How A Winners-Only Event Can Become a Loser
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 7, 2010 2:04 PM EST
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PrintThere are 28 golfers gathered at Kapalua for the season-opening SBS Championship. All of them qualified for the tournament by winning a PGA Tour event in the season prior. It's kind of like the Pro Bowl - golf's all-star game, but after the season is effectively over. In the same way, the SBS Championship is like the Pro Bowl in that:
- many top players decline the opportunity to play in the tournament
- the presentation has dismally low ratings
- and there's a general feeling of apathy among fans
Guys like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have made an extra special effort to avoid any Hawaii event for the better part of five years now, despite qualifying. For them, their season begins on the US mainland.
Then there are guys like Paddy Harrington, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and other notable golfers that did not qualify for the tournament because they did not manage to win on Tour last year.
The end result is still a good field. All four reigning major champions are there. But there seems to be little buzz about the tournament itself. The interest is all off-course. From Tim Finchem's dicey press conference with an invigorated, badgering media to Puma Golf dropping Geoff Ogilvy to "sky is falling" rhetoric about sponsorships (true or not), the golf has taken a back seat.
The way to restore that is by changing the nature of the beast. The SBS Championship can no longer be a winners-only tournament. As Sal Johnson suggests as Golf Observer, maybe the way to go is to invite major winners from the last five years and prior season winners. (Sal suggests winners from the last three years.) Tiger and Phil will still no-show, but at least the star power will be upped to kick off the year. Most golfers will not turn down a free paycheck and a trip to Hawaii.
Then again, people are still apathetic about the Pro Bowl despite its move to before the Superbowl. But that is primarily because players will still refuse to play and risk injury. That combo renders the game meaningless.
Among media, sponsors (e.g., US Bank), and some tournament officials*, many consider a Tiger-less tournament meaningless. Considering that the length of Tiger's self-imposed timeout from golf, that may mean a large chunk of the '10 PGA Tour season could fall out of public view. The Tour will need to make an even stronger plea than it did in '09 to encourage the best of the rest to play earlier in the year and more often in order to hold down the fort.
*Originally, this phrase was "on Tour," but I'd like to clarify for all the commenters that took exception with that phrase or were unclear in its meaning.
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Woods and Mickelson skip this tournament almost yearly. The Woods scandal has died down for now and the media is concentrating on who isn’t here this year. On the other hand, Bill Kwon of the Honolulu Advertiser thinks its a great way of starting 2010.
I’d also point out Ryan that your headline and lead to this blog post is something practiced by the some members of the media who use misleading headlines(The tournament isn’t a loser. Weren’t people saying a year ago this tournament was in question because of the loss of its sponsor. Also see the Kwon article again) and then open their articles with distortions of the truth when you say
many top players decline the opportunity to play in the tournament
Many is exactly two for those of us who do our homework. Honestly Ryan you’re slipping(and have been since the Woods scandal started) and posting some absolute nonsense here. If you want to make an argument about the field this year and expanding it in the future, there’s a lot better ways of stating it than your lousy opening which will turn off people who can think for themselves.
IMHO- Don’t change the format because of one year. The people who won’t show up in spite of the freebies and guaranteed money are still going to stay away.
Ryan I disagree
With your article and Mr. (yahoo) Shane Bacon. I spend a fair amount of time inside and outside the ropes with the tour and I have yet to hear anyone complain about the lack of TW, making things meaningless. You said, """"On Tour, many consider a Tiger-less tournament meaningless."""" Perhaps the sponsors take issue with it, but certainly not the players, vendors or hospitality folks. Who are the “MANY” that you and Mr. Bacon speak of ? The PGA TOUR was around long before TW and will be around long after. Perhaps the prize money might go down a bit post tiger, but to be honest with you “None of the Players ever Complained about the money they received prior to Tiger arriving on the scene.” It is irresponsible golf journalism to assume the thoughts of the people that matter the most on tour, “THE PLAYERS” None that I speak with on a regular basis consider the SBS meaningless. That goes for those playing this week and not playing this week. I’d like to see either yourself or Mr. Bacon supply us with some direct quotes from a few players that use the word “meaningless” or words to that effect that describe the SBS as being as such. I think if any or all of the golf related websites and publications would spend more time promoting the game as a whole, rather than reporting “the sky is falling without tiger” everyone from the tour players to the “real golf fans” woukd benefit greatly…I dont complain about much in the blogs ever as everyone is entitled to their opinion, however I totaly disagree with the negativity portion of yours and Mr. Bacons article..jumpn/progolf
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Golf did fine before Woods, albeit with less attention from Sportscenter, and it will do fine without him now.
It may well shrink down to its core audience, but since Lefty and Cheetah aren’t playing anyway, that’s what was expected in the first place. I know that I for one will be watching, especially starting tomorrow night. Much as I love golf, tonight I will hopefully be joining some family members in chanting “Rammer jammer, Yellowhammer” on towards midnight.
Rammer jammer, yellowhammer?
Gotta be a college football thing right? A little help please. I doubt a “core audience” is enough to make televising golf possible. I saw an article on MSNBC sports that said with Woods out the picture Wie and Mickelson could essentially fill his shoes. Can you imagine?! I know Tiger Woods has a group that despise him, but Wie has ONE wine, ONE!!! Now she’s going to be the Golf Queen? Phil has 3 majors and about 1/2 the wins Tiger Woods has, won about half the money Woods did. I guess that will be played down big time. Maybe the Woods detractors will turn out en masse to demonstrate how superfluous he was to professional golf. I’d be embarassed to become king of the golf not because I was the best, but because I was way back in second place and the old king died…….
The “Rammer Jammer Cheer” is a traditional crowd cheer from University of Alabama fans. It’s only played in the closing minutes when victory is certain, and is traditionally chanted twice.
e.g.:
Hey Vols!
Hey Vols!
Hey Vols!
We just beat the hell out of you!
Rammer Jammer, Yellowhammer, give ’em hell, Alabama!
by Charles Boyer on Jan 7, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
Now on to “I doubt a "core audience" is enough to make televising golf possible.”
Wasn’t golf on television pre-Tiger?
And all “old kings” die and are replaced, in every sport. Golf lived on after Vardon, after Hagen, after Hogan, Palmer and Nicklaus. It certainly will after Tiger.
by Charles Boyer on Jan 7, 2010 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
There’s a good topic here, especially how television and content distribution are a lot different today than even 14 years ago. More people have and watch cable. More people watch TV shows and video online. The audience is more segmented, so it’s tougher to make money on a single platform (in this case, TV).
In the next TV contract, I think we’ll see some more streaming of PGA Tour early round coverage online so people like us can watch from work ;)
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 7, 2010 5:07 PM EST up reply actions
No question OMP
But those guys got old, their skills deminished and they retired from professional golf. This situation is a horse of a different color (no pun intended). Tiger Woods has exiled himself from the game while he’s still head and shoulders above the competition. Sure pro golf will continue, but he’ll be the “900 lbs. gorilla in the room” (OK bad choice of idiom, how about 2 ton elephant) at every tournament he failes to appear in, especially majors. Rightly or wrongly there will always be that “What if?” thing.
What If = pure speculation PING
As in, “what if” JD had continued on his successfull path rather than going the route he did ? Or “what if”, TW had been a dentist instead of a golfer. My point is, Nobody cares about the "what if’s. in life. Successfull people in any occupation set themselves up for success and the "what if’s, set themselves up for failure.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Progolf
Nobody cares about what ifs? That’s pretty all inclusive. I must confess I’ve pondered the question about John Daly, every time I see that kid and his improbable win at Crooked Stick. He went down a self distructive path and now so has Tiger Woods. From my perspective professional golf is sports entertainment. MY kind of entertainment, watching men do what I can only dream about. What if Tony Lema had lived a longer life? or Steve McQueen or the kid I played Little League baseball with… I don’t make those things central to my life, but sometimes when I put my head on the pillow, I can’t totally get the “what if’s” out of my head…. Speculation? That’s the blog bread and butter.
Boy.....I was just thinking about "what ifs" ........
there would be no limit to what ifs, even in golf. Well….maybe we shouldn’t go there…..lol
Saints are killing me!!!!!!!!
Hi Ya Bill!
Far be from me to speak for Ryan, but I think he was going for that “opposites” thing… More a figure of speech than an misrepresentation. I would guess only an ardent fan would recognize about half the field. I notice on another blog (TGC), many are blase’ about this tournament, and people commenting on golf blogs probably aren’t casual fans. Not watching this tournament is not supporting the tour. Support is measured in viewership. Sure, Michael Bradley, Nathan Greene, Dustin Johnson aren’t "needle movers, but we need to demostrate our support by watching. If you don’t like the TGC announcers (like me) mute ‘em. In the eyes of the ratings, “real golf fans” look the same as ones that don’t know a wedge from s widget. Be well.
LOL, you can always listen on PGA Tour Network in your car, iPhone or online on your PC. I never thought golf on the radio would be interesting, but it is.
by Charles Boyer on Jan 7, 2010 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
Ping....who in the field do you not know......
I’ve seen all of these guys on several occasions and I would say and “ardent” fan would know them all. We may not know their birthdays, but that doesn’t make them unknown. A “fringe” fan might not know “half” but that’s their problem. I’m expecting some great golf, without Phil and Tiger. Who knows it might even get exciting…..lol
Saints are killing me!!!!!!!!
Why are you laughing??
Don’t you think these guys can produce exciting golf?? They are all “winners”, and you know all of them. What’s so funny…Is that a nervous laugh, because you aren’t sure if these guys will play “great” golf? Does the tour need Phil and Tiger to play more and more? Because these guys are just “good”. Is that why you’re laughing? haha. The Tour needs Phil and (heehee) Tiger. lol.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Jan 7, 2010 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
I know them all...
but I suspect like you I’m not the average golf fan. Now I’m going to go out on a limb here. It’s also said a good attorney never asks a question he doesn’t already know the answer to… If Martin Laird delivered a FedEx package to your door, would you recognize him? If you would you exceed my familiarity with tour players by a quantum leap. I’m watching right now. Sabbitini is such a whinner. Look at that! Martin Laird is the leader at -6!!! Maybe it was last year, I had a running discussion with 3irons about good (great) golf and exciting golf. I enjoy watching players who are emotional…not profane club throwers, but not zombies like Geoff Oglivy, Brian Gay or Retief Goosen… And I mean zombie in the most affectionate polite way. And I also enjoy “A Clash of the Titans”. Now that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a mano a mano duel between the likes of Andrew McGee and Jeff Maggert like the matchplay years ago… Jeff plays PINGS! I gotta root for him! But the great historic rounds aren’t played played by one or two time winners. Probably TMI……
Ping.....I get your point, but I don't even recognize some guys I play with
away from the golf course. Without a hat, in a different setting you might not recognize even the most famous. We know people in certain environments and away from that environment, recognition becomes suspect. I might think…..where do I know him from, but as for just saying who it is……maybe no one in this field. Thankfully the fact that they are capable of playing great, exciting golf is not based on my ability to recognize them at the mall. Stricker and Cink with hats looks totally different without hats.
Saints are killing me!!!!!!!!
You got that right!
But I can guarantee that if Jack Nicklaus walked into the Circle K wearing a dress, I’d know him!
SBS
The SBS, Kapalua has a much more talented and higher ranked field than last years Aussie Masters..jes sayin
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Hahaha, James Nitties was a superstar in the Aussie Masters field!
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 7, 2010 5:07 PM EST up reply actions
The kid did pretty well last year. But he’s not a superstar :)
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 7, 2010 7:17 PM EST up reply actions
ugh...
it’s articles like this that make me roll my eyes. We can choose to look at the negative or choose to look at positive…although at least there is some thought to a few perceived improvements instead just whining about things because you can.
Personally, I think it’s a great lead-in for the season…and with almost all of the US freezing right now, maybe we’ll see some increased viewership – at least we can pretend to be warm in Hawaii!
For the record, 3 players who could have played aren’t – Woods, Mickelson, and Stenson – that’s about 10 percent…I wouldn’t call that many…would you?
And this year’s more limited field is partly due to the number of mutiple winners in 2009 eating up spots…Woods (5), Stricker & Mickelson ( taking 2 more each), Kenny Perry, Geoff Ogilvy, Zach Johnson, Brian Gay, and YE Yang each had 2 wins taking up another 5 spots. I know it’s common to have multiple winners, but there is the potential to have up to 14 or 15 more players.
I don’t doubt that some fans and players aren’t hyped up for a January Hawaii start, but people say the same thing for entire Fall Series…should the PGA Tour get rid of that , too? (Wait, don’t answer that!)
Maybe if we spent some time promoting the event, and the players playing, a few more people would be interested…and heck, if there is sponsor willing to pay it, why would they want to get rid of it or change it?
I write about golf at www.tees2greens.com, too.
Now this is constructive – much more so than what Bill offered earlier.
Everyone who has commented harps on the “many players decline” line. That’s not just this year, everyone. That is an annual problem. Every year. Not just the ’10 rendition.
Good points about the multiple winners. Again, I’m not dismissing the field. I said that this is a good field. It’s hard to deny that (and why would you). The problem is that this tournament routinely is lambasted before it starts because of who is not there. In the case of Phil and Tiger, that probably won’t change. In the case of the Euros that pass on this event, or the great players that simply didn’t win in the prior year, I think we can entice them by inviting more of them.
As for the sponsor – SBS – who got in on this thing for a decade (wow!), they wanted to kick off the season on any tour. When the LPGA Tour went with J Golf for their telecasting deal in Korea, SBS left as a sponsor. Conveniently, Mercedes was out the door at the PGA Tour season opener. A great marriage for SBS – who broadcasts the PGA Tour in Korea.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 7, 2010 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
Soooo Ryan >?
I’m guessing that you don’t have any direct quotes from anyone or any player on tour that would back up your statement, "On Tour, many consider a Tiger-less tournament meaningless. Am I correct ????
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Echo....echo....echo
That’s another bit of silliness. from Ryan. He wrote on tour? Players competing for a million dollar first prize check will consider that meaningless because Tiger isn’t there? No they’d consider it a great opportunity.
It’s some fans and media that consider the tournament meaningless. BUT THAT ISN’T THE TOUR.
Bill, “on Tour” actually constitutes all of the people that make up the tour – players, sponsors, media, and tournament officials. You’re too hung up on semantics.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 7, 2010 5:09 PM EST up reply actions
If I'm hung up on so on semantics
Then why did you need to clarify it? The only people ‘on tour’ are the players and arguably their caddies.
Because I get tired of dealing with semantics in these comment threads. It is an utter waste of time.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 7, 2010 7:15 PM EST up reply actions
Ryan
Please point to the articles by the golf media or here at Waggleroom that lambasted the Mercedes field prior to this year. I actually looked through Waggleroom’s archives for last year. You didn’t write any.
Go search through my work at the GNN Blog.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 7, 2010 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
As for the media at large, it happens every year. Pay attention.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 7, 2010 5:09 PM EST up reply actions
No mention last year
As I said earlier. You were writing here back then, remember?
As for 2008, yes, I found a Steve elling story.
That’s fine – last year, there was no Tiger Woods due to injury. And I actually bashed Phil Mickelson several times for avoiding this tournament, but playing in China and Singapore for multi million dollar appearance fees. Search those out.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 7, 2010 7:16 PM EST up reply actions
Personally...
…I don’t CARE what Sal Johnson or any of these negative bastiches think they have to say – I’m sitting here watching professional golfers play Kapalua in friggin’ HAWAII while it’s still in the 20’s outside here in Atlanta. Screw these guys.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
V grooves.....
Old time golf is returning…..I’m interested. Golf fans will be too. Listen to Faldo wax poetic. Where’s Chi-Chi. Lee T, and the likes. It’s a new game now boys, and for more than the obvious reasons.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Jan 7, 2010 4:04 PM EST reply actions
Old grooves and new balls with incredibly soft covers that are way more durable than balata ever dreamt of being. That and as many as four cores beneath, which is a lot better than your average wound ball.
But will we see flyers return to the game? You betcha. The rough just got penal again at tournies not named ‘The US Open.’
by Charles Boyer on Jan 7, 2010 4:37 PM EST up reply actions
Technology, and Money......
Have spoiled Golfers, and Taken the teeth out of the game. Where is imagination? where is dedication?…….Technology and Money……… Spoiled brats, with no imagination. Cookie cutter swings, belly and chin putters……..460cc drivers…….multi-core balls…….dedicated equipment trailers………yada..yada…yada….“these guys are good” are we talking about the scientist, or the golfers? I’m afraid the answer is the former…..That’s why we need Phil and Tiger……jes sayin’
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Jan 7, 2010 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
WHOA EVERBODY!!!!
Right now, I’m freezing my bloody arse here in the USA of Texas….23 degrees…I just got back from my place on Maui…Where would I rather be….YA BET YUR SWEET BIPPY…the land of white beaches, cavorting bikinis, good martinis and cigars…Golf if golf, no matter when or where, or for that matter, whose playing…hell, if their professionals, they got some kinda game…mine should be that good….I needed an Oxygen tank the last time I played there…ALL REAL GOLF FANS…..ENJOY….STUB
Is Golf.....Golf?
I mean really?? I’m sitting here enjoying this tourney, but…………….Hell, nevermind. I’ll take any golf right now….so i agree…
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Jan 7, 2010 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
I apologize if anyone has already mentioned this, but with or without Tiger, it’s still football season. And March is not called “March Madness” to commemorate Tiger’s foolish indiscretions. The Final Four finishes the first week of April and the golf season begins the second week of April with the Masters. The real golf season begins as soon as the NBA finals are over in June and all we have on TV, other than golf, is baseball….YUCK!!!!
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