2020 PGA Championship To Harding Park

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Looks like Joe Passov beat me to it by about 15 minutes, but here's my GolfDigest.com item for The Loop on Harding Park landing the 2020 PGA Championship.

The decision is a positive for the PGA of America because they are coming west after a 16-year hiatus, but I don't believe the current course, despite it's staggering $23 million PGA Tour Design Services renovation price, is up to the quality standards for a major site.

As I spell out in the item, this also dooms the chances of an international PGA in 2020 to get away from the Tokyo Games. That was always a longshot, but obviously when you weigh Harding Park vs. Royal Melbourne, well, the international option would have been great for fans.

**Story updated with quotes from Sandy Tatum, who spearheaded the renovation of Harding Park over 11 years ago and as you can imagine is delighted with the news.

Back9 Prez: We're E! To Golf Channel's ABC

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Pete Finch talks to Back9Network president Carlos Silva after the announcement of DirecTV deal that will get the golf lifestyle network launched.

One of their three shows planned sounds appealing. Batting .333 isn't all bad.

The three shows that we’ve talked about for the launch are “The Ahmad Rashad Show,” a show called “Ball Hog,” which is about a company that actually dives into the ponds or lakes at golf courses and reclaims golf balls as a business, and another show called “Golf Treasures,” which is a couple of guys who have an auction house that is in the business of acquiring historical golf artifacts.

And regarding Golf Channel, this sounded logical:

Q. Do you view Back9Network as a competitor to Golf Channel?

We really see us as a complement. One of the comparisons I like to use is E! Entertainment at the Oscars. They do the on-ramp and off-ramp to the Oscars, but the live show is on ABC. We feel there are a lot of complements to being that on- and off-ramp to the live game -- being able to feel like you were at Pinehurst even though you may never get to go to a U.S. Open. What’s it like to be at U.S. Open? What’s the town like? What are the restaurants like? What’s the travel like? How are the players getting in and out? Where are they staying? What’s the feeling like when you’re there during tournament week? That’s a lot of what will be on the Back9Network.

2022 Ryder Cup "Bidding Process" Requirements Named

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The European Tour put out the For Sale sign on the 2022 Ryder Cup and it's great fun to see what they have in mind for the one major event in golf where the highest bidder wins, regardless of locale or course quality.

Bids are due in August, with a chance to beef up the offer in February 2015. A winner will be named in fall, 2015.

From the official Ryder Cup site, notes on the "Bidding Process."

It is expected that bids will be submitted from a wide range of countries whose players are eligible for selection to The European Team and who are sure to benefit in a similar manner to previous host countries from the unique sporting eminence of The Ryder Cup.

That would seem to rule out Dubai, mercifully.

KEY BID CRITERIA FOR THE 2022 RYDER CUP

1.       Demonstrable Government, Political, Institutional and Golfing Community support

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

2.       Commitment to the development of a world-class golf facility (new or existing) to host The 2022 Ryder Cup

God forbid we'd use one that's proven itself worthy, like The Old Course.

3.       Provision of ancillary facilities, suitable access and infrastructure commensurate with the staging of an international sporting event, including proximity to a major international city

4.       Commercial opportunities available to The Ryder Cup

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

5.       Contribution of the Bid Country to the development of golf, for example:
Ø  Legacy
Ø  Contribution to the professional game
Ø  Integration of golf within tourism and business communities
Ø  Development of levels of golf participation
Ø  Professional tournament golf at all levels
Ø  Contribution to The Ryder Cup: eg Player eligibility and participation

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Karen Paolozzi: Woman Makes Cut In PGA Club Pro!

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From an unbylined AP story on Druid Hills assistant pro Karen Paolozzi becoming the second female player to make the cut in the PGA Professional National Championship where University of Toledo coach Jamie Broce holds the second-round lead.

From the story:

“This is exactly what my goal was,” Paolozzi said. “I wanted to make the cut. I wanted to come here and play well. I was a little disappointed after yesterday, but I knew if I put in a solid round today, I had a chance.”