CEOs, Has-Beens, & Unknown Actors: What the Pro-Am Has Come To?
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 9, 2010 6:17 PM EST
in Pro Golf
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PrintThe AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is this week, featuring the new and improved course rotation with Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Of course, the tradition of the tournament is that of Bing Crosby's Clambake, in which Hollywood types played golf with the pros in the perfect intersection of entertainment and sport. Back then, the A-list of the entertainment world was lured by Crosby's invitation - equally true for the pros as well.
Today, though, the pro-am has devolved in stature and meaning. For one, the namesakes that made the pro-am format awesome for pro golf have passed. In much the same way that Colonial and the Nelson have suffered from the passing of their legendary hosts, the same is true for the west coast pro-ams.
The quality of the field for both events has gone down in recent years. Though the Pebble Beach event has held up pretty well, it has also been shielded from the onslaught of the Euro Tour's Desert Swing in a way that the old Hope has not been. It seems that this week, though, may be the time that the tide turns in the PGA Tour's favor in terms of field strength in spite of the lengthy rounds that come with the pro-am format. With the Desert Swing over, the Tour now usurps its place as the premiere circuit until the BMW PGA Championship poaches several Euro-born players in May.
But more important than the field of pros is the field of amateurs. While these events used to boast higher grade celebrities, athletes, and actors, the format has seen waning effectiveness in drawing big names. Tom Brady is a nice get. Maybe Tony Romo is, too. But in terms of actors, Ray Romano may be the biggest get. Taking the place of many of the spots are corporate CEOs, paying good money to play with professionals on seaside courses, but also preventing the public from taking much interest in their presence.
One of the actors playing in the pro-am is Jeffrey Donovan, star of USA Network's awesome, 21st century MacGyver show called Burn Notice. Even that show gets no respect from its own parent company, NBC-Universal. On SNL this weekend, the troupe had a faux game show segment "What is Burn Notice?" wondering if any of the contestants could name any fact about the show. (I could, since I love the show, but it's bad news when the parent network is willing to make fun of its own show like its some lame CW youth-emo-show.) Perhaps NBC feels fortunate that it only had to endure anonymity against the Superbowl on Sunday as opposed to broadcasting a PGA Tour event just to feed the egos of the amateurs playing in it.
If the pro-am is going to remain in the future, then these events have to be able to attract better celebrities or abandon the concept altogether. At a certain point, the trade off between playing six hour rounds with B or C list (not D, though, because that's just Kathy Griffin) players is not worth it for the tournament and its charities. Though the tradition of these events is storied, there is a point at which it is right to end them. It is time now to either write a new chapter in the pro-am format history or end the book.
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Is there no pleasing you these days ?
Come on RB !! Bill Murray…Tom Brady….Andy Garcia…George Lopez….Brandi Chastain (sports bra and all)….Don Cheadle….Kenny G….KENNY FREAKIN’ G !!!….
And if that’s not enough…Chris Berman !!!!!!!!!!!
Young man, you need to go BACK BACK BACK BACK BACK to your room and think about what you’ve written. :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Berman is enough to tank the concept forever. Did you read the rumor that he is being courted by DirecTV and/or NFL Network?
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 9, 2010 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
His contract expires (I think) this year, so he’s a free agent.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 9, 2010 8:35 PM EST up reply actions
Interesting – he might do alright on the NFL network…though I don’t know if they have the budget to hire Berman AND his assistant who is there to open his water bottles for him.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Berman's going nowhere!!
He’s as big a baseball guy as the NFL. His Ego is too big for the NFL network, and his loyalty is to the WWL. Any leaking of his name is a negotiation tool. He’s going nowhere.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
All true – but he’s getting up there in years. Do you think ESPN would let him stay in that big executive seat if they bring him back ? His on screen appearances have been moving more towards the ceremonial end of the stick the last 5 or so years.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
He's a founding
father. And frankly, whoever is doing the hiring there is more into looks than reporting. The old guard is getting on in years, and i don’t see their replacements on the horizon. They need hosts, not more analysts. I mean they must have 50 football analysts. it’s like who’s next.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 8:55 PM EST up reply actions
wouldn’t you love to have the golden parachute waiting for him when he does call it quits ? BIG bucks.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
huge
He’ll be welcome at all disney sites also. lol.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 9:00 PM EST up reply actions
Someone at ESPN said a few years ago that Berman is their most important guy. To a degree, that’s true.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 9, 2010 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
Hah! Court, your "Psssst's"
are always pissers.
Nope. Kinda stream of
consciousness humor. (Inside joke, actually.)
He's an Icon
His calls, and his style have been as big a part of the network, as anything. Been that way for a long time. But yes, he does know who he is.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 9:15 PM EST up reply actions
RB,
You seem to be on a crusade to miss the mark on every thread today. Court has already called you out on the amateur field, I would just like to correct one other thing from the article…
“but it’s bad news when the parent network is willing to make fun of its own show like its some lame CW youth-emo-show.)”
…Have you seen NBC’s ratings lately? Burn Notice is lucky to be in relative obscurity on USA right now, although I’ve wondered why NBC hasn’t brought them and Psych/White Collar over to the major leagues to fill their 10PM void. And the comics at SNL don’t have to get permission from the network brass to satirize a USA show anyway…all publicity is good.
Yeah, that didn’t really correct anything.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 9, 2010 7:51 PM EST up reply actions
I wasn’t calling him out – I was joking around. The only problem I have with it is that we just had this discussion a few weeks ago for the Hope. This one draws a few more names, but it’s the same problem – we just don’t have universally loved celebrities who play golf the way we did back in the 50’s and 60’s and 70’s.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I don’t really care about the universally loved part so much as I care about name recognition. A lot of CBS actors are in this thing and I wonder who in the world they are. But the part that bugs me most is the CEOs. No one knows them.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 9, 2010 8:37 PM EST up reply actions
That’s the point of “universally loved celebrities”…everybody knows their names. There are what, 144 celebrities and big names ? Business people have always been a part of the field. Why would you care that EVERY amateur in the field isn’t a Bing Crosby ? There are plenty of entertainment celebs – most of whom are minor lights in Hollywood circles anyway.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Who were u
expecting to fill out the field Ryan……….It’s like you said earlier. The SUPERBOWL was going on, and a lot of celebs were in Miami. I see your point about competing with the big game. It was more than ratings, and direct things. This tournament was always going to be up against the odds. Still, they had a good tournament, and a great Champion. I rate it a par.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 8:45 PM EST up reply actions
Celebrities in Miami ?? I’m missing your point on that part, F&G
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
the field
Ryan complained about a no-name field, well the names were in Miami for the Superbowl. More exposure.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
am part of the "field" of course
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
a no name field at Riviera ? Ok – you guys have lost me – what do celebrities have to do with the tournament at Riviera last week ?
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Ooops
I must be losing it here. The Pro-am is this week. please forgive. I loved the tournament. despite the Superbowl. Ryan please forgive. i was rambling down a dead end street.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
Good point about the Superbowl, F&G. It’s a rough week for the PGA Tour to come calling after the biggest sports party of the year!
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 9, 2010 9:13 PM EST up reply actions
RB’s good on forgiving…but you have to pour one for him first. :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I surely owe him.....
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 9:16 PM EST up reply actions
On the subject of actors,
there was a time when films required it. Today, special effects and the like makes acting bland. Actors in films these days aren’t even the star of the film any longer. Court is right, it was a different age. Brad Pitt, Matt Deamon, Nicolas Cage, De caprio…what differnce does it make ? The public does care, so long as the film is entertaining.
Nah – come on Eas – there are still a lot of VERY talented actors and actresses out there. It’s mostly the writing that is suffering these days. Characters are sacrificed for an extra explosion. Sure, there are a lot of crap movies that are all special effects and boob shots – but when you see a Denzel Washington movie, or Gary Sinese, or Gary Oldman, or Robert Downey Jr, or Johnny Depp……just to name a few of the men…you usually know you’re going to get a good show.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I agree with that court,
but profit means more these days. I like all those actors…i think there are too many remakes these days, that would explain the lack of writing you mentioned. Take Titanic…all those awards and profit…but it was really a love story with effects..hardly a classic IMO…
oh – no doubt – the best shot in that movie – in my opinion – is the guy bouncing off the propeller as the ship is going down – a special effect…I hope. (of course – there is the scene where Leo and Kate are used car shopping and decided to test the suspension and the rear seat area….) :-) That was a 3 hour chick flick that had women pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into Cameron’s bank account.
profit has always been huge in Hollywood. they don’t do this for charity – and they have to have the blockbusters to make up for the busts and straight to video garbage.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I was bored stiff. Even the iceberg
left me cold. And DiCaprio’s character, what a bore. Whe he first impressed the dinner guests early on, I said, “Why?”
Downey's one of best actors around.
I hope he keeps off the drugs. When his bio’s written, the title could be “Up and Downey.”
Ryan
should title these posts- This week’s edition of Let me belittle the tournament. What week this year hasn’t there been something not wrong with the tournament?
SBS- Not enough players
Sony- ??
San Diego- No Tiger
Bob Hope- Pro-Am format is a dinosaur that should be buried
AT&T- Ditto
LA- Its played the same week as the Super Bowl
Actually, I didn’t complain at all about San Diego, but thanks for playing, Bill.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
You wrote
this-
With a whole bunch of PGA Tour defectors in Doha for the Qatar Masters, Stewart Cink at home, and Jim Furyk at the PGA Show, the field is kind of lacking this week.
Yup, but the golf was still good, which I’ve talked about in this space.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 9, 2010 8:17 PM EST up reply actions
Also, I was happy about LA – I just thought the Tour mismanaged promotion and attendance.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
You wrote
this-
At the same time, though, the Tour scheduled this event against the Superbowl – which turned out to be the most watched telecast of all time – and raised ticket prices by $20 per day.
The mixed signals that the PGA Tour and West were sending resulted in a disaster for the old LA Open.
And
It’s important to face reality when it comes to presenting golf against major sporting events. The Tour wouldn’t contest a tournament in primetime against a Powerball drawing, or on election Tuesday, or against the series finale of Lost. So why do so against the biggest event in this nation?
There may be a remedy for this. Why not have the Accenture Match Play and whatever opposite field event there is against the Superbowl? Match play does horribly on TV as it is, so perhaps broadcasting a one-on-one matchup before the big game may attract some attention for people desperately looking for side bets and pregame entertainment. It can’t hurt – need I remind you of the drawing power of that Pierre Fulke-Steve Stricker match play final? That was before Stricker became two-time defending Comeback Player of the Year and ascended to number two in the world.
If golf is going to try to compete with a juggernaut like the Superbowl, it needs to distinguish itself and be unique. They can take their pick: drunk college kids, the match play, or go dark.
Thanks for playing Ryan
Yup, mismanaged promotion and attendance, just like I said. But go ahead and ignore my words.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 9, 2010 8:17 PM EST up reply actions
you keep saying that – but don’t explain what you’re talking about. Riviera doesn’t need promotion – everybody knows Riviera. It’s a difficult course to get to for large numbers of people – but Superbowl Sunday is going to be a tough draw no matter where the tournament is held.
Saying that the PGA Tour mismanaged anything is to say that they aren’t smart enough to know what people choose on that day of the year – and you know that isn’t true. The Tour takes their lumps…along with every other sporting event and pretty much every other social gathering on that day.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
See, as golf fans, we make a big assumption about awareness of the tournament among the public. The thing is that a lot of people who attend golf tournaments just don’t know the history (or really care).
They can’t raise ticket prices $20 when they move the tournament opposite the Superbowl. That just kills random interest and walk-ups, which is a HUGE part of PGA Tour attendance. And not having a party school like ASU near the host course really hurts the tournament.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 9, 2010 9:16 PM EST up reply actions
my ears are ringing…but it’s just the nyquil – does that count ?
Riviera is Rivera – money is the least of their worries in that area. Golf fans show up…and bring the family or the girlfriends in sundresses.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Nyquil.....my favorite....already took mine.....just waiting to collapse....lol
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
If people are interested in golf, Ryan
they find out about it. Never been easier than now, the internet age. If they don’t care about the history and tradition, ettiquette, etc, I wouldn’t want them there. Selling the game at any cost would ruin it. By all means, encourage new fans, but the right way. In Germany and Holland, one must pass an exam before joining a club…may be a bit drastic, but as said in another post, the “in the hole” crowd needs pruning.
for TV
The tournament ended just prior to the Game starting. Now if you wanted to see 5 hours of pre-game, then you missed the golf, but the timing of the tournament vs. the game was well thought out.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 8:58 PM EST reply actions
oh god – 5 hours of pregame…and that’s just on TV – radio started at 9am. The golf ended before 6 and the football game didn’t start until almost 6:45. It was going to take at least an hour for most people to get off the property, onto busses, out to their cars, and on to home or wherever they were going to watch the game. They knew they were going to take some lumps on attendance – that’s the way it goes on Superbowl Sunday.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Yeah......I watched most of it...........
and wouldn’t have known the Saints were playing…..I thought Manning was the only one playing. Who Dat!
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
yeah, but Phil
Hit those balls, and you knew……….You just knew didn’t you…….The Saints aint the aints no more……Double negative. became very positive. Who Dat!!
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
You can not believe
what is going on here……It is freakin crazy! Every store in town is selling out of Saints “stuff” daily and if you find a store with “stuff” you have to wait in line……even liberals and conservatives are hugging in the streets…..lol
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
lmao
a transcendent event indeed. Stay safe, but do……enjoy. That’s great!!
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
I haven't slept since.....
Sunday…..I’m afraid if I go to sleep, I’ll wake up and it will all have been a bad good dream………and the Saints really went 1-15…..lol
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
nope...
throw your bag away…….You Dat!! a superbowl champ. longsuffering at that.
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 9:51 PM EST up reply actions
Guess where all those Superbowl hats and shirts and sweatshirts are being made…yep…Indianapolis. They’re making a lot more from the Saints win than they would have with a Colts win.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Glad our guys could be a help to their economy too.....lol
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
in LA too.....
That’s a tough market, when nothing else big is going on. They always have something else to do in LA. but was the attendance down for the whole week??
"The game is swell when it's played well."
by Fairways and Grins on Feb 9, 2010 9:18 PM EST reply actions
Yeah, there’s a lot to do in LA. In Scottsdale, not as much, there’s a lot of golf there, and thousands of college kids looking to get drunk and heckle. The Nationwide Tour has an event at the UMD golf course this year (where I went to school). I would LOVE if they set up one of the par 3s just like 16 to attract the kids.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Feb 9, 2010 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
I’m guessing you’ve never been to a Nationwide event. You’re not going to see 20,000 spectators surrounding a par 3. You may not even see bleachers set up on the course except maybe at 18. Probably won’t see a whole lot of beer sales on a campus course…at least not to students.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Ryan, when
is that event getting played? if mid summer, not that many kids in school…and CG is right on…Nationwide events have more parents and relatives following the players than anyone else..would a college course allow beer sales when their telling the students to lower the drinking?…all in all, Nationwide stops are not the same as regular tours…The people do see some good golf tho….STUB
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