ShackHouse 51: Tiger At Torrey, House At PGA Show

Thanks for your patience as we recharged our batteries and House talked food, but now that the golf season has heated up, the ShackHouse is back!

Thanks to our friends at Callaway and The Ringer for bringing us to wherever fine podcasts are streamed.

This week we discuss the return of Tiger Woods and House goes Rogue at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, telling us what he's seen and learned about the annual gathering of the industry.

Please subscribe and review the show at iTunes or wherever you get your pods, or you can listen below...

Reading Between The Lines Of Farmers Renewal

Some day the Farmers Insurance Open will be studied for going from a turbulent sponsorship history to the brink to a stalwart event. Yesterday's announcement did prompt The Forecaddie to consider the ramifications for this event, the impact on the 2021 U.S. Open and other PGA Tour events looking for a sponsor.

Given this tournament's struggle to invest in the future, the agreement between the PGA Tour, the Century Club and Farmers should make a very nice tour stop into a great event. Then again, with Torrey Pines, San Diego and a phenomenal date, that this event ever struggled to find a Farmers-like sponsor will have historians scratching their heads.

Congrats to all and long live the PGA Tour in San Diego. Now can we do something about all of this overseeded rye rough and Rees Jones design...

Golf Channel And St. Andrews Links Trust In Partnership

I'm not sure what this means exactly, though I'm pretty sure we'll all finally better understand how exactly you get a tee time at the Old Course.

I'm just happy about anything that keeps telling the story of golf's Home and encourages people to make the pilgrimage.

For Immediate Release:

ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2018) – St Andrews Links Trust and NBC Sports Group today announced an exclusive, long-term partnership that will designate Golf Channel as the “Official Media Partner of St Andrews Links,” which is treasured as the Home of Golf.  St Andrews Links is the largest public golf complex in Europe and home to seven golf courses, including the world’s oldest and most famous Links, the Old Course. With this partnership, NBC Sports will lead development of new event, programming and content opportunities for St Andrews Links through an Official Partner model.

“Over the past few years we have worked closely with NBC Sports Group, building a trusted relationship and witnessing first-hand the quality and commitment they have to delivering multi-channel content that engages with viewers,” said Euan Loudon, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links. “This exciting new partnership will give St Andrews an unprecedented platform with one of the world’s most prestigious media companies to reach and inspire a truly international audience. And through our partnership we will aspire to create exciting, innovative content that showcases the unparalleled history and unique relationship between golf and St Andrews, enabling more people than ever before to feel connected to the Home of Golf.”

“It’s an honor to partner with St. Andrews Links and help showcase their story to a worldwide audience, which cherishes the history of the game and its home in St Andrews,” said Mike McCarley, president, Golf, NBC Sports. “The Official Partner of St Andrews model will further expand the unique opportunities Golf Channel can offer brands that want to be associated with the prestigious history of St Andrews, as well as its place as a modern golf destination that is revered for its pure golf experience.”

The structure of the model, which will be managed by NBC Sports’ Sponsorship and St Andrews Links Commercial Teams, will provide brands with the opportunity to become Official Partners with both St Andrews Links and Golf Channel. St Andrews Links has a long-established partnership program with a limited number of renowned organizations, including global partner Allianz, Callaway, Rolex, Toro and TSI Groove and Sports, all industry leaders in their respective fields.

The partnership with NBC Sports Group and Golf Channel marks the next chapter in a story that began 600 years ago. The game of golf was first played in the early 1400s on The Old Course at St Andrews — one of the oldest golf courses in the world. And just like the game of golf, St Andrews Links has continued to evolve. Today, St Andrews Links continues to build on its rich heritage and cherished values by managing its seven courses (Old, The Castle, New, Jubilee, Eden, Strathtyrum and Balgove) in a sustainable way and by ensuring those courses are open to all.

This progressive approach seeks to connect the Home of Golf with new generations of golfers around the world to share their passion for the game. More than 230,000 rounds of golf are played on the seven courses each year, and St Andrews has hosted The Open Championship 29 times since 1873 — more than any other course on The Open rota. It is a revered and prestigious icon, drawing players worldwide to experience golf in its purest form.

IATSE Technicians Ratify Contract, End Strike Against Golf Channel

Great news for golf fans who like to see the golf ball in flight and hear players when they speak into microphones!

For Immediate Release:

IATSE Technicians Ratify Contract, End Strike Against Golf Channel

After More Than a Week on Strike, Golf Channel Technicians Will be Back to Work Thursday, Covered by a Contract for the First Time Since June 2017.

PALM SPRINGS, California -- More than 300 national freelance broadcast workers at the Golf Channel ended their strike Wednesday afternoon by ratifying their union contract with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

Broadcast workers in all crafts will receive wage increases, bringing them closer to industry standard rates, and increases in health care contributions from the employer. The Golf Channel also agreed to compensate workers who work long hours but don’t qualify for overtime when tournaments fall across two workweeks.

"This is a huge win for broadcast technicians working in the highly specialized world of golf programming," said Sandra England, Department Director of Broadcast for the IATSE. “Freelance workers standing together like this, supporting each other, it’s never happened before. All three broadcast unions stood in solidarity to send a powerful message – that there is a line where workers will say ‘No’ and back it up, and that nobody can take us for granted.”

“This is the power of solidarity,” said IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb. “Golf Channel technicians supported one another, and achieved something they could not have hoped for on their own. Everyone who works in sports broadcasting will benefit from this contract, because it raises the floor for all workers.”

Negotiated by the IATSE, the contract is the result an eleven-day strike that started after the Golf Channel ended nine months of negotiations, six months without a contract. Since the last contract expired on June 13, 2017, Golf Channel broadcast technicians have been working without a contract. Wages for technicians at Golf Channel, which is owned by Comcast- NBCUniversal, have been far below the standard wages paid by other sports broadcasters.

The 2-year contract, with health care contributions retroactive to the last contract’s expiration on June 13, 2017, was ratified in a three-day voting period that ended at 5pm Eastern January 24. All work conducted after January 24 will be under the full terms of the contract, including the newly negotiated wage and benefit contributions.

Pat Perez, Skipping His West Coast Swing Home Events, Complains About Ryder Cup Points Process

Playing the Dubai Desert Classic instead of his hometown events in San Diego (this week) and Scottsdale (next week) apparently freed up Pat Perez to gripe about his poor Ryder Cup standing despite a strong fall.

Speaking in Dubai where he's presumably cashing a nice appearance fee in lieu of picking up Ryder Cup points, Perez lamented the task forces' thinking.

From Ewan Murray's Guardian story:

“I won in Malaysia and I finished fifth in Korea and I didn’t get any points for the American side,” Perez said. “That upset me a little bit. I’m 13 on the list, but I should be probably three or four.

“So it kind of put a bitter taste in my mouth; the fact that you win on the PGA Tour, you beat some good players and yet you don’t get any points because of whatever our committee has decided to do.

“In my opinion if you win the same year of the Ryder Cup, you should get the points."

Tuesday In Non-PGA Show Instagram: Tiger, Joaquim, Emirates

A nice slow mo side view of Tiger starting his practice round Tuesday at Torrey Pines. Remember, it was 7:20ish and 45 degree, ish.

Joaquim Niemann will be delaying his pro debut for good reason after winning the Latin America Amateur Championship and multiple perks, including a Masters invitation.

Check out 18 years then and now at Emirates Golf Club, host to this week's Dubai Desert Classic. Make sure to get to the second image via the right hand arrow.

Patrick Koenig with a shot of Hammock Beach and an other-worldly par-3.

I posted today's ho-hum sunset from the not-so-ho-hum cliffs of Torrey Pines.

How’s it looking? 🐅

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour) on Jan 23, 2018 at 7:42am PST

Congratulations to @joaco_niemann on winning the @laac_golf in Chile! #LAAC2018 #golf #instagolf #golfing #golfing #golflife

A post shared by The R&A (@therandagolf) on Jan 23, 2018 at 2:26pm PST

Past 🆚 Present The difference of 18 years in Dubai. #ODDC18

A post shared by European Tour (@europeantour) on Jan 23, 2018 at 12:52pm PST

That early morning Florida fire sky. 🔥☁️@hammockbeach #lifeathammockbeach

A post shared by Patrick Koenig (@pjkoenig) on Jan 23, 2018 at 7:50am PST

Let me contribute to the onslaught of goodnight from @torreypinesgolf @farmersinsopen posts. It’s just so pretty!

A post shared by Geoff Shackelford (@geoffshac) on Jan 23, 2018 at 5:23pm PST

Michael Bamberger On T Bone Burnett, Golfer

One of the world's best music producers is also a golfer who is old enough to have seen Ben Hogan during his Shady Oaks days.

Michael Bamberger of Golf.com speaks to the legendary T Bone Burnett about his youth in Fort Worth and his views on the game.

His hometown is a recurring theme. In one email he wrote about how he grew up playing at Fort Worth's Shady Oaks Country Club, where Hogan lunched daily:

"Hogan would sit in the clubhouse at a table in the window above the range. It was always a possibility that he would be watching the cats out there trying to dig a swing out of the dirt. You got used to that.

"But some days, you would be hitting balls on the range and suddenly feel a presence behind you. You would look back and Mr. Hogan would be standing there looking at you. You would turn back around and try to forget he was there and keep hitting balls. After a few shots, maybe a particularly solid one, you would look again, and he would have vanished."

Tiger's Back! Again! At Torrey Pines! Again!

I know, I know we did this last year.

Things do feel different this time around at the Farmers Insurance Open given Woods' play at December's Hero World Challenge, his many social rounds (compared to last year) and the likelihood that his back will hold up better post-fusion surgery. 

I'm bullish on both Tiger and Phil giving us one last run, if nothing else because golf has supported the older player from time to time.  Plus we just want to see a good old fashioned generational clash.

Eamon Lynch of Golfweek talks to Hank Haney and Claude Harmon III about their bullish takes on this Tiger turnaround.

Jaime Diaz of Golf Channel files this video essay on the Woods comeback, followed by a chat with Tim Rosaforte and Matt Adams on Golf Central.

The Golf.com gang kicked the topic of the big return in this week's Confidential, and while all of it is good reading, this from John Wood, caddie for Matt Kuchar, really hit home at some key points:

It's important, but I have to believe he's viewing it as a stepping stone rather than a final destination. Would he like to play well, feel healthy, get in the hunt? Absolutely. But if he doesn't, I think he'll have a good idea where he is on Monday. To my eye he looked fantastic in the Bahamas. Healthy and swinging athletically, happy and confident. The interesting thing to me will be the early morning start times. Heat and humidity tend to be a great way to play with any injury that needs testing. Those La Jolla mornings can be quite cool and foggy, and it takes some time to get the gears moving and stay moving like you'd like them to. I'm quite sure Tiger has planned for this, though. He's worked too hard to get back to this point to leave any stone unturned.

Ahead of Woods' return to, BetDSI Sportsbook posted odds that seem a tad conflicted, with a mix of options for those who see another shaky return and for those who see a successful 2018 debut. ESPN.com's Jason Sobel in his weekly notes is putting Tiger down for a T14, a number I think is about right.

Will Tiger Woods make the cut at 2018 Farmers Insurance Open?

Yes +110

No -140

Will Tiger Woods withdraw during 2018 Farmers Insurance Open?

Yes +450

No -700

Will Tiger Woods finish in the top 5 at 2018 Farmers Insurance Open?

Yes +750

No -1000

Will Tiger Woods finish in the top 10 at 2018 Farmers Insurance Open?

Yes +350

No -550

Will Tigers Woods hit fairway on opening tee shot (1st Round) of 2018 Farmers Insurance Open?

Yes -180

No +145

How many birdies will Tiger Woods record during 2018 Farmers Insurance Open?

Over 6.5 (-110)

Under 6.5 (-120)

How many bogeys or worse will Tiger Woods record during 2018 Farmers Insurance Open?

Over 7.5 (-130)

Under 7.5 (+100)

Tiger Woods highest score on any hole during 2018 Farmers Insurance Open

Over 7 (-130)

Under 7 (+100)

Tiger Woods lowest round score (18 holes) on North Course during 2018 Farmers Insurance Open 

Over 70.5 (-140) 

Under 70.5 (+110)

Tiger Woods lowest round score (18 holes) on South Course during 2018 Farmers Insurance Open

Over 73.5 (-115)

Under 73.5 (-115)

Tiger Woods finishing position at 2018 Farmers Insurance Open

1st (+4000)

2nd-10th (+2000)

11th-19th (+1100)

20th-30th (+750)

31st-40th (+400)

41st-50th (+350)

51st or worse (-140)

Will Tiger Woods win a major prior to January 1, 2019?

Yes +3000

No -7000

Will Tiger Woods win a PGA Tour/European Tour event prior to January 1, 2019?

Yes +1700

No -4000

How many cuts will Tiger Woods make during 2018 calendar year? (minimum playing field of 100)

Over 4.5 (-120) 

Under 4.5 (-110)

Will Tiger Woods shoot 80 or worse in a round in 2018?

Yes -130

No +100

Will Tiger Woods shoot 64 or better in a round in 2018?

Yes +100

No -130

And if you're already Tiger'd out, the Farmers offers a fine field. Gary Williams and I considered some of the other notables today on Morning Drive.

CBS Rolling Out Some Golf Refreshments

After three weeks of exclusively Golf Channel broadcasts, the PGA Tour turns over the keys to CBS for the next five weeks (Honda Classic is on CBS this year due to the Olympics on NBC) and plans to roll out a few refreshments to its broadcasts.

The Forecaddie with details of the two big boosts--Amanda Balionis becoming a full-time interviewer after an extensive tryout last year, and we're getting 18-hole Trackman data. 

There is also a special request for a sooner-than-later golf debut from Tony Romo. 

Random Weekend Fun On Instagram: 1-21-18

Tommy Fleetwood picked up where he left off in 2017 by defending in Abu Dhabi. Love the passion in this image.

Sergio Garcia won the Singapore Open in the first asking with an all new bag of Callaways, including the Chrome Soft X and new Toulon putter.

The Euros are feeling better about their prospects at the Ryder Cup already, counting down the days after wins by Rahm, Fleetwood and Garcia to kick off the year.

Sugarloaf Social Club posted a fun hipsters treasure map to the PGA Show floor.

Jack Nicklaus turned 78 and the PGA Tour posted the best gallery of images capturing the birthday boy.

And I want to be 3 years old again.

He’s done it again 👊🏻 @tommyfleetwood_1

A post shared by European Tour (@europeantour) on Jan 21, 2018 at 5:20am PST

Couldn’t ask for a better start to the year than winning the #SingOpen2018 with the new @CallawayGolf equipment! Excited for what comes next! This one was for Grandpa Akins!

A post shared by Sergio Garcia (@thesergiogarcia) on Jan 21, 2018 at 6:49am PST

🗓 Tick tock...⠀ #RyderCup #TeamEurope

A post shared by Ryder Cup Team Europe (@rydercupteameurope) on Jan 21, 2018 at 12:59am PST

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Like a treasure map, but for golf prom.

A post shared by Sugarloaf (@sugarloafsocialclub) on Jan 21, 2018 at 4:41pm PST

⏩Swipe thru ⏩ 10 rarely seen photos of the man they call the Golden Bear. Happy birthday @jacknicklaus!

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour) on Jan 21, 2018 at 11:52am PST

Which way to the golf course? Never to young to start driving a golf cart.

A post shared by Dennis Sales Golf (@dennissalesgolf) on Jan 7, 2018 at 10:37am PST

We've Seen This Movie Before: CareerBuilder Challenge Finale Tries To Compete With NFL Playoffs

With the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Championship game, even PGA Tour VP's who've jumped on the Jags bandwagon could not possibly have been watching the CareerBuilder Challenge final round. Not even with a young star and now World No. 2 in Jon Rahm atop the leaderboard.

And yet here we were again, with PGA Tour golf on the west coast, in front of light crowds, somehow trying to go up against America's beloved playoff football.

In a world when we know the time NFL playoff game dates and times for months, and we know that their audiences will be massive, golf still thinks it can put up a fight. We're that dumb Chihuahua barking at a head-tilting Rottweiler, only we're not nearly as loud, entertaining or effective.

No sports fan in their right mind watched the Careerbuilder Challenge live when Tom Brady and the Patriots were taking on the entertaining upstart Jaguars. That is not the fault of any player involved. This is a scheduling snafu repeated for the umpteenth year-in-a-row.

So to recap: the PGA Tour returned from Hawaii and had the boys tee up Thursday in La Quinta instead of waiting a day, starting on Friday and finishing on Monday in east coast prime time. Remember, the CareerBuilder is a Golf Channel hosted event, meaning there is programming flexibility.

Also recall that the CareerBuilder is played in a retirement community, with a pro-am format that would actually welcome taking up both weekend days for the pro-am players instead of another weekday.

Last point before I stop beating this too hard: the next PGA Tour stop is in San Diego, less than three hours by car and an easy turnaround for players who make the cut. Yes, they'd only have two days to regroup for the Farmers Insurance Open but bruised linebackers, these are not. They are pro golfers whose sponsors deserve to have their sponsorship positioned in the best way possible. That is currently not the case with the CareerBuilder Challenge.

Unless...the Goo Goo Dolls are playing the 18th hole...

Well since last night was so much fun, let’s do it again! @googoodollsofficial take the stage within the hour! #CBChallenge

A post shared by CareerBuilder Challenge (@careerbuilderchallenge) on Jan 20, 2018 at 4:26pm PST

Oakmont: The Shrinking Of Short Grass

Ryan Farrow did an aerial overlay of the famed Oakmont Country Club from 1938 vs. 2017 and found that more bunkers have been added while there has been a huge drop in fairway acreage and width.

The club's tree removal program undoubtedly impacts the turf shift to rough, but that's not the entire story. Something else has happened in that time. Oh, right, the top players are hitting it about 80 yards longer.

Here are the results: Oakmont CC 1938 vs. Today:
# of Bunkers:
1938 = 155 Today = 174
Avg. Fairway Width (around landing areas):
1938 = 46 yds Today = 29 yds
Fairway Acreage:
1938 = 37.8ac Today = 23.6ac pic.twitter.com/bX8NADZXxW

— Ryan Farrow (@FarrowGolf) January 19, 2018