Update On Tour, Microsoft Putting Tracking Effort

It was a year ago that the partnership was announced and some of us got to see demos of the PGA Tour/Shotlink/Microsoft effort to enhance both the presentation and culling of ShotLink data.

The most interesting component appears to be the upgrade of putting stats, which will give players some incredible data on their tendencies. But as Doug Ferguson reports, the ability to put the lasers to good use could some day have a profound effect on a telecast.

This is from ShotLink's Steve Evans...

"With this system, let's say it's a 30-foot putt. We'll know a foot off the putter how fast the ball is moving," Evans said. "It's gives us a much more accurate projection on where it will end."

Imagine how fun it would be if that information could be incorporated in a graphic popping up on the screen a bit off the putter face what the percentage chances are of the ball going in the hole?

It's still a ways off but that could be just the kind of fun use of technology revolutionizing the least interesting and most heavily seen part of a golf telecast.

Guardian: Rolex Series Doesn't Bridge PGA Tour Gap

Ewan Murray doesn't deliver a Guardian-endorsed stamp of approval to the European Tour's new Rolex Series.

He questions whether the expensive funneling of cash to events that were already stars on the ET schedule is a wise tact given the number of events in dire need of an attention infusion.

Pelley remains quite the showman but close analysis of his work continues to raise queries. What this Rolex Series will actually provide, barring more money at the elite level of the Tour and enhanced media coverage which it is hoped will make golf more accessible, is a cause for debate. The gulf in resource to the PGA Tour remains vast.

One could make a decent case for the batch of events as boosted, with the French Open being certain to follow, being strong enough in any case. What is being done for the poorly attended, unattractive stuff at the lower end? Pelley has to be careful not to pander only to the players at the top of his organisation.

Murray also touches on something that has left me confused about the Series and many of these concepts created in various tour headquarters.

There is no overall narrative to knit the seven tournaments together and no combined prize at the end of them. The European Tour already has an order of merit, which it is stressed will retain key status. This, it is feared, could add confusion; the announcement of a second money list, lost in the Rolex melee, certainly should. Golf hasn’t really grasped the concept of simplicity being king.

It's bizarre that tournament formats floated to break free of 72-hole stroke play are often branded as too complicated, yet we keep getting all of these odd money lists, points races and other algorithmatic nightmares that interest no one.

Diana Murphy Elected To Second Term, USGA Creates New "President-Elect" Position Because It Beats Rolling Back The Ball

That great bungler of names has been elected to another year of butchery, much to the joy of those now looking forward to 2017 USGA trophy presentations. Because it sure isn't Erin Hills anyone is excited about.

More disconcerting or hilarious or just plain bizarre in the annual USGA press release on Executive Committee coming-and-goings was the news of a "president-elect" position. With this by far the latest announcement of the upcoming navy-and-grey set, it's hard not to wonder if this president-elect position was inspired by the election.

The "position" replaces the Vice Presidency, which was quietly eliminated last year. The move is yet another sign that the USGA Executive Committee is busy obsessing about the details of governance more than actually governing, but we already knew that given the ease with which 150-pounders hit 325-yard drives and they counter by saying things leveled off a long time ago.

Anyway, really good to see consulting gurus McKinsey get their foot in the door on the EC level, that should work a few miracles...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DIANA MURPHY NOMINATED FOR SECOND TERM AS USGA PRESIDENT

FAR HILLS, N.J. (Nov. 16, 2016) – Diana Murphy has been nominated to serve a second one-year term as the 64th president of the United States Golf Association by the USGA Nominating Committee, as the organization prepares for its 123rd year of service to the game of golf.

In addition, there are three newly nominated candidates for the 15-member Executive Committee: Thomas Barkin, Stephen Beebe and William Siart. Their collective experience encompasses expertise in strategic planning and nonprofit leadership, as well as a passion for environmental sustainability. If elected at the USGA’s Annual Meeting on Feb. 4, 2017 in Washington, D.C., they will replace retiring members William Fallon, Malcolm Holland and Asuka Nakahara.

“Bill, Asuka and Malcolm have shared their time and experience to help guide the USGA through one of the most pivotal strategic planning periods in our history,” said Murphy. “I have been privileged to work with them and all of the successful professionals with such diverse talents who have advanced the game and the USGA’s leadership of it. Volunteers have always been at the heart of our mission, and we appreciate all they have done and will continue to do.”

The committee also nominated Mark Newell, a four-year Executive Committee member, as president-elect. The new officer position replaces the role of vice president eliminated in 2016, and supports succession planning for future association leadership. Newell, who served as USGA general counsel in 2011-12, currently chairs the USGA Rules of Golf Committee. He has focused significant efforts on a multi-year Rules modernization project led by the USGA and The R&A, and he continues to provide support and leadership toward the development of a world handicap system.

Current officers Sheila Johnson and George Still have been nominated to continue their service as secretary and treasurer, respectively. The eight committee members nominated to continue their service are: Michael Bailey, Stuart Francis, Thomas Hough, Robert Kain, Martha Lang, Gregory Morrison, Mark Reinemann and Clifford Shahbaz.

In addition, Robert Weber has been nominated to serve a second term as USGA general counsel.

Notable experience and achievements of the three committee nominees are as follows:

Thomas Barkin, 55, of Atlanta, Ga., is a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm. For the past 30 years, Barkin has dedicated his professional career to providing executive-level strategic and business counsel to clients across multiple industries. For the last seven years, he has been the company’s global CFO and chief risk officer, with oversight of finance, legal and information technology functions, among others. Barkin earned his bachelor’s, MBA and law degrees from Harvard University. He currently serves on the executive committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Emory University Board of Trustees, and he is a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. A lifelong avid golfer and current member of East Lake Golf Club and the Capital City Club in Atlanta, he continues to try to play as well as he did when he won his junior club championship at age 16 in Tampa, Fla., and enjoys playing the game both in the United States and abroad.

Stephen Beebe, of La Quinta, Calif., put himself through the University of Idaho College of Law by working on golf course maintenance crews, after spending most of his high school years working on the grounds staff at Blackfoot (Idaho) Municipal Golf Course. He credits that work for his passion for sustainability and efforts to highlight golf’s responsible management practices. Beebe, 71, became president and CEO of the J.R. Simplot Company in 1993, guiding one of the country’s largest privately owned companies through continued global expansion until his retirement in 2002. He has served on the grounds committee at every club where he has been a member, and continues to support courses in his current home state of California on drought-related issues. Beebe competed in the 1986 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, and is a past member of the Idaho Golf Association Board of Directors. He is a member of the Citrus Club/PGA West and the Quarry Golf Club in La Quinta, Calif.

William Siart, of Pacific Palisades, Calif., a career banking executive, has dedicated his retirement years to supporting public education and the arts. He is the founder and chairman of Excellent Education Development (ExED), a California-based nonprofit with a mission to provide business and support services to public charter schools that deliver high-quality education in low-income neighborhoods. He is a member of the board of trustees and the executive committee of the University of Southern California, and the chairman of its finance committee. He also serves as a trustee of the J. Paul Getty Trust, which guides the largest privately endowed museum in the world, and is chairman of its finance committee. His collective charitable work earned him the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service in 2006, an accolade whose recipients include heads of state and international leaders. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Santa Clara University, and an MBA in finance from the University of California, Berkeley. He served as chairman and CEO of First Interstate Bank from 1994 to 1996, capping more than 35 years in the financial sector. Siart, 69, is a member of The Los Angeles Country Club, Merion Golf Club, Riviera Country Club and The Vintage Club.

The full Nominating Committee report will be distributed to USGA member clubs by Dec. 10, 2016, along with the complete schedule of the Annual Meeting, to be held Feb. 4 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C. The day-long event will culminate in the USGA Annual Service Awards Dinner, which recognizes achievements by industry professionals and volunteers who have served the game of golf.

Nothing says organization-of-the-people like a meeting at the Ritz!

Oy Vey Alert: Great White Shark Sensed Donald Trump Would Win, Tells Newsweek (!?) Readers All About His Wisdom

Maybe the testosterone boost of linking Australia's prime minister Malcolm Turnbull with president-elect Trump went to the Shark's head--no, wait, that luxury-yacht left port long ago.

So we'll just assume this matchmaker role, detailed by the Daily Telegraph, prompted non-American citizen and one-time Fox Sports analyst Greg Norman from wondering if he should write this excessively first-person Newsweek piece celebrating Donald Trump's victory.

(BTW, I'd hate to think who said no before some editor announced triumphantly, "I got The Shark!")

Anyway, strap yourself in for so much "I saw this coming" talk that perhaps Norman is prepping us for the day he hangs up his chainsaw and becomes greater Jupiter's leading psychic.

I personally had a sense of this and told Donald, when President Barack Obama was campaigning for Hillary Clinton 10 days before the election, that he was going to win. Obama’s messaging was wrong and just reinforced that those wanting change would get it with Clinton. In other words, the problem was not the problem—the attitude to the problem was the problem.

How fortunate we are to share a planet with people who hear their ghost writer read sentences like that and say, BOOM! That makes perfect sense!

Let the humblebragging continue...

I have spoken to Donald on numerous occasions since the election and I think he will surprise many with what he will do with the presidency, but not himself. He has a clear vision. I believe he will fill a cabinet with quality, experienced, doers that are like-minded yet strong enough to redirect him if they so believe.

Hey, Greg maybe you should nominate yourself in the next phone call?

But go on, woo us with more deep thoughts...

A Trump presidency obviously not only affects the United States, but the rest of the world.

Deeeeeep!

Foreign policy will be a tricky one for Trump. I can only imagine that there are so many grandfathered agreements in place from previous administrations in the U.S. and abroad.

Easy there Greg, you count yourself a friend to the presidents who supported and enhanced many of thsoe agreements. I know those Bushes and Clintons are so last year to you, but they do still read.

Until he gets in there to understand those, from NATO to NAFTA to TPT to Middle East agreements to the Asia Pacific rim and many others, it is difficult to speculate.

I'm fairly certain those agreements are readable outside of the White House. Maybe Shark could read up on those grandfathered agreements and present a white paper that also includes how you'd fix Doonbeg. That's better than a cabinet post!

Update on 2016-11-17 03:58 by Geoff

**The Prime Minister almost backed up the Shark's story.

JOURNALIST:

Prime Minister, there was a story in the Daily Telegraph this morning that Greg Norman, the golfer actually gave you the personal number for Donald Trump. Is this true?

PRIME MINISTER:

Greg Norman is a great Australian. He is a great advocate for strengthening the Australian-American alliance. One of our greatest assets, you know, is the more than million Australians who live overseas and Greg is one of them and he has been a great help. He is an example of what I've often said about the relationship between Australia and the United States. It depends, sure it depends on good relations between leaders and ministers and so forth but above all it is based on millions of people-to-people links, millions of people who are committed to strong ties. Greg is one of those and he's a great Australian and very committed to a very strong relationship. He wants Australia to succeed, America to succeed and, if we both succeed, that'll be good for the world too.

JOURNALIST:

Prime Minister, why didn't your office have Mr Trump's number before the election?

PRIME MINISTER:

I'm not going to - in diplomacy and politics, you use lots of networks. All I can say is we have great networks, great connections and Greg Norman is a great Australian.

Atlanta Mess: Bobby Jones Golf Course Purchased By State, City Passes On Non-Profit Takeover

The news out of Atlanta isn't good for the beleaguered public course system, as John Ruch reports on a non-profit's effort to operate the city muni's was rejected by the city council.

The story could just be an aberation related to politics, but also will not bode well when future non-profit fans of the game attempt to rescue the many terribly-run city or state courses which, with some repairs, could be made better.

Buckhead's Bobby Jones Golf Course was partially saved thanks to a long-discussed purchase by the state, with a plan to reduce it to 9-holes but add multiple amenities. Everett Catts reports.

With the sale finalized, the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation announced it has entered into a 50-year lease with the authority for the course, which was built in 1932 as a tribute to golf legend Robert Tyre “Bobby” Jones Jr.

As part of the state’s ownership plan, the course will be transformed from an 18-hole one to a nine-hole one with a driving range and a wee links for children 12 and under. The wee links will be named the Cupp Links in honor of golf course architect Bob Cupp, who designed the new course before he died in August.

The foundation is partnering with the Georgia State Golf Association and the Georgia section of the PGA of America to create the Georgia Golf House, a new facility that will become a hub for golf in the state. Those organizations, plus Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, the Atlanta Junior Golf Association and others will call the Georgia Golf House home.

The new course and facilities will remain open to the public. The course will also be the new home of the Georgia State University golf teams.

Video: Kangaroos Fighting Over A Green Complex Design?

Or something like trivial that. Not nearly as adorable as the kangaroo that played with the flagstick, but almost as entertaining in a "what do they really think will be accomplished here" way.

From Ian Baker-Finch, who is back Down Under and presumably will be heard on the upcoming string of Aussie tournaments, starting with Wednesday's Australian Open.

Boxing Kangaroos #twinwatersgolfclub

A video posted by IanBakerFinch (@ianbakerfinch) on Nov 15, 2016 at 3:48am PST

European Tour Unveils "Innovative" Rolex Series: 4 $7M Events

The press release and announcement tout this as an innovative and a significant advancement for the European Tour. Certainly there are promises of the events in question offering enhanced digital and television converage touches (see video midway down this page). But the Rolex Series sounds more like an effort to make the strongest pockets of the schedule a bit stronger, with nice add-ons inspired by a longtime and loyal golf sponsor.

Essentially the European Tour is going to offer enhanced purses at four key events and three  former "Race to Dubai" playoff events which already drew decent fields. Maybe that's why Chief Executive Keith (Elton) Pelley won't shift to some Rolex-green frames until a few more events are added to the rotation.

Pros?

-Rory's Irish Open, the Scottish Open and the Italian Open all become stronger.

-Elite player pocketbooks (and maybe wristwatches winners) are improved.

-Each event should draw enhanced fields (though the BMW PGA already does fine), with more incentive for non-European Tour stars to appear in the UK especially. Each event should get more media attention, at least from what media remains.

Cons?

-Creates greater separation between events in the Rolex Series and those not in, making the already bloated European Tour schedule look like it's carrying even more dead weight.

-Strengthens events that stars were already likely to play instead of events needing a boost.

-Ensures the World Golf Championship events are stuck in neutral as a four-tournament, mostly U.S.-centric concept * How could I forget, a second WGC heads to Mexico City next year! Players are SO excited too!

The full press release: 

EUROPEAN TOUR LAUNCHES THE ROLEX SERIES

The European Tour is proud to officially announce the Rolex Series, an exciting new alliance of leading tournaments which will strengthen the golf schedule from the 2017 season onwards.

The innovative concept — launched today with the European Tour’s longest standing partner, Rolex — is one of the most significant advancements in the Tour’s 44 years and will enhance both the competitive and entertainment experience for members and fans around the world. 

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “We are delighted to unveil the Rolex Series today and we are committed to developing and building on it over the coming years.

“The Rolex Series will celebrate the highest quality of golf and the international spirit of the game; values that Rolex and the European Tour strengthen with this announcement. We are tremendously proud to have Rolex as our partner in this exciting new venture and we thank them for their continued support.”

Today’s announcement deepens the historic bond between Rolex and the European Tour, which has seen the Swiss company be the proud partner and Official Timekeeper of the Tour since 1997.

Rolex Director of Communication & Image, Arnaud Boetsch, said: “It is with great enthusiasm that Rolex will reinforce its longstanding partnership with the European Tour by supporting the Rolex Series, an innovative advancement in professional European golf.

“Rolex has enjoyed a unique alliance with golf for over fifty years and this is the most recent development of Rolex’s enduring commitment to the game. 

“Across junior, amateur and elite levels, Rolex is devoted to golf’s development worldwide, and we look forward to being a part of the flourishing future of The European Tour.”

In 2017, the Rolex Series will feature a minimum of seven tournaments in seven iconic golfing locations across the world, all offering minimum prize funds of US$ 7 million, with the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai featuring a prize fund of US$ 8 million. Plans are in place to increase the number of Rolex Series tournaments in future seasons as part of the multi-year commitment made to the European Tour by the world’s leading Swiss watchmaker.

As the scope of the European Tour expands around the world, golf fans will be brought closer than ever to the leading professionals on the world’s best courses thanks to significantly enhanced television and digital production as well as increased hours of coverage distributed worldwide.

The 2017 Rolex Series will begin in May with the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in England and will be followed by two tournaments in July: the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation at Portstewart; and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Dundonald.

The fourth tournament of the Rolex Series next year will be the Italian Open at the Olgiata Golf Club in Rome in October while the final three Rolex Series events will be in November, comprised of the Turkish Airlines Open at Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort; the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City in South Africa; and the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The news prompted this Instagram image from Dubai:

Introducing the #RolexSeries…⠀ The innovative concept, starting next year, will feature a minimum of seven tournaments in seven iconic golfing locations across the world, all offering minimum prize funds of $7m, with the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai featuring a prize fund of $8m. Plans are in place to increase the number of Rolex Series tournaments in future seasons as part of the multi-year commitment made to the European Tour by the world’s leading Swiss watchmaker.

A photo posted by European Tour (@europeantour) on Nov 14, 2016 at 10:51pm PST

Update on 2016-11-16 04:14 by Geoff

**Thanks to reader PG for the link to the new "Access List" of the European Tour, which governs access to the Rolex events and replaces the Race To Dubai.

9th In The World: Who Is Alex Noren?

With the European Tour limping toward its Race To Dubai conclusion and featuring a Masters winner who "wants his life" back (according to Derek Lawrenson), attention will turn to Alex Noren.

Noren's won four times since July and has risen to 9th in the world after being outside the top 100 in June according to Will Gray, yet he never received any Ryder Cup consideration and would probably need ID to walk onto any major championship range. He's at least dropped to 80/1 in Masters futures odds, but is still behind Jon Rahm and Tiger Woods.

Finding a good profile on Noren was tough, but maybe because he's done it best on by his very ownself. Sure, his blog hasn't been updated since 2012, but Noren's website includes his first person life story if you click on "My Story" in the lower left.

I forgot that the 34-year-old--that's right millennials, you can like him!--went to Oklahoma State and unlike many Euros, stayed for four years. But with all of the talk about short courses, Himalayas greens and growing the game (including today on Morning Drive), this really stood out:

My fight to reach my dreams began 23 years earlier at my home course Haninge GK in Sweden.

The putting green served as a natural kinder garden and it was located in the middle of two straight lines of oak trees. The green was narrow and long and gave us enough creativity to try the craziest shots when having chipping contests. The bet was always ice cream to the winner. We played golf all day. Our parents had to bring food out on the course because dinner wasn't our first priority; lowering our handicap was. We usually played together; sometimes we let our parents join up if we weren't enough kids around. I think the opportunity to play around and not being instructed by anyone gave us the complete joy and love for the game. We could not get enough of it.

Kansas Course Adopts Ancient Sustainability Program

John Green of the Hutchinson News reports on Crazy Horse Sport Club and Golf Course turning their native roughs over to three goats who will eat any weed, including poison ivy.

Green writes:

“They love the weeds,” said Matt Seitz, general manager of the now Crazy Horse Sport Club and Golf Course, 922 Crazy Horse Road. “Especially the poison ivy. I saw them running along and they just stopped and started gobbling it up. It’s like candy to them.”

Jon Mollhagen, the Lorraine rancher and businessman who bought the course earlier this year, obtained the three female animals from a friend, said Seitz, who did not know their breed.

“This a good way of controlling the weeds without chemicals,” Seitz explained. “We used to spray it, but it’s hard to control and we’d rather do it without all the herbicides and stuff.”

Besides, Seitz said, “they’re good at getting people talking. It’s something new.”

Of course it's not actually news, but the way many links once had their roughs maintained. In fact, quite a few could borrow the Crazy Horse practices and maybe give us healthier natives while saving a few balls.