World Match Play Limps To Its 50th Birthday

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Ignoring last week's news that they'll be on a sponsor search again or that this year's Ryder Cup-headliner field is just okay, Derek Lawrenson's Daily Mail notes column opens by celebrating what is still an intriguing event.

There is also the added twist of big time golf getting as close to London (London Golf Club in Kent), though not mentioned is just how much the field may be limited in quality by Britain's heavy taxation of visiting athletes.

Back in the days of Jack and Arnie, all matches were 36 holes at Wentworth. Now they’re played over 18 and there is a three-day group stage at London Golf Club in Kent to determine eight quarter-finalists on Saturday, with the semi-finals and final the following day.

So let’s toast the World Match Play at 50. It might not be the event we remember growing up but there will certainly be enough on show to make it a celebration.

“Ted was the right person at the right time"

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Golf World's Jaime Diaz profiles PGA of America president Ted Bishop's final days in office and gets this endorsement from PGA CEO Pete Bevacqua.

From Diaz's story:

“Ted was the right person at the right time,” says Pete Bevacqua, the PGA of America’s smooth 44-year-old CEO who Bishop says can reel him in almost in a fatherly way when he gets too worked up. “Ted did not shy away from being the most vocal president with a bullish voice in the industry that we needed. The way he’s wired helped us get things done that would otherwise not have gotten done.”

Diaz also notes that Bishop received a "laudatory text" post-Ryder Cup from former USGA president Glen Nager, Bishop's one time nemesis in the anchored putter debate. Not sure if Nager was complimenting the selection of Tom Watson or Bishop's cart driving duties or something else, but it's just simply touching to know these two are texting again.

The story also notes we'll be getting the PGA-Ryder Cup task force list soon and there are many names listed, but Paul Azinger isn't one of them. Yet. Here we go!