When you come to think of it that is the secret of most of the great holes all over the world. They all have some kind of a twist. C.B. MACDONALD
'14 USGA Annual Meeting Report: Best Corporatespeak, Ever!
/The annual gathering of Pinkerton guards...aka the blue and grey of the USGA held their yearly shareholders get together at Pinehurst's Carolina Hotel and the event was only marred by an outbreak of buckets, brands, platforms, even one "we want to expand our customer base," and a splendid microphone sound after Walter Driver's speech that sounded like the former president had eaten a few too many of the garlic-infused appetizers during the open bar session. (First for me and glad for it: garlic warning labels from the chef.)
While the corporatespeak ran wild in Bill Campbell country (oh how he wouldn't have approved), the real focus was on the mini-drama that was the transition of so-called power from president Glen "I want to be Antonin" Nager and incoming president Tom "Bring On Joe Buck" O'Toole. Both men behaved admirably, pretending to act like it wasn't an awkward occasion when Nager ultimately passed on the usual outgoing presidential duties to largely appear for a few minutes at the annual meeting. To his credit, Nager gave a fine speech, albeit in an obviously emotional state, as he tried his best to say the word brand 453 times in 453 seconds.
He mentioned something about "deviances," how the anchoring ban showed the world of golf to be wanting "strong leadership," the brand again, then how the USGA needs to do what other well-branded organizations in golf do to get with the times, and warned of degrading the brand by not doing the right branding.
And then, in example 32 of how Middle East peace is still possible, Nager spoke to O'Toole by saying he wanted his successor to succeed, needing him to succeed for the sake of the USGA. And really not meaning any of it. The same could be said for O'Toole's Nager compliments, which were inserted last minute after not appearing in the embargoed version of the O'Toole's address. (You can read it all here.) He mentioned none of Nager's presidential themes during his speech.
O'Toole gave a long, largely light on details talk with a pledge to emphasize accessibility to the game and more outreach to attract those not in the game. The message does and will fall flat because of the USGA's traditional country club makeup (driven in part by the high cost of volunteering), and had me longing for Nager's more substantive agenda of water conservation, shrinking the footprint of the game and simplifying the rules. All initiatives which will continue, though O'Toole skimmed over those successes.
Before the dueling presidents spoke, the shareholders were informed of the numbers from 2013 by treasurer Diana Murphy, who reported revenues of $157 million on expenses of $159 million. The deficit was chalked up to a very small manufacturing plant in Ardmore, Pennsylvania that did manage to do the second most in USGA merchandise tent revenue. Second only to that place in San Diego that they refuse to return to. Bernie Madoff could help the USGA get to double digit points as they only earned 9% on their cash stash, bringing the tally to $300 million for "financial security" that Murphy said insulates them in the worst case scenario of having to cancel a US Open due to weather or some other calamity. Oh, and the "safety net" allows them to deliver "critical services" too.
Murphy also mentioned the Fox Sports television deal signed through 2026 promising "greater coverage" and that it will be viewed as a "game changer" both in the USGA world and in golf. Considering Fox Sports 1's most horrifying ratings report to date, I'll wait to agree on the game changer argument.
The annual meeting dinner, not attended by Nager, featured a fine emcee effort by Tim Rosaforte and the usual awards to volunteers like Peter Dernoeden (Green Section Award), Michael Cumberpatch (Joe Dey Award) and Jeff Silverman receiving the Herbert Warren Wind Award for his splendid book on Merion.
Overall, the event had that odd combination of mostly folks gathering who are loyal servants to the game and who love the game and who you'd just love to take home to mom because they are just that good. And then you have a few types who see the USGA as the corporation they never go to be part of, longing to maximize revenues.
The Man Who Left Dinner Early: Nager Photo Caption Fun
/Outgoing USGA President Glen Nager, the lamest duck inthe history of lame duck presidents, gets big points for at least showing up to the final USGA Annual Meeting and giving an admirable speech after announcing his premature retirement from wearing navy and grey, received his parting gift from incoming USGA Prez/enemy Tom O'Toole.
Nager then made like Jesse Owens the moment the meeting was done, skipping an excellent Pinehurst dinner. That commemorative placque is likely to be on a Hertz rental car employee mantel, if not by the side of Highway 1 somewhere just outside Pinehurst depending on Nager's desire to roll down the window and give his award a nice heave.
Anyway, thought bubbles are in order for this photo of lovebirds Nager and O'Toole at the 2014 USGA Annual Meeting! (Read here for the backstory).
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/USGA To Honor Payne Stewart With Bobby Jones Award
/I'm guessing Tom Meeks will not be introducing this one...considering the sportsmanship award winner infamously chewed out the former USGA head man.
USGA TO HONOR PAYNE STEWART WITH 2014 BOB JONES AWARD
Presentation to Family Planned for 2014 U.S. Open Championship Week
Village of Pinehurst, N.C. (Feb. 7, 2014) – As the game's governing body committed to a longtime mission of preserving, promoting and celebrating the very best traditions and characteristics of the game, the United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced the late Payne Stewart as the recipient of the 2014 Bob Jones Award. Stewart will be honored during a public ceremony as part of the festivities surrounding the 2014 U.S. Open Championship.
Presented annually since 1955, the Bob Jones Award is the USGA’s highest honor. It recognizes an individual who demonstrates the spirit, personal character and respect for the game exhibited by Jones, winner of nine USGA championships. Previous recipients of the award include many of golf’s finest champions like Francis Ouimet (1955), Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1957), Patty Berg (1963), Arnold Palmer (1971), Jack Nicklaus (1975), Ben Hogan (1976), Nancy Lopez (1998), Annika Sorenstam (2012) and Davis Love III (2013), as well as others who have contributed to the fabric of the game in other ways, including Richard S. Tufts (1967), Joseph C. Dey Jr. (1977), Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (1978), P.J. Boatwright Jr. (1993) and President George H.W. Bush (2008).
Known for his passion for golf, sportsmanship and philanthropy, Stewart won 11 professional events, including three major championships, during an 18-year PGA Tour career that was cut short by a fatal airplane accident in 1999, four months after his second U.S. Open victory. Stewart’s wife, Tracey, and their children, Chelsea and Aaron, will be presented with the USGA’s Bob Jones Award at a public ceremony in the Village of Pinehurst during U.S. Open week on Tuesday, June 10, at 5 p.m. EDT.
“We are so pleased, and know that Payne would be extremely honored and humbled to be recognized with the prestigious Bob Jones Award,” said Tracey Stewart. “Payne loved the game of golf and sought to live out and promote the same principles of high character, sportsmanship and passion that Bob Jones embodied. We are grateful to the USGA for honoring Payne in such a wonderful manner.”
Stewart’s 18-foot par putt on the 72nd hole of the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst provided one of the championship’s most dramatic finishes. The celebratory moment is memorialized with a bronze statue of Stewart near the 18th green of Pinehurst No. 2.
“Payne’s legacy continues to shine as an inspiration to players of all ages,” said Thomas J. O’Toole Jr., incoming USGA president. “His spirit and gracious attitude left an indelible mark on everyone who surrounded him. His presence can still be felt by players who were fortunate enough to play with him and by the junior golfers that his Payne Stewart Foundation continues to support.”
“Payne’s larger-than-life personality made him one of the most likable players by peers and fans alike,” said USGA Executive Director Mike Davis. “Payne’s strength of character showed through clearly in victory and defeat, which he personally experienced in the U.S. Open. It is only fitting that we will make the presentation of this award to a two-time champion at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in June for players and fans to enjoy.”
“Payne was one of the most engaging and dynamic players that I had the fortune to play with,” said Peter Jacobsen, a USGA and PGA Tour champion and one of Stewart’s closest friends. “He was an intense competitor, but after the last putt dropped, he was warm and supportive, win or lose. That is the definition of sportsmanship and why I am glad to see the USGA honor Payne with the Bob Jones Award.”
Off the course, Stewart donated his time and financial assistance to charitable efforts that promoted the game and supported those in need. His legacy lives on in the Payne Stewart Foundation, formed by Payne and Tracey to teach their children about giving back to the community. The Payne Stewart Foundation supports charities that focus on children in need, as well as the development of the game of golf. Since 2007, the foundation has co-sponsored the American Junior Golf Association’s Payne Stewart Junior Championship.
“Payne Stewart personified the ideals of character, charity and sportsmanship, and is a worthy recipient of the USGA’s Bob Jones Award in the backyard of his greatest triumph,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. “Because of the virtues he extolled, the annual Payne Stewart Award was introduced by the PGA Tour in 2000 to pay tribute, carry on his spirit and serve as a reminder of just how special he was to us all. We are thrilled to see Payne receiving further recognition for his contributions, both on and off the golf course.”
As the winner of the 1989 PGA Championship and the 1991 and 1999 U.S. Open championships, Stewart is one of only eight players who have won at least two U.S. Opens and a PGA Championship. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001.
Video: Highlights From The Golf Industry Show
/We hit the floor at the Golf Industry Show in Orlando.
Morning Drive showed the highlights of our floor ambush.