Butch Harmon Wants a Piece of Steve Williams

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2008 9:59 AM EST

Butch Harmon - Tiger's former instructor and Phil Mickelson's current one - called Steve Williams' comments at a private charity event in New Zealand "deplorable." Actually, Harmon provided a missive.

"I can't believe he said what he said," said Harmon. "I think it's deplorable that he would say something like that.

"Golf is a game of honour and integrity and that was a very uncalled-for remark and I don't think it's a reflection of how Tiger thinks of Phil Mickelson.

"Until I see Steve and have a conversation with him and find out why he said what he said I don't really understand it. Phil Mickelson is one of the most popular players in the world, every bit as popular as Tiger Woods around the world.

"He's a nice guy, all the guys like Phil so I don't know where Steve was coming from with that comment.

"But personally I would assume he wishes he had never made it and I would love to have heard a recording of the conversation between him and Tiger after it came out in print.

"Having worked with Tiger for 10 years, I can tell you he wouldn't have been very happy with that."

And it just goes on like that. You get the point. Consider the bolded part though. I think Harmon may have just as difficult of a time remembering facts as Steve did by confusing the manboobs of Phil Mickelson and Colin Montgomerie.

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back to business as usual in the media

Geez – I was impressed that someone in the media thought it would be a good idea to get confirmation on the Steve Williams quote…granted…it was after the story was out…but I thought it was a start. But no – we’re back to a bunch of giggling 5 year olds running from door to door playing “did you hear what Stevie said ?” games.

I’m a HUGE Butch Harmon fan as a teacher and mentor – but he has nothing to do with this story. Butch still works with Sky Sports, so I’m sure he was called in as an “expert” – but why can’t SOMEONE take a stand against this kind of “journalism” and just say “I don’t have anything to do with the situation. Anything I say would be speculation and gossip – and that’s beneath me as a friend of Tiger and Phil.”

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2008 11:31 AM EST reply actions

Oh definitely

This is childish. But, that’s how the media keeps a story going.

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2008 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

just say no

Ryan, you’re the media. You have the power to say, “I won’t spread this bull pucky on any of my blogs or on my podcast.”

See, that was easy.

Truth has a well-known liberal bias.

by dianemarie on Dec 16, 2008 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

In my defense

(I said this in an earlier post’s set of comments, so this is a repeat, but wanted to broadcast it.) For me, I’m talking about the story because I find the whole thing to be hilarious. I think what Steve said is and should be a non-story. I find that the fact that media sought out Butch Harmon is ridiculous – hence the dumb title of the post. I think the fact that TR Reinman and Phil Mickelson agreed that they should respond is stupid. And I think it’s ridiculous that anyone in the media is talking about the comments with any kind of serious analysis, rebuke, moral outrage toward Camp Tiger. The “story” is the whole circus around a caddy calling some guy a prick. I probably called 3 people something worse already today and nobody’s reporting on that.

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2008 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

there's no defense in golf

There’s no need to defend yourself, Ryan. You admitted the whole thing is “childish” and that the media (which includes you) has kept the story going. For my part, it’s mid-December; the ground is covered with a fresh layer of snow; Sunday was cold and windy with occasional rain, but I got in 18 anyway (it’ll probably have to hold me for a couple of months); there’s no discernible tour activity. What will we do?

Well we’ve got a meaningless golf-related story to keep us occupied for a few days until the next meaningless story makes an appearance. CG can regale us with tales of potential lawsuits while we debate the merits of the First Amendment and whether slander and libel perpetrated in New Zealand will measurably affect Phil Mickelson’s ability to earn a living in North America, Europe and Asia. So, what the hell, keep it going!!

Truth has a well-known liberal bias.

by dianemarie on Dec 16, 2008 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

Haha

I, for one, am kind of honored to be called media. That means I must have some kind of legitimacy. :)

Like I said, I like this story because it is so ridiculous that it is one. Frankly, I couldn’t care less about what any of the actors in the story say. Short of a bloody coup detat for control of the PGA Tour, the substance doesn’t matter.

And I pray that we really don’t talk about libel, rights, or lawsuits. That has nothing to do with this.

We should take this for what it is – like you said – something to laugh at and pass the time until the next thing.

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2008 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

media

Ryan, you don’t have to be part of the Main Stream Media to be part of the media. New Media and Netroots are running circles around the MSM in almost all areas — that’s you. This story is a perfect example. Once the MSM latches onto a narrative (Steve dissed Phil, Phil and Butch and Tiger are pissed), no amount of evidence to the contrary will shake that narrative.

Truth has a well-known liberal bias.

by dianemarie on Dec 16, 2008 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

Fair enough

I will agree with you that we (our community and bloggers in general) are way ahead of the MSM on pretty much every story. We can get this out of our systems quickly and move onto the next thing. That’s a good thing. I think we also take different angles on many of the golf headlines than you’d see elsewhere. It works to our advantage, I hope. I mean, we are really on a second level with all of this stuff – well beyond what was actually said/done. That’s kinda cool to me.

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2008 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

nah...

…maybe a recap of Thursday’s round…in 70 degree temperatures ;-)

how much snow is on the ground up there ?

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2008 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

maybe an inch

it all happened this morning. snow isn’t bad, but the ice on some roads is treacherous.

Truth has a well-known liberal bias.

by dianemarie on Dec 16, 2008 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

BTW

I have to get something off of my chest while we’re chastising my media brethren. Why are people saying that Tiger is mad, or taking Stevie out to the woodshed? For all we know, they laughed about it on the phone and Steve said he wouldn’t do it again.

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2008 3:59 PM EST reply actions

ummm....

…let’s see…because Tiger SAID that he was disappointed in what Stevie said ?? For Tiger, that’s just short of a tantrum…except for the occassional “GD” after a tee shot pushed into the next county, he just doesn’t do things like that. Tiger’s history says that he does not take lightly to people messing with his reputation in public.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Dec 16, 2008 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

I guess I think

that saying “disappointed” in public is not that much bigger of a deal than blinking. But, I can see why it can be interpreted as such after you said that.

by Ryan Ballengee on Dec 16, 2008 5:50 PM EST up reply actions