"The so-called sure thing was first downgraded to a long shot, then was scratched from the race entirely." **

Steve Elling talks to several folks who are disappointed with the PGA Tour's abandonment of the designated tournament policy that had been in the works, including a tournament director who was not afraid of becoming designated.

After indicating earlier this year that the proposal seemed destined for passage, the tour has yet to formally explain its rationale for shooting down a notion that had been green-lighted by the Players Advisory Committee five months ago with, "really, zero negativity," Steve Stricker said at the time.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem all but guaranteed that the idea, designed to force top players to visit locales they hadn't played in years, if ever, would be added to the books in some form in 2011. Now it's morphed into a voluntary plan, which will be about as effective as you might expect.

I think the real giveaway is in this quote from Davis Love.

"Right now, we don't really need any controversy. We need things to keep moving along, because we have a TV contract coming along and everything is really going pretty well. When you look at our business vs. every other business in the country, we are really, really good."

I guess we'll find out this year just how good things are. I find it hard to believe that the PGA Tour is happy to rest on its laurels and sees no need to improve their position with the networks and fans. Or at least, is trying to give that impression to enhance their bargaining position.

Bob Harig also talks to a few people about the policy and notes this:

One problem that was not resolved was spreading out the top players among the designated events.

What if a designated event was not chosen by anyone? That certainly would have looked bad.

Then again, wasn't there a solution of some kind to be worked out, one that would be better than doing nothing at all?

Update on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 08:32 AM by Geoff

**Garry Smits says "this was a 2-foot gimmee putt. And you just lipped it out."

Let's put it this way: if a method isn't found for more of the top players to play in just one or two more events a year, the problem will take care of itself. Some of those events may simply have to fold.

And that will hurt the rank-and-file of Tour players who do support those tournaments, by subtracting playing opportunities; to say nothing of the economic impact and charitable dollars realized in those communities as a result of the Tour stop.

Comments

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

OK, I'll ask this question again and maybe one of the knowledgeable Shackelfordians can answer. If the players are "independent contractors" who nevertheless participate in the TOUR's very well funded pension/deferred compensation plan, why can't the Panjandrums of Ponte Vedra simply stipulate that if you want to live the good life after making your 400 cuts, or whatever it is, you will be expected to play once in a while in the boondocks? Or Greensboro, as the case may be. It's not as if the PGA TOUR has been blessed with the perspicacity of a Marvin Miller, after all...

[Del the Funk]

Ky, they can, they're just choosing not to -- at least not officially and publicly. Seems like now that Davis has his own event it's kind of changed his perspective on the subject.

On a similar topic, who do we think are the top-10 players that really move the needle at the gate? (seems like there's only 1 that really moves the TV ratings)

Gate movers: Tiger, Phil, maybe Ernie....then who? Dustin, Rickie, Furyk? Camilo, McIlroy?

[Wisconsin Reader]

In my view, there is only one player who will draw fans and TV eyeballs to a PGA Tour event who would not otherwise attend or watch. . . That player is of course Tiger Woods. . . The household names who play will give the event credibility and - if 5 or 6 of them are entered - it will certainly help the gate but only some. . .

PGA Tour golf has had an incredible run of popularity thanks to Tiger Woods - If he continues mediocre play - TV ratings and attendance will slide even more. The PGA Tour - and especially the other players - have had a great run with sponsors, endorsements and prize money. No one has benefited more endorsement wise than Davis Love - nice to see he supports giving Tiger the ability to play the schedule he wants to play.

[chico]

Del is right-at my few tournaments in the US the crowds have only seemed interested in Tiger,Phil and Daly.

[peachtree]

The PGA tour has the policy that if the player does not make his minimum tournaments a year, he loses his votong privilege for the year and also his pension funding for the year. They could use this for the designated tournament rule. Frankly the people movers are really few players, so they could have quietly/privately gone to those players and had a talk with them. Let's face it, the PGA tour was established for the players to have a place to play, and however they respond will impact them.

[jg]

Milk and honey days allowed pga tour qualifiers to be treated as "independent" contractors. Those days are past. Any qualifier should be required to support those writing the checks. I do not understand why those writing the checks are not setting the rules.

[Del the Funk]

Good point chico, Daly is still capable of moving the gate. Definitely moreso than any of the other names I mentioned outside of Tiger and Phil. Man, back in the day (mid-90's), he flat brought down the house!

[Oliver Chettle]

America has too many of the world's top tournaments as it is. If PGA Tour players should be forced to do anything, they should be forced to play tournaments overseas.