Poll: Parsing The PGA-Players Championship Trade & Next Moves

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I've been a bit leery of the proposed Players for PGA trade because of potential issues with finding quality venues and locales for a May PGA. On the PGA Tour side, reducing the wraparound season to finish before Labor Day has made fantastic sense from day one, but we are clearly a long ways from sorting out the particulars. Rex Hoggard tries here for GolfChannel.com.

Though as Bob Harig notes in his assessment at ESPN.com, the puzzle pieces are tough to put together with World Golf Championship events in tough places on the schedule.

But this is PGA week and the focus in rolling this out was on the major championship. My review here for Golfweek gets into some of the confirmed elements that have me (and I think) others feeling good about what is a huge change in the Grand Slam ebb and flow.

Alex Miceli at MorningRead.com considered the worldwide ramifications and interestingly the European Tour is already positioning itself in interesting ways.

It's a basic question, but after hopefully taking in some of the coverage today online or at Golf Channel, do you like the switch?

Do you like the PGA's planned move to May 2019?
 
pollcode.com free polls

BMW PGA Announces Move To September Before Ink Is Dry On PGA Move To May Deal!

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Pelley!

Wasting little time...about 10 minutes to be exact...the European Tour announced a shift in the BMW PGA Championship's date to September.

I'd give then an "8" for passive aggressiveness, even this could end up being a great switch.

With the PGA Championship moving to May and the Players to March, the European Tour immediately seized on the likely shortening of the PGA Tour playoff season to push their marquee event into a month where the field stands to improve. Furthermore, the European Tour's Race To Dubai should also benefit from the U.S. calendar changes.

More on the PGA move to May later, as we learned a few fun things in today's press conference that I'm writing about for Golfweek. In the mean time, for immediate release... 

The European Tour today announces that the BMW PGA Championship will move from its current date in May to a new September slot from the 2019 season onwards.

The prestigious Championship, which is part of the European Tour’s Rolex Series, will be played at Wentworth Club from May 24-27, 2018, before moving to September for its 65th anniversary edition the following year.

The move comes following news announced earlier today that the 2019 US PGA Championship will move from its traditional August date into May, with The Players Championship on the PGA Tour moving from May to March.

The specific date of the 2019 BMW PGA Championship will be released in due course but it will be central to a strong and robust end of season schedule on the European Tour.

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “Significant changes to the global golfing calendar have given us the opportunity to move the BMW PGA Championship to a more favourable date from 2019 onwards.

“Wentworth Club is an iconic location in the realm of British sport and the BMW PGA Championship is always hugely popular with the public as was seen in May when it launched our Rolex Series with 110,000 spectators in attendance over the course of the week.

“This is a new chapter for the event but we expect similar interest in the autumn, as was shown historically by the World Match Play Championship when it was played at Wentworth Club at that time of the year.”

The BMW PGA Championship was the first of eight Rolex Series events to be played on the European Tour’s International Schedule in 2017, all of which are part of the Race to Dubai. Sweden’s Alex Noren claimed the title in May, overturning a seven shot deficit with a stunning final round of 62 to win by two strokes over the West Course, which had undergone a multi-million pound revamp in the period between the 2016 and 2017 Championships.

Noren joined an illustrious Roll of Honour for the Championship which includes Seve Ballesteros, Arnold Palmer, Tony Jacklin, Sir Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam, José María Olazábal, Colin Montgomerie, Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy.

BBC To The Rescue! PGA Wants Eyeballs On Its Championship

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That was quick!

The PGA Championship appears headed to the BBC even after Sky Sports just started a dedicated golf channel. However, with few eyeballs and rights situations about to become golf's big battleground, Ewan Murray reports for The Guardian that this year's PGA will be on the open, free airwaves of BBC.

Sky losing the Masters and PGA surely must make the R&A uncomfortable given its long term deal with Sky. You may recall the debate from a few years ago involving the R&A moving to pay television and away from longtime partner BBC.

**In Wednesday's state of the R&A press conference Chief Executive Martin Slumbers took a swipe at the BBC coverage approach:

I think when we moved last year we took what was frankly a fairly tired and outdated broadcast and turned it into absolutely world class and raised the whole level of the way it was shown. And I think that was a combination and a partnership of those organisations with the R&A that I think has truly improved how people are watching golf.

And a testament to that was that we won, or Sky and ETP, won a BAFTA for sport. And they were up against the BBC's coverage of the Olympics and Paralympics, and also the Six Nations. So I think that was a fantastic testament to what we did last year at Royal Troon, and really shows what you can do with TV. We're building on that this year.

The world of media has changed out of all recognition in the last 20 years. I think the world of TV has changed and is going to change even more, and I don't think anyone knows exactly where it's going. But we're very comfortable working with a partner that really understands the technology, they understand golf, and they understand how they can help us showcase this fantastic championship to the world.

**This Tweet sums up the Slumbers take.

Sky Sports Loses PGA Championship TV Rights On Eve Of PGA Championship

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The Guardian's Ewan Murray reports that Sky Sports has lost the rights to next month's PGA Championship, "in what marks an embarrassment to the broadcaster just days after it announced the launch of a dedicated golf channel."

After ten years, Murray says the PGA of America is looking for a new age way of distributing the PGA in the UK. Sky Sports currently broadcasts all of the majors and PGA Tour coverage. The PGA's CCO wheeled out some big words but gave not firm hint as to the model shift, which will be closely watched given that the PGA of America will begin discussing their next television contract later this year or in early 2018.

“Broad distribution, multi-platform distribution is the key objective for us,” he said. “I’m not in a position yet to share all the details but we want the ability to engage golf fans of all ages across all platforms.

“We want the broadest distribution we can possibly have and are very excited about the plan we have in place.”

Note To Five Families: Kang, Perry, Stanley Win Impressively; But Pro Golf Shoots Itself In The Foot Today

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While the 2017 editions of the KPMG Women's PGA, U.S. Senior Open and Quicken Loans National probably won't be talked about a century from now, each featured enough intrigue for a sports fan to savor. Yet each started and finished at almost the same time on a summer Sunday in the United States.

Former USGA communications director Joe Goode wondered if this was a good or bad thing.

Put me down for seriously flawed programming.

Even with the July 4th holiday falling on a Tuesday, therefore opening up Monday July 3rd as a de facto holiday, three golf tournaments went head to head for no good reason. With each played at compelling venues that alone would attract viewers (Salem CC, Olympia Fields, TPC Potomac), they competed for viewers on a Sunday that not only failed fans, but will fuel the ratings decline narrative.

Next time the five families meet, perhaps they can bring calendars along to their meetings and kick around a way to spread the viewing love. A Monday finish most likely would not have hurt any one of the three, particularly the Quicken Loans, where galleries were thin.

More importantly, tours that too often serve the needs of players over fans fail their players by asking them to compete for the public's attention.

End of rant, beginning of celebration.

The best story of the day and one of the most heartwarming of the year revolved around Danielle Kang breaking through to win her first LPGA Tour event and more importantly, first professional major.

A two-time U.S. Amateur champion, Kang's road to professional success was derailed by heartbreak over the loss of her father to cancer.

Randall Mell writes for GolfChannel.com that Kang would have given anything to have the person who caddied for her in those U.S. Amateur wins present for the pro breakthrough.

“I don't know what it would have felt like to win right away as a rookie,” Kang said. “However, if I could wish anything, I would wish that my dad saw me win.”

Kang’s father died from brain and lung cancer during her second LPGA season.

K.S. Kang was Danielle’s caddie for her U.S. Women’s amateur victories in 2010 and ‘11

“I think that it's been a really difficult road for me for the past four or five years,” Kang said. “It’s life, though. You have to pick yourself up, and you have to keep working hard at it, and then believe in what you're doing, and not letting yourself down.”

Bill Fields of ESPNW on the important role of Kang's Web.com Tour playing brother Alex.

When the tour made its Asia swing that fall, K.S., despite being gravely ill with brain cancer that metastasized to his lungs, watched Danielle play in two events. Three days after traveling to Japan to be with her at the Mizuno Classic in November, he went into a coma. After his death, the bond between his children, already strong, increased. The siblings communicate a couple of dozen times most days, according to their mother, and Alex offered Danielle valuable strategic advice about Olympia Fields.

"She was not the same girl, but her brother, he kept taking her out to play," Lee said of the period after K.S. died. "Her brother is like her dad almost."

If you were touched by Kang's triumph over Brooke Henderson, you won't want to miss Beth Ann Nichols' Golfweek story that includes some great behind the scenes insights, including a note from mom, Kang's Sherwood CC fans that texted after the win, and her tight bond with Michelle Wie.

A teary-eyed Bo Wie, mother of Michelle, came over a few minutes later for a hug. Michelle Wie and Kang are so close they started a lifestyle blog together, though they’ve been lax in updating it lately. There’s certainly something worthy of writing about now.

Wie, the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open winner, said they’ve been in constant contact this week.

“If I don’t text her in six hours she sends me 50 messages,” Wie said, grinning.
In fact, they’ve formed their own book club of sorts. A restless Danielle tried to get lost in the book prior to the final round.

The final round highlights from Golf Central:

As for the other events, Kenny Perry took home the U.S. Senior Open trophy in a two-man battle with Kirk Triplett at charming Salem Country Club. 

Jeff Babineau's Golfweek.com account on the incredible, record-breaking performance.

And Kevin Casey has the lowdown on Kyle Stanley's playoff win over Charles Howell at the Quicken Loans National.

As Steve DiMeglio points out from Maryland, the playoff loss for Howell was his first start in 9 weeks.

Video: PGA CEO Explains Possible May Move To Members

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PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua lays out the timing, thinking and state of discussions to move the PGA Championship to May in coordination with the PGA Tour. The comments were directed at PGA of America members.

It was most intriguing to hear his comments on the changing sports landscape, which I take as he, Jay Monahan and others genuinely seeing that the long term health of their events will be strengthened by a tighter golf window before fall sports take over.

PGA CEO Pete Bevacqua from PGA of America on Vimeo.

 

Jack Welcomes PGA Championship Move To May, Floats Muirfield Village As PGA Option

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ESPN.com's Bob Harig on Jack Nicklaus' extensive comments endorsing a Players move to March, a PGA Championship to May and the end of the golf season by Labor Day weekend.

Interestingly, in the remarks I saw, Mr. Nicklaus suggested much of the decision-making at this point is in PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan's court, not the PGA Of America's.

Harig writes:

That would make The Open the last major championship and would clear the way for the PGA Tour to conclude its season earlier by moving its FedEx Cup playoff series, with the idea of finishing by Labor Day.

"To do that, [Monahan] has many moving parts,'' Nicklaus said. "But he wanted us to know he wasn't going to slight us in any way, he wants to encourage us and promote us.''

Nicklaus noted the "dismal" Tour Championship ratings and endorsed the new order of the majors, including the tighter window for play.

"It would bring the majors a little closer together,'' he said. "April [Masters], May [PGA], June [U.S. Open] and July [The Open]. I think that's good, too.''

In a suggestion that we could end up with only May PGA Championships in Olympic years, Nicklaus said he has discussed swapping out a Memorial for a PGA with the five families.

Nick Menta writing for GolfChannel.com:

If Muirfield were to host a future PGA, that would necessitate either a temporary change of venue for the Memorial or, as Nicklaus brought up himself, “a year off.”

“If we took a year off the Memorial Tournament, I’m not sure I’d want to do that or not. I’m not sure that’s what we want for our brand, our tournament. But whatever is best for the game of golf and however it works, I’m more than happy to about it and try to do it.”

Pressed on the issue of a PGA Championship at Muirfield later on, Nicklaus clarified, “I said we would consider it.”

Southern Hills Lands PGA TBD, Senior PGA

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The PGA of America is returning to Southern Hills in a big way, awarding the Senior PGA in 2021 and a PGA Championship some time between "now and 2030." The uncertain timing suggests the venue is on standby as a possible replacement course should the PGA Championship move to May, or should they choose to replace an upcoming venue for any other reason. The intrigue!

Too late to replace Bellerive next year? Sorry...

For Immediate Release:

PGA of America to Conduct PGA Championship and KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (May 30, 2017) – The PGA of America announced today that it will host two different major championships at Southern Hills Country Club, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, between now and 2030.

Southern Hills will host the 2021 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship—the most historic and prestigious major championship in senior golf—and also will be the venue for a PGA Championship no later than 2030.

This will be a record fifth time that Southern Hills has staged the PGA Championship, one of golf’s four men’s major championships. In 2021, the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, the most historic event in senior golf, will make its second visit to Oklahoma as it debuts at Southern Hills.

Founded in 1936, Southern Hills has hosted seven previous major championships, beginning with the 1958 U.S. Open won by Tommy Bolt through Tiger Woods’ PGA Championship triumph in 2007, when he captured the Wanamaker Trophy for a fourth time.

Southern Hills also hosted the 1970 PGA Championship (won by Dave Stockton), 1977 U.S. Open (Hubert Green), 1982 PGA Championship (Raymond Floyd), 1994 PGA Championship (Nick Price) and 2001 U.S. Open (Retief Goosen).

“Few American golf venues match the legacy and record of excellence of Southern Hills Country Club,” said PGA of America President Paul Levy. “Some of our sport’s greatest names have walked these fairways and etched their name in major championship history. The PGA of America is proud to once again connect with Southern Hills, its membership and the great sports fans of Oklahoma. We are confident Southern Hills will continue to attract respective world-class fields for both the PGA Championship and the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.”

With the announcement, Southern Hills’ history of hosting major golf championships will encompass more than 80 years. Southern Hills will also become the 13th venue to host both a PGA Championship and a KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship.

“We’re thrilled to again partner with the PGA of America and host a pair of championships of this caliber,” said Southern Hills President Craig Bothwell. “Major championship golf is a part of Southern Hills’ heritage, but we could not make this happen without the unending support of our dedicated membership, the sporting passion of the greater Tulsa community and the welcoming spirit of our proven volunteer network.”

The PGA Championship is the only all-professional major in men’s golf. It began in 1916, just months after the birth of the PGA of America and today features one of the deepest international fields in golf. Since 1994, it has perennially featured the most top-100 players in the Official World Golf Rankings of all golf Championships.

The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, which will celebrate its 82nd edition in 2021 at Southern Hills, was born in 1937 at Augusta National Golf Club, three years after the first Masters Tournament. The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship is the most prestigious event in the game for PGA Members age 50-and-older.

The current future sites list:

              2017         Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina

              2018         Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, Missouri

              2019        Bethpage Black, Farmingdale, New York

              2020        TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California

              2021         The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island (South Carolina) Golf Resort

              2022        Trump International Golf Club, Bedminster, New Jersey

              2023        Oak Hill Country Club, Pittsford, New York

              2024-30* Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma
              * Date to be announced

Tulsa World's Facebook Live of the press conference:

Euro Tour Chief Anticipates PGA Championship Move, Agrees BMW PGA Would Work Well In September

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European Tour Chief Keith Pelley visited Rich Lerner and Frank Nobilo during round two of the 2017 BMW PGA and mostly talked his new "product" geared at the kids.

“But golf needs something else, it needs something to attract a younger generation.”

At the 11:00 mark he is asked about the possible impact of a Players/PGA Championship switch on his tour and, specifically, the BMW PGA.

If in fact if the PGA Championship moved to May, which I anticipate that it will, we will have to look where is the best fit for the BMW PGA Championship. But obviously we would do everything around the majors.

Nobilo then made the case for early autumn at Wentworth and Pelley agreed that the conditions would be ideal, but lightly walking back how well the technology of maintenance now makes the current date fine, too. But it was pretty apparent that the European Tour sees an an ideal early fall slot for this event.

The full interview:

Euro Tour Chief Expecting Players/PGA Move Decision By August, Which Suggests The Verdict Is In

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European Tour Chief Keith Pelley believes that a decision is coming this August on a blockbuster trade that has the Players moving to March, the PGA to May and three prospects going to an undisclosed tour.

Will Gray on the Chief's comments this week at the BMW PGA, which will be impacted should the PGA Championship move to May.

"It will depend on what they do in 2019," Pelley said. "The PGA of America says they're going to determine whether the PGA Championship is moved to May by the end of August this year. If that's the case, we are going to have to look at everything. We have plans right now, but there is no doubt that if those changes happen, the 2019 and 2020 schedule will be considerably different to 2018."

A cynical mind might say that given August being the PGA Championship's date, a decision has already been made subject to a few contract signings and conference calls.

Given the domino effect this decision will have on golf tournament schedules and other sporting events, there will certainly be added intrigue in Charlotte.

PGA President Levy: Decision On May PGA In Next Six Months

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Thanks to reader PG for PGA President Paul Levy’s comments on Morning Drive today on the topic of a PGA Championship move to May.

Answering Cara Robinson’s question, Levy says the PGA of America is not yet committed to moving and is going to do what’s best for its championship, not necessarily what’s best for the PGA Tour.  He suggested the move has been studied for 18 months already and that we’ll see a “culmination” to that decision in the next six months.

His comments come at the 5:50 mark after talk of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Olympia Fields with LPGA Commish Mike Whan.

Morning Drive-Paul Levy, PGA & Mike Whan from PGA of America on Vimeo.

Weather Update: If The PGA Moves To May, Files

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The first domino fell with a FedExCup renewal this week, and now the inevitable March move for the Players means the PGA Championship may move to...May, 2019 or 2020.

Assuming the PGA were played this week, here's a look at future venue cities, prospective markets or longtime host cities (Dallas, Charlotte, Minneapolis, Washington D.C., Whistling Straits, Miami). This is today's weather (Thursday) screen-grabbed at midday ET.

This does not take into account any possible agronomic condition issues that would arise from playing earlier in the year, just tournament weather through Monday (just in case!). I don't think we'd be having much fun this week at Bethpage, Bedminster or Oak Hill.

2019, Bethpage:

2020, Harding Park

2021, Kiawah Island

2022, Trump National Golf Club (Bedminster, New Jersey)

2023, Oak Hill (Rochester, NY)

Future possibilities:






PGA CEO Hopes President Trump Gets More Public Courses Funded

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Kevin Casey sums up Ahiza Garcia's CNN Money interview with PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua who makes the case that President Donald Trump, who has said he sees golf as aspirational, will go all FDR on us and include WPA-style golf construction projects as part of future infrastructure rebuilding efforts.

“That’s a powerful story because those golf courses are open to everybody, they’re very affordable, and now we’re bringing golf’s best and one of golf’s major championships to those public venues year after year,” Bevacqua said. “We think that’s a powerful signal for the game.”