Ray Halbritter Withdraws from Turning Stone Resort Championship
by Ryan Ballengee on Aug 1, 2010 8:10 PM EDT
in Pro Golf
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PrintRay Halbritter is the CEO of Nation Enterprises and, consequently, the boss of the Turning Stone Resort. By being the big cheese at the title sponsor of next week's Turning Stone Resort Championship, he thought he would insert himself into the field as a sponsor's exemption.
Why not exempt yourself from the tournament your company - and ultimately you - decided to sink millions of dollars into sponsoring?
Well, despite passing the PGA Playing Ability Test to meet minimum requirements for an exemption, Halbritter drew a plethora of criticism from all comers for his decision to take a spot away from a professional seeking a crack at the four million dollar purse. This evening, Halbritter issued a statement announcing his withdrawal from the tournament.
"My intention in qualifying to be eligible to play in our Turning Stone Resort Championship was to participate in a competitive opportunity which any golfer would enjoy. In addition, given the responsibilities of my position as I mentioned in some interviews on the exemption issue, I wanted to use the platform afforded by our event to show the public, particularly American Indian youth, what can be accomplished by someone with a challenging background who puts his mind and heart into it.
"My goal was to celebrate, not detract from, our wonderful tournament, its players and fans. The focus this week should be on the great game of golf and enjoying the exciting competition on the course. I do not want my participation to distract from our Championship and the talented professionals who have chosen to compete here. So, I have decided to withdraw from my place in the field and to award it to another golfer to play this week.
"I hope our golf community will join me in celebrating a terrific week of golf and all of the fun and festivities which our team has worked so hard to present for them here at Turning Stone."
Kirk Triplett will take his place in the field.
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That’s some poor reporting, RB. He didn’t insert himself as a sponsor’s exemption. He did have to pass a test (two sub 77 rounds back to back) to be in the running for the spot.
Now, as a host, it’s probably poor form to put yourself in front of the other qualifiers for the spot – but he was eligible. There weren’t enough details on how the final choice was made for you to make the assertion that he just installed himself as the winner.
Now we have to wait and see if Triplett makes the cut.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
He passed a PGA player aptitude test, yes, but still inserted himself in the field.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Aug 1, 2010 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
You don’t know that – it was never announced how the winner of the spot was decided. Was it a random drawing of qualifiers ? Was he the only qualifier ? Was there a vote by a committee ?
I’m sorry – but you would have heard complaints from others who qualified if there was anything crooked about how he got the spot.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Sponsor exemptions are determined by ultimately ok’d by Halbritter, so he ok’d himself.
It’s not “crooked” to give himself the spot, just ridiculous.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Aug 1, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly – which is why I questioned your first paragraph to begin with. You’re suggesting that there was something underhanded, not to mention selfish, about how he got the spot.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
And Court...when was the last
time Triplett did anything but hang on….He’s one of those I think should go get day jobs…..And no, I know nothing about him….just the record….and Ryan did it again, but ya caught him boy….don’t let him git away with any of that off color stuff cause he thinks we won’t recognize it…..Hang on like a bull dog buddy…..STUB
Cheesy yes, ridiculous no
His company is in charge of the sponsors exemptions. His company literally paid the cost to be the boss.
At some point, we will all stop critiquing sponsor exemptions. By definition, Ray Halbritter or Jerry Rice or Mark Rypien are not taking a spot away from a more deserving golfer; if the golfer in question was more deserving, he would be in the field without needing a handout sponsor’s exemption.
Twonuse....great points.....
had it been me, I would have played and just given Triplett a check for a few grand and sent him packing…….lol
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
Triplett doesn't even deserve that
I don’t know what Triplett’s tour status is (I’m en route to work and don’t have the urge to investigate), but if Halbritter stayed in the field, Triplett wouldn’t get a dime.
I’m also entertained that the same members of the golf media who complain too many pros can make a good living without winning are the ones carrying the flag for the non-exempt.
by TwoNuse on Aug 2, 2010 8:19 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yep, Lots of Folks Will Take Triplett In Their Fantasy Lineup
I bet Triplett doesn’t make the cut. (Gosh, that was hard to guess)
In fact, I think he might struggle to make the cut in an LPGA event. The guy really should find a nice club that wants a former Tour player as its Head Pro and settle in to the life of running golf operations there. No offense, but really, that’s what his results suggest.
Anyway, it was unseemly for Halbritter to try to compete in the tournament at best, and at worst, he would look even worse than Jerry Rice did earlier this year.
Pretty nice statement from Ray.
He saved face, and about 18 golf balls.
Have you broken 77 recently, TX ? He had to do it twice to pass this test.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Break 77? Not lately.
Broke 14 clubs, pretty recently.
by TXQ on Aug 2, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
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