Jim McCabe Out at Boston Globe, In at Golfweek

In yet another sign that golf reporting is being consolidated thanks to the pending death of the modern newspaper, Jim McCabe formerly of the Boston Globe accepted a buyout.  He will work for Golfweek next year, in part, filling the spot of the departed Rex Hoggard.

This is an extremely difficult environment in which to be a golf journalist.  We are experiencing a consolidation in the golf journalism world that is going to limit the number of sources for professional golf news.  To their credit, both PGATour.com and the Golf Channel's Web team have been more than open to accepting many of these writers onto their rosters.  Though both have different "beats" - with PGAT.C's being much more limited - they have been enriched dramatically by the decision of newspapers to cut their writers on the golf beat.

There is a case to be made here that this is an opportunity for people like me and other Internet-only golf journalists.  With the loss of most newspaper golf writers to buyouts, the ending of Golf for Women, and other news to come down from above, people like me have an opportunity to be a voice in golf journalism for Web 2.0 - hell, 3.0.

The difference between the journalists like McCabe and I, though, is that this is their career.  While I aspire to work for one of these outlets one day, my livelihood doesn't depend on it. 

The reality is that there may be room for more Web-based golf news outlets because of the growing pool of golf writers.  LPGA.com is still sitting on the sidelines in this sweepstakes for great, available writers.  We haven't seen much change at ESPN.com or any of the Conde Nast pubs, Golfworld and Golf Digest.  Golf.com hasn't grown very much.  What about PGA.com?

The good news for the golf enthusiast is that many of these sites will likely be enhanced by what is happening at newspapers.  It is a natural part of the demise of the newspaper.  I just hope that none of these stalwarts kick off a Twitter page.