is one of disbelief because golf's major ruling bodies have always respected each other’s big events, and adhered to an unwritten agreement to not overshadow one another. It's unfortunate that after the very public and sometimes bitter battle these two organizations had this year over the anchored putter – and the PGA of America's respectful handling of the defeat – the USGA could not have returned the favor. The final major of the year gets underway tomorrow. Tiger tees off at 8:35 a.m. ET… and we can't wait.” – Golf Channel’s Rich Lerner Wednesday on “Live From the PGA Championship”

And because we need a good laugh, from Doug Ferguson's expanded AP story:

USGA spokesman Joe Goode said in an email that signing with Fox was not a reflection on NBC or "simply the financials."

"Rather the decision is consistent with our strategy for delivering golf in new and innovative ways, which can be achieved with a partner that has a completely fresh perspective on the game," he said.

I'm sure there will be more reaction, but since there is a major taking place many media types will be focusing on that. Oh, and there's nothing writers love more than covering someone else when they don't need to be. Savy, savy stuff from Far Hills.

Major Formerly Known As Glory's Last Shot Has Arrived

Yes, Glory's Last Shot is dead, confirmed by the PGA of America Wednesday in their press conference.

Ten seconds of silence please....

Okay, now that we have that behind us, the weather forecast looks promising once we get past the early hours Thursday. Many of the world's best are in top form and no matter how you feel about Oak Hill's architectural blend of Ross-Jones-Fazio-Fazio-Schreiner-Marzolf, it has a history of providing drama, so we should be in for a dandy.

I'm sticking with Bill Haas, my Grey Goose 19th Hole pick, both because of his fine play of late and his strong family connection to Oak Hill, scene of father Jay's highest and lowest moments (Senior PGA win, Ryder Cup last hole loss).

Though I did name J.J. Henry as my darkhorse. After all, how often does a PGA Champion WD and magically find that the person he is opening a spot in the field for will emply his regular caddy, who also happens to be that same major winner. Sam Weinman reports on Mark Brooks' move.

Your Thursday TV Schedule...

TNT:                1:00 PM  -7:00 PM ET

Golf Channel: Life From 9 am-1 PM and 7-9 PM

Update on 2013-08-08 12:46 by Geoff

*I forgot to add the link to the PGA video page, which includes Marquee Group coverage in the morning of Woods, Bradley and Love.

PGA Statement On Tackily-Timed USGA TV Announcement

A statement from the PGA of America at the request of this website on the stunningly disrespectful and classless move by the USGA to announce their new television contract on the eve of the PGA Championship:

"On a night when we honored Lee Trevino with our PGA Distinguished Service Award and on the eve of the PGA Championship, we would hope that the attention of the entire golf world would be on the season's final major."

So not only does the USGA trip up, the PGA of America scores more points for taking the higher ground. And gets in a plug for Trevino's Distinguished Service Award!

Johnny: "I feel bad for the USGA in a way that money was more important than basically a good golf crew."

From Doug Ferguson's story on the new USGA TV deal.

"It was a big bummer," Miller told The Associated Press from his home in Utah. "For some reason, I told Dan Hicks at the U.S. Open this year, 'I don't think we're going to keep the U.S. Open.' I just had a hunch it would be ESPN or Fox that stepped in and made a high bid. I know we tried.

"I feel bad for the USGA in a way that money was more important than basically a good golf crew."

Not April Fools: USGA Announces New TV Deal With FOX Sports On Eve Of PGA Championship

Let's forget for the moment that Fox Sports has NEVER televised golf other than some local team play golf shows.

Let's forget that the USGA is a non-profit organization with a "For The Good Of The Game" slogan currently airing their early round telecasts on ESPN with weekday and weekend coverage from NBC, and a major partnership with Golf Channel.

Let's forget that the USGA does not need any more money than it currently brings in.

No, let's just focus on the unprecedently tacky decision by the USGA (not Fox) to announce a major shake-up in how the USGA does business on the eve of the PGA Championship.

For Immediate Release...

 USGA AND FOX SPORTS  TEE-UP LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP

Tee up? Golf puns? Really?

12-Year Multi-Media Agreement Brings Major Championship Golf to FOX Sports Platforms for First Time Ever, Beginning in 2015

Expands Coverage for U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open & U.S. Senior Open Championships

Elevates USGA’s Amateur Championships with Significant Coverage

Far Hills, N.J., and New York (August 7, 2013) – The United States Golf Association (USGA), the governing body of the game of golf in the United States, and FOX Sports, the No.1 network for sports television since 1997,

Excuse me, did I miss a memo? Did ESPN establish itself in 1998?

today announced a comprehensive multi-media agreement that makes the FOX network and FOX Sports 1 the principal domestic media partner of the USGA and the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open Championships, as well as the USGA’s national amateur championships and other live content, beginning in 2015. The landmark, 12-year agreement, which runs through 2026, brings premier major championship golf for the first time ever to the FOX broadcast network, home to the country’s greatest sports events, including the Super Bowl, World Series, Daytona 500 and World Cup.

The agreement was announced today

...today, in an utterly low class, ungentlemanly fashion on the eve of the PGA Championship which happens to be run by the organization that did not support us on the anchoring ban. Coincidence?

by USGA President Glen D. Nager and USGA Executive Director Mike Davis and FOX Sports Co-Presidents and COOs Randy Freer and Eric Shanks.

“This is an exciting and remarkable day for the USGA, as our partnership with the FOX Sports is a game-changer for our organization and for the game of golf,” said USGA President Glen D. Nager.

Game-changer. Define please.

“The game is evolving and requires bold and unique approaches on many levels, and FOX shares our vision to seek fresh thinking and innovative ideas to deliver championship golf.

Translation: NBC and ESPN were not up to snuff.

This partnership will help us to better lead and serve the game in new and exciting ways.”

And based on Fox's extensive work in golf...oh forget it.

Under terms of the newly executed agreement, the USGA and FOX Sports will deliver a total of 146 hours of championship golf, including a minimum of 70 cumulative hours of live event coverage of the three Opens, making the game compelling, dramatic and fun for an expanded audience. In addition to the rights to the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open Championships, FOX Sports will also be home to the USGA’s national amateur championships and international team competitions, delivering a minimum of 76 hours of live broadcast coverage across its sports platforms, including FOX Sports 1, America’s new sports network, launching August 17.

A twelve-year commitment in part to a network that hasn't even launched yet. Wish I thought of that.

“It’s with tremendous excitement and pride that we’ve added events with the prestige and magnitude of the USGA’s U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open to the big events FOX Sports is set to cover for years to come,” said FOX Sports Co-President and COO, Randy Freer.

“We’re looking forward to FOX Sports becoming home to the preeminent golf championship in the world,” added fellow FOX Sports Co-President and COO Eric Shanks.  “We’re committed to elevating coverage of USGA events on every level, infusing them with a new energy and innovation that will make every championship the best golf event on television.”

This new partnership with FOX Sports also includes strategic elements to help the USGA strengthen its support of the game, including:

Integrating FOX Sport’s wide array of multi-platform assets, including its soon to launch mobile app FOX Sports GO, and innovative production capabilities to establish the U.S. Open Championship as the world’s best golf telecast;

Elevating the visibility of the USGA’s amateur championships and delivering unique storytelling to celebrate the amateur game;

Transforming U.S. Open Week into a powerful showcase and entertaining celebration of the game of golf;

Developing unique initiatives to enhance the USGA Member experience and help grow the Association’s membership community; and

Providing significant promotional support to showcase and advance the USGA’s core services to the game, including the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status, Equipment Standards, Handicapping, the USGA Green Section and the USGA Museum.

“We are thrilled with the commitment that FOX Sports has made to the USGA, our national championships, the strategic growth of our organization and to the game,” said USGA Executive Director Mike Davis. “This partnership represents a promising new future for both organizations that will be marked by broadcast innovation, new approaches and fresh thinking. We could not be more energized by what we will be able to accomplish together to make golf better, both now and for future generations of players and fans who love the game.”

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Translation: we took a huge amount of money because are about the good of the almighty dollar.

Most astounding of all, the USGA has just entered an era in which it has streamlined and refined how it announces initiatives. Credit who you like for this improved messaging--Mike Davis, Glen Nager, Joe Goode--it doesn't matter. They did a nice job rolling out the anchoring ban announcement and other "news." And now this?

So forgetting the idea of committing to a network for 12-years that has never televised golf, how does that same non-profit organization pull this stunt on the eve of the PGA Championship.

A dark day for the United States Golf Association and for the game.

PGA On West Coast Venues: "It's certainly a priority"

From today's PGA of America press conference, answering a question from Doug Ferguson about Torrey Pines as a possible PGA Championship venue:

Q. Secondly, for Pete, there's been some talk over the last couple of years whether Torrey would be interested in a PGA Championship. Just curious if you could say whether they have asked to host, and where that stands if they have.

PETE BEVACQUA: Yeah, Doug, I would tell you, part of our strategy is to look at locations and potential locations, obviously for both the PGA Championship and The Ryder Cup.

We don't have any definitive answers regarding the West Coast, other than we think being on the West Coast makes a lot of sense at some point in the future. So we certainly have our eye on different venues on the West Coast. We think it's important to bring the PGA Championship to that part of the country, as well as The Ryder Cup at some point, and it's certainly a priority of the organizations.

Beetroot? Rory Gets Past Champions Their Daily Manganese

Nice to see defending champion Rory McIlroy introducing the past PGA Champions to a some healthy food at Tuesday's dinner for former winners of "the season's final major which is no longer Glory's Last Shot."

From Tuesday's press conference:

Q. Can you just tell us, what was on the menu last night, and what do you think's on the menu for you this week? What do you think your chances are?

RORY McILROY: Menu last night was a goat's cheese and beet root salad for a starter and Irish tenderloin for the main course and then sticky toffee pudding for dessert. So it was good. It was nice. Everyone definitely enjoyed the last two courses; I don't know how the appetizer went down.

Video: Micheel Is Hanging On To The Epic 7-iron

Shaun Micheel visited the media center Tuesday at Oak Hill and talked about his win ten years ago, his struggles with low T and Tiger.

Regarding his famous 7-iron shot, he had this to say:

KELLY ELBIN: Have they seen the shot from 2003? Do they have a sense of that part of history.

SHAUN MICHEEL: I think so. The biggest question that I get from my son is, you know, he's watched the video over and over of me kind of embracing Stephanie, and she was wearing that bright pink blouse and he was kissing her on the belly and the first question from him was, How did I get out of there? He's nine, so I'm not quite ready for that quite yet. He'll figure that out on his own probably.

Just to go back to your question, I do look forward to kind of sharing that with him. Of course, Stephanie was walking the golf course, and of course my father and in laws to get out there and see the place where I hit that shot.

Q. Where is the 7 iron?

SHAUN MICHEEL: I have it in an old just beat up, unassuming box in my golf/guitar room. It's back home. I've been asked for it several times, but if I had done this more than once, you might have been inclined to give it to somebody. But you never know; I'm going to hold on to that one.

Watching the video of the shot (thanks Shane Bacon for posting), I'm struck by how much more shaded the course is and how much the attire has changed in ten years.