Restore the Roars: Canada is Even Mad at Hootie Johnson
by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 8, 2009 1:50 PM EDT
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Some writers are really taking it to Augusta National this year - in a way that I have never seen or even attempted myself.
Cam Cole of the Canwest News Service (Canadian syndicate) writes a scathing implication of Hootie Johnson and his chairmanship for the changes that happened under his watch.
He uses some awfully strong language.
Other than a few token concessions — build-ons to the fronts of tee-boxes, providing the option to shorten holes depending on wind and temperature — the basic crime that was perpetrated upon one of sport’s greatest stages by Hootie Johnson’s misguided devotion to length has gone unpunished.
I can't say that I disagree with him, though he may be bordering on hyperbole here.
But, he also recognizes that Billy Payne is doing what he can to reverse the Johnson changes in order to find a happier medium. And, to restore the roars, if you will.
Payne hears all the complaints, and knows there is some validity to them, but if Augusta is moving back toward sanity, it’s doing so inch by inch. For the first time in nearly three decades, the course will actually play shorter, even though it’s only 10-30 yards, depending on where the tees are placed on a given day.
It’s the tiniest of moves — and like all changes at Augusta, it has been made invisibly, without any stitch marks to tell where the surgery took place — but at least it’s headed the right way.
Really, I wanted to use this post to toy with my new graphic. Thanks to Geoff Shackelford for the linkage. I'll have other commentaries on this subject later.
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ok – thanks for that – so now we know that media ignorance goes outside the borders of the US.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I know you defend Augusta, along with a couple of other folks here. I just can’t defend what has happened there. I can defend some of it, like #1 in the post I did earlier today. But, 7, 11, 13, and 15 are my big gripes. The changes at 1, 4, 10, and 18 are ok with me.
by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 8, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, it isn’t ignorance to have an opinion. I don’t think Cam had much in the way of data to back up his claims, or architectural specifics, but the man is entitled to say what he thinks.
by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 8, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
What I’m defending is not the entire scope of the changes to the course – what I’m calling ignorant is the constant blaming of Hootie Johnson. He became a target of the New York media because he speaks with a thick southern drawl and has the nickname of “Hootie”. It didn’t matter to them that he was 1000 times more successful in his life and business than they will ever be – it was just the name and the voice.
Sorry for not being completely clear the first time.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I agree with that. Hootie shouldn’t shoulder the entire blame. It falls on the collective membership. We have no idea how much influence any one member or group of member has on course changes.
by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 8, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
well – NONE of the members designed any of the changes that were made. no one member – including the chairman – has total sway over decisions like that.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I would assume they went to Fazio with certain objectives and he returned designs. They approved, bang, bang, course changes.
by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 8, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
sounds about right. I wonder if there were other designers invited to put their ideas in front of the club. Fazio is the only name we ever hear. Surprised me that they didn’t go with someone who was a little closer to the Jones philosophy.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I would think they brought in a few guys – probably Rees Jones, maybe a little Pete Dye action?
by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 8, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
while it is true that he is entitled to his opinion – however, if he is wrong, he is not entitled to be free from being called on it.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I don’t disagree with that at all – and I certainly encourage dissent here :)
by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 8, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I think many people are
confusing the members of Augusta National with a group of people who care what others think about their course.
Unlike the other three majors, the USGA, PGA and R&A do not set up the course. Of course they will listen to reasonable comments and make adjustments, if THEY think they should be made, not because of 22 handicap golf writers and the annual onslaught of the 10-12 million instant golf course designers.
Frankly, what they do to their course is no one’s business. The history, the tradition and everything else related to the Masters Tournament belongs to the members of Augusta National Golf Club and no one else. I recommend calling the clubhouse and requesting membership applications be sent to you if you wish to criticize what the members have decided to do. Just join the club and get in on the action. Augusta National can well afford to hold the Masters without any help from any golf governing body. There are 15-20 television networks willing to discuss that possibility this afternoon.
Plus, you get a Green Jacket.
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on Apr 8, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions
Thank, court, that was my point...
You can’t join unless one of the guys you are criticizing actually sponsors you. Fat chance…
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on Apr 8, 2009 6:13 PM EDT reply actions
court said:
“well – NONE of the members designed any of the changes that were made. no one member – including the chairman – has total sway over decisions like that.”
I think in the overwhelming majority of private clubs, you are 110% right. But, I have a feeling that extraordinary power is ceded to the chairman at Augusta. The overwhelming majority of the membership do not live even close the club and they probably visit only a few times a year. They are all too damn old to email or text, so when a decision needs to be made, ‘da chairman be da man…’
I wanted Hootie to continue as chairman so I could hear him say, “Welcome to the Masters Tuna-Mint”
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on Apr 8, 2009 6:21 PM EDT reply actions
can’t agree with you there – Augusta National is hugely personal to these guys. it is one of the great treasures in their lives. I’ve spoken with a few members and they do not take this place lightly. I’m not sure what the average age of the club members would be – but saying they are too damn old to email or text is probably not true – especially since Bill Gates is a member.
lol on the “tuna-ment” – Hootie is a true southern gentleman – unlike the carpet bagging wench, whose name will not be repeated.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Why people continue to want the coure to
stay the way it was years ago is beyond me
The course has gone through changes MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
It has never been “one way”
It is changing. Big deal. Deal with it. Immelman/Johnson were NOT big names and they won it.
Tell me, how long does Zach Johnson hit it? Did he win?
I am starting a new blog called
“Frustrated Golf Course Architects/Designers”. I bet I have 10,000 hits per day. 15 from genuine, professional designers and architects and 9,985 from 22 handicap golf writers.
by One-Eyed Golfer Guy on Apr 9, 2009 10:14 AM EDT reply actions
Haha, you may be right. Though, you could actually just focus it on Augusta National and you might get 20,000 hits per day :)
Honestly, though, if you go over to a site like Golf Club Atlas, you’ll hear a lot of discussion like this from professional designers and amateurs who have studied course architecture extensively. It won’t just be average joes complaining.
by Ryan Ballengee on Apr 9, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
LMAO !!!!!!
Now that’s funny…and a great idea for an experiment !!
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
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