USGA “Nimble” Regarding Spectators At Winged Foot

When the USGA cancelled all local and sectional qualifiers for its remaining four 2020 championships, the number 2000 was cited for the likely maximum number of humans allowed at Winged Foot.

But the idea of more than must players, entourages, families, friends, television and media at the U.S. Open is now on the table based on John Bodenhamer’s comments to ESPN.com’s Bob Harig.

"We are cautiously optimistic that we will have spectators,'' Bodenhamer said. "I'm looking at it as glass half full. Gov. Cuomo was very encouraging about wanting to reopen sports and we're going to be respectful of what New York and Westchester County wants us to do. But we viewed those as very positive remarks.

"We feel social distancing can be done in an outdoor arena, and we know it has been the epicenter, so we will be thoughtful about what are more important issues for them. But we're starting to think about what might be possible as far as fans, volunteers, media, a number of things. We are trying to be nimble.''

European Tour Chief On Players Wearing Wireless Mics Upon Return: "This is the time for us to do some things completely differently."

in rolling out a revamped UK cluster of tournaments and a # campaign centered around European Tour events giving back, Chief Keith Pelley also suggested the times are expediting initiatives to improve their television product.

From Iain Carter’s BBC report on wider implementation of wireless microphones on players.

"People said when we started doing in-round interviews that it'll never work," Pelley added.

"Now they are a key component of our broadcast. To get an insight into the mind of a professional golfer during the actual moment of deciding whether he is going to hit a five or six iron is fantastic."

Pelley expects players to agree to the move and points out that none will lose European Tour cards at the end of this truncated season. "That reduces the pressure," he said.

"Once you've actually had a wireless mic on in competition and it hasn't affected you in any such way - technology has come so far that it is really, really small and won't disturb your swing - then it just becomes commonplace and a way of life."

Economics, Sponsor Questions Ultimately Prompt 2020 John Deere Classic Cancellation

While the PGA Tour cited gallery restrictions in announcing the John Deere Classic’s cancellation, a few stories quoting tournament director Clair Peterson flesh out why the sponsor pulled the plug.

While the economics of a fan-free event were part of the decision for one of golf’s greatest charity fundraisers, the early sponsor and guest surveying also suggested fans were not looking to party it up in the COVID-19 era.

Peterson, from Adam Schupak’s Golfweek story:

“We’ll probably do $10 million in charitable impact in a year that more than any I can remember will be critically important,” said Peterson, who added that the JDC gave $13.8 million to 543 charities last year.

Financial considerations were part of the decision. The loss of pro-am income amounts to over $1 million, Peterson said, and all of the tournament’s corporate hospitality sponsors respectfully have said they didn’t feel comfortable participating this year.

“We had one sponsor say that 90 percent of the guests they surveyed said they wouldn’t even come if they were invited,” Peterson said. “So, all that income is gone.”

Speaking to ESPN.com’s Bob Harig, Peterson mentions how John Deere’s corporate culture proved incompatible with a return to tournament golf featuring crowd.

"We have a small clubhouse, small parking lot. It's very difficult to get everything established from a social distancing standpoint, including locker rooms and everything else. Our title sponsor (John Deere) has been incredibly supportive, and during this pandemic they have been very cautious with their employees. So when all those things come into play, whatever version of the tournament we put on, we wouldn't be able to pull off with fans part of it. And that's a a money losing proposition. How much money can we afford to lose? How does our reserve fund look?"

And regarding the sponsor, Brian Wacker noted this from his story on Deere’s cancellation.

Last month, John Deere announced it was laying off more than 260 employees from its Dubuque facility with 159 employees being placed on indefinite layoff beginning June 1.

Given the PGA Tour’s huge coffers, not making up the economic difference for a tournament that has done so much contributing to the annual tour charitable fundraising seems like a headscratcher.

As Schupak’s story notes, the Deere is still going to contribute $10 million to 542 local charities this year without a tournament. So while the safety of fans is a legitimate reason for cancellation, the tournament opting to cancel over losing money is not a good look for the Tour, particularly when the difference between profit and loss was not close to a significant figure. And especially for an event that does so much for to help the Tour enjoy non-profit tax status.

The Deere’s annual contributions since the company started sponsoring in 1999:

2019    -           $13.82M

2018    -           $13.45M

2017    -           $12.27M

2016    -           $10.45M

2015    `           $8.73M

2014    -           $6.33M

2013    -           $6.32M

2012    -           $6.79M

2011    -           $5.29M

2010    -           $4.34M

2009    -           $4.63M

2008    -           $4.79M

2007    -           $4.60M

2006    -           $3.90M

2005    -           $2.00M

2004    -           $1.43M

2003 - $1.50M

2002    -           $1.45M

2001    -           $1.01M

2000    -           $800,000

1999    -           $559,000        

Sheep Ranch: "Home to moody atmospherics unlike those of any other Bandon course."

Golf’s Josh Sens had the tough task of trekking to Bandon Dunes in a time of pandemic to scout out the new Sheep Ranch, debuting June 1. The Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw design replaces Tom Doak’s previous iteration of the course and features dramatic clifftop holes but little sand.

Sens writes:

It’s silly to think that Sheep Ranch will be anything but Bandon’s most sought after tee time throughout this year, and likely beyond, and that’s not due to its newness alone. The seaside holes are a powerful magnet, as is the uniqueness of the design and setting, with unruly grass bunkers in lieu of sand bunkers, and dead trees known as snags that look like ghostly gunslingers, dotting the property here and there. The Sheep Ranch is home to moody atmospherics unlike those of any other Bandon course.

Will design aficionados find cause to ding it? Maybe so. Some might gripe about the lack of bunkers (what, no sand to frame your tee shots?) or the cozy confines of the routing, which, compared to some of Bandon’s other courses, lessens the sense that you’re on a journey, transitioning from one world to the next. But design aficionados assessing courses can sound like art-house critics reviewing Marvel movies: out of touch with popular tastes.

The story includes this embeddable video element. For a larger version hit the link.

Report: 2020 John Deere Classic To Be Cancelled, PGA Tour Looking For Replacement Option

Billed as the first PGA Tour event to welcome back spectators, ESPN.com’s Bob Harig reports that the 2020 John Deere Classic is going to cancel its July 9-12 playing. The state of Illinois’ restrictions on gatherings of 50 or more and the tournament’s desire to go forward with fans to fund it’s generous charitable contributions, appear to be the reasoning for cancelling.

This at the end of Harig’s piece also got my attention:

The PGA Tour is trying to replace the John Deere for this year only and there is some consideration to having an event at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, which is at tour headquarters.

July in Ponte Vedra. That would mean the PGA Tour is hoping to go from Fort Worth, to Hilton Head, to Cromwell, Connecticut, to Detroit to Ponte Vedra(?) to Dublin, Ohio. Ambitious, to say the least.

**A PGA Tour statement:

2020 John Deere Classic canceled due to area restrictions, related concerns

Tournament set to return in 2021; PGA TOUR looks to fill July dates with another event

SILVIS, ILLINOIS and PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA – Citing ongoing local and state-related challenges related to gathering restrictions, the John Deere Classic, title sponsor John Deere and the PGA TOUR announced today that the 2020 tournament, scheduled for July 9-12, has been canceled. It is set to return to the PGA TOUR schedule in 2021 with its 50th playing. 

As a result of this decision, the PGA TOUR announced that it will fill the week vacated by the John Deere Classic with a new tournament. The TOUR will provide details in the near future on the venue and location.

“Because of the ongoing health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, the difficult decision was made to cancel the 2020 John Deere Classic,” said tournament director Clair Peterson. “While we considered several alternatives for the Classic, this was the choice that made the most sense for our guests, the players and the Quad City community at large.”

“We understand and respect that the Quad Cities market has dynamics and challenges that prevent the playing of the John Deere Classic in 2020,” said Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer. “As we’ve seen through the years, the community support for the John Deere Classic is unwavering and I have no doubt the event will return stronger than ever in its 50th playing in 2021.”

Despite the cancellation, the John Deere Classic will continue its Birdies for Charity fundraiser for 2020. Last year, $13.8 million was generated in support of 543 local and regional charity organizations, bringing the tournament’s all-time total to $120 million since the first playing in 1971. Ninety-nine percent of that has come since John Deere assumed title sponsorship in 1998. 

This year’s John Deere Classic would have been the Quad Cities’ 50th PGA TOUR event and the 21st played at TPC Deere Run. Dylan Frittelli is the defending champion.

European Tour Emphasizes UK Event Cluster, "Golf For Good" Theme In July Return

European Tour Chief Keith Pelley and his team rolled out a “reshaped” season with a six-tournament UK swing in July and August followed by a rescheduled Rolex Series in the fall. The European Tour shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 8th.

While also the rollout is similar to the PGA Tour’s upcoming approach emphasizing health and safety, the European Tour model of putting events in a “cluster” with a community-focused theme offers a start contrast to the U.S. tour’s return the week of June 8th.

From the EuropeanTour.com story outlining the dates, venues (eh…) and “Golf for Good” theme.

The ‘Golf for Good’ initiative will be launched at the new ‘UK Swing’ in July and August, six weeks which will culminate in £500,000 from the European Tour being distributed equally between charities local to the tournament venues and charities chosen by the leading ten players in a mini Order of Merit which will run across the six tournaments.

Pelley felt compelled to explain the cluster in case the rest of Europe felt left out.

“Without question we have had to think differently about the remainder of our 2020 season which is reflected in today’s announcement. As golf’s global Tour, diversity is ordinarily one of our biggest strengths, but in this instance it has become one of our biggest challenges.

“Initially, therefore, based on the expert guidance we received, playing in clusters, in one territory, is the best option in terms of testing, travel and accommodation.

“I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank Betfred, Close House, Marriott, The Forest of Arden, Hanbury Manor, The Celtic Manor Resort and The Belfry for sharing our vision for this ‘UK Swing’ and we look forward to returning to tournament play in July with this innovative stretch of six events.

Still remaining to be lifted are travel bans that could throw a wrench in the rollout, though according to Iain Carter of the BBC, Pelley is confident the bans will be lifted.

The tournaments depend on a lifting of government quarantine measures affecting travellers coming into the UK. There is confidence this will not prove a barrier to the tour, which has seen no play since early March.

"In terms of the UK we are very encouraged and very optimistic that the hotels will be operational by the time we play at the end of July and that we will be able to get some dispensation for our players in terms of quarantine," Pelley added.

"And that is absolutely critical for us."

The sensitivity aspect in the return statement is admirable and in contrast to the PGA Tour, where purses have not been touched and charitable efforts have yet to be outlined (though undoubtedly will).

One tournament not mentioned: the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Brian Keogh with Pelley’s insistence it remains a priority event to reschedule and the various complications with firming up a schedule spot.

Here is the graphic accompanying the European Tour story:

DVR Alert: Shell's Wonderful World Of Golf Featuring Sarazen v. Cotton At The Old Course

Mercer Baggs highlights some upcoming Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf re-airs coming up on Golf Channel and I noticed one in particular that got me excited: Gene Sarazen vs. Henry Cotton at the Old Course.

The airing of this 1962 match is May 29th at 11 am ET.

There is a dreary version on YouTube, so I’m looking forward to seeing it on a bigger screen.

"Will the PGA Tour's fine line of testing protocols be enough when play returns?"

With exactly two weeks the PGA Tour restarts its season at Colonial, Rex Hoggard wonders if the organization’s threading of “an impressive needle” to balance testing issues is enough. Particularly as the grim total of 100,000 deaths in the U.S. was reached and COVID-19 testing in some markets remains an issue.

The Tour’s plan to bring all of the required diagnostic tools and testing supplies to each event alleviates what would be a bad look in communities where tests aren’t readily available, but it also talks to the limitations of the policy no matter how detailed or well-designed.

Within the Tour’s testing “bubble” are players, caddies and essential personnel, like rules officials, but the vast majority of volunteers, media or the staff at local hotels would not be tested. Instead, they would be screened with thermal readings and questionnaires.

The potential blind spot in the Tour’s testing protocols is a misgiving that at least one top player gave a voice this week.

“An asymptomatic person could operate within a tournament,” Adam Scott told the Australia Associated Press. “If they're not showing symptoms, and I somehow picked it up inside the course, and I'm disqualified, I'm now self-isolating [in that city] for two weeks. I'd be annoyed if that happened.”

I’m a bit surprised at this point that we’ve heard very little from the PGA Tour on two fronts.

First, why exactly volunteers and media are not being tested after Scott raised his concerns?

And second, what is the Tour doing to try and ease the blow of lost charitable dollars to upcoming events? Or, tell us how, as a non-profit organization enjoying significant tax breaks because of charitable giving, is doing with these returning events to promote testing, wellness, a carefully conceived return to normalcy and, or, what they are doing give back to the communities visited.

The Match Founder, Phil Talk How It Came Together, Possibilities For Future Playings

The LA Times’ Arash Markazi talks to producer Brian Zuriff, founder of The Match, as well as Phil Mickelson about this year’s hit event.

Zuriff explains how Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were the choices to play with Tiger and Phil, and says he’d like to keep aiming for future editions on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Mickelson said he’s gotten plenty of outreach from big names about future playings with more charity in mind.

“I think you could showcase guys like Steph Curry and Michael Jordan or Tony Romo and Patrick Mahomes, who are all good golfers, elite talents and have great personalities. Those personalities are going to come out with this event. Or you could have someone who loves the game and is competitive but is really entertaining like Larry David and Bill Murray. I think that could shine.”

As the tweet above notes, Curry is already raising his hand and seems a natural fit depending on his schedule.

In other Phil/Match news, Mickelson confirmed on Dan Patrick’s show that he’d be open to wearing a microphone in competition based on the positive reaction to last Sunday. From Will Gray’s GolfChannel.com story on that interview:

"I would be open to the idea because of how it's being received, and some of the insight and so forth," Mickelson said. "But you don't have the play between individuals. I had a partner, and Tom and I could talk back and forth. And maybe you could get some of that with the caddie, but having a partner is much more intimate and you have much better conversation."

The full chat:

Gareth Bale: “A lot of people have problems with me playing golf"

An unbylined Reuters story quotes Real Madrid star Garreth Bale revealing to Erik Anders Lang just how much his passion for golf has been an issue for his career.

“A lot of people have problems with me playing golf,” Bale told U.S golf podcast The Eric Anders Lang Show.

“I don’t know what their reason is because I’ve spoken to doctors and everybody’s fine with it. The media has this perception that it’s not good for me, you should be resting, it can cause you injuries.

“(U.S. basketball player) Steph Curry plays maybe on the morning of a game. If I play two days before a game, it’s like ‘what’s he doing?’”

Here is the Apple podcast link to Lang’s discussion with Bale, where he talks about life on Real Madrid, how golf is his escape and how he replicated three famous par-3’s in his Wales backyard (it’s rather impressive!). Or the YouTube version:

More On The Match Ratings: A Younger Audience For The Old Guys

Media and tour executives insist golfers must get younger to attract the demographic coveted by advertisers. That means hyping young players, encouraging them to turn pro earlier and overall, declaring anyone under 30 to be capable of curing cancer while breaking 70 on a daily basis and delivering young eyeballs.

So as more numbers roll in from The Match: Champions For Charity, it’s noteworthy that four guys in their forties—and one about to turn 50—attracted a record rating on cable, robust sales, and even a younger audience than the previous week’s younger foursome for TaylorMade Driving Relief.

First, a recap on the participants, starting with The Match:

Tom Brady 42

Tiger Woods 44

Peyton Manning 44

Phil Mickelson 49

And the TaylorMade Driving Relief foursome:

Matthew Wolff 21

Rickie Fowler 31

Rory McIlroy 31

Dustin Johnson 35

According to Showbuzzdaily.com, almost 1/3 of The Match 2’s audience was in the coveted 18-49 demo and the number was even better on on TruTV, also meaning there are people of any age group who know how to find TruTV:

About 30% of The Match’s audience landed in the 18-49 demo despite the 44.5 average age of the participants.

The numbers for TaylorMade Driving Relief with a foursome averaging 29.5 years:

That’s 25% of the almighty buyers for a younger, supposedly more millennial-friendly group of golfers. And a grand total of (at least) 860,000 fewer viewers 18-49. While not a huge difference in the percentage department, The Match did rout Driving Relief in overall audience and even took chipped away at NASCAR’s ratings.

Given the sometimes blatant ageism in golf and view that young participants translate to a young audience, The Match’s overall dominating win should be noted. But probably won’t.

In other ratings news, Sunday night’s Tiger Slam documentary debut following completion of The Match on Golf Channel failed to land in cable’s top 150 shows.

I discussed what made The Match a success with myself on the latest Shack Show:

NGF: 97% Of U.S. Courses, 80% Of Retail Now Open

The latest COVID-19 update from the National Golf Foundation features quite a bit on the retail sector now that 97% of U.S. courses have reopened for play.

Over 80% of golf retail stores are now open, though only 12% of golfers surveyed say they’ve visited.

This longer story highlights some of the retail sector findings.

And here is the update on the course side, where the 97% number is up from 44% in early April.

Flashback: Tim Finchem Predicted There Would Be More Than 50 Million Golfers By 2020

Adam Schupak considers the condition of the golf industry and there are plenty of cautionary signs despite full tee sheets after COVID-19 lockdowns. Check out the piece as there are several interesting components to consider if you are in the industry, including the issues facing courses reliant on more than green fees.

But in the piece reminded us that this was the year we were going to have 50 million golfers and NFL style ratings. At least, in a now-buried presentation Tim Finchem from November 17, 2000.

Actually, he predicted 55 million golfers and a billion rounds a year (slide above).

The Old Course Reopening On Wednesday To Yearly Ticketholders

Given its age and lack of significant closures (except Sundays), there is something symbolic and reassuring to know the Old Course and other St Andrews courses reopen Wednesday.

GolfDigest.com’s Joel Beall with the particulars, just in case you were thinking of trying to get on the ballot.

It will not be business as usual. The letter states that “at this time all courses are available for Yearly Ticket holders only.” Tee times will be made in 12-minute intervals with two golfers per tee time.

There will also be no walk-ups, so if necessary there is a track and trace record of who is on the links.

Last week Scottish Golf confirmed that May 29 would be the earliest return date for Scottish courses. However, a number of courses, especially those in Edinburgh, are targeting June 8 for re-opening.

In other St Andrews-adjacent news, one of the all time great golf pros is hanging up his spikes, and now Crail gets just its second pro in club history.

From Martin Dempster’s story on Graeme Lennie deciding to retire year’s end, to be replaced by David Snodgrass.

“The messages of congratulations have been truly 
overwhelming and humbling. I am extremely passionate about Crail GS and the local community and I am very excited for the 
journey ahead.

“Crail is an incredibly special club, with two amazing courses, a friendly and supportive membership and it is a dream come true to become the next head professional.”

Lennie is retiring after 
34 years, during which time he has helped establish the club as one of Scotland’s favourite golfing destinations. It was also his close friendship with renowned course designer Gil Hanse that led to the American designing Crail’s Craighead Links that opened for play in 1998.

For those dreaming of a St Andrews area itinerary, please keep the courses at Crail in mind. You’ll enjoy this view even more in person:

And the 14th hole on Hanse’s Craighead course:

McIlroy: Players Make The Ryder Cup, Says A Majority Aren't On Board Without Fans

In an interview with BBC Sport NI (video version at the link), Rory McIlroy reiterated this desire to see the Ryder Cup postponed if it can’t be played with fans.

Worse for organizers wanting to keep the matches on schedule to the benefit of sports fans and the European Tour’s health and the 9-person Quail Hollow Marching and Chowder Society, McIlroy said his “personal hunch” is that Ryder Cup is headed to 2021.

"I think the majority of players would like to see it pushed back until 2021 so that they can play in front of crowds and have the atmosphere that makes the Ryder Cup so special.

"The players are the ones that make the Ryder Cup. If they are not on board with it and don't want to play then there is no Ryder Cup.

"I see it being pushed back until 2021 and, honestly, I think that will be the right call."

In recent weeks several people (Harrington here, McGinley here) who have reason to know what a postponed Ryder Cup might do for the European Tour’s long term prospects, have suggested a Cup without fans would be better than postponement. Presumably to keep the 2022 edition on schedule as much as any one component.

It’s a bit surprising that McIlroy did not take those hints at heart.