Finchem Advocates to Tournaments for Elkington, Not So Much for Lumpy
by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 24, 2010 12:24 PM EDT
in Pro Golf
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PrintPGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has sent a letter to tournament directors expressing support for non-exempt veteran Steve Elkington after the Aussie lost his card in '09 following 23 years of being exempt. The Associated Press received a copy of the letter dated November 23.
Finchem explains why Elk is no longer exempt: his 10 year exemption for winning the '97 Players has expired and he is no longer in the top 50 in career PGA Tour earnings, which would have afforded him a one-time, year long exemption.
The letter contains language that attempts to convey that the message is informational and not an endorsement.
"Please do not construe this communication as an endorsement for him to receive a sponsor exemption. Rather, it is merely intended to present you the facts of his 2010 eligibility status."
That does not sit well with a player like Tim Herron, who is not exempt this year and is in the process of writing letters to tournament directors for sponsor exemptions. Several tournament directors communicated to the AP that they felt pressured to exempt Elk based upon Finchem's letter. The Tour says that this is done occasionally to communicate important player status information to directors in hopes of helping them in their decision making process for these critical and sparse exemptions.
Fine, at that point then why not have Commissioner Finchem share with all of the tournament directors precisely who has lost their exemption and after how many consecutive years of safety? It would be as fair as it gets. Either that, or do nothing at all. It really is not the business of tournament directors if a player needs another few events to keep their pension, or play golf. Their job is to present a tournament with the best field possible. That's their call and shouldn't be infringed upon by what may well be a good intentioned letter from the Commish.
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Elk
Everytime I have heard him on Jim Rome, he kind of comes of as this self reliant, frank, hardass. The fact that he is getting the principal to write notes for him is kind of amusing.
When the rest of these complainers have spent 23 years on Tour, being a great ambassador, and having that great swing – then THEY can call the commissioner and ask for a favor.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
has he been a great ambassador?
He always struck me as kind of surly, and kind of mouthy.
by I_miss_Switzer on Mar 24, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Elk has a surly side – sure – but the guy has done a lot of great things for people and charities and causes.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Elk may have been good for the sport, but that should not garner preferential treatment.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 24, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
23 years of good does. Elk is still a name that people will come see.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I see your point, CG
Everyone knows Herron has spent all his time on tour p*ssing people off. Elkington certainly deserves Commissioner interference more than anyone else.
Placebos, of course, are things you have to swallow even though they contain nothing that actually helps you. It's like American health insurance in a pill. -BiPM
it means exactly what you said
When the rest of these complainers have spent 23 years on Tour, being a great ambassador, and having that great swing – then THEY can call the commissioner and ask for a favor.
Neither Herron nor anyone else deserves the same special treatment Elkington does, according to your statement.
That’s really funny because I can’t count the number of times you’ve written that some person or group doesn’t deserve what you call “special treatment.”
Placebos, of course, are things you have to swallow even though they contain nothing that actually helps you. It's like American health insurance in a pill. -BiPM
23 year of good does not garner preferential treatment. 1,000,000 years doesn’t. These guys are “independent contractors” and should be treated as such.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 24, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Ryan has it right here as does DM
it doesn’t matter one iota how many years anyone is out there….They wanted “independent contractor status”…let each handle his own business without any push from someone like Ol Timmy…If his letter wasn’t an attempt to pressure the directors, I’ll kiss your butt at any street corner ya name…STUB
You guys are right, of course...
…but favors do happen, and a long, successful career certainly makes it easier for someone to be given a favor to keep him around.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I don’t disagree. But I think that is on Elk to make happen.
Find me! Email: ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/waggleroomryan, or Facebook: http://facebook.com/waggleroom.
by Ryan Ballengee on Mar 24, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I've know
Lumpy for many years now, A GREAT Guy overall and a good father and family man who knows the true meaning of, “My Family Comes First Above All” However the rules are the rules and whats good for the goose (or elk ) must also be good for the gander, ( or Lumpy)
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
more assumptions court ? LMAO
Just saying that Tim is one hell of a family man and he for sure does have his priorities situated quite well up there in Minnesota. He will be the first to admit that his golf game has been affected more and more as his kids have gotten older as he spends a lot more time with them than he does practicing, but for the good of his family he says it’s worth it.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
I was kidding with you…but the “My family comes first” is a shot at Tiger – who has no part in this thread. :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
hence no mention by me
only by you :o) I mentioned Tim ( Lumpy ) Herron as he was one of the topics of this thread and an old friend of mine.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
hang on hang on hang on – that line is DEFINITELY in a post with your name on it. Tiger Woods has been the target of the “Family first” cracks.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
very true court
Just not as it relates to this thread. Nice try though. LOL Besides he is the one that said it , not me. and Stub is correct it’s a very old saying.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
WHO said it ? And why else would it be in quotation marks except to make a point…and who is the family first point these days ?
Come on….honesty is the best policy. (lol)
“Four score and seven years ago…..” (but don’t think about Abraham Lincoln)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
CG, I didn't
see the name TIGER by any other post except yours…Why would that expression be a shot at TIGAR…It’s been used for a hell of a lot longer then El Dicko has been around…STUB
An idiotic move by the Commish
as now many more players will want help and WILL ask for it now
He can’t play favorites and probably has written his last endorsement
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