Dartmouth Reinstates Golf Programs After Pressure Campaign; Hanover CC Still Set For Closure

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Shuttered amid budget shortfalls and short-sighted thinking, Dartmouth has bowed to legal pressure over Title IX sexual discrimination and an alumni campaign to reinstate the sports ended last July.

The men’s and women’s golf teams are part of the announcement.

Not saved, at least as of now, is Hanover Country Club, the charming 121-year-old home course to the teams controlled by the university.

The news landed just a day after Global Golf Post’s Jim Nugent filed this opus on the saga that included some headscratching revelations.

More than 100 athletes were impacted. As many as 15 athletic department jobs were eliminated. At the time, Hanlon (Dartmouth Class of 1977) said these measures would save about $2 million.

As the weeks wore on and reality sank in, golf team members felt that that school was not being transparent, that the decision just didn’t add up. They were silent for months, working closely but quietly with an alumni group called Friends of Dartmouth Golf (FODG) to see if they could get the decision reversed in a non-confrontational way.

Even worse was an alumni package put together, as detailed in the story, to free the school of obligations while adding many perks for non-golf students. That was declined.

This was embarrassing but not shocking:

Elimination of the Dartmouth golf teams didn’t stop the school from squeezing every last dollar from alumni. The fiscal year ended on June 30. One golf alum was contacted six times in the month of June alone.

Nine days after the fiscal year ended, and after FODG had just completed its highest fund-raising effort in history, including financing for a new team van and upgraded indoor practice facilities, the eliminations were announced.

“They knew the programs were being shut down, but they continued to fundraiser. Unbelievable,” said one former player.

Alumni relations were not helped by the move…

Jake Gehret, class of 1981, donated to FODG for the six-figure van. It was delivered last March. But the golf teams never got to use it due to COVID-19. Gehret has not heard from anyone about the fate of the van. No one in FODG knows about its whereabouts or usage.

A significant contributor to Dartmouth through the years, Gehret cut all ties to the school.

And this is the capper:

The FODG calculated that the operating costs for both teams added up to $350,000 annually. Seventy-one percent of that came from alumni contributions, including the coaches’ salaries. The remaining $100,000 came from the school.

Hopefully next up on the to do list: somehow saving at least part of Hanover CC as a team and community asset.

PGA Tour's New HQ Already Has A Name And It's NOT Terminal A

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Foster and Partners are not known for working cheap so I apologize for suggesting their new PGA Tour headquarters—sorry, Global Home—looks like an airport terminal.

I realize that’s unfair since the terminal is partially fronted by a moat. More suited to yacht-docking.

Garry Smits files a lengthy and detail-rich story that lands like an alligator in the front lobby amidst a pandemic, last year’s layoffs and when $65 million collaborative work spaces won’t be cool for a while.

It sounds beautiful, except in a Cat 4 storm:

Thanks to five large skylights, a “collaborative atrium” connecting the two wings and floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light is one of the main features of the building designed by Foster + Partners and built by Clark Construction – which also built the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse in 2007.

“It’s 100 percent intentional,” said Kirsten Sabia, the Tour’s vice-president for integrated communications on Thursday after leading a media group through the building. “Prior to designing it, Foster interview a number of employees and asked them what they desired in a new building. The top-two answers were natural light and meeting space. You feel energized when you walk into this building and you feel energized when you walk out.”

Better than feeling fleeced!

The Tour initially is planning on 25 percent occupancy and will continue to give employees the option of working at home until the pandemic subsides.

But how will they feel energized? Other perks of the building…

• Nearly 100 meeting spaces, ranging from small rooms with a table and several chairs to the conference room off Monahan’s office that can seat around two dozen participants.

So, like a third of the vice presidential core.

• A fitness center with aerobic machines, weights, rooms for yoga, pilates and Zumba classes and full locker rooms and showers.

Did I miss a memo? Zumba is back?

Wouldn’t it have just been cheaper to buy everyone a Peloton, an Aeron and a 27-inch Mac? Maybe throw in a home simulator for the six golf nuts left?

But then they’d miss this vital component…

• A dining area that includes a salad bar, sandwich bar and pizza oven. Food purchases will be made from area vendors, produce wholesalers and even farms, and plans are to start a vegetable and spice garden.

The things you can grow in a converted swamp these days.

• A coffee bar where the staff will bake their own pastries and bread.

OFFS.

Stewart Moore, senior director of communications, said the amenities of the Global Home will enable the Tour to compete for talent in areas such as finance, legal, media, digital, broadcasting, data and technology and marketing — since part of the deal to get tax and utility incentives from St. Johns County was to add 300 new jobs over the next 10 years.

I know 50 or so you can add back.

“This is going to be an amazing recruiting tool,” he said. “You talk to people and they want a café, coffee shop, a fitness center.

All key for staying awake watching launch angle golf.

“Having this modern space where they want to come to work will help us keep bringing in the brightest people to keep growing our business.”

Eh em…that’s growing the charitable giving, remember?

The Global Home also will be in full view of fans coming to The Players Championship for years to come.

Goosebump alert!

While the old headquarters buildings were tucked away on the main road leading to the Players Stadium Course, the new digs will remind fans that the Tour is unique among professional sports in that its headquarters, signature event and signature are in the same location.

I couldn’t have said it more confusingly myself.

The Times-Union version of the story includes this photo gallery. Just think, Greg Norman’s newly listed home only would run you about $5 million less. But I bet his staff can’t back their own pastries and bread.

Will January Torrey Glory Foreshadow U.S. Open Summer Success?

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My Thursday Quadrilateral News and Notes turned mostly into an all-things USGA and U.S. Open edition, with a look at the 2008 Buick-U.S. Open combo and what we can learn watching this week’s Farmers at the 2021 U.S. Open venue.

Other notes include some revealing thoughts from Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, two favorites at Torrey this year and the USGA’s return of U.S. Open qualifying.

Subscribing is easy here.

More on The Quadrilateral here.

Shark Lists His Florida Estate For $59.9 Million

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You too can maintain the same shrubs that Greg Norman nearly cut off his hand pruning along with a 1900 bottle cellar and 30-car parking area for staff.

There is a tennis court but no sign of golf. Not even a putting green?

Welcome to “Tranquility”. One of the original ocean-to-Intracoastal estates on Jupiter Island, the stunning full compound of buildings, situated on a sprawling 8.31-acre lot, was built for a barefoot elegance lifestyle. It boasts 31,820 total SF of living space, including the Main House, Coach House, Pool House, Tennis House, Boat House, Carriage House, Beach House & 5,000 SF basement. With 10BR,12+6BA,172’ of oceanfront, & 370’ of WF on the Intracoastal Waterway, the estate sports a modern tropical/yacht-inspired feel with dockage for a 150’ yacht. Remote & set back, the estate is a true escape, offering the utmost in privacy, and one-of-a-kind amenities including a US open sized tennis court, fitness center, movie theater, elevator, 2 main pools, spa, wine cellar, bar & gourmet kitchen.

R&A Turns To Niall Horan "To Support Fresh Drive To Get More Young People Into Golf"

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Another day, another governing body reaching out to the kids.

At least (A) we know Niall Horan really does love golf and isn’t doing this just as an “influencer” (B) I don’t have a B.

For Immediately Painful Release:

THE R&A APPOINTS MODEST! GOLF TO SUPPORT FRESH DRIVE TO GET MORE YOUNG PEOPLE INTO GOLF

27 January 2021, St Andrews, Scotland: The R&A has appointed Modest! Golf to work on designing and developing a series of future grassroots programmes aimed at inspiring more young people into golf and retain them within the sport.

The new programmes will be launched later this year and provide more opportunities for young people to be introduced to golf through offering fun and accessible formats of the sport that are more in tune with how today’s generation uses its leisure time.

The arrangement will see focus on increasing the appeal of golf for young people by leveraging the power of influencers from the sports and entertainment world to present the sport in a more positive light to new audiences and challenge some of the more unhelpful perceptions that exist about golf.

Oh, how 2019 of you.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Offer at The R&A, said, “Modest! Golf has a wealth of expertise and insight from the entertainment and sports industries that will be combined with our experience of developing golf around the world to establish exciting new initiatives aimed at reaching new audiences and inspiring more young people into playing golf with their family and friends.

“Our relationship with Modest! Golf is built on a shared ambition for golf to be viewed as a fun, friendly and accessible sport that is inclusive of all people no matter their age, gender, ability or background. We look forward to working together to broaden its appeal through our networks in golf and encourage young people to enjoy its many social and health benefits.”

Niall Horan, founder of Modest! Golf, said, “I am so proud to work alongside The R&A in developing programmes to encourage and inspire more young people to play the game of golf. It is something my company Modest! Golf is hugely passionate about and I am honoured that the chief executive Martin Slumbers, Phil Anderton and The R&A are entrusting my agency to help drive the game forward.

“The R&A has a long legacy within the game and I look forward to helping to create new and modern initiatives to showcase to the younger generation just what a great sport golf is.”

Modest! Golf evolved from entertainment agency Modest! Management and was founded by Niall Horan and Mark McDonnell in 2016. It is responsible for the management of professional golfers including Tyrrell Hatton, Leona Maguire, Connor Syme, Olivia Cowan and Guido Migliozzi as well as world top 5 disability golfer Brendan Lawlor.

It also aims to promote inclusivity and opportunity through renowned events like the ISPS Handa World Invitational and the Horan & Rose charity tournament which has raised over £2 million for children’s charities across the world.

The campaign kick off…

Players Championship To Have 20% Capacity, No Chainsmokers Reunion

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The upcoming Waste Management Open will feature a reduced 16th hole corporate hospitality, 5000 a day where America’s highest infection rate currently resides and take the PGA Tour where they are begging spring training to stay away.

So by that measure and many others, The Players appears to have a more sensible plan based on Executive Director Jared Rice’s comments.

From Will Brown at the Jacksonville Business Journal detailing the 20% capacity plan for the March 11-14 event.

“…From a hospitality perspective, we have modified everything. So, that means in hospitality zones we will have open-air venues. We’re looking for ways to make sure it's as safe as possible, limiting some access there. From a fan perspective, we are looking at ways we can focus on social distancing as part of the food and beverage experience and make it great for our fans.”

Rice also announced The Players will begin selling tickets to previous attendees on Feb. 1. Tickets for the general public will be made available on Feb. 16.

Masks will be required and social distancing will be strongly encouraged.

The tournament will feature digital ticketing, contactless commerce as well as altered food and beverage protocols at The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. There will not be a Military Appreciation Concert this year, but there are plans to honor members of the armed forces as has been the case in years past.

The Chainsmokers probably won’t be back for a while and that’s ok on many levels.

Final 2020 Numbers: Rounds Up 13.9%, Equipment Sales Up 10.1%

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A few things are especially astounding regarding the pandemic’s role in spiking 2020 rounds played: the number of days courses were closed as safety restrictions were put in place along the policies restricting guest play at so many clubs.

And, all of this happened without a single significant distance-gaining technology breakthrough we’ve been told must be preserved by the rulemakers to grow the game.

For Immediate Release:

Golf Datatech Releases 2020 U.S. Golf Retail Performance Report and Annual Rounds Played Data; Exclusive Insights Indicate Record Breaking Year—Golf Rounds Up 13.9%, Equipment Sales Jump 10.1%  

Rounds Growth is Largest Full Year Increase in the History of Golf Datatech’s Data; Golf Equipment Sales Eclipsed $2.81 Billion at Green Grass Golf Shops & Off Course Specialty Stores; Apparel Sales Drop 14.2% 

Kissimmee, Fla., January 25, 2021 – Golf Datatech, LLC, the golf industry’s leading independent market research firm for retail sales, consumer and trade trends, today unveiled the 2020 National Golf Performance Report, a first-of-its kind annual report analyzing rounds played and retail equipment sales in the U.S. Golf Datatech’s report indicates rounds soared by 13.9% and equipment sales increased by 10.1% over 2019. The year-over-year surge in rounds and retail sales are primarily a result of golf being positioned as a near ideal socially distanced activity during a pandemic. The 13.9% increase in rounds is the largest total year increase since Golf Datatech began collecting and projecting rounds played in 1998, topping the previous largest increase of 5.7% in 2012. The 10.1% improvement in retail sales bettered the previous all time high percentage gain of 10.0% in 2005.  

Fueled by a combination of avid players, newcomers and infrequent golfers, 2020 demand for all things golf surged during the second half of the year. In fact, 2020 spending reached near record levels, as overall golf equipment sales eclipsed $2.81 billion, the third highest annual total of all-time, trailing behind only 2008 ($2.91 billion) and 2007 ($2.87 billion).

“While the global pandemic wreaked havoc on many segments of our economy, the golf industry experienced a significant boost in rounds played and equipment sales,” said John Krzynowek, Partner, Golf Datatech. “On the equipment side, sales increased by low single digits in both 2018 and 2019, but the double-digit gains in 2020 can only be attributed to the pandemic and golf being a respite for so many.”

While rounds played and equipment sales experienced sharp increases in 2020, apparel sales went the other direction and dropped by 14.2%. Golf apparel is predominantly sold thru on-course golf shops, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, many pro shops were not fully operational for several months. Additionally, a lack of international travel and lockdowns during the critical spring season in warm weather markets had a detrimental impact on many resorts, which sell a significant amount of logoed golf apparel. Added together, these factors all weighed heavily on the Green Grass Golf Apparel business.

While on-course sales declined, apparel sales at off-course specialty outlets, particularly those with a strong online presence, enjoyed significant growth in 2020. Moreover, the last two months of the year saw total apparel sales up 11%, a hopeful sign heading into 2021.  

Added Krzynowek, “Combining equipment and apparel sales thru the on and off-course channels, total consumer demand in dollars for golf product was 3.2% higher than in 2019. Given the state of the golf economy in late spring, anything in positive territory had to be considered a big win, and December data continues to impress and suggest the business may still have room to run in early 2021.”

LPGA's TOC Doubles PGA Tour's Amex Audience In Fruitless Head-To-Head Against NFL

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With the two NFL games drawing audiences of 41 and 44 million thereabouts, golf had little chance. There were more people trying to scrape the last bit of guac out of the bowl at any given time than watching golf.

Don’t believe me? Look at the numbers. With a very strong microscope.

For reasons known only to people who draw six and seven figure salaries, the LPGA Tour and PGA Tour continued their bizarre tradition of trying to finish against the NFL’s conference championship games.

The 2021 final rounds of the Diamond Resorts TOC and American Express Championship played out on NBC and Golf Channel respectively. Both were better-than-average finishes, with the LPGA averaging 557,000 viewers to the PGA Tour’s 297,000 according to ShowBuzzDaily.

The LPGA’s season opener drew an almost identical number last year on NBC.

And this, despite a pretty dreadful viewing experience caused by pace of play and a heavy commercial load, as written about by Will Knights at The Fried Egg.

As for the Amex, it also drew similarly pitiful ratings in 2020, landing between Vengeance: Killer Coworkers on HLN and Vet Exotic on National Geographic. The 2021 Amex final round was beaten by the event’s Friday and Saturday rounds along with every college basketball game aired last week but three. And there were some real stinkers on that long list.

The Amex’s Monday rebroadcast also failed to crack the cable top 150 shows, killing the “total audience delivery” case to the AmEx executives wondering how to justify the sponsorship.

Also, no rounds of the Abu Dhabi HSBC won by Tyrell Hatton over Rory McIlroy drew a discernible audience last week. And with five days left in January 2021, Golf Channel’s non-live golf coverage has yet to have a show crack the top 150 cable shows on any given day.

This is all a nice way of saying: week-to-week pro golf has a product crisis on multiple fronts.

Presidents Cup: Cart Driver Extraordinaire Davis Love Wheeled Out For Yet Another Captaincy

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The excitement was not palpable for the 2022 Presidents Cup, slated for the ubiquitous Quail Hollow.

Instead of introducing new blood into the captaincy ranks, the PGA Tour and the ever-mysterious “Task Force” will again wheel out Davis Love to lead Team America against Trevor Immelman’s International squad.

Even the press release writers sound bored and still haven’t gotten Immelman’s spelling dialed in. But we have a year-and-a-half to get that figured out. Now we can go back to focusing on the Ryder Cup where Love is an assistant captain. Again.

World Golf Hall of Fame member Davis Love III named 
U.S. Team captain for 2022 Presidents Cup

North Carolina native to lead U.S. Team at Quail Hollow Club

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – Presidents Cup and PGA TOUR officials today announced 21-time PGA TOUR winner and World Golf Hall of Fame member Davis Love III has been named captain of the U.S. Team for the 2022 Presidents Cup, which will be staged at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, the week of September 19-25. Love joins South African Trevor Immelmann, who was named captain of the International Team in April 2020.

Love represented the United States in the Presidents Cup six times in his career, including the inaugural event in 1994, where he compiled a 4-0-1 record while leading the U.S. Team to a 20-12 victory over the International Team. He served as an assistant captain in the 2013, 2015 and 2017 Presidents Cups, while also guiding the United States as captain in the 2012 and 2016 Ryder Cups. Love holds a 16-8-4 all-time record in Presidents Cup play, while accounting for 18 points in 28 total matches played.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be named captain of the U.S. Team for the 2022 Presidents Cup. My history with this event dating back to 1994 conjures up indelible memories of competition, camaraderie and sportsmanship, and I’m thrilled to be leading the top American players into Quail Hollow Club next September,” said Love. “The U.S. Team has been guided by some of the game’s all-time greats since 1994, and I will do my best to carry on that legacy as we look to retain the Cup.”

Love is the ninth U.S. Team captain, joining the likes of Tiger Woods (2019), Steve Stricker (2017), Jay Haas (2015), Fred Couples (2013, 2011, 2009), Jack Nicklaus (2007, 2005, 2003, 1998), Ken Venturi (2000), Arnold Palmer (1996) and Hale Irwin (1994).

“Davis has been instrumental in the foundation and continued growth of the Presidents Cup, and it’s only fitting that he returns to Charlotte to lead the U.S. Team in 2022,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “He has been a role model to so many young players on the PGA TOUR, and I know that leadership will serve him well in this role as he leans on his wealth of experience as a competitor and captain in team competition.”

It’s more than a wealth. He needs to have a permanent cart made with Cup logo interchangeability that gets its own ceremonial arrival ceremony.

Love, the son of legendary instructor Davis Love, Jr., was born in Charlotte before the family moved to suburban Atlanta later that same year. They eventually settled into Georgia’s Golden Isles, where Love spent his youth before attending the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, where he was a three-time All-America selection and winner of six collegiate titles,  including the 1984 ACC Championship. 

“The Carolinas mean so much to me and my family, and it’s humbling to know that I will return to Charlotte in this new role to help carry on the rich sports tradition the Queen City has developed through the years,” said Love. “Alongside Trevor, we will help build an event atmosphere everyone can take immense pride in while showcasing this region to sports fans around the world.”

Quail Hollow Club was originally designed by famed golf course architect George Cobb in 1961 to capture the beauty as well as challenging terrain of the Piedmont region. In the intervening years, the course has undergone a series of improvements, including modifications to several holes by Palmer in 1986, a redesign by Tom Fazio in 1997 and modifications by Fazio to several holes in 2016. 

Seems like we’re due again for more renovations in time for the 2025 PGA. Oh joy.

“Quail Hollow is one of the best tests of golf we see all year on the PGA TOUR, and it will be a perfect venue for a match-play event given the variation of challenges it presents,” said Love. “I think you will see players taking on a number of risk-reward shots throughout the week, presenting an exciting environment for fans onsite and watching around the world.”  

Quail Hollow Club has hosted the Wells Fargo Championship since 2003 and brought the PGA Championship to Charlotte in 2017.   

“Davis will be a tremendous leader for the U.S. Team and alongside Trevor, gives the 2022 Presidents Cup two well-respected captains to guide their players into Quail Hollow,” said Presidents Cup Executive Director Adam Sperling. “We have received tremendous support from partners and fans throughout the region as we look toward 2022, and I know today’s announcement will only add to their collective enthusiasm.”

The enthusiasm was not visible online but I’ll keep searching and add to this post on a need-to-know basis.

Southern Hills Lands The 2022 PGA Championship And Why That's A Tremendous "Get"

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The more I looked back at all of the wacky things that have gone on at Southern Hills the more I got excited by two things: this time around the course will have more refined architecture and fewer trees, meaning we might even see some of those cool features.

And it won’t be 100 degrees. Every PGA at Southern Hills I attended or read about has seen temps in the mid-90s to topping the century mark. That’s not conducive to anything but butt sweats, dehydration and dead bent.

My Quadrilateral assessment of the PGA of America scoring the best possible outcome for 2022 with so little time to find a Trump Bedminster replacement. And as reader Kevin noted in the comments, the decision to avoid a quick return to Bethpage protects their golfers and protects the 2025 Ryder Cup there. A similar thing could be said for Valhalla, which remains in 2024 and the time away will be good for fans and players.

I wrote a past letter about the need to find a course that can stand with other elite 2022 venues. Mission accomplished.

The PGA of America did not issue a press release as of this post but did send this announcement to their members:

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Besides the May date and the club’s history of hosting, the restoration will be of great interest this spring and next. The Fried Egg’s excellent coverage of the Hanse Design “resto-vation” and featuring Garrett Morrison’s write up.

There is also this fantastic overview of drone footage that should get the 2022 juices flowing.

Citi Chief Brand Officer Pens Painfully Long-Winded Way Of Saying The Bank Stands By Justin Thomas

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Over two weeks ago Justin Thomas let out a homophobic slur that cost him a marketing partnership with Ralph Lauren at 7 pm on a Friday night and has him headed to a “training program”.

Having detected which way the winds were blowing or believing Citi needed to justify paying Thomas to wear their logo, they are now speaking out. Because, you know, there isn’t much of significance taking place in the world these days.

But if you miss agonizing visits to the dentist’s office, here is the full post by Carla Hassan who is looking out for the brand and fending off internal forces that appeared to ask a silly question like, “we pay him how much to wear a logo, do one outing a year and say stuff like that?”.

Hassan writes:

We considered terminating our relationship with him. It would send a clear and important message, but we decided to use this moment to work with Justin to try to create change. While we have engaged with many in the LGBTQ+ community who agree with our decision, there are some – including some of my Citi colleagues – who believe that anything less than termination undermines our firm’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. We strongly considered that perspective and have great respect for it, and balanced it against the opportunity this situation provides to drive a more sustainable effort to shift minds and behavior.

You noble pioneers!

We want to do more than make it clear that it is wrong to use this word.

Now there’s a newsflash from the city.

Instead, we hope our efforts can lead more people to make an affirmative choice not to use this word or others like it – and to speak up when others do – because they understand the impact it can have, including on a friend, colleague or teammate who may be struggling with the decision to disclose their sexual orientation.

But good news, they will work with Justin so the ending is a happy one resulting in paychecks still clearing, charitable write-offs, and the brand remaining that of a soulless financial services company that loves the free market until it needs a bailout. Whew! Close call.

To that end, Citi will work with Justin to use his platform to play an active role in accelerating support for the LGBTQ+ community and to increase awareness of the discrimination this community continues to face. In addition, he will donate a meaningful portion of his Citi 2021 sponsorship fee to mutually agreed upon LGBTQ+ organizations. We will work with Justin, our internal Pride networks and LGBTQ+ organizations to develop an action plan to quickly move this effort forward.

Meaningful portions! An action plan! It’s also so darned progressive.

The strong feelings this situation has evoked among many, including some of my colleagues, weighs very heavily on me. While not everyone will agree with the approach we are taking, I can give you my strongest assurances that this course of action is based on our allyship for the LGBTQ+ community and is backed by my personal commitment to lead the effort necessary to create something positive out of this. We hope that even those who would have preferred a different course of action will work with us to make this effort as impactful as possible, inside and outside of Citi.

So essentially they heard from some internally but a higher up decided they just had to keep that logo on Thomas’s shirt and Hassan was tasked with justifying the decision.

At least they didn’t news dump this at 7 pm on a Friday.

Bros No More: Brooks And Claude Have Split

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While I’m fairly certainly Harvey Penick never gave Ben or Tom an overcompensatory bro shake and partial chest bump, the Brooks Koepka-Claude Harmon III partnership did see the pupil win four majors.

But with Harmon’s other prized pupil winning the 2020 Masters and Koepka’s game slipping due to injury following his incredible 2017-2018 run, something apparently had to give. Eamon Lynch confirms the news and that these two are forever friends. They just not an official thing any longer.

Harmon began working with Koepka in 2013 when the Floridian was playing on the European Challenge Tour. According to Matthew Rudy of GolfDigest.com, Harmon is devastated.

"Brooks is an unbelievable player and great champion, and extremely talented," says Harmon, who helped Dustin Johnson to the 2020 Masters title and watched student Si Woo Kim win The American Express on Sunday. "As devastating as it is to have it happen, I'm so grateful for what he did for me and my family. Me, [caddie] Ricky Elliott, [physical therapist] Marc Wahl, the whole crew, it was like we were a band of brothers. That's hard to not be a part of. He has to do what's best for his career, and I know he'll be fine."

CBS Returns With Dedicated Rules Official, New Music, Mini-Leaderboard And Drone Coverage

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After the last three weeks of minimalist PGA Tour broadcast coverage expect CBS to restore some order at Torrey Pines.

Last year’s Farmers Insurance final round started with CBS started its season also having to address and cover the death of Kobe Bryant, something Bryce Miller recapped for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

As for the broadcast goodies, look for a few new touches and don’t expect to see some of the pandemic-related experimental efforts from last year like Inside the Ropes and players wearing microphones. Carryovers include the live drone and other aerials we’ve also missed out on for a while.

For Immediate Release, with interruptions.

CBS SPORTS CONTINUES LEGACY AS LEADER IN GOLF COVERAGE AS NETWORK TEES OFF 64TH CONSECUTIVE PGA TOUR GOLF SEASON

Most Comprehensive Lineup in Network Television Featuring 20 PGA TOUR Events; Season Begins with Farmers Insurance Open on Saturday, Jan. 30 and Sunday, Jan. 31

Sellers Shy Assumes Role as Lead Producer for GOLF ON CBS 

Network to Debut New Elements for Broadcast Including a Constant Mini-Leaderboard, New Theme Music, Rules Official, and More 

CBS Sports continues its legacy as the leader in golf production as it tees off its 64th consecutive year of PGA TOUR coverage, as once again the network features the most comprehensive lineup in network television with 20 PGA TOUR events. 

Led by new lead producer Sellers Shy – only the third lead producer in CBS Sports’ storied golf history – the network, in collaboration with the PGA TOUR,

At least they didn’t go with “powered by the PGA TOUR”…

will debut new elements to enhance the broadcast, including a constant mini-leaderboard; new theme music; a dedicated PGA TOUR rules official; enhanced capabilities and presentation for SmartCart; live drone coverage, and more. 

Most intriguing will be the prospect full-time PGA Tour rules official dedicated to the telecast. Based on the CBS media call last week, we’ll see them at the SmartCart and hopefully get more use out of that for replays and highlights, ala Sky Sports.

The downside? An independent rules official as all football broadcasts have now might be more inclined to share stronger takes in controversial situations. But, as the release says, this is a collaboration.

As for theme music, I’m not clear who the composer is for those fans of Helmut VonLichten’s oeurve.

CBS Sports begins the season at the Farmers Insurance Open next weekend on Saturday, Jan. 30 (3:00-6:00 PM, ET) and Sunday, Jan. 31 (3:00-6:30 PM, ET), from Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, Calif.

Jim Nantz anchors CBS Sports’ golf coverage, and is joined by lead analyst Sir Nick Faldo, along with analysts Ian Baker-Finch and Frank Nobilo. Lead on-course reporter Dottie Pepper, with Mark Immelman and Trevor Immelman, and reporter Amanda Balionis, round out the CBS golf announce team. Andrew Catalon and Colt Knost will join select CBS broadcasts as well. 

CBS Sports Network will air ancillary golf programming throughout the season as well, beginning on Monday, Jan. 25 (11:00 PM, ET), with COURSE RECORD WITH MICHAEL BREED featuring renowned golf instructor Michael Breed and co-host Greg DuCharme discussing the latest in the golf world. Additionally, FALDO FORMULA, featuring Sir Nick Faldo, will begin its second season in April. The network also will air classic PGA TOUR telecasts each week leading up to the tournament on CBS.

The CBS Television Network also will broadcast six PGA TOUR Specials and six Korn Ferry Tour Specials, along with multiple COURSE RECORD WITH MICHAEL BREED and FALDO FORMULA episodes, throughout the season leading into live golf coverage. 

Nice upgrade for those two shows to get the network slot.

For all PGA TOUR events this year, CBS Sports’ full coverage will be available to stream live in markets across the U.S. via the CBS All Access subscription service, with additional coverage on CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports app, and CBS Sports HQ, the 24/7 streaming sports news service. ViacomCBS’ existing subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, CBS All Access, will be rebranded as Paramount+ on March 4. 

I can envision Paramount Plus becoming Jim or Sir Nick'’s go-to for the pre-round voice warm-up. Nothing like alliteration.

Sellers Shy debuts as lead producer, with Steve Milton as director, for CBS Sports' golf coverage. Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports. David Berson is President, CBS Sports. Dan Weinberg is Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Executive Vice President, Production, CBS Sports. 

Last year, the PGA TOUR Season on CBS averaged 2.495 million viewers, up +17% vs. 2019 and marking the network’s best viewership average in five years.

Si Woo Kim Wins But Patrick Cantlay's Weekend Is The Real Eye-Opener

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Let’s table the whole PGA West Stadium Course-has-turned-into-Indian-Wells discussion for another day and instead congratulate Si Woo Kim on his final round 64 to win the American Express Championship. Also, a special salute to the PGA Tour staffer who computed that it’s been 1,352 since Kim’s Players Championship win. Seems it was only 2,352 days ago.

Even with some pesky breezes Sunday, the Stadium is no longer the course-too-hard-to-host-the-Hope afterr widespread adoption of Keto diets and analytics.

This does not in any way diminish runner-up Patrick Cantlay’s stunning weekend as reported on here by Adam Schupak at Golfweek.

Thanks to the PGA Tour communications team for sending out these incredible feats by the former UCLA Bruin and world No. 10:

  • He bested the course-record by two with a bogey-free 11-under 61, replacing a 9-under 63 set by Charlie Reiter in 2019

  • Cantlay was 18-under in his final 36 holes, tying the best score in relation to par in the final two rounds of a 72-hole event on Tour (Rocco Mediate/2003 Sentry TOC); eclipsed his previous best mark of 14-under in the final two rounds (2018 Shriners Hospitals/2nd)

  • Cantlay made 20 birdies in the final two rounds, the most in a 72-hole non-major event on the PGA TOUR (19/Kevin Chappell/2013 The American Express)

  • He made 11 birdies in the final round

  • Cantlay made 151 feet, 10 inches of putts in the Final Round, his most feet of putts made in a round of his Tour career

  • Sat T56 and seven strokes back after 36 holes before carding weekend rounds of 65-61

Jeremy Schilling also highlighted this about Cantlay’s weekend bogey:

NFL Giving 7500 Tickets To Vaccinated Health Care Workers, Where Is Golf On This?

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One of the real mysteries for all of sports was finally settled: who would be the first league to pay tribute to the world’s amazing health care workers by welcoming those vaccinated for COVID-19 to their events.

Well, we have our answer and it’s a high bar set by the NFL. With only 22,000 Super Bowl seats available this year, they’re giving 7500 free tickets to vaccinated health care workers.

Besides rewarding sports fans who work in the medical profession taxed by intensive hours these days, the move also endorses the vaccine. Sports has a role to play and the NFL grabbed the win-win opportunity.

Will anyone in golf try this? The PGA Tour? LPGA Tour? Masters? USGA? Now that the NFL has stepped up this seems like a no-brainer. Then again, it was a no-brainer before the NFL stepped up.

Here is Roger Goodell surprising health care workers with the news. Since he might just have a special guest in his Tampa Bay Super Bowl box, maybe he’ll suggest the Chairman consider a similar move.