Tradition Unlike Any Other: Blaming Tradition

/

We've all done it: blamed tradition.

When the European Tour opened up the dreaded shorts vs. pants debate by granting waivers and allowing their members to wear shorts in pro-am play, I knew "tradition" would be a target.

Sure, the word gets overused and often is hidden behind by those up to no good. But the debate about pro golfers wearing shorts is not a tradition vs. progress topic.

James Corrigan disagrees.

Golf is never in a worse light than when it is cast in the smog caused by tradition being mixed with pomposity.

The tradition should be extolled; the pomposity excommunicated.

Just because golf did it once does not mean it should still be done today. This is a ball sport which has been affected by the advances in technology perhaps more than any other, but in terms of perception it has been depressingly rooted.

For so long the powers-that-be refused to recognise the necessity to go forwards and kidded themselves and their audience with all this "tradition" claptrap.

They summarily dismissed the opinion that children were being put off by the perception of the old man's pursuit and, as regards participation, woefully failed to capitalise on the gift that was Tiger Woods.

Pro golfers wearing pants has nothing to do with tradition and everything to do with aesthetics.

When you're at a pro golf event and you hear spikes, you will turn to find a well-dressed, pressed and fitted person probably clad in one-too-many logos. But you'll also have no doubt you are seeing a professional in his/her arena. A gladiator of sorts, in their arena. One that we have paid to come see perform.

Athletes should stand out and look impressive. They shouldn't dress look like the rest of us. Pants on a golfer, for whatever reason, add a certain gravitas. Golfers wearing shorts have no chance of standing out and, contrary to claims, do not appear to be more athletic by exposing their legs. Instead, they look like they're late for their 1:20 tee time at any old course, not The Old Course.

So while I certainly can respect the view that it's time to push aside the pant aesthetic, I can't agree that demands by administrators to wear them has anything to do with tradition. It is, as the kids say, what it is. We just know class when we see it. This isn't classy or particularly athletic:

And Now Hyundai Is Officially In At Riviera

/

Tod Leonard reports the expected news following yesterday's announcement of Northern Trust heading east for a playoff event, Hyundai is moving in on Riviera's annual February stop.

The length of the deal was not specified, though sources close to Hyundai say its a 10-year agreement. Having a local company invested for that long and one that is thriving should inject more life right off the bat. And as Nissan proved with its successful tenure here, LA is a car town. So the fit could not be better. Throw in the occasional hole-in-one at 16, and a Rich Beem reaction, and the partnership should be a home run.

Note in the press release that Hyundai's CEO mentions CBS in his engineered quote. For Immediate Release:

Hyundai Announces PGA TOUR Tournament Sponsorship in Los Angeles

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., and PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (January 20, 2016) – The PGA TOUR and Hyundai announced today an agreement commencing in 2017 that will make Hyundai the new title sponsor of the TOUR’s longstanding tournament at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.

Hyundai, which has its U.S. headquarters in nearby Fountain Valley, Calif., will be shifting its previous sponsorship from the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii to what currently is the Northern Trust Open.

Yesterday, it was announced that Northern Trust will replace Barclays as title sponsor of the first FedExCup Playoff tournament held annually in the New York/New Jersey area, also beginning in 2017.

“Considering that Hyundai Motor America is headquartered and heavily invested in the greater Los Angeles area, this is a perfect fit for Hyundai’s long-term vision and goals as a tournament sponsor,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “Hyundai is a terrific partner that has actively promoted the Hyundai Tournament of Champions since becoming title sponsor in 2011 and used the event to broaden awareness of its brand and products. We are very excited to continue our relationship with Hyundai and look forward to helping with the transition to Riviera Country Club for 2017.”

“The PGA TOUR’s Los Angeles tournament is the signature golf event in the country’s second-biggest market, is broadcast nationally on CBS and is located in the backyard of Hyundai’s headquarters in Orange County,” said Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “During the past six years, we’ve continued to expand our relationship with the game of golf and there is no better tournament for us to be associated with. We can’t wait to showcase Hyundai vehicles to the millions of Los Angeles golf fans and those watching on TV and, most importantly, continuing the event’s long history of charitable activities.”

“It’s worth adding that Hyundai had a tremendous six years as title sponsor of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and helped elevate the stature of the tournament, while making a significant impact on numerous local organizations in Hawaii,” said Zuchowski. “The tournament is in a position of strength and we look forward to watching its continued success.”

An important aspect of Hyundai’s sponsorship of the Tournament of Champions has been its charitable work through Hyundai Hope On Wheels, a national independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping kids fight cancer. The program is supported by Hyundai Motor America and its more than 830 dealers nationwide. In association with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, more than $550,000 has been donated to the Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children.

Here We Go! Spieth Calls For Shorts On The PGA Tour

/

Something to giggle about at PGA Tour headquarters just became a minor itch and may be heading to a full-fledged rash soon enough.

Alistair Tait reporting from Abu Dhabi, where Jordan Spieth was asked about shorts in advance of his 2016 European Tour debut.

“I think it’s awesome,” Spieth said Wednesday at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, responding to the European Tour’s relaxed dress code during tournament practice rounds and pro-ams. "It will be something that I would love to see on the PGA Tour, as well. I’ve not heard one person complain about it."

In the early poll results, Yes to shorts has taken a big lead.

I remain unconvinced that this will be the breakthrough to the masses or even the only people who matter, as Rex Hoggard noted in this list of reasons shorts would be a good thing. If they need shorts to be happy in a pro-am, something is amiss.

As for the only people who matter, I'd counter that they have shown in surveys to actually like the dress aspect of the game. Whether that includes pants or shorts, only the survey designers know.

Poll: Is The Shorts Barrier About To Be Broken?

/

Alistair Tait reports on the European Tour now allowing players to wear shorts two weeks in a row after petitioning from Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke.

Even though he's a purveyor of some very stylish pants, Ian Poulter wants to see shorts as the next fashion barrier to be broken.

“It makes perfect sense to me,” Poulter said. “There shouldn’t be a problem with us wearing shorts to practice,” Poulter said. “So I’ll be baring my legs tomorrow. In fact, I really don’t see a problem with wearing shorts during tournaments. I mean it is 2016.”

While this is a First Team, All Conference First World Problem, there is an underlying sense that pants only makes golf seem uncool.

Personally, I'm old fashioned when it comes to pro golfers. They should be in pants and definitely not looking at rangefinders down the stretch. I even agree with Commissioner Kiehl's on the beard issue (sorry Old Tom).

There is good news, too. This will probably turn into one more thing European Tour Chief Keith Pelley and Tim Finchem will bicker over!

I'm curious if you think for the sake of golf's long term image, should pro golfers be allowed to wear shorts?

Vote!

Should pro golfers be allowed to wear shorts?
 
pollcode.com free polls

Rio Test Event Participation Facing "Compaction" Issues

/

Commissioner Coterminous wheeled out his first gem in a while, describing for AP's Doug Ferguson the issues facing golf's effort to get players to Rio for the necessary "test event" to fulfill all obligations with the International Olympic Committee.

"We've got a good list of players who are, quote, interested in coming," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said. "But we don't have a long list of players who are committed to coming. That's the case with the guys who are currently playing on the PGA Tour, just because of the schedule, looking ahead to the summer, seeing the compaction. So I don't know."

Forward Press: PGA West Stadium And Johnny's Return

/

In this week's Forward Press, I naturally touch upon the much anticipated European Tour stop in Abu Dhabi featuring Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth. But there are a number of interesting elements to the Bob Hope Classic's latest reboot into the CareerBuilder Challenge, starting with the return of PGA West Stadium after its not-so-triumphant one-year stint 29 years ago.

As the column notes, this is an opportunity to see just how much the game has changed. While there won't be ShotLink comparisons to make, those of us old enough to remember how difficult the Stadium once was will get to see today's players light the place up.

Mentioned in the column also is the 2016 debut of Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller and producer Tommy Roy. Since filing the column I was reminded that this is where Johnny made his debut as an analyst in 1990 where he wheeled out his first of many “choke” references when talking about the possibility of Hope Classic contender Peter Jacobsen blowing a 72nd hole shot. Jacobsen pulled off the shot and won, but I'm sure we'll relive that and Lee Trevino's Skins Game ace.

Happy reading!

Jason Gore Details His Club Switch In Old School Way

/

Thanks to reader ST for sending this GolfWRX discussion group link to Jason Gore responding to Greg Moore and the club geekdom on his switch of equipment.

I point it out to (A) show non-Reddit reading millennials what a discussion group is (they're pre-Instagram, Twitter and Facebook), (B) how fun it is to read a modern tour player taking the time to detail his thought process, and (C) to demonstrate the value of a Pepperdine education.

While I don't spend much time focusing on what players are playing, there is a sense they resist detailing their club specs because they either think no one cares, or it makes them look like a golf geek, or most disconcertingly, they somehow think their trade is one requiring secrets.

So it's nice to see Gore answering those interested in such things and I wish more players would do it either at a place like GolfWRX or via their social media accounts.

NoTrust Bails On LA For Playoff Event Known As The Barclays

/

Barclays is out and Northern Trust takes over New York's playoff event, ending almost eight years as sponsor of the former Los Angeles/Nissan Open.

It was a rocky road, with some attendance disasters and bad PR when entertaining after the '08 market crash. Mostly it was an odd pairing for a Chicago company coming west to sponsor an event in February. So much so that there were annual rumors they were looking to get out. After several years of investing in the championship's infrastructure there was a noticeable leveling off of investment.

Doug Ferguson reports there is good news in this on many fronts: Hyundai, a proud and thriving Southern California company, is likely the replacement.

Also, this may be setting up a scenario where a likely non-renewal by Deutsche Bank could mean the end of one playoff event, reducing the bloated August/September schedule by a week. Though certainly not ideal for Boston fans or "growing" purses (if your bonus depends on it).

But first things first, no more Barclays, new LA sponsor. The full press release:

Northern Trust to Sponsor Lead FedExCup Playoffs Event in 2017

PGA TOUR’s New York/New Jersey-area tournament
 to be renamed THE NORTHERN TRUST

CHICAGO and PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (January 19, 2016) – The PGA TOUR and Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) announced today that beginning in 2017, the Chicago-based global bank will become title sponsor of the FedExCup Playoffs tournament held annually in the New York/New Jersey area.

Northern Trust will replace Barclays as sponsor through a five-year agreement that renames the tournament THE NORTHERN TRUST and maintains its position as the opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs.

With this move, Northern Trust will not renew its sponsorship of the Northern Trust Open at The Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles once the current contract expires after the 2016 tournament (February 15-21). It has sponsored the Northern Trust Open since 2008. An announcement regarding that tournament’s future will be made in the near future.

“We are thrilled that Northern Trust will become title sponsor of the lead FedExCup Playoffs event beginning in 2017,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “Over the past eight years, Northern Trust’s dedication and passion as title sponsor has reinvigorated the Northern Trust Open, elevated its status as a premier event on the PGA TOUR and significantly increased its charitable giving. We know Northern Trust’s executive team will carry that same leadership and enthusiasm cross-country and continue to build upon the impressive foundation established in the New York/New Jersey market by Barclays.”

This year’s Barclays will be held at the Black Course at Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale (Long Island), N.Y.  When the tournament becomes THE NORTHERN TRUST, it will rotate through some of the best courses in the greater New York area beginning with Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury (Long Island), N.Y., continuing a fantastic rotation throughout the greater New York/New Jersey area:

2018 The Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, N.J.
2019 Liberty National Golf Club, Jersey City, N.J.
2020 Plainfield Country Club, Edison, N.J.
2021 Black Course at Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale (Long Island), N.Y.
2022 Liberty National Golf Club, Jersey City, N.J.

When Northern Trust became title sponsor in 2008, the Northern Trust Open immediately raised its purse by $1 million and its charitable contributions increased, with more than $2 million going to non-profit organizations in the greater Los Angeles area in 2015. Since Northern Trust became involved, the event has contributed nearly $12 million to charity, raising the tournament’s all-time total to more than $60 million since its inception in 1926.

“From the beginning, we are proud to have worked with the PGA TOUR to enhance the Northern Trust Open for all constituents from patrons to players to the Los Angeles community.  Over the past eight years attendance has more than doubled, fan enhancements such as food trucks and kids’ clinics have been added, military appreciation has expanded and importantly, contributions to local charitable organizations doubled,” Northern Trust Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frederick H. Waddell said. “Now as we deepen our investments on the East Coast, we are excited to continue our partnership with the PGA TOUR by sponsoring a world class playoff event that supports our growing business and continued commitment to the communities we serve.”

Barclays became title sponsor of what is now The Barclays in 2005. Two years later, the tournament was elevated to become the lead FedExCup Playoffs event. In 2015, The Barclays generated more than $1.45 million for Metropolitan-area charities, raising the tournament’s all-time total to nearly $44.7 million since 1967.

“We sincerely thank Barclays for all it has done for The Barclays, particularly since its transition to become a FedExCup Playoffs event in 2007,” Finchem said. “We look forward to working with the Barclays’ team to make this year’s event the most successful ever when it returns to Bethpage Black in August (22-28).”     

Shark And Fox: Who Couldn't Have Seen It Coming?

/

Greg Norman put on a shirt for a change and Instagrammed some nonsense about business and life in reaction to getting fired by Fox Sports after just one year. The text, with hashtag included:

#MondayMorningMotivator "Over the years, I’ve learned that no business can stand still. There are always changes in ownership and personnel, and invariably challenges with keeping your product or service relevant and in-demand. The reality is that businesses change, they evolve. We are going to keep moving – just like a shark.”

Get it, like a Shark. Get it? Clever!

That's about what you'd expect of someone who calls himself the Living Brand, claims to call Presidents to console them, says he won the Tournament of Life and, in numerous other ways over the last few years has shown himself to be emphatically detached from reality.

The signs, even pre-Fox, did not stop Fox's David Hill from apparently committing to the Shark before hiring a producer, a decision that saddled Fox Sports' foray into golf with more than just a commentator who only sounded engaged when talking about himself or a fellow Aussie. By all insider accounts, Norman had a say in who was hired and who wasn't, effectively tying producer Mark Loomis' hands in year one of a twelve...twelve...year deal.

Of course it's not Norman's fault that the technical side of the broadcast had issues or that some of his fellow announcers were as flat as he was. But ultimately, the signs were all there that this was a bad hire and Fox deserves credit for not prolonging the agony. Oh sure, Norman may have made it easy by reportedly mailing it in on his own tournament this fall, after mailing in the first five events he worked for Fox in year one of the twelve...twelve year deal.

Still, the signs are enjoyable to recall.

There's his proclivity to post shirtless photos of himself.

Perhaps when he said he never watched golf, this was a sign he might not exactly have a knowledge of what makes a good commentator or who the heck is playing each week.

Because to be honest with you, I never watch golf. I really didn’t because I thought it was kind of boring. And the presentation was boring. So now that we have Fox on board, we are…I am really looking forward to it and I know golf is really excited about it."

And when he declared himself fair and balanced, he left out the part about being determined to talk about himself as the defining characteristic of his announce philosophy.

“My objective is not to be criticizing golfers. My objective is to be fair and balanced. If I see something that I feel is very pertinent to the situation, I will explain that view to the audience, and I want it to be very fan-friendly and informative.

When it was announced he would be conjoined with Joe Buck, it couldn't have been a good sign that they'd never met.

Or maybe it was just the fist bump at Pinehurst that should have been our warning.

Videos: Trick Shots In Polar Opposite Climates, Shih Tzu Puppy

/

A few of you wanted to see the trick shots we talked about on Morning Drive and couldn't find them, so alas, here they are.

From Carlos Tercero on Instagram:

Who sais you can't workout and practice at the same time!!!⛳️💪🏼 @golf_gods #golfgod #golf #workout #golfgods

A video posted by Carlos Tercero⛳️ (@c4rlost3rc3ro) on Jan 11, 2016 at 2:33pm PST


And in the polar opposite, polar climate division, Anton Rosen of Stockholm and Monterey, California:

Cali cravings ❄️🏌☃ #snowball #gopro #goprogolf #csumb @golf_gods @otterathletics

A video posted by Anton Rosén (@anton.rosen) on Jan 13, 2016 at 8:00am PST


And I know what you're going to say, it's come to this. He's posting Shih Tzu puppy dog videos. And I don't really care because he's just that adorable. Even if he weighs less than a Titleist.

Blame the Grill Room:

Captain Clarke Practically Penciling In Westwood, Poulter?

/

Captain Darren Clarke, who guided his team via Club Car to a resounding 18½-5½ victory in something called the EurAsia Cup EURASIA CUP presented by DRB-HICOM, practically named two of his biggest captaincy allies to this fall's European Ryder Cup team.

From a EuropeanTour.com report:

Clarke said: "What Lee and Poults have brought to the team room has been priceless. They have been very, very good. All the young kids have listened to them, they have all learnt from them."

Cart Driver Clarke patted himself on the back for not running over anyone in his first go behind the wheel.

He added: "I've enjoyed it immensely. It's been a wonderful learning experience for me. I've been around the game a long time and done most things in the game and been fortunate to do so.

"This is different. I really enjoyed it. The guys seemed to listen to what I had to say, and if my little part of it has helped them along, then well be it."

Brush With Inevitability: Blair's Anchoring Review

/

It only took two weeks and we had our first player questioned about possible anchoring, though by the sounds of it the officials on-site were almost doing a review as a test case. But this will not be the last time a player has to review the tape.

Brian Wacker with the explanation from the PGA Tour's John Lillivas and Zac Blair's explanation for the 17th hole putt where his club brushed up against his shirt.

“I was a bit in shock when he even asked,” Blair said. “I was asking him, ‘What is he talking about?’ But I honestly don't know what to say, other than (that) I'm not even sure what happened until I guess I saw it. I definitely wasn't anchoring it on purpose.”

Randall Mell notes that this will be an ongoing issue with the new anchoring ban:

There’s going to be no way of knowing definitively if a club’s actually anchored to a player’s body, especially when players are in sweaters and jackets in cool weather.

This also explains why Charlie Rymer wore this hotel drape of a sweater this morning. He demonstrates the issue at hand on Morning Drive:

Video: 2016 Sony Open Thriller, Gomez Edges Snedeker & Blair

/

Here is Doug Ferguson's game story on the weird and wild Sony Open final round at the already refreshed Waialae (with more to come). You had a nice variety of playing styles, ages and backgrounds, lots of emotions and best of all, some terrific shots under pressure. And no shortage of sun, palm trees and blue Pacific.

Brian Wacker filed this background story on Fabian Gomez, who is almost assured now of representing Argentina in the Rio game thanks to his world ranking. And he says it's a dream come true for a man who came from little that would have pegged him as a future PGA Tour winner.

Gomez was born in Chaco, historically one of the poorest provinces in Argentina, and was introduced to the game through caddying. He didn’t pattern his swing by watching the players he was carrying for, though -- they were all high handicappers.

Instead, he honed his talents by playing against fellow caddies with the money he’d earned from caddying and also cutting grass (the latter paid more).

If you missed it, here are the final round highlights from PGA Tour Entertainment:

The full replay of Zac Blair's excellent shot from 280into 18 and his even better (humble) declaration (here is Wacker's PGA Tour note on the shot):