"For the first time in history guys will be begging to play in the pro-am."
/You know SI's anonymous pro is fired up about a new PGA Tour rule forcing non-pro-ammers to schmooze with sponsors and their annoying guests, or else face losing their spot in a tournament. Why? Because he sat down to pen a commentary. The PGA Tour's finest do not write columns, they dictate!
Going forward, an event's 42 highest-ranked players will participate in the pro-am. The next 10 will be alternates, and the next 40 or so who don't get into the pro-am will have to spend 90 minutes at a sponsor function on Tuesday or Wednesday.
And if they don't show, presumably they can be dropped from the field. Oh lordy...wait until these sponsors spend some time with the guys.
We know we have a bad economy and have to do something to help the companies that write our checks. And it's not that we don't appreciate the sponsors. But to tell guys that 52 of you may play and another 30 are on the hook to visit sponsors — that's a nightmare. I can tell you that every player would rather endure a five- or six-hour pro-am round than put on a happy face and hang out at a two-hour dinner.
It may not sound like much, but you're there to entertain, and you have to be "on" the entire time. And you can't no-show or leave early or hide in the bathroom, since I'm sure Commissioner Finchem's disciples will be taking attendance.
Oh now there's a fun job for the field staff, because they don't have enough on their plate. I can just see it now, Mark Russell with his clipboard!
Okay I have to side with the pro, though how bad can an open bar situation really be? However, this is a bit much for a tour that didn't want to impose drug testing on their "independent contractors." Now their tournament status depends on cocktail party appearances?
I have a feeling you guys are going to have a different take?