Player: Vijay Singh Has No Business Playing Korn Ferry Tour

With so much going on in the world far more grave than whether Vijay Singh takes up a spot in a Korn Ferry Tour event, plenty have wondered why the story got so much attention.

Before I direct you to Mike Van Sickle’s guest piece for MorningRead.com, I’ll say its pretty simply a case of entitlement.

When Harvard and the Lakers were found to have accepted PPP funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, they returned the funds because no sane individual could make a case for either entity being entitled to funds meant to keep workers on payrolls.

While Phil Mickelson and others backed the 57-year-old Singh’s right to take a spot away from a player trying to build or rebuild their career on a developmental tour, it is the golf equivalent of the Lakers taking money they do not need.

From Van Sickle’s guest piece, and I do feel a channeling of another writer named Van Sickle with the closing zinger here:

The player who gets bumped from the field may be stocking grocery-store shelves to pay his mounting bills, such as what KFT player Erik Barnes has been doing at a Publix in southwest Florida during the coronavirus-imposed golf shutdown, just so Singh can get some “reps” to get ready when senior golf resumes.

Obviously, the rules say Singh can play. A PGA Tour player can dip into the KFT if he isn’t eligible to play in a PGA Tour event during the same week. Singh, a World Golf Hall of Fame member with a lifetime exemption, is not in the field at the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge on June 11-14 in Fort Worth, Texas. So, he can play his local KFT event, which is practically in his backyard. He lives in the Ponte Vedra Beach area and is a divot-making machine at the TPC Sawgrass range. Singh is within his rights to play, under tour rules, even if it’s like Phil Hellmuth showing up for the weekly $10 buy-in poker night at your neighbor’s house to “get some reps.”

Fort Worth Mayor Has No Reservations About Colonial Return; PGA Tour Reportedly Plans To Use Chartered Flights Between Events

ESPN.com’s Bob Harig interviewed Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price, who has been working closely with the PGA Tour on plans to present the rescheduled Charles Schwab Challenge June 11-14. The mayor says she has no reservations about moving forward with the event and addressed the primary hurdle presented by Commissioner Jay Monahan: testing.

Price said that as of now, widespread testing is not available in Fort Worth, which the PGA Tour has said on a few occasions would be one of their criteria for returning at any of the events it plans to stage. But Price said she expected that to change "in about 10 days.''

"It has just been for people who show virus symptoms, but we have moved beyond that,'' Price said. "Pretty soon anyone will be able to get them, and that is what we are striving for. We're a town of 900,000 people, so it's going to be difficult for any city to test every one of their residents. But the testing is going to be much more robust.''

Complicating matters in the area: neighboring Dallas County saw a record-tying number of cases in its Monday report and the area also expects to lose federally funded testing capable of handling 1000 people per day even as numbers are going up.

Also, the current CDC guidelines on testing priorities fails to list professional golf or even anyone asymptomatic.

One question often asked about PGA Tour’s June return: air travel. A Golfweek report from Todd Kelly quotes Kevin Streelman, who said the plan is to use a chartered event between tournaments. I’m not sure how that affects the elite players who use private jets but it would seem to improve the chances of players not spreading the COVID-19 virus to air travelers while moving from city to city.

“There will probably be four, five, six of us who will split a plane to get to Colonial,” Streelman said. “The Tour has chartered planes, like big ones, for all the players and caddies in between events, trying to keep our bubble nice and tight.”

Oh it was a tight bubble already. But is anyone really wanting to be in a tight bubble of any kind just yet? Particularly one encased in hard surfaces with a robust air flow system? We’ll find out soon.

That's Our Vijay: Enters First Korn Ferry Event When Others Could Use The Starts

It’ll be tough enough just to get a Korn Ferry Tour event off the ground this June, even if it’s at TPC Sawgrass with close HQ supervision making things run more smoothly.

And then 57-year-old Vijay Singh entered and set off a Twitter ragefest. While I’ve been loudly on the record that he and other Champions who miss cuts are wasting spots, but that was in good times. Vijay, btw, has broken par twice in the last two years of PGA Tour play and has made one cut in nine appearancesw.

But during a pandemic when every start matters to a Korn Ferry player after sitting out for weeks? Even tone deaf by Vijay Singh. It’s as if he lost touch with reality after winning $70 million and probably that much more off course factoring in endorsements and lawsuit settlements

Christopher Powers with the Twitter rage started by Monday Q Info’s Ryan French spotting Singh on the entry list, and fueled by Brady Schnell, a 35-year-old KF Tour journeyman whose Tweets calling Singh “selfish” and “complete turd” have since disappeared.

The common take is that Singh, a three-time major champion who has made north of $70 million in his career on the PGA Tour, should not take a potential paycheck from a player who may need it more, especially given the world's current situation. On the other hand, the 57-year-old Singh is one of the most competitive players the game has ever seen. One could argue he's simply looking to get those competitive juices flowing once again. And since he's not eligible for the Charles Schwab Challenge on the PGA Tour that same week, the inaugural Korn Ferry Challenge is his only alternative.

Or, staying at home one more week?

Coincidentally, The Guardian’s Ewan Murray this week tried to better understand Vijay and his unwillingness to relive the past. Or, talk to any writer.

Pro Golfers Giving Back: Symetra Tour Player Turned Nurse, Challenge Tour Golfer Turned Handsanitizer Maker

Two professional golfers who have hung up their golf bags for giving back are profiled and to be applauded.

Beth Ann Nichols has the story of Sarah Hoffman, a Symetra Tour player who recently returned to nursing during the pandemic.

“I just couldn’t keep sitting on the couch and not helping my friends who were on the front lines,” she said.

There’s nothing about the Hoffman file that’s standard. She didn’t grow up playing AJGA events. Didn’t compete in any tournaments outside of country club golf until the summer before college. In fact, Hoffman was set to play basketball in college until she took an abrupt turn to Grand Valley State.

Hoffman was also on The Clubhouse with Shane Bacon and it’s a great listen:

John Huggan tells us about Steve Tiley, a 37-year-old journeyman from England who recently won on the European Challenge Tour for the first time, has gone to work for his father’s business helping produce 5000 bottles of hand sanitizer a day.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic started, my Dad was disgusted with certain companies over-charging for things that were suddenly in demand,” says Steve who competed alongside the likes of PGA Tour players Matt Every, Ryan Moore, Spencer Levin, Webb Simpson and Dustin Johnson during his four years of college golf in Atlanta. “People were having to pay silly amounts for hand sanitizer. So he decided to do something about it. We’ve been selling it on at just about cost-price to the NHS Trust [who ordered about 35,000 bottles], care homes and key workers—anyone who needs it really. What we haven’t done is sell any to anyone who will sell it on for a profit.”

Justin Thomas, Lee Wybranski Team Up For No Kid Hungry

A nice collaboration here between Justin Thomas and artist Lee Wybranski to help raise funds for two Thomas causes: No Kid Hungry & Team Kentucky in their efforts in the battle against COVID-19 and its impact.

Details here on how to purchase the artwork for a great cause. The link also features a video message from Thomas.

JT, Rickie Play Some Persimmon And Balata Golf!

Now this is a charity match some of us would pay good money to watch (sorry Wally).

Justin Thomas posted this image and a short report on a Medalist round with the old stuff. That the old sound resonated with a player reared on modern equipment tells you that wood heads could be to millennial golfers what vinyl was to their music!

View this post on Instagram

Fun game with @rickiefowler today... Persimmons and Tour Balatas (I brought back the tie as well!). The audio on some of the shots today were niiiiiice. Safe to say, I will be asking for rick as a partner next time we do this #hecrushedme #oldschoolgolf

A post shared by Justin Thomas (@justinthomas34) on May 3, 2020 at 11:30am PDT

Seminole To Make Its International Television Debut For May 17 COVID-19 Relief Match

Scheduled to make its world premiere at the 2021 Walker Cup, the exclusive Seminole Golf Club will now make its debut for television cameras in a grand way by hosting a COVID-19 relief match.

Though the real standout here is UnitedHealth Group in pledging $3 million to give to the worthy causes noted below.

The format is a peculiar choice but that’s beside the point given the ultimate goal of raising funds and providing some much-needed competition on TV. For Immediate Release:

McIlroy, Johnson, Fowler, Wolff headline TaylorMade Driving Relief 

marking return of televised golf to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts 

UnitedHealth Group pledges $3 million in support of the American Nurses Foundation and CDC Foundation 

PGA TOUR, NBC Sports and Sky Sports to broadcast team competition from Seminole Golf Club, May 17 

Farmers Insurance® pledges $1 million for birdies-and-eagle pool supporting Off Their Plate 

PGA TOUR Charities live donation platform powered by GoFundMe to support additional COVID-19 relief initiatives 

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., (May 04, 2020) – The PGA TOUR, NBC Sports and Sky Sports today announced the return of televised golf with TaylorMade Driving Relief, centered around a $3 million charity skins match supported by UnitedHealth Group to raise money and awareness for the American Nurses Foundation and CDC Foundation, two organizations helping to lead COVID-19 relief efforts.

On Sunday, May 17, from Seminole Golf Club, TaylorMade Driving Relief will feature two-time FedExCup champion and World No. 1 Rory McIlroy and 20-time PGA TOUR winner Dustin Johnson, teaming up against two Oklahoma State University alumni: PGA TOUR superstar Rickie Fowler and 2019 first-time TOUR winner and 2019 NCAA National Champion Matthew Wolff. The competition will follow strict CDC social distancing guidelines, local mandates and will utilize appropriate testing measures to help protect the health and safety of the golfers, production crew and others on site.

Additionally, Farmers Insurance® has pledged $1 million to back a birdies-and-eagle pool to benefit Off Their Plate, a charitable organization helping COVID-19 healthcare workers and impacted frontline shift employees.

Building upon this initial fundraising of $4 million, PGA TOUR Charities will announce a Text-To-Donate activation and online donation platform powered by GoFundMe to allow viewers to make additional contributions and raise funds for COVID-19 relief.

EVENT INFORMATION: 

• Players: All four golfers will donate their time for the 18-hole, two-man team skins competition, with McIlroy/Johnson playing for the American Nurses Foundation and Fowler/Wolff playing for the CDC Foundation.

• Location: Seminole Golf Club (Juno Beach, Fla.) A majestic Donald Ross design with a clever routing on a rectangular site, each hole at Seminole encounters a new wind direction. Seminole has long been one of America’s most-revered clubs and this marks the club’s first ever golf event broadcast. No fans or spectators will be permitted on site.

• Date/Time: Sunday, May 17; live coverage will air from 2-6 p.m. ET 

• Television Broadcast: NBC, GOLF Channel, NBCSN, Sky Sports and other PGA TOUR global media partners

• Digital: Unauthenticated streaming of the entire event available via PGA TOUR LIVE (NBC Sports Gold and Amazon Prime Video), GOLFPASS, GolfChannel.com and GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR. Pre-match coverage as well as the first two holes of the event also will stream on Twitter. 

• Safety measures: PGA TOUR will follow all guidelines, executive orders and mandates issued by the state of Florida, Palm Beach County and the city of Juno Beach.

“We are excited about the safe and responsible return of live golf and the opportunity to raise significant funds for those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic through the TaylorMade Driving Relief event,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “With four of the PGA TOUR’s top stars in Rory, Rickie, Dustin and Matthew of Team TaylorMade participating and UnitedHealth Group serving as the foundation of charitable giving, and Farmers Insurance providing an additional bonus pool, golf fans around the world can look forward to a unique, interactive and entertaining event that will help those in need.”

BROADCAST: PGA TOUR Entertainment will produce live coverage, which will feature commentary from NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico from his home in Michigan, as well as analysts Paul Azinger and Gary Koch and play-by-play with Rich Lerner from an off-site production facility. On site at Seminole Golf Club will be on-course reporters Jerry Foltz and Steve Sands.

“NBC Sports is proud to raise awareness for these charities that are directly making an impact on COVID-19 relief,” said Pete Bevacqua, President, NBC Sports Group. “We’re grateful to the four exceptional PGA TOUR players for donating their time, as well as all the sponsors for helping elevate this unique fundraising event, which will feature the first worldwide broadcast of a golf competition from Seminole Golf Club.”

“Seminole Golf Club is honored to host this charitable event and welcomes all golf fans and sports enthusiasts to tune in to the broadcast to see these world-class players take on our course,” said Jimmy Dunne, President of Seminole Golf Club.  “This match is a pure public service, with all money raised providing COVID-19 relief to those most in need in Florida and around the country, and Seminole is thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to such a worthy cause at this difficult time.” 

FUNDRAISING AND IMPACT: Thanks to a pledge from UnitedHealth Group, the primary charitable component will see the teams compete in a $3 million charity skins match as each team will compete for one of two charities, the American Nurses Foundation and CDC Foundation.

“The 325,000 people of UnitedHealth Group continue to work tirelessly every day to support the health and safety of the people we are privileged to serve and to contribute to the resolution of this pandemic,” said David S. Wichmann, UnitedHealth Group Chief Executive Officer. “This additional financial support for the American Nurses Foundation and the CDC Foundation advances our commitment to take care of those who care for us by helping to meet the clinical, emotional and mental health needs of our frontline heroes, doctors, nurses and all health care workers. We’re pleased to be a part of this event designed to bring attention to and encourage further financial support for those on the leading edge of fighting this pandemic.”

Additionally, Farmers Insurance also kicked off fundraising efforts with a $1 million pledge, to back a birdies-and-eagles pool to benefit Off Their Plate, whose work creates a conduit for local communities to provide nutritious meals to the hospital teams we depend on and economic relief to local restaurant workers who have been most affected by COVID.

“For more than 90 years, serving our customers and helping communities impacted by disasters around the country has been in our DNA, and that remains true now more than ever. On behalf of everyone at Farmers, we’re proud of first responders and frontline workers for what they continue to do every single day during this unprecedented situation,” said Farmers Insurance CEO Jeff Dailey. “It’s a privilege to support this event, alongside our brand ambassador Rickie Fowler, and provide much needed funds to Off Their Plate, so they can continue to help those most impacted in this uncertain time.”

COMPETITORS: TaylorMade brings four of the world’s best and most exciting players to the event, and all are donating their time to be a part of the COVID-19 relief effort.

“While all of us navigate through the impact of this pandemic, we wanted to do our part for first responders and nominated COVID-19 charities. After speaking with our Team TaylorMade athletes, we are thrilled to make this TaylorMade Driving Relief event happen with our partners at the PGA TOUR and NBC Sports,” said David Abeles,CEO, TaylorMade. “The return of live golf and the opportunity to raise money for those affected is simply fantastic.”

Rory McIlroy, TaylorMade and UnitedHealth Group Health Ambassador:

• The reigning FedExCup champion and 2019 PGA TOUR Player of the Year is currently ranked No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking. McIlroy has 18 PGA TOUR victories and an additional nine wins worldwide including four major championships, the 2019 PLAYERS Championship, three World Golf Championships and the 2019 and 2016 FedExCup titles. 

• “It’s been difficult to witness what so many are enduring over the last several weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m excited and thankful to TaylorMade and UnitedHealth Group for making this event possible and providing us with the opportunity to show our support of those on the frontlines. I hope that we can provide some respite and entertainment for those tuning in across the globe. Dustin and I will have a lot of fun together and our games will fit well as we push to raise funds and awareness on May 17.”

 Dustin Johnson, TaylorMade Ambassador: 

• Johnson, a 20-time PGA TOUR winner, is currently No. 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Johnson’s 20 victories include the 2016 U.S. Open, six World Golf Championships events and four FedExCup Playoffs events.

• “I’m really excited to team up with Rory and to get back out on the golf course. Seminole is a great venue and it will be cool to show it to the world through this event. I’m sure Rickie and Matthew will be ready for us, but hopefully Rory and I can take them and help generate a lot of money and support for charities and those affected most by COVID-19.”

Rickie Fowler, TaylorMade Ball and Farmers Insurance Ambassador:

• Fowler owns nine victories worldwide, including his memorable win at THE PLAYERS Championship in 2015 when he played the finishing stretch of holes 15-18 in a 5-under total of 11 strokes. 

• “When I heard about this event, I couldn’t get involved fast enough. It’s special to be able to have an impact and raise charitable contributions through our sport and to do it with Matthew as a partner. I know how much I have missed sports and golf, especially, so to be one of the first events returning to television is very exciting and I’m proud to have Farmers, one of my sponsors, be a partner of this event as well. Playing aggressive has never been a problem for Matthew and me so we should have no issue testing the birdies-and-eagles bonus pool that has been backed by Farmers Insurance $1 million pledge.”

 Matthew Wolff, TaylorMade Ambassador:

• Wolff turned professional last June and by July, he earned his first career PGA TOUR victory at the inaugural 3M Open. Playing on sponsor exemptions, he needed just four starts to capture that first title and earned his PGA TOUR card at age 20. Wolff became the third player to win the individual title at the NCAA Championships and a PGA TOUR event in the same year, joining Ben Crenshaw and Tiger Woods.

• “I’m fired up to play alongside Rickie and raise money to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts. Rory and DJ have welcomed me to team TaylorMade with open arms and become great friends so I can’t wait for a fun competition against us Cowboys. Rickie and I are ready to bring our best and more importantly help the frontline heroes getting us through this extremely difficult time. Special thanks to the PGA Tour, NBC, Taylormade and all our partners for the opportunity. See you at Seminole!”

Fleetwood On Several Topics, Including The Pain Of Last Year's Open Championship

The Guardian’s Ewan Murray covers a wide array of topics with Tommy Fleetwood, including how the unexpected layoff has been a positive, the 2018 Ryder Cup and of particular note his heartbreak over finishing second at the 2019 Open Championship.

Even though Shane Lowry won convincingly at Royal Portrush, Fleetwood’s still kicking himself but with refreshing perspective, as well.

Fleetwood articulates his level of despair – finishing second in the Open is hardly disastrous – perfectly. “When I was seven, I wanted to win the Open. I left the course that Saturday night, driving back with my family … the dream you’ve had for 20-odd years is very close. It went when I double-bogeyed 15 on Sunday, it was still there until then.

“That might be the closest I ever get, but I can say: ‘You know what, I had a dream when I was a kid and I played in the Sunday of an Open in the last group with a chance of achieving it.’ But I’m not living my life to finish second. I don’t live in a bubble where I weep about being second in the Open but second isn’t what I’m striving for. I don’t think I’ve reached my potential yet.”

Golf Digest Surveys PGA Tour Players On What Is Needed For A Return

Golf Digest’s reporters surveyed 35 PGA Tour players and just over half said they are only will compete “if there is a comprehensive testing plan in place at every event”. The next largest subset does not need testing but supports safety measures at events.

The options:

A) I don’t need anything to be different than before the virus. I’m ready to play.
B) I am willing to compete under whatever safety measures the PGA Tour chooses to implement, but don’t think we need comprehensive testing at tournaments.
C) I am only willing to compete if there is a comprehensive testing plan in place at every event.
D) I am not willing to compete until a vaccine or major medical development is in place.

And this was noteworthy:

Players, who were told they could answer anonymously, were also asked to elaborate further regarding their thinking. Some chose to go on the record while others asked for anonymity, but their responses help frame the issues many within golf are weighing as they contemplate a return to competition.

“I do trust [the Tour’s] decision-making process, but I’m not sure that the decision to start playing or not start playing has much to do with trusting their decisions,” said Stewart Cink. “To me this feels like a very personal decision about when the comfort level is enough to get back out there traveling. And also there’s still the very significant factor of social accountability and whether it's right to get back into a routine where everyone is traveling, etc.”

Increasingly, it seems travel worries and optics of returning are going to be as important as whatever testing protocols the PGA Tour develops.

Incidentally, Cink’s caddy, Kip Henley, called out Policy Board member Charley Hoffman this week on Twitter as another “rich guy sitting at home” in not considering the economic need to return to tournament play.

Hadwin: If Flagstick Stays In Hole, "That might make me honestly rethink playing"

Scott Stallings suggested PGA Tour players were “not going to play for their livelihood with no rakes in the bunker.”

And now Adam Hadwin is wondering if he can play with flagsticks left in the cup to prevent excessive player/caddie contact with the pin.

Now, all of these great golfers are eager to get back and undoubtedly a few are practically inconsolable without golf to prepare for. But it’s also clear that when they return, things will change, less money might be there and some “sacrifices” will need to be made.

Hadwin is a very grounded person and comes off that way during the rest of the interview where he expresses empathy for those dealing with the virus. So it’s a bit startling to hear an elite golfer suggest in this time of pandemic that putting with the flagstick in has proven so untenable.

“Are we not going to be allowed to touch pins, or flags?” Hadwin said. “I putt with the flag out, so if we all of a sudden are going to be forced to putt with it in to not touch a flag, I’m going to have issues with that, and that might make me honestly rethink playing, because it changes everything.”

This picture painted by Hadwin illustrates an issue golf faces, assuming the sport and world listens to pros instead of just telling them this is (temporarily) how it’s going to be for a while.

“Maybe there’s one person wearing gloves walking with every group that pulls flags for us when we need to so caddies or players aren’t touching it,” Hadwin said. “If you force us to play with the flag in it changes everything. It messes me up on the greens and I can promise you I’m thinking about it. Doesn’t matter how well I’m hitting it; when I get on the greens I’ll be thinking about it, how I’m putting with the flag in and I haven’t been able to adjust to it and I shouldn’t have to adjust to it. Maybe I’ll protest, maybe I wouldn’t. If that’s the only possible way for us to play again, I don’t know, maybe. Maybe I’ll play and moan about it every day that I play and just go do it. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that.”

I’d do a poll, but pretty sure 99% of you would vote for Hadwin going the route of “I’ll play and moan about it every day that I play and just go do it.”

The full interview:

"No cameras, no trophies, but Adam Scott just won the lockdown's act of kindness award"

Thanks to reader Kim for this dandy from Roy Masters in the Sydney Morning Herald on a kind gesture by Adam Scott.

Here’s the setup:

In this story, it’s an Adam extending the kindness to a guy who considers Adam his best mate. Confused? Well, so is 76-year-old Ross Campbell, who is suffering from seven brain tumours and believes 39-year-old professional golfer Adam Scott is his best mate.

In fact, although wheelchair bound, Ross thinks he plays regular golf games with Adam, exchanges tips and joins him in beers at the Riverside Oaks club house.

Check out the rest here.

Tour Player Warns: “Guys are not going to play for their livelihood with no rakes in the bunker"

I had not seen the stern warning from Scott Stallings in this James Colgan Golf.com piece, but it sent laughter down my spine and I hope, in these difficult times, you get similar joy from this Grade A, Bobby Joe Grooves level point missing.

Colgan writes:

These changes could see players putting with the flagstick in, playing without rakes in bunkers and pulling their own clubs to minimize contact with caddies, among other adjustments. While the proposed guidelines could allow golf to be played in the near future, Stallings doubts players would get on board with the changes.

“I just don’t think there’s any way guys are going to do that,” he said. “Guys are not going to play for their livelihood with no rakes in the bunker and no caddies. That’s just not going to happen.

“I’m fully confident that there are going to be guys who choose not to play.”

The Golf.com Monday morning roundtable feasted on the Tour player and fitness fanatic’s declaration.

Sean Zak, senior editor (@Sean_Zak): Some probably will, but they’ll really look like sore thumbs. Are you really going to complain about an imperfect bunker when you could just be at home spending your money and not making any? Anyone who complains will not be embraced by fans, but then again, this is the Groupthink Tour. Their opinions tend to all be the same by the end of a tournament.

Josh Sens, senior writer (@JoshSens): Playing for “their livelihood with no rakes in the bunker and no caddies.” Egad. The horrors! Not even Dickens could have dreamed up such hardship. I’m sure Stallings is right. Some players will push back, and they’ll look as ridiculous as the above sounds.

Alan Shipnuck, senior writer (@Alan_Shipnuck): The bunker thing is getting a lot of play, but there could be an easy solution: Why not have one designated raker per hole who cleans up after every player? But the larger point is that sports is going to be different for all of us when it returns, and the players would be wise to get on board.

Michael Bamberger, senior writer: I think the game would be improved at every level without rakes in bunkers. Return to them their dignity. They are traps. They are to be avoided. The players will have to conform, or there won’t be a tournament in which to play.

Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): I don’t see this being an issue, at least from the Tour’s bigger names. Ever since they officially canceled the Players, it’s been mostly sunshine and roses when it comes to Tour players and the rulesmakers. I would say the far bigger issue would be if players felt there was no effort being made to bring golf back, but that’s clearly not the case. I’m sure Stallings will come around.

Bunker rakes were down my list of golf reset values topics, but I think the topic just moved up the list.

Podcast: The Shack Show Episode 6 With Guest Nick Faldo

We covered a nice gamut in this chat, including the times, the world of travel, the recent Masters replay, radical game transformations, the driver head, Pringle sweaters, par-3 courses and dogs in a time of pandemics. Among other topics.

As always thanks to all who made this possible, starting with Sir Nick, show producer Tim Parotchka, everyone on the iHeart Golf team.

The iHeart show page. The Apple podcast page for episode six. And to subscribe or review the show.

Show notes:

A preview of Faldo’s new CBS Sports Network’s shows debuting Monday at 7:30 pm ET.

If you’re looking for lessons and swing tips, @NickFaldo006’s new show on @CBSSportsNet is just for you. FALDO FORMULA – MIND. BODY. SWING debuts on Monday at 8 PM ET pic.twitter.com/c9M4i2ELOG

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) April 23, 2020

If you’re looking for lessons and swing tips, @NickFaldo006’s new show on @CBSSportsNet is just for you. FALDO FORMULA – MIND. BODY. SWING debuts on Monday at 8 PM ET pic.twitter.com/c9M4i2ELOG

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) April 23, 2020

Sir Nick and Saxon on Medterra:

Take1 Morning SNAX. @medterracbd tell us which one you like best? @FWeims @SnickLindz pic.twitter.com/XVCOViTvxN

— Sir Nick Faldo (@NickFaldo006) April 11, 2020

Podcasts this week considering Faldo’s career and 1990 Masters win, starting with The Shotgun Start’s two deep effort featuring guest Sean Martin. (Really great discussions for those who’ve forgotte how incredible Faldo’s post-game remake run turned out to be.)

A Pod Unlike Any Other’s look back at the 1989 Masters.

"14-year-old living golf dream after beating leukemia"

What a sensational story by WMC TV’s Cassie Carlson on 14-year-old leukemia survivor Dakota Cunningham and his refusal to let the disease get in the way of his golf. He just had his first hole-in-one after finishing his final round of treatment in January.

Dakota never let leukemia stand in the way of his golf dreams. The day of the Junior High Final Championship in October 2019 was just one example.

“The morning of the tournament, I hear him throwing up. I walk upstairs he’s on his hands and knees and he’s puking in front of himself on the floor,” Steve said.

But Dakota still wanted to play that day.. Turns out, that day he shot his first round under 70 and won it all by 9 strokes.

“It’s incredible to shoot 69 at this age, but like I said to do it on treatment, that takes it to a whole other level,” Steve added.

The video version of the piece is embedded in the story and well worth your time if looking for a little Tuesday inspiration.

Golf Reset: The Professional Game Is Not The Game

Pick any costly, suboptimal golf trend and the origins inevitably can be traced to professional golf.

Certainly, the ties between the recreational and the professional games give those who identify as golfers plenty to enjoy. And those ties also explain how a couple million people can stay awake watching some telecasts that would induce sleep in an Adderall addict.

Naturally, there is some connection between the recreational and the professional game to be valued, maintained and respected. That tie is mutually beneficial. But to let the professional game dictate the direction of the sport is problematic at best.

Consider this: after the worst of this pandemic has passed, what are you most excited about? Taking out the clubs and playing golf, or watching a professional event? I can run a poll just to see if sitting inside and watching more golf on TV over getting outside and playing reaches 10%.

From an economic perspective, what generates more jobs, stability and community accord? The recreational side could lay up on all the par-5’s and still win that one 9&8.

Nearly every unsustainable trend in golf history has been fueled by attempts to replicate professional characteristics (green speed, bunker primping, 7000 yards) or to shape rules around the needs of the pro game (see the lack of bifurcation or rules simplicity). While the contradictory needs of the daily and pro games have long presented issues, something seems different these days. A shift toward prioritizing elite level golf feels like it’s never been more profound or oddly desperate.

The very best certainly deserve our admiration. They sometimes inspire people to take up the sport. As golfers, we know there are few skills in all of sport more remarkable than the ability to play golf at a high level. We know this after seeing how foolish the sport has made some of the world’s greatest athletes look, even after they make valiant efforts to play competitively. Yet those superbly coordinated folks never quite master the sport or even look quite right swinging the club.

But the ability to play the game at a high level does not guarantee supreme privileges or wisdom. Appeasing a consortium of a few thousand at the (literal) expense of 25 million golfers, should not ever happen.

Notice how during this awful pandemic, it has been small golf companies that made efforts to give back along with governing organizations like the PGA of America, USGA and R&A who stepped up with funds assisting those losing work in the golf industry. The professional tours, however, have been noticeably quiet. Several players have stepped up on their own. Many others inevitably will because the game still produces above-average citizens who take pride in giving back. But in general, the Tours and those who run them have focused on themselves. These are member organizations with different priorities than the greater good.

From the early replies, I do not believe I’m alone in feeling this way. Reader Allen sent in this thought when learning of the game reset topic:

“Probably mentioned by others, but in the realm of economically (and by extension, environmentally) sustainable recreational golf facilities, I would hope that existing golf facilities and developers of them would lead the golfing public to realize that the elite competitive golf is not what is best for 99.99% of golfers or facilities. Clubs and public courses SHOULD NOT be 7K yards long, have 100 bunkers with pure white sand, greens running at 11+ on the Stimpmeter, and lush green grass wall-to-wall.”

I’d include equipment rules that are outsmarted by manufacturers to help elite players while reaping price point benefits. If only the companies also increased efforts to create more forgiving or affordable equipment to serve the regular game? Remember, no law prevents manufacturers from making lower cost or more forgiving non-conforming equipment to “grow the game”. But they expect the rulemakers to grow their customer bases while battling the efforts to do what they deem best best for the game.)

The sport’s future health depends on shaking loose from the notion that everyday golf is an offshoot of the pro game. Take away the 25 million or so recreational players, and the pro game’s niche TV audience would disappear. But if every professional golfer retired tomorrow, the recreational game would march on unharmed and maybe even see more sustainable values take hold.

Professional golf, as great as it can be, is not Golf.