PGA Tour CMO: Power Game Good For TV

Ad Age's Abbey Klaassen talks to PGA Tour CMO Tom Wade, who says the power game is good for TV.

Ad Age: How does that change the nature of the sport and its popularity?

Mr. Wade: We are definitely drawing a higher percentage of the best athletes than we were before. The combination of the money that can be made in this sport and the kind of athleticism that has been demonstrated by Tiger Woods ... has really led to more and more of the younger kids, when they're making a decision about what sport they want to concentrate on, deciding on golf. It's just a different game now, and I think a lot of it is the fact that a lot of the very best athletes are playing golf. They know they can make as much money playing golf as they could signing a giant contract with the NFL.

Ad Age: What does that mean for the on-the-course action?

Mr. Wade: The PGA Tour has transitioned over the last 10 years -- and it is still transitioning -- from more of a finesse game to much more of a power game.

Ad Age: Is that good for TV ratings?

Mr. Wade: It is good for TV.

And the ratings? The ratings? Anyone, anyone?

It's a more exciting style of play. ... This year we had 16 winners in their 20s and 14 first-time winners. They're all long hitters and they have a go-for-broke mentality, which is exciting to our fans.