Player, Sorenstam Accept Presidential Medals Of Freedom Day After Capitol Carnage

As America reeled from the aftermath of Donald Trump inciting a Capitol-storming mob, a stealth Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony was held on White House grounds honoring golf greats Babe Zaharias, Annika Sorenstam and Gary Player. This, on the same day a Capitol police officer became the fifth person to succumb to injuries incurred as a result of the riot.

GolfDigest.com’s John Feinstein called out the “tone-deafness” of holding the ceremony given death and destruction inspired by the President’s comments (which he could face charges over for inciting a riot).

USA Today’s Christine Brennan writes that the reputations of Player and Sorenstam “are sullied, forever.”

They had nothing to do with the insurrection of the Trump mob on Wednesday, of course, but they happily became Trump’s Thursday accessories. They celebrated with him as our nation mourns what he has wrought.

When she retweeted Nicklaus’ endorsement of Trump, I texted her a question:

“How do you reconcile Trump’s awful record on women – bragging and joking about sexually assaulting women ("Access Hollywood" tape), calling the Democratic VP nominee a 'monster,' being accused of sexual assault or sexual harassment by at least 26 women, etc. – while being a woman who has forged an amazing career around the issues of inclusion for women and treating women equally and fairly and with respect?”

She never replied. On Thursday afternoon, I texted again, this time to say I’d like to talk to her about accepting the Medal of Freedom a day after the awful rampage of Trump supporters at the Capitol. She did not reply.

Player’s estranged son Marc also called out the timing of the ceremony:

I wish my father would simply & politely decline this “award” at this time. Tone deaf. In denial. Wrong!!

— Marc Player (@Marc_Player) January 7, 2021

I reached out to the International Golf Federation, where Sorenstam recently replaced Peter Dawson and hope to receive a statement from Executive Director Antony Scanlon on the medal acceptance. The IGF represents the game to the world via its role with the Olympic Games.

*Updated with IGF statement:

The International Golf Federation is extremely proud that Annika Sorenstam has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom along with Gary Player and the late Babe Zaharias, each of whom not only excelled at golf but transcended our sport as role models, mentors and philanthropists.  

As noted when she was named as the IGF’s new President in December, Annika is universally respected as a generational talent in women’s golf who, since retiring from competition, has dedicated herself to promoting women’s golf at all levels through her foundation. We are extremely proud of Annika and all that she has accomplished.  

Sorenstam’s longtime sponsor at Callaway has not replied to a request for a statement.

PXG, which includes Player as part of its Tour staff, offered this statement from CEO Bob Parsons:

“Mr. Player has led an exceptional life on and off the golf course - leveraging his celebrity and his resources to drive positive change and inspire generations. We are absolutely thrilled to see his legacy underscored with an honor as significant as the Presidential Medal of Freedom. While the timing of the event is unfortunate, nothing should detract from the merits of this accomplishment. Congratulations Gary!”

Both players opted not to release images of the ceremony or medal reception on their social media accounts.

The White House has not posted any images or transcripts of speeches from the event.

The only indication Player came to Washington arrived via his grandson’s public Instagram account:

No Pro-Am, Down To Two Courses For The American Express (AKA The Hope)

Due to the ongoing pandemic, this year’s American Express moves to two courses and no pro-am format with a $6.7 million purse, reports the Desert Sun’s Larry Bohannan.

Sponsor AmEx will match last year’s charitable donation of $1 million despite the loss of pro-am revenue, though the number is a far cry from the amounts generated during the Hope years.

“Due to the current local climate in Riverside County caused by COVID-19, and considering national travel associated with the event, the tournament will be played without the traditional multi-day pro-am format and ticketed spectators, and will be held on only two courses: PGA West’s Stadium Course (host) and Nicklaus Tournament Course,” the PGA Tour said in a release Thursday. “The three-day pro-am format, which has been a part of the tournament since its debut in 1960, will return in 2022.”

The pro-am has evolved in recent years from the original concept of golfers from desert clubs playing in the event to one in which more pro-am participants fly from across the country to the desert for the tournament.

One positive of no pro-am? There will be no appearances from genocidal sleezebags this year.

Needless To Say, The PGA Of America Must Find A New 2022 PGA Championship Venue

We just had a violent mob assault the Capitol in an attempt to prevent those from carrying out our Constitutional duty. There is no question that the President formed the mob, the President incited the mob, the President addressed the mob. He lit the flame. pic.twitter.com/nc9WLmtfuv

— Rep. Liz Cheney (@RepLizCheney) January 7, 2021

Trump Bedminster is the host of the 2022 PGA Championship and Donald Trump is the founder and proprietor of the club.

Given the events of January 6th, 2021, there is no way the championship can continue at the venue.

Mike Whan To Step Down As LPGA Commissioner In 2021

Mike Whan has undoubtedly enjoyed offers in recent years after having righted the LPGA Tour following the debacle that was the Carolyn Bivens era. So his decision to step down—transition—after 11(!) years is welcome approach to helping the LPGA Tour find a suitable replacement.

One job of note that Whan could be a candidate for: the USGA CEO job. However, he’s not shown great enthusiasm for some of the issues the USGA will look to their leader to champion (distance), which might make it a less than perfect fit.

Anyhow, For Immediate Release with Whan’s lovely sentiments as he leaves with grace and noteworthy optimism:

LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan to Step Down in 2021

“One of the hardest jobs of a leader is to know when their work is done”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 6, 2021 – After completing his 11th year as LPGA Commissioner, Mike Whan has notified the LPGA Board of Directors that he has made the difficult decision to transition out of the LPGA in 2021. While no firm date has been set for his departure, this announcement begins the start of a thorough and thoughtful Commissioner succession process.

Whan shared his decision today with LPGA staff, Members and sponsors in the attached letter, including the following messages:

“When I first joined the LPGA, I told the Board it would be a four-year term, giving me time to help the organization achieve its immediate goals. Now, as the longest-serving LPGA Commissioner, I look back on these 11 years with enormous pride and satisfaction at what we’ve accomplished together to provide opportunities for women to achieve their dreams in golf.

“You may be wondering why I’ve made the decision to step down – and why now? In many ways, this past year – with all the pandemic challenges – was also the LPGA’s most triumphant. We are entering 2021 on a wave of momentum – a strong schedule with record purses, new events/sponsors, double-digit viewership growth, and a talented team that demonstrated exceptional skill, resilience and capability to lead through challenging times.

“I simply wouldn’t leave the LPGA if I thought the future was uncertain or not trending straight up. In fact, even after the challenges we faced in 2020, the LPGA has NEVER been more financially secure, deeper in leadership talent, or more anchored by passionate, diverse sponsors from all around the world. The LPGA is poised for even greater heights; and as such, I’m excited to hand the baton to the next leader and become their biggest supporter.

“One of the hardest jobs of a leader is to know when their work is done. If the COVID-19 pandemic taught me anything, it was that the LPGA executive staff has full control of our business and is capable of incredible things. We have leaders who are visionary, compassionate, collaborative and humble. You may not agree with every decision they make, but they have led our Tours to new heights virtually every year.”

LPGA Board Chair Diane Gulyas said, “Mike Whan has been a transformational leader of the LPGA and we’ve been fortunate to retain him for 11 years. When he told of me of his intention to step down this year, I had two reactions: First, can we persuade him to stay? And, when that wasn’t possible, to fully respect his decision and begin a seamless transition.

“Mike’s leadership legacy will be felt for years: in the LPGA’s financial strength and value proposition; in its global reach; in the breadth of programs and services it now offers for women and girls in golf; and in the diversity and quality of companies wanting to partner with the LPGA. He has effectively guided the LPGA through a range of economic cycles and challenges, including the COVID 19 pandemic. And, he has been the voice of our Association and its commitment to opportunities for women in golf.”

“Mike has absolutely been the right leader at the right time,” said Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, the LPGA Tour’s Player President. “He rebuilt the Tour – and then reimagined its future – by bringing new events, new sponsors and a new value proposition around diversity and inclusion to the LPGA. He has that rare ability to get people of all ages and backgrounds excited and on board with his vision. We’re grateful for his leadership over these 11 years and know he’ll remain an advocate for the LPGA long after he departs.”

Marvol Barnard, President of the LPGA’s 1,800 teaching Professionals, said, “When Mike joined the LPGA in 2010, we were essentially a Tour and a Teaching division. Today, we are a bigger, broader, integrated organization dedicated to women in golf of all ages and abilities. Mike will always be an incredibly important person in the history of the LPGA Professionals, and we will always be grateful for his leadership, vision and guidance.”

Gulyas said the Board will establish a Commissioner Selection and Transition Committee and consider candidates from the LPGA’s talented executive staff as well from outside the organization. “It’s clear the LPGA today is a very different Association than the one Mike joined in 2010,” said Gulyas. “Our commitment to the LPGA – and all of our stakeholders – is to find the right leader to guide the Association through this next chapter in its storied history.  

“We are so grateful for Mike’s passion and leadership of the LPGA over more than a decade of service as our Commissioner. He will leave the LPGA well positioned for continued success, with an outstanding team of leaders and a strong and sustained culture – Act Like A Founder - that will endure for years to come.”

Bryson Hopes To Reach 210 MPH Ball Speed In Competition

The ratings! The buzz! The kids!

I haven’t a clue what seeing a player cross 200 mph in swing speed and 210 mph ball speed does for folks, but it’ll be entertaining to watch in sort of a freak show way.

From Brentley Romine’s story on Bryson DeChambeau hoping to

“I haven’t given up the pursuit of trying to get faster,” DeChambeau told Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis on Tuesday at Kapalua, where after a year hiatus he will open his season at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

How fast? DeChambeau said that once he reaches between 207 and 210 mph average ball speed with his driver (he currently leads the PGA Tour at 192.80 mph and has yet to break the 200-mph mark in competition), he will finally be satisfied with his distance quest.

“At that point, I’ll probably be like, ‘OK, that’s good enough,’” DeChambeau said.

Noted!

Prepare for goose bumps…or an eye roll depending on how you feel about the whole Long Drive move:

On Monday, DeChambeau said that after hitting 211 mph ball speed on the range, he reached 201 mph on the final hole of his practice round. He also said he hit an 8-iron 205 yards.

By the way, this is my friendly New Year’s reminder that the World Long Drive remains available for sale. Contact operators in Stamford, CT.

First Minister Warns Trump: January Golf Trip To Scotland Is Not Essential Travel

Following Sunday’s Peter Swindon report of military preparations at Prestwick airport consistent with a presidential visit, Scotland’s First Minister has warned such a visit is forbidden under current lockdown rules.

According to the Independent’s Chiara Giordano, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, a Trump trip to his resort during Scotland’s latest month-long lockdown would not be kosher.

But Scotland's first minister stressed it is illegal to travel in or out of the country without a valid reason and said: "Coming to play golf is not what I would consider to be an essential purpose."

Of course, the idea of golf at Turnberry in January isn’t exactly appealing unless you like temperatures in the low 40s with a strong chance of rain.

Video of the First Minister’s remarks.

Troon Golf Buys Indigo, Raising Portfolio Up To 630 18-Hole Courses

Adam Schupak of Golfweek has the details on Troon’s purchase of Indigo Golf Partners, formerly Billy Casper Golf. The number of courses under the Troon banner is pretty staggering. Also noteworthy is the expansion for Troon into muni’s and lower-green fee golf:

Troon substantially increases its portfolio of facilities with the acquisition of Indigo Golf Partners – the company now provides managed services at 585-plus locations around the globe, including managing 630-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In particular, the deal diversifies Troon’s portfolio of client properties that had been heavily weighted to the high-end daily-fee category. Indigo Golf Partners, which focused primarily on providing services to the municipal golf space and facilities with lower price points, brings more accessible golf under the Troon umbrella.

Indigo Golf Partners is one of the largest golf-course management companies in the United States, owning and operating more than 160 golf courses, country clubs and resorts in 29 states. Members and guests of Indigo-managed facilities will continue to experience the same level of service, course conditions and food and beverage options, the company said in a release.

NLU Podcast: Lisa Cornwell Shares Allegations Of Golf Channel Mistreatment

Adam Woodward and Julie Williams at Golfweek break down Lisa Cornwell’s appearance on the No Laying Up podcast. Most concerning to viewers is the incident detailed related to this fall’s ANA Inspiration when Cornwell shared on air that LPGA player and early contender Xi Yu Lin had been unable to get new Mizuno clubs after a fitting two weeks before the ANA Inspiration. She ended up buying the sticks in the latest oddball tale of a manufacturer not giving an LPGA equipment, even as USGA rules allow for freebies that manufacturers now regularly shower on young (mostly male) amateur players.

It certainly was legitimate news but Cornwell received pushback from headquarters and was pulled from her assignment for not checking with Mizuno. Certainly a reporting mistake but one compounded by a Golf Channel correction that was not correct.

After that round, Cornwell described a heated phone call from Russell over the way it was handled, namely that Cornwell did not call Mizuno to confirm the story before mentioning it on air. Cornwell said she was aware of many other LPGA players who had a similar experience with other equipment companies as Lin.

Golf Channel brought Cornwell home from the event after that round and she did not conduct another post-round LPGA interview on air through the end of the year. Golf Channel also sent a correction concerning Cornwell’s reporting of the Mizuno incident via Twitter. Lin and the club fitter both responded that the correction was not actually correct, and Cornwell said a Golf Channel HR manager admitted the same to her. The tweet remained on Golf Central Twitter anyway.

Cornwell said the events were prominent in her next correspondence with the EEOC.

“A man, in his 60s, who was my boss, screaming and cussing me out and sending me home over a gender-related issue from a women’s golf tournament during the middle of a retaliation, gender-discrimination, EEOC case,” she said on the podcast. “I don’t know what organization allows that to happen but Golf Channel didn’t do anything about it.”

The full podcast is here or wherever you subscribe:

-@LisaCornwellGC’s seven year tenure at the Golf Channel recently came to an end. She has spoken out on social media about how she was treated there, and now joins the podcast to tell her story.

Apple: https://t.co/I0mWYhWd1O pic.twitter.com/pbaeZsjpsJ

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) January 4, 2021

**Hall of Famer Karrie Webb has voiced support for Cornwell:

Truly respect @LisaCornwellGC for taking this stance. There’s no place for this kind of treatment of women anywhere! The golf industry and the @GolfChannel is no exception either. Well done Lisa! 👏👏 https://t.co/pgQMMCCfS4

— Karrie Webb AO (@Karrie_Webb) January 5, 2021

World No. 2 Rahm Moves To Callaway...

The new year occasionally brings a top player coming off a huge year making a lucrative move from one manufacturer to another.

David Dusek on world No. 2 Jon Rahm going from Taylor Made to Callaway and assorted brands under their umbrella for an undisclosed, but likely lucrative sum given how a few top players recently prioritizing play with what they like most, even at a cost to their pocketbook:

According to Callaway, Rahm plans to use prototype woods and irons, Callaway JAWS Forged wedges and a Callaway Chrome Soft X golf ball. While he is not expected to start 2021 using an Odyssey putter, he has been testing different models and is expected to add one to his bag in the coming weeks.  

“The equipment is already performing well for me,” said Rahm, who added that when he played his first round with his new gear at Silverleaf Golf Club in Scottsdale, he scored a course-record 59.

Rahm is in this week’s field for the Sentry Tournament Of Champions and Point Earners.

2020 In Review And Looking Ahead To 2021 Here At GeoffShackelford.com

I’ve thought long and hard about my 2020 year in review and while I’d love to dwell on the Dodgers finally winning it all or yours truly joining the list of Kentucky Derby winning owners, it was by any metric, a positively awful year.

With that, I would like to thank the over 1 million unique visitors to this blog in 2020 with a heartfelt but succinct recap of the worst year ever:

.

Moving along to 2021, I anticipate one of the zaniest years in golf history lies ahead. The recreational sport will keep thriving due to altered social engagement patterns (more time!), changing ways of life (fewer commutes), and a continued appreciation for fresh air.

The professional game will see an acceleration of trends. Some positive, most not and probably deservedly shedding some tournaments from schedules. This will provide more fodder than I’d like as one can only spend so much time reading about playing opportunities, premature moves to welcome fans back before they’ve been vaccinated, or marketing-fueled hyping of an increasingly boring game to watch. And let’s not forget the forthcoming excuses by the governing bodies to avoid touching distance gains.

I could go on and on about what will make the off-course moves fascinating quite often and needlessly repetitive at other times. For now, I must end this abbreviated 2021 preview with a tease: coverage here at GeoffShackelford.com will continue free of charge and the snark will still shine through to help us weather these tough times. As a team.

However, very shortly I’ll be announcing a pivot in my coverage that I’m very excited about. It will allow me to focus on the events, courses and trends that I love. I hope you’ll agree and join me for the ride. Stay tuned. But for now, Happy New Year and thank you for your continued readership.

"Win Equity" Stat A Fascinating Study And One We Probably Won't See Adapted By Tours

When I saw the euphemistic-sounding “Win Equity” stat cooked up by John Ezekowitz , a No Laying Up fan fed up with debates over Tony Finau’s one win status, I feared an excuse-maker for players who seem to have immense talent, contend a lot, but just don’t seem to win much.

But just based on my C+ math skills, this seemed like a pretty neat bit of research that looks how players perform on the weekend and how often they are genuinely unlucky to lose. We’ve had our share over the years and more recently, Rickie Fowler and Tony Finau have gotten the most attention.

Anyway, check out his Medium post here. This is Strokes Gained level stat-re-imagination but I wouldn’t count on adoption by the PGA Tour since it could put a player in a negative light (even though the stat also validates who have been recently clutch performers, something fans and the, eh-em, investors would like to know).

This can be illustrated through a stat I call Win Equity, which is defined as Expected Wins given Actual Play minus Expected Wins entering Round 4. Generating positive Win Equity means that a player outperformed his expectations, ignoring what others shot. This stat best removes luck from the equation of final round play.

Finau’s performance in Win Equity especially noteworthy: in the 36 final rounds where Finau has entered in the top 10, he has added win equity through his play in only 3 of them (2017 Valero Texas Open, 2019 HSBC Champions and 2018 Safeway Open). That is by far the lowest rate amongst these players.

Forbes: Declared Losses Now At "Roughly $90 Million" On Trump's European Golf Resorts

On top of the Scotsman’s reporting about Trump Golf’s year-end Scottish property declarations, Forbes’ Dan Alexander couples Doonbeg’s losses into the tally.

Since the president opened his Aberdeen course in 2012, he has lost $15.5 million. Business has been even worse at Turnberry, which Trump bought in 2014 for $65 million. Despite investing an additional $75 million or so to fix up the property from 2014 to 2018, the place piled up losses of $58 million, according to an analysis of financial reports. The 2019 figures, first reported by the Scotsman, bring Turnberry’s total losses to $61 million since 2014.

The Turnberry and Aberdeen properties make up half of Trump’s troubled portfolio of golf resorts. In Doonbeg, Ireland, he spent nearly $20 million on a third property, the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, in 2014. The president poured in another $12 million from 2015 to 2018, but he failed to see much of a return, racking up about $9 million in losses. Irish documents released in December show an additional $1.5 million of losses in 2019.

The Turnberry losses seem the least alarming given the amount of money put into the resort, but the lack of turnaround at Trump International Aberdeen and Doonbeg can’t bode well for the future given the relatively low development or purchase costs.

In other golf-related news, the (reluctantly) outgoing President cut short a busy slate of Florida golf to return to Washington so he could work the phones. His holiday golf included rounds with a group that included Rickie Fowler and another with Bernhard Langer, who vouched for the pardon of developer James Batmasian, reports the Daily Mail’s Harriet Alexander.

On December 23, Trump announced that he was pardoning South Florida real estate developer James Batmasian. The pardon was backed by Langer, GOP Congressman Brian Mast and 'many others from the South Flroida community', according to a White House statement.

Peter Dawson Made A CBE In New Year Honours List For "Services To Golf"

Only the Queen knows what services made retired Chief Inspector Peter Dawson worth of a “Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire”. Perhaps his old pal the Duke of York weighed in from exile with a good word?

Anyhow… congrats to the former R&A chief and Dubai golf-grower for the honor despite overseeing the bastardization of the Old Course and years of resisting an Open at Royal Portrush.

His successor Martin Slumbers chimed in with a congratulatory message.

Martin Slumbers, who succeeded Mr Dawson as Chief Executive of The R&A and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, said, “On behalf of all of us at The R&A and the Club I would like to congratulate Peter on being made a CBE. It is thoroughly deserved recognition for the sterling work he has done over many years in supporting and growing the game not only here at the home of golf in St Andrews but throughout the world.”

Oh it grew…with tees on the Eden, the New, the Jubilee and the Himalayas. Splendid.

Trump Turnberry, Aberdeen Report Another Year Of Losses

The Scotsman’s Martyn McLaughlin reports that 2019 was another year of reported losses for Trump Golf’s two Scottish golf properties, with increased revenues at Turnberry but £4.86m in depreciation and amortization write offs, marking the sixth year in a row in the red.

The new filings, posted at Companies House, cover the 12 months to 31 December 2019, and do not reflect the widespread disruption to Turnberry’s business brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

But they show that since the outgoing US president took over the historic property in 2014, its losses now total nearly £45m.

It comes just days after accounts for Mr Trump’s inaugural Scottish resort in Aberdeenshire posted losses of £1.1m, the eighth consecutive year it has been in the red.

Norman Speaks To Today Show About Surviving The Coronavirus He Would Not Wish On Anyone

Good for Greg Norman in highlighting how, in spite of his remarkable fitness at age 65, he experienced the brutality of COVID-19.

Speaking to the Today Show’s Gabe Gutierrez, Norman reiterates the need to take this seriously and avoid getting the coronavirus at all costs. As silly as it sounds ten months into the pandemic, his message remains important for skeptics to hear (and maybe will quiet his criticism of leaders enacting rules to help stem the spread?.

Norman also says he started feeling symptoms Sunday of the PNC Championship just two days after attending this party and photo shoot with most of the field. The piece ends with Gutierrez saying the Today Show reached out to the “PGA” for comment and “have not heard back”.

The full feature and interview:

Golf icon Greg Norman is recovering after a harrowing struggle with COVID-19 that saw him hospitalized twice over the past week. @gabegutierrez reports. pic.twitter.com/4SIdIsWzoE

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 29, 2020