Why Justin Timberlake is Good For Golf

...or Happy Gilmore As An Allegory for Pro Golf, Volume 26

Despite his clear problem with anger management, Happy Gilmore brings people to the game of golf in droves.  In fact, he is such a moneymaker for the Tour that Commissioner Doug Thompson has no choice but to overlook the outbursts.

"That Happy Gilmore is a real crack-up! He's bringing in some big crowds and we’re attracting new, youthful sponsors. It’s great for the game of golf!"

No, I'm not writing another article about Tiger's on-course f-bombs and temper tantrums.  Rather, I'm writing about the new, youthful sponsors part.  And about the impact that the Justin Timberlakes of the world can have on golf.

If you haven't noticed, Timberlake is actually pretty cool.  "Dick In A Box" should have been nominated for a Grammy.  "%*&$ In My Pants" made me pee in my pants.  And the guy is pulling tail that any man alive wishes he could pull.  Oh yeah, he also golfs and operates one of few Green golf courses in the United States. 

He signed a five year agreement with the PGA Tour to put on an tournament extravaganza in Las Vegas during the Tour's Fall Series.  Now, through year two, Timberlake has cemented his event as the one with the most atmosphere.  With a concert featuring himself, Taylor Swift (who has like 14 songs on the radio right now), and Alicia Keys, the guy is bringing names parallel to golf that don't normally sniff the game.

To put this into some perspective, the Tour Championship nailed down Journey for the concert at the event culminating the FedExCup.  The youth movement is clearly in Vegas and the mags that follow Timberlake's every move followed him to his golf tournament.  Nothing wrong with that at all.

But, his youthful, self-effacing personality seems to fly in the face of a game that takes itself too seriously.  Hopefully that isn't looked down upon when spots open up in the FedExCup schedule potentially in '10 and certainly in '11 & '12.

The problem, though, is that is seems like youth and vices are at odds with the Tour.  When the Buick Open was clearly done, the Tour went and negotiated a new tournament with the Greenbrier instead of promoting the event at Turning Stone Casino.  The Vegas event didn't get a look.  Probably more coincidence than anything, but the parallels between Vegas and another casino are obvious.

Then again, the Tour embraces the madness at TPC Scottsdale every year.  If it didn't, the coeds from Arizona State would still show up on Superbowl Saturday and drown the course with light beer.  That kind of youth movement needs to be seized - but with better beer - because golf is aging.  Fast.

But, whatever the Tour does, please do not follow Happy Gilmore to the letter and make Subway a sponsor of golf.  Jared is not cool.