USGA Prez Liked That FOX Execs Were Not Golf Experts

The Onionesque revelations have only begun on the USGA's massive sellout to FOX Sports.

golf.com's Michael Bamberger praises the USGA for making a "populist move" by outbidding NBC by about $20 million per year.

Here's the best revelation from Bamberger, who directly quotes USGA President Glen Nager saying something other than what appears in the USGA press release. In other words he spoke to the President and what came out was a little scary.

Glen Nager, the president of the USGA, who worked on the FOX deal with Davis and another USGA executive, Sarah Hirshland, said on Thursday afternoon that golf wants, and needs, to reach those football fans and NASCAR fans and baseball fans and soccer fans. Sean Hannity fans, no doubt, too. Nager liked the fact that the FOX executives were recreational golfers and not golf experts. The USGA was looking for something else.

"We have golfing sophistication," Nager said.

Such sophistication that they rolled out an expensive slow play messaging campaign, now openly mocked by two-time US Open winner Lee Trevino, yet they chose not to address slow play at their most prominent championship by using their very-own and proven-successful time par system (once again). The campaign was undermined immediately to sophisticated golf fans.

What FOX brought, among other things, was a boffo proposal to promote the U.S. Open, the other championships and to help make golf more of the mainstream sporting culture.

Nager also thought highly of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Also interesting that Bamberger names Executive Director Mike Davis as a key member of the FOX deal negotiating team. And that NBC and ESPN don't know mainstream but FOX Sports does.

And then there was Bamberger's analysis of who FOX will put in the booth. For those elated that they won't have Johnny to kick around any more, Nager feels your pain. Seems Johnny fits into the populist concept.

This will not be an easy job to fill. Nager did not rule out the possibility of Miller following the USGA to FOX.

As Bamberger notes, that's not happening after Miller's spot-on reaction to the news. And if you really believe Johnny is that important, why didn't you just re-sign with the NBC/Golf Channel?

Since it became clear Nager was going to be USGA President, I've listened to USGA insiders, some past committee members and fanboy types insist his appointment would be disastrous because he's relatively new to the sport of golf. I disagreed, thinking a fresh perspective would be a positive. But who knew we'd get someone so willing to appeal to the lowest common denominator that he'd be willing to alienate two very powerful media companies and potentially millions of serious golf fans for the almighty dollar?

PGA Day 1 Wrap: "You gotta write about the golfer...who used to be the auto racer Anukjit Hirunratanakorn"

Looks like a pretty stock PGA Championship opening day: good scoring, brief rain delay, nice mix of names on the leaderboard topped by Adam Scott and Jim Furyk, Tiger said he rushed a short putt after his group was put on the clock (Ron Sirak reports), Phil summoned Butch Harmon after a wild finish (video) (Bob Harig reports), and there was one offbeat tale in 68-shooter Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

Dave Kindred with Aphibarnrat's story.

He is 24 years old. He has been called "Asia's John Daly" in allusion to his laundry-bag physique and extravagant swing. This season he has won on both the European Tour and Asian Tour. He has earned over $1.5 million. When he didn't qualify here, the PGA of America used it Eligibility Code 12 -- "the right to invite additional players" -- to get him in the 156-man field. The PGA Media Guide noted that he'd once been an auto racer. Also, he was "previously known as Anukjit Hirunratanakorn."

Irresistible. You gotta write about the golfer Kiradech Aphibarnrat who used to be the auto racer Anukjit Hirunratanakorn who goes two-under-par on one of the world's great golf courses just a month after shooting an 85 -- yes, an 85 -- in the British Open.

Thief Dresses Up As Typical Club Golfer; Hits Baltusrol Lockers

Thorough report from CBS2 New York's Tracee Carrasco on a thief who dressed like a golfer (even had a glove!) and robbed Baltusrol's open lockers, then tried to his Canoe Brook where Oscar Cabrera was recognized by employees after a police bulletin went out.

“He would enter the club and look for the best way to get to the locker room,” said Springfield Police Det. James Mirabile.

Police said Cabrera stole the credit cards of three members from open lockers on June 30. And they said he wasn’t working alone; he allegedly had an accomplice named Luis Paz.

Springfield police said the two suspects went to a Target store in the Township of Union, where they used the stolen credit cards to buy $8,000 worth of gift cards.

The video feature:

Is Fox Sports Really Paying $100 Million A Year In USGA Deal?

Either I missed it in focusing on the classless announcement timing or it was added as a follow up to the original report, but Doug Ferguson is citing sources as saying the USGA-Fox Sports partnership is worth approximately $100 million a year for the 12 years, meaning Fox Sports is going to pay $1.2 billion for the right to lose money on everything but the U.S. Open?

Furthermore, with the many innovations the USGA is promising on the production end, combined with starting a team from scratch, the production costs are going to be higher than had ESPN or NBC/Golf Channel or a combination of the two landed the rights.

Though financial terms weren't disclosed, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said the Fox bid was in the neighborhood of $100 million a year, more than double the previous contract. The person wasn't authorized to release details and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Ed Sherman has a strong roundup and commentary on the USGA's move, and also includes a Twitter comment from Scott Van Pelt of ESPN who is hearing the $100 million too.

Sorry, but both NBC and ESPN deserved better here.

The reality is that this decision wasn’t based on innovation. Here’s what Nager should have said in the release:

“Can you believe Fox is willing to give us $100 friggin’ million dollars per year for essentially one tournament?”

All in all, considering this announcement also was made on the eve of the PGA Championship, it was poor form by USGA.

Van Pelt's Tweet:

@Sherman_Report The notion of 'brand new" golf tv is funny. Like what, Glen? There's only so much innovation. But 100M = 100M. Which is fine

— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) August 8, 2013

John Hawkins files a nice commentary on the ungentlemanly behavior of the organization that prides itself on the etiquette and dignity of our sport.

Golf swears by its etiquette, but this is a burp at the dinner table among heads of state. And from the bleating Bluecoats, no less, who never met a cause they couldn’t tackle without a ton of help.

Last time I checked, six-time PGA Tour winner Brandt Snedeker wouldn’t swing an axe at someone unless you handed him the hatchet and stuck out your neck. “Don’t know the relationship between @USGA and @ThePGAofAmerica but seems petty to announce new TV deal today USGA… Couldn’t wait??” Sneds tweeted.

Guess not, seeing how Fox won’t have a U.S. Open on its air for almost two years. When you drive 90 miles per hour to get somewhere an hour ahead of schedule, people are sure to ask why you’re in such a rush. That’s when you scratch your head and realize you could have caused a wreck.

"TaylorMade-adidas Golf Posts Record First-Half Sales"

Another billion-dollar first half of the year for Taylor Made-Adidas.

For Immediate Release...

TaylorMade-adidas Golf Posts Record First-Half Sales Despite Late Start to Golf Season

Footwear and Iron categories grow double digits to lead the charge to over $1 Billion through Q2

CARLSBAD, CALIF. (August 8, 2013) – TaylorMade-adidas Golf (TMaG), the largest and most profitable golf equipment, apparel and footwear company in the world, announced today, Q2 sales of $454M (EUR 348M).  Despite unseasonably poor weather across the globe leading to a late golf season start, TMaG reports sales of $1.012B (EUR 771.077M) with currency-neutral, year-over-year growth of +2% for the first half.  What’s even more impressive, this is the second year in a row that TMaG has recorded more than $1 billion in sales through the first six months.  Sales increases were led by the iron and footwear categories, which each saw double-digit growth YTD of +16% and +18% respectively.  Regionally, the U.S., which accounts for more than half of TMaG’s global sales, posted YTD year-on-year sales growth of +8%.

 “Reaching over $1 billion in sales for the first half of year, while taking into consideration the slow start to the season, proves consumers demand the superior performance and innovation that goes into our products,” said Mark King, CEO and President. “We never stop striving to push the limits for the golfer and I believe that’s why our numbers continue to be so strong.”

Leading the Q2 charge was the stellar growth in the footwear and iron categories.  Footwear was driven by the success of the ultra-light family of adizero products, including adizero tour and adizero sport for both men and women.  The adizero franchise has broken numerous company sales records throughout the first half of 2013 that have stood since 1999, when the adidas Golf brand was formed.  Ashworth also experienced a strong Q2, and the combined dollar-share of the adidas Golf and Ashworth brands for June 2013 was 19.3%, up from 17.0% last year.

Rain Delay Aerial: Oak Hill From Above Through The Years

If you want to kill a few minutes during the rain delay and see how Oak Hill has evolved, reader Chris from DE nominates this link to Historic Aerial Images where you can see how the current PGA Championship has evolved.

The earliest shot is from 1951 and the lack of trees is pretty shocking. If you look closely you can see the old 15th tucked against the property border and it's easy to see how Peter Thomson hit a ball out of bounds there.

Unfortunately it's hard to make out the old 5th and 6th holes that everyone raves about, except George and Tom Fazio who blew them up.

Video: Look Back At Oak Hill's 1968 U.S. Open

Now this is how the USGA should upstage the PGA, not by announcing a massive change in their television partnerships that takes subtle digs at those partners, but instead, by posting nice YouTube videos showing Oak Hill as it looked in the 1968 U.S. Open. It will make for fun course and broadcast comparisons during the telecast today on TNT and this weekend on CBS.

Also notice how much movement there is behind Trevino for this third shot on 18! Imagine today's white belt set hitting a shot that fast with that much going on.

Even better, you get to (kind of) see the old 15th hole. The video:

PGA Match Play Showdown: Rory Defeats Hopkins, 7&6

Michael Whitmer covers Ian Poulter's call to the media to chill out on the Rory ripping (video here), check out the exchange between McIlroy and Global Golf Post's John Hopkins later in the press center.

The video is more revealing (could not find any), but either way say what you want about the state of the lad's game, he handled this better than most would:

Q. Ian Poulter was in here a couple of hours ago, and we were asking him about you, and he said he thought that we should lay off you. Do you feel we should lay off you?

RORY McILROY: I don't know, I mean, it's ... I'd definitely rather be up here talking about more positive things, but I guess that's the way it is.

Should you lay off me? That's not for me to decide. That's not ... I'm here and I'm answering your questions and that's all I can do. Yeah, as I said, it would be nicer just to sit up here, talk about some more positive things, but the way this year's gone, it's understandable why I'm not.

Q. It's very nice of you to say it's not for you to decide, but you're the only person who can decide whether you think we should lay off you?
RORY McILROY: You're the only people who can decide whether you lay off me or not, so it's not my decision. (Laughter).

Q. You can say whether you think we should.

RORY McILROY: No, I think you should do what you want. Ask me the questions that you want to ask (shrugging shoulders).

McIlroy tees off at 1:25 ET with Vijay Singh and Martin Kaymer.

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."