Wentworth Owner: "I have seen some wonderful shots out of the trees"
/Tony Jimenez quotes Wentworth owner Richard Caring who is definitely caring about Ian Poulter's criticism of his and Ernie Els' design changes. Caring is, after all, the visionary behind Wentworth's 18th hole homage to The Belfry. On Poulter:
"But when you look back at his comment on Friday, 'They shouldn't have made the changes because it was more fun before' ...maybe he got a little excited and I question whether or not looking back on it he might have been a little extreme.
"Ian has played in 10 PGA Championships, missed the cut seven times and his best result prior to the changes was 33rd ...now if he calls that having fun, that's different, but at least he made the cut this time," added Caring of Poulter's 18th-place finish.
A zinger from someone who clearly did his research! Or, more likely, someone using the information supplied to him by some schlub in the Els design office who prepped the "Ian Poulter Response Points" memo!
Point misser Hall of Fame material warning...
"I don't quite understand what he was saying," said the perma-tanned Caring, running his fingers through his long, flowing white hair. "I have seen some wonderful shots out of the trees, Seve Ballesteros-style.
"Luke hit one of the most magnificent shots I've ever seen out of the trees on 13 on Saturday. I just don't see how we have lost that.
Who knew those wonderful shots out of the trees were something to cherish? Uh, Mr. Caring, I think the comment referencing lost risk-taking was in reference to other design features, not punch-out shots through the trees. Just a hunch.
And after playing the "cream rises to the top" card by invoking Luke Donald and Lee Westwood's names, Caring at least admits what drove the changes...
"You look at the equipment today where you fly a ball 300 yards in the air...do these guys really want to play on a course that's fun where you can shoot 62s and 63s and end up winning with 26 or 28 under par?"
"I don't think that's fun, that's easy golf. Fun is Disneyland. This is a challenge to a golfer."
