Big Oak Rumblings And Bumblings, 2014 Edition

Didn't get to spend as much time as I'd like under the Big Oak, but the industry heavyweights were out in force at Augusta National's premier hangout not called Berckman's Place.

- Weather was a big topic, and not because of the beautiful forecast in Augusta. But instead because of the brutal winter's likely dent on the 2014 golf business. The Masters really is the start of the golf season this year, to the chagrin of many.

- Tom Fazio, Rees Jones and Robert Trent Jones amounted to the star architect presence. Fazio was said to be tight-lipped about any possible remedy to the 17th hole post-Ike’s Tree.

- New IMG owners Patrick Whitesell and Ari Emanuel were conspicuous in their presence, announcing to the world that Hollywood's super agency intends to continue its major presence in golf.

- Phil Scott talked about his first round with son Adam and confirmed that he’s never played greens so fast (and that was last Friday). Phil five putted the first green and never could manage the pace. The group consisted of two side-saddle putters and of course, Adam the anchorer.

- The Paulina Gretzky cover was still part of many conversations, with most not quite understanding the outraged side for helping fuel more attention to the photos.

- There was much chatter about Monday night's NCAA Basketball Final featuring a Drive, Chip and Putt sign-up promo during the first half. There was a sense among the Big Oak dwellers that CBS might have voluntarily posted the promo after seeing the successful event. It's hard to imagine that this was anything but a contractual obligation, albeit one that seemed out of place on a college basketball telecast. Then again, Fox is already promoting the 2015 U.S. Open...