Maybe Tiger would quit his membership on the PGA if that happened.
No one player is bigger than the sport,not even Tiger. Also Tiger's popularity as a media celebrity is all based on his continued success on the PGA Tour and in the United States. He needs the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour needs him. As good as he is there is no way he's as popular in this country if he decides to play just in Europe.
Also Tiger is a golf historian. He's determine to make his legacy in the game as the guy with the most major wins. Him leaving the PGA Tour would tarnish that legacy.
It becomes more important to make the top 70 and top 125 on the money list in 2006. Getting a tour card from q-school and the Nationwide tour may not be as opportune starting in 2007 if the player doesn't get off to a good start. Forget about any other non-exempt players (past category, categroy 28). Might as well go to the Nationwide tour. Danny Ellis from category 28 has played lately in Nationwide (currently #22).
As competive as the PGA Tour is now it's going to even more so if the proposed scheduled places take place. While it will be rough on the mariginal golfers the overall level of play may be higher, which could mean a better product. After all the cream tends to rise to the top.
No one player is bigger than the sport,not even Tiger. Also Tiger's popularity as a media celebrity is all based on his continued success on the PGA Tour and in the United States. He needs the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour needs him. As good as he is there is no way he's as popular in this country if he decides to play just in Europe.
Also Tiger is a golf historian. He's determine to make his legacy in the game as the guy with the most major wins. Him leaving the PGA Tour would tarnish that legacy.
He can play the majors regardless of his tour affiliation. He can also play the WGCs and on the other allotted event exemptions for non-members. 16 events a year? Tiger could pull it off. I doubt he would do it, but he could.
In short the so-called smaller tournaments are valuable training grounds for developing the younger players on tour.
In short the new schedule will probably mean less money for the mariginal players on tour.
I could not care less about these "marginal" players, or their "training grounds." A golf shot is a golf shot regardless of if it's taken with the top players in the field or the top players absent. The PGA Tour is for the best of the best and if these marginal guys can't shoot good scores with the big boys in the field they don't deserve to be there.
I thought the Nationwide Tour was supposed to be a "training ground" for the PGA Tour. By the time you get your Tour card you better be ready for the big time, or step aside for someone that is! If you can play........you play. I don't see how any of this is an advantage for the best players.
I could not care less about these "marginal" players, or their "training grounds." A golf shot is a golf shot regardless of if it's taken with the top players in the field or the top players absent. The PGA Tour is for the best of the best and if these marginal guys can't shoot good scores with the big boys in the field they don't deserve to be there.
I thought the Nationwide Tour was supposed to be a "training ground" for the PGA Tour. By the time you get your Tour card you better be ready for the big time, or step aside for someone that is! If you can play........you play. I don't see how any of this is an advantage for the best players.
If you don't care about mariginal players then I suppose you would be fine if the PGA Tour was restricted to the top 50 money players from the previous year.
On another note, how many NBA, NFL, or MLB players do you know make it to the their respective leagues all star game in their first year? The point being made here is that even at the highest levels of any given sport the most talented players usually need some time to get used to a higher level of play and to further hone their skills.
Also due the exemption policy currently in place the PGA Tour is probably the most best example of survival of the fittest in pro sports. If you don't win or don't play consistenly there is no way you can stay on tour once you run out of exemptions.
The All Star stuff isn't really a valid comparison...most All Star games are popularity contests. On the PGA Tour, you have to earn your way into anything. Of course, the part about taking a while to perform at the highest level is a valid one...just a bad example is all.
If you don't care about mariginal players then I suppose you would be fine if the PGA Tour was restricted to the top 50 money players from the previous year.
That's not a bad idea. It sure would make for some very competitive golf. :nodsmiley Give me the top 100 and you can keep the next 50. 100-150 on the money list is a revolving door every year consisting of a bunch of has beens and wannabees. Unless they can play consistantly enough to make my weekend TV screen more than a couple of times a year why should I, or anyone else for that matter, be interested in them? When I watch the PGA Tour I want to see the best. If I want to watch "marginal" no-names I can catch them on the Nationwide Tour.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ce_me_golf
On another note, how many NBA, NFL, or MLB players do you know make it to the their respective leagues all star game in their first year? The point being made here is that even at the highest levels of any given sport the most talented players usually need some time to get used to a higher level of play and to further hone their skills.
Let me know when the stars playing for Golden State (NBA) Houston (NFL) and Kansas City (MLB) hone their skills enough to be anything more than a W on most team's schedules. My point is they may be good but they're not good enough to compete with the best........yet. Until "marginal" PGA Tour players are good enough to earn a better ranking, why do they deserve PGA Tour events targeted at helping the lower tier players?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ce_me_golf
Also due the exemption policy currently in place the PGA Tour is probably the most best example of survival of the fittest in pro sports. If you don't win or don't play consistenly there is no way you can stay on tour once you run out of exemptions.
Interesting to see that the three out of four 'World ' events are in USA again, and the fourth event is ignored by the USPGA. The sooner they either make them proper world events the better .
Quote:
If you don't win or don't play consistenly there is no way you can stay on tour once you run out of exemptions.
I think you will find that is true of all Tours ,and will always be. You don't make it, you're out.
I could not care less about these "marginal" players, or their "training grounds." A golf shot is a golf shot regardless of if it's taken with the top players in the field or the top players absent. The PGA Tour is for the best of the best and if these marginal guys can't shoot good scores with the big boys in the field they don't deserve to be there.
I thought the Nationwide Tour was supposed to be a "training ground" for the PGA Tour. By the time you get your Tour card you better be ready for the big time, or step aside for someone that is! If you can play........you play. I don't see how any of this is an advantage for the best players.
Well blow me down, I agree with leaguegolf.
I cannot find it in myself to feel sorry for guys who lose their cards, after earning, say $500k. Tag Ridings is the current #126 on the money list and he's grossed $580k so far this season. It is likely he's picked up some other sponsorship cash along the way too. This is for playing golf BTW.
We want stronger fields more often, not more events with diluted fields. TBH the incentive to qualify for the Majors would be stronger if there were no opposite field events at all.
I went to my pharmacist last time that happened. I'll need a repeat prescription ,because Tag sums up what is wrong with the game in USA at the moment.
The money is too high ,so mediocrity makes a good living.
I went to my pharmacist last time that happened. I'll need a repeat prescription ,because Tag sums up what is wrong with the game in USA at the moment.
The money is too high ,so mediocrity makes a good living.
I have a blinding headache, and I agree with league - coincidence?
The All Star stuff isn't really a valid comparison...most All Star games are popularity contests. On the PGA Tour, you have to earn your way into anything. Of course, the part about taking a while to perform at the highest level is a valid one...just a bad example is all.
Interesting to see that the three out of four 'World ' events are in USA again, and the fourth event is ignored by the USPGA. The sooner they either make them proper world events the better .
I agree, and wonder why they'd simply block them into the same sites every year. Seems like they had a winner in Harding Park this year and there are many other sites in the US and abroad that would make lovely venues for such and event. I sorta liked the way they were rotating the Amex between the US and Europe...the matchplay is iffy, because guys just won't travel a long way and risk only playing one round. The NEC could be moved, but it's locked into Firestone through 2010 now I believe.
October 24th, 2005, 06:05 PM
A golf shot is a golf shot regardless of if it's taken with the top players in the field or the top players absent. The PGA Tour is for the best of the best and if these marginal guys can't shoot good scores with the big boys in the field they don't deserve to be there.
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