If they don't like the World Golf Events in the U.S.
then Ernie and Tiger don't need to play. Maybe they can play in some regular PGA events.
I would rahter them not play than complain. At least Ernie has not played in the Match Play. If Tiger doe not like these events playing solely in the U.S., then he should boycott them.
They make great points and should start a boycott themselves because they should be played around the world not just in the US. Two of the best ambassodors the game has today have spoken up and its time for the world to listen. Very reasonable request in my opinion and its only for a good cause which is to promote world golf.
They make great points and should start a boycott themselves because they should be played around the world not just in the US. Two of the best ambassodors the game has today have spoken up and its time for the world to listen. Very reasonable request in my opinion and its only for a good cause which is to promote world golf.
While it may decrease the number of events all of the top players participate in and the number of players playing on both tours, it would strenghten each tour overall. (Europe in Jan. - Apr., PGA in July - Oct.).
I find it odd how the USa has world events but they aren't really world events. The world series? where's the rest of the world in that? Nothing exists outside the borders...
At present it seems that the big sponsorship money is US $ and therefore the 'World Tournaments' are in the US for corporate reasons.
Like the FOUR MAJORS, three are in the US, and one (the Masters) is an invitational field so not all the worlds golfers can play in it.
I would like to see a World Tour with big Tournaments on each continent so the world can see the best golfers on there own doorstep.
We already have:-
THE BRITISH OPEN
THE U.S. OPEN
THE AUSTRAILIAN OPEN
SUN CITY (South African Open)
THE DUBI DESERT CLASSIC
so we don't need to add too many.
At present it seems that the big sponsorship money is US $ and therefore the 'World Tournaments' are in the US for corporate reasons.
Money talks....and the world's best players listen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fileygolfer
Like the FOUR MAJORS, three are in the US, and one (the Masters) is an invitational field so not all the worlds golfers can play in it.
Every golfer in the world can play in the Masters. All they have to do is meet the eligibility requirements. The same as the all the other Majors.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fileygolfer
I would like to see a World Tour with big Tournaments on each continent so the world can see the best golfers on there own doorstep.
In that case, all you have to do is come up with a big enough purse and they'll play in your backyard. The PGA Tour has put golf on a worldwide scale by conducting tournaments and producing great players when the rest of the world could care less about golf. Even the British Open was in trouble until Arnie brought it back to life and Jack and Tom kept it breathing long enough for the rest of the world to take notice. That's not to discredit our European Tour friends but they've benefitted greatly from the work done by the PGA Tour and it's players.
Now that the PGA Tour, American fans, and corporate America have done the lion's share to make golf what it is today, do you really expect them to give up what they've worked so long and hard to create just so some Johnny-come-lately country can reap the rewards? Yeah right.
I don't necessarily agree with the 2007 WGC schedule but only a blind man didn't see this coming. The top players in the world are migrating to the PGA Tour in droves because of the money, the worldwide recognition that playing on the PGA Tour affords them, and the competition. America and corporate America created the WGC events and it's no surprise to me that they've ended up all being played here. Was that the original intention? Probably not, but if the circumstances (i.e. money and support) were better elsewhere around the world we wouldn't be discussing this now would we.
I like Ernie Els and I really enjoy watching him play, but hearing him beef about the PGA Tour and it's policies one week and "raking it in" on the following week's PGA Tour stop is hypocritical to me. Tiger can say all he wants, but do you really believe he'd rather play a WGC event halfway around the world than one in his own backyard? Do any of you think for one second that Tiger or Ernie would've been in Dubai if it wasn't for the millions in appearance fees? That is just another illustration that money talks in the world of professional golf and the "money" is right here in America.
Tiger can say all he wants, but do you really believe he'd rather play a WGC event halfway around the world than one in his own backyard? Do any of you think for one second that Tiger or Ernie would've been in Dubai if it wasn't for the millions in appearance fees? That is just another illustration that money talks in the world of professional golf and the "money" is right here in America.
Think market expansion for a second here...Tiger could continue to play in the WGC events held in the U.S. every year and the market opportunities for the companies which he endorses would remain relatively unchanged. Now image the opportunity for spreading the Accenture, Tag Hauer, Nike, Buick, AMEX message by changing the audience to a different part of the globe several times a year. In that sense you can bet that Tiger would rather play halfway around the world.
Second...I think Tiger enjoys seeing the world and trying the game on different continents. He enjoys new experiences and new cultures and if he can tie those trips to business its all the better. As for the appearance fees...when was the last time Tiger played in a PGA Tour event where the winners share was $400K? Is there even an event on tour like that anymore? Realize that it costs far less to operate a Gulfstream V from Orlando to Boston or San Diego than it does from Orlando or San Diego to Dubai. Without the appearance fees Tiger likely loses money IF he doesn't walk away from Dubai with a win.
In order for events like Dubai to attract the top talent they offer huge sums of money to get them there. Would you rather play in your own backyard and have no assurance of how much you are going to make for the week or travel halfway around the globe for a garauntee of $3M? Seems like a no brainer. I think Tiger will play the WGC events overseas without the huge appearance fees because the events will still have major sponsorship that provides him with the opportunity to walk away with $1M or more.
I thought the game of golf was the biggest thing that mattered.
It matters to guys like you and I Lefty, but "the game of golf" we play is far removed from the game the pros play.....and I'm not talking about the game they play with their clubs.
Think market expansion for a second here...Tiger could continue to play in the WGC events held in the U.S. every year and the market opportunities for the companies which he endorses would remain relatively unchanged. Now image the opportunity for spreading the Accenture, Tag Hauer, Nike, Buick, AMEX message by changing the audience to a different part of the globe several times a year. In that sense you can bet that Tiger would rather play halfway around the world.
Second...I think Tiger enjoys seeing the world and trying the game on different continents. He enjoys new experiences and new cultures and if he can tie those trips to business its all the better. As for the appearance fees...when was the last time Tiger played in a PGA Tour event where the winners share was $400K? Is there even an event on tour like that anymore? Realize that it costs far less to operate a Gulfstream V from Orlando to Boston or San Diego than it does from Orlando or San Diego to Dubai. Without the appearance fees Tiger likely loses money IF he doesn't walk away from Dubai with a win.
In order for events like Dubai to attract the top talent they offer huge sums of money to get them there. Would you rather play in your own backyard and have no assurance of how much you are going to make for the week or travel halfway around the globe for a garauntee of $3M? Seems like a no brainer. I think Tiger will play the WGC events overseas without the huge appearance fees because the events will still have major sponsorship that provides him with the opportunity to walk away with $1M or more.
Tiger would play the WGC events no matter where they play them but he's barking up the wrong tree for blaming the PGA Tour for holding them in America. The PGA Tour's job is to do what's best for the PGA Tour and it's members. It's not to promote golf in other parts of the world. That, to me, is the heart of the matter. In a perfect world, every golf fan worldwide would have the opportunity to attend WGC event on a rotating basis. That's never going to happen because the PGA Tour isn't willing to give up what it's worked for and I don't blame them.
If other countries, or other Tours, want a piece of the pie then they've got to do what it takes to get it and just stop whining about how unfair the big bad bully known as the PGA tour is. Players like Els and Campbell are full of good intentions until it comes time to really step up and do something other than talk.
Tiger would play the WGC events no matter where they play them but he's barking up the wrong tree for blaming the PGA Tour for holding them in America. The PGA Tour's job is to do what's best for the PGA Tour and it's members. It's not to promote golf in other parts of the world. That, to me, is the heart of the matter. In a perfect world, every golf fan worldwide would have the opportunity to attend WGC event on a rotating basis. That's never going to happen because the PGA Tour isn't willing to give up what it's worked for and I don't blame them.
If other countries, or other Tours, want a piece of the pie then they've got to do what it takes to get it and just stop whining about how unfair the big bad bully known as the PGA tour is. Players like Els and Campbell are full of good intentions until it comes time to really step up and do something other than talk.
Then all he has to do is not participate. At least Ernie boycotts the Match Play. If Tiger is not willing to boycott, then he should be quiet. He ought to know that all we needs to do is boycott the events if he wants them around the world. He has that much leverage.
Then all he has to do is not participate. At least Ernie boycotts the Match Play. If Tiger is not willing to boycott, then he should be quiet. He ought to know that all we needs to do is boycott the events if he wants them around the world. He has that much leverage.
That's part of my point. It's one thing to complain, it's another thing to actually do something about it.
The best of both worlds is to bring this up and not boycott anything. Obviously thats what he is trying to do and its only for the good of golf around the world. Hopefully a boycott isnt required to take this tournament around the world. They are after all called The World Golf Championships.