Golf thread

[Splendid Splinter]

Tiger made the cut and tied for 19th. Just crazy.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

[Splendid Splinter]

In other news, I talked about making a career change and moving from Indiana later this year in the Politics thread. I'm actually going to apply for the PGA (actually called PGM Associate Program) to become a golf teacher/instructor/pro at a local course. Pretty excited about this change although I got a few things to do before I even get into the program.

Getting ready to do my background check/screening sometime this month and once I pass that (my brother said I should pass easily as I guess he did a background check on me when I told him I was thinking about applying for this job this past summer and have to do a background check first), I have to buy a package of 5 qualifying level courses so I can register for a qualifying test which I have to do within 6 months IIRC. I will keep you guys updated along the way.

Figured I would give an update on this since it's been 5 months. I passed my written test 2 months ago and then my playing qualifying test 3 weeks ago. The target score that I had to beat that day was 159 (36 holes) on a course I've never played on (The Player's Club at Wooland Trails- which is where Ball State plays at). Ended up shooting 150 (77-73).

Now all I have to do is start looking for jobs, apply, etc. Haven't decided where I want to move to yet.

How is everyone's game coming along?

New update- I waited longer than I wanted due to waiting for materials on the 2 houses we were building in the past year and had to stay to finish them. Started applying for jobs in January. Had quite a few interviews and a couple in-person for 2nd round of interviews the past couple months. Please to say that I have accepted an assistant golf professional position in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. The golf course is called True Blue Golf Club.

I will be moving there in 3 weeks and start my job the following week. Pretty pumped up about it as True Blue is pretty highly regarded golf course in the US and I'll be living in Myrtle Beach which is one of the areas I was hoping to move to. Also, now I can go watch some Pelicans games on my off days!!

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

[Cubswin11]

First Saudi backed league event is next week and they announced the field. DJ is the big get/surprise, allegedly got 9 figures guaranteed to go to the league, rest of the guys aren’t surprises really other than Gooch I’d say (all the other guys are old or not PGA staples and taking the money, Gooch was young and up and coming). Pretty horsefeathers field. Hopefully the PGA holds strong and bans them all.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

[Cubswin11]

[Derwood]

[Cubswin11]

[Cubswin11]

[Cubswin11]

PGA responds by basically copying LIV for an 8 series event with similar purses and structure for the events the Saudi’s are offering. PGA can’t offer the 8-9 figure contracts because they don’t have the money and their structure doesn’t allow it, but this is a pretty big step to funnel more money to the big guys and keep guys from jumping. Also sounds like they’re gonna try and keep LIV events from getting OWGR points which will tank the guys world rankings playing there and won’t qualify them for PGA events and majors (unless exempt).

[Tryptamine]

Just checking, but people are only mad because of who owns the LIV right? If it wasn't owned by people with horrendous human rights records, no one would have an issue right?

[bddavidson]

Just checking, but people are only mad because of who owns the LIV right? If it wasn't owned by people with horrendous human rights records, no one would have an issue right?

Yes, I think most acknowledge that the PGA Tour needs a complete overhaul to be more entertaining. I'm not sure 54 hole shotgun start tournaments are that but it is something.

Speaking for myself only here, in addition to the money being funded by the Saudi PIF, I don't like that an already not great week to week product is going to be further watered down. They're on the verge of creating two things that suck. For me, I also wish the players weren't hiding behind "grow the game" as the principal reason for doing this. Just say it's about the money and that you don't give a crap about who's paying you or what they stand for.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

Just checking, but people are only mad because of who owns the LIV right? If it wasn't owned by people with horrendous human rights records, no one would have an issue right?

There are some that argue that this dilutes the product, but I think that's pretty short-sighted and wrong.

[Tryptamine]

Honestly watching match play is the only thing that I really get excited for anymore, so as long as everyone can participate in the majors(looking doubtful) I don't think much is lost.

[Cubswin11]

Just checking, but people are only mad because of who owns the LIV right? If it wasn't owned by people with horrendous human rights records, no one would have an issue right?

Nah, an 8 event league that’s only 54 holes with shotgun starts horsefeathering sucks. Rahm’s answer at the US Open last week nailed it. Yes the PGA isn’t perfect and needs fixes with how they broadcast events and other things, but it’s the place to be if you’re the best in the world and the top guys make plenty of money.

[bddavidson]

Just checking, but people are only mad because of who owns the LIV right? If it wasn't owned by people with horrendous human rights records, no one would have an issue right?

There are some that argue that this dilutes the product, but I think that's pretty short-sighted and wrong.

Are you saying that because to date the only guys going are on the very last years of their careers or oft injured and post peak?

Because I think a very big part of this, if it drags out, is them using NIL and other avenues to pull the guys who would become the next PGA Tour superstars.

It's all about how long this goes on. Clearly the Saudis don't need to turn a profit, so if the majors let these guys play and OWGR potentially approves their events to give points then I don't see how this doesn't severely water both products down, assuming the JT, Rory Rahm crew sticks to their ideals

[PackLandVA]

PGA responds by basically copying LIV for an 8 series event with similar purses and structure for the events the Saudi’s are offering. PGA can’t offer the 8-9 figure contracts because they don’t have the money and their structure doesn’t allow it, but this is a pretty big step to funnel more money to the big guys and keep guys from jumping. Also sounds like they’re gonna try and keep LIV events from getting OWGR points which will tank the guys world rankings playing there and won’t qualify them for PGA events and majors (unless exempt).

If the PGA has the funding today to drastically increase purses and ability to structure limited events for the top players in the world, didn’t they have that same ability a year ago? Five years ago? Ten? Basically not long after Tiger came on the scene, right? But they didn’t until, it seems , like their hand is being forced.

Sure, $200 million plays into it (a lot I’m sure) but isn’t the rationale above basically what Phil said out loud. The best in the world should be compensated for being the best, drawing interest on TV, and growing the game. Other athletes get guaranteed money regardless of their future productivity (see one JHey, etc.).

[Cubswin11]

PGA responds by basically copying LIV for an 8 series event with similar purses and structure for the events the Saudi’s are offering. PGA can’t offer the 8-9 figure contracts because they don’t have the money and their structure doesn’t allow it, but this is a pretty big step to funnel more money to the big guys and keep guys from jumping. Also sounds like they’re gonna try and keep LIV events from getting OWGR points which will tank the guys world rankings playing there and won’t qualify them for PGA events and majors (unless exempt).

If the PGA has the funding today to drastically increase purses and ability to structure limited events for the top players in the world, didn’t they have that same ability a year ago? Five years ago? Ten? Basically not long after Tiger came on the scene, right? But they didn’t until, it seems , like their hand is being forced.

Sure, $200 million plays into it (a lot I’m sure) but isn’t the rationale above basically what Phil said out loud. The best in the world should be compensated for being the best, drawing interest on TV, and growing the game. Other athletes get guaranteed money regardless of their future productivity (see one JHey, etc.).

They have been drastically increasing purses for a few years now, maybe these competing leagues forced it, maybe not. But they’ve gotten more media deals recently. They are structured as a non profit (501 C I think) so they can’t give players contracts like a Heyward/what LIV is doing. They’re structured that the money coming in goes out through the events. Yes the big guys carry the load and drive revenue but the structure doesn’t allow them to give them a deal these guys are getting from LIV.

They have around $1.5 billion in revenue a year and it’s roughly an even split between costs/expenses and player payouts through the tournaments they host (PGA runs none of the majors and that money is outside of it). So they carry about ~$700 mil in expense every year and pay out mostly the rest through tournaments. They also had to tap in to the reserve account during Covid to cover tournament expenses since there were no fans/had to do make goods to media for stuff. They also are structured that the big sponsors funnel money to the big players as ad buyers/sponsors to get those guys endorsements.

It’s complete bull horsefeathers this new league is “growing the game” or they actually care. The guys going to LIV took a guaranteed pay day for a tour with less events from a country with unlimited money that the PGA can’t compete with on guaranteed money. LIV is not a business proposition and has no path to being profitable it’s a Saudi marketing expense play more or less. The PGA needed/needs changes but this isn’t it. The PGA also has the best pension fund for members/players of any sport by a ton.

The PGA also has the hundred years of history that if you’re good you’re taken care of and also legacy matters.


This pod covers it pretty well

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b ... 0565614666

[PackLandVA]

I’m not debating really anything you mention. My only point is that a “competing league” with tons of cash is created, and suddenly the PGA is capable of making significant changes. I know they don’t have unlimited cash. But if they can alter their purse structure and event structure now, why couldn’t they do it five years ago? I’m not arguing for or against LIV, but it does seem pretty amazing that several big name players jumping ship has caused action by the PGA. And I’m not referring to suspensions, etc. There will be plenty of young up and comer players that are really going to be tempted by a better chance at long term greater wealth, right or wrong.

And “legacy” is in the eye of the beholder. And fans.

[squally1313]

Nitpicking a little bit here, but it's not like they found an extra $200m lying around that they were previously hoarding and decided to distribute it out to the top players because of Liv. I think the goal here is for these new tournaments to become pretty big draws in terms of TV revenue and whatever else, even if they do have to figure out how they want to go up against football in the fall (smaller fields might allow them to have everything wrapped up by early afternoon?). I assume based on those big numbers above that they are making money on most of these tournaments. If the Tour itself has to come closer to breaking even for a couple months as an incentive to get these guys to stay, probably makes sense on their end.

[Cubswin11]

Yeah they just didn’t find new money/were holding it back, presumably they’ll get more sponsors/ad or tv revenue for this events. It also sounds like these 8 events aren’t going to be all new tournaments, they’ll elevate some of the existing ones like The Genesis or Arnold Palmer will be the 50 man field not cut for $20 mil.

[bddavidson]

Yeah they just didn’t find new money/were holding it back, presumably they’ll get more sponsors/ad or tv revenue for this events. It also sounds like these 8 events aren’t going to be all new tournaments, they’ll elevate some of the existing ones like The Genesis or Arnold Palmer will be the 50 man field not cut for $20 mil.

I'd be a bit surprised if they elevated existing events. The Genesis and API for example are already invitationals, partly because of where they fall in the schedule (need a smaller field to get around Thursday Friday) and partly because of the history. At least with the Genesis.

I'm wondering if it'll be the WGC's that get swallowed into this. The idea has a ton of potential for the golf nerd to be really neat. If they can get cooperation from certain courses it would be great to see a ton of variety. Say go back to Chambers Bay or Erin Hills for a bombers paradise, then go to Merion or TCC for classic architecture. Maybe then Bandon wants the free ad for a week or Payne's Valley etc...Definitely hit markets they aren't regularly going to like Chicago, Boston, NY and mid plains. Don't just add 2 more Texas and Florida stops.

Being that they are spread out throughout the whole year and the PGA Tour's general aversion of going up against Football, I think we could even see some Weds-Sat tournaments or the like.

[Cubswin11]

Yeah they just didn’t find new money/were holding it back, presumably they’ll get more sponsors/ad or tv revenue for this events. It also sounds like these 8 events aren’t going to be all new tournaments, they’ll elevate some of the existing ones like The Genesis or Arnold Palmer will be the 50 man field not cut for $20 mil.

I'd be a bit surprised if they elevated existing events. The Genesis and API for example are already invitationals, partly because of where they fall in the schedule (need a smaller field to get around Thursday Friday) and partly because of the history. At least with the Genesis.

I'm wondering if it'll be the WGC's that get swallowed into this. The idea has a ton of potential for the golf nerd to be really neat. If they can get cooperation from certain courses it would be great to see a ton of variety. Say go back to Chambers Bay or Erin Hills for a bombers paradise, then go to Merion or TCC for classic architecture. Maybe then Bandon wants the free ad for a week or Payne's Valley etc...Definitely hit markets they aren't regularly going to like Chicago, Boston, NY and mid plains. Don't just add 2 more Texas and Florida stops.

Being that they are spread out throughout the whole year and the PGA Tour's general aversion of going up against Football, I think we could even see some Weds-Sat tournaments or the like.

Yeah I just threw those out as an example and saw the NLU guys mention them. Golf twitter/media guys have made it sound like it’s not going to be 8 entirely new events/stops though and at least some of these 8 events will be at existing stops/tournaments. But yeah, there’s a chance to get creative and fun with this and love that it’s spread through the year and not just like September-November.

Selfishly if they add events and just don’t go off existing events/stops I hope they add one of these at Whistling because it’s 20 min from me (playing there tomorrow actually). Since they re did the major schedule and the PGA Championship is in May they can’t come up anymore because they can’t guarantee the weather/course would be ready in Wisconsin that time of year. I have a good friend who works at Kohler and the golf guys there have told him they were angling to get a Fed Ex Cup stop in the next few years and obviously they have the ins and relationship with the PGA having two championships here already and the Ryder Cup. I also really want to see them back at Chambers Bay.

[bddavidson]

Yeah I just threw those out as an example and saw the NLU guys mention them. Golf twitter/media guys have made it sound like it’s not going to be 8 entirely new events/stops though and at least some of these 8 events will be at existing stops/tournaments. But yeah, there’s a chance to get creative and fun with this and love that it’s spread through the year and not just like September-November.

Selfishly if they add events and just don’t go off existing events/stops I hope they add one of these at Whistling because it’s 20 min from me (playing there tomorrow actually). Since they re did the major schedule and the PGA Championship is in May they can’t come up anymore because they can’t guarantee the weather/course would be ready in Wisconsin that time of year. I have a good friend who works at Kohler and the golf guys there have told him they were angling to get a Fed Ex Cup stop in the next few years and obviously they have the ins and relationship with the PGA having two championships here already and the Ryder Cup. I also really want to see them back at Chambers Bay.

Actually looks like you/NLU were correct. They're elevating API, Genesis and Memorial along with the Matchplay and Sentry TOC. Pretty sizeable increases to those 5 purses. They're also doing a 3 consecutive week thing in the fall overseas, Australia, GB&I and maybe Middle East? Those three are for top 50 FEC qualifiers only apparently.

From Eamon Lynch's Article