Will The PGA Tour's Secrecy Have Repercussions?
That's the theory of former PGA Tour Policy Board member Joe Ogilvie, quoted by Jeff Rude in assessing the latest moves in the Vijay Singh lawsuit and the Tour's refusal to comment. While a seemingly wise policy on paper, the accusations hurled by Vijay's attorney have an ounce of credibility only because the tour is so careful about not revealing much of anything.
Ogilvie says:
“If a player is suspended or subject to disciplinary action, he should know what the punishment was for others,” Ogilvie said. “That’s only fair. I would want to know, because how can I mount a defense if I don’t?
“It’s as if Tour communication is a state secret and if they allowed us to know their secrets, national security somehow would be undermined. If that’s the culture in this day and age, it’s going to bite you. We’re not in the 1970s and ’80s anymore. You just have to be more forthcoming.”
Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 11:26 PM
Reader Comments (34)
Here's this for wild fodder to kick the day along. (It's raining here and I need to entertain myself.) PGA fines/suspensions/etc. are secret and not made known to the public. OK....follow me....There was a conspiracy theory that Michael Jordan was secretly suspended by the NBA for gambling when he "retired" to try baseball for a year (the cover-up).....was Tiger's injury recovery and time off really a secret PGA suspension for behavior/gambling/etc.?
See, if we knew how the PGA meted out fines/suspensions, we wouldn't have these burning questions. Why not let the gentlemen in this Gentleman's Game have it known how they served penance for their golfing sins? :)
Have at it... :)
I think this is the same guy who is alleging that suspensions by the tour should be public..when his cause of action is that his possible suspension was made public by the tour.
iam sure this guys sponsors dont mind. how did 5 hour energy miss signing this guy up?
The truth will set you free, but Tim may see the truth as an indictment.
I wonder if ''Rblades'' is a ringer from PV, and , sorry, but *no longer etc*- I am really surprised at your position, as I usually agree with you.
This has made for some fun on a rainy day. :)
We usually agree, bery true! Not raining here, but first cold day of fsll (62 and very windy!!!) Our 3 days of winter are usually at the end of January or the beginning of February.
Bad info there. He admitted to using colored water, which isn't a banned substance. He also drank some milk, and now and then I bet he eats a steak.
Admitted to using a product that contained a substance that is actually still banned despite existing in your breakfast.
Now, if you injected your breakfast into your arm, that might be a reason for concern.
If you can't tell the difference, that might also be a reason for concern.
I don't want to call anyone a nutsack again, but who injects their breakfast?
And if anyone does, how far do you hit your driver?
Pepper, what are speaking of? How is it related to colored water?
Rblades, you're right, if a player doesn't like it he can go play somewhere else.....or, he can sue. Vijay has chosen the latter and I for one commend him for doing so.
That said, in general I believe transparency is good corporate governance and the Tour seems to avoid that.
Seems to me that the lawsuit has more background than what we read. I get the impression Vijay has been pissed at the Tour for a while and this was a tipping point. Don't know why or if that's justified but I sense the court filing was a response to more than this issue.
His is one autobiography I would love to read although its highly unlikely to ever be written.
Agreed, the game and players are physically "safe". What about the integrity of the game? Suspensions and fines meted out in other sports, made public, often relate to off-field activities and things not related to on-field safety. I'm thinking of players with DUI's, domestic issues, steroid use, etc. It's more than just announcing safety related issues. Thoughts?
My perspective is that I would love to know what is going on and who is being fined, but understand why the Tour keeps it secret.
But who is really buying it? I think the Tour is the world's largest echo chamber - "We're good, decent people. Because we say we are."
Yeah, right...
I think that inside the ropes an extremely high percentage of players are worthy of the projected image. Outside the ropes is harder to gauge, but the police blotter for tour players is nothing compared to other sports.
THANKS FOR THE CLARIFICATION. i do THINK THEY HAVE A DOWNSIDE, AND THE NICE RESPONSE i WROTE CRASHED, AND i'M TOO DARN TIRED TO TRY AND REWRTE IT- BUT pETE MAKES POINTS, AND ALSO oops, sorry, another ''fire hydrant will occure at some point, and investigative paparazzi types will strt going after all these ''men of integrity'' with bank and brker names all over their Nascar styled wardrobes.
And The IRS could start digging in to PV paychecks and much more--and i qall could have been avoided if they were just honest--once again the coverup with bring you down; the truth will set you free.
Have a good weekend
Pete! you have my back!
If the Tour releases some information on these issues, then the 5th estate, the players and other governing bodies can see they are applying the rules consistently and fairly. Without it, it is not subject to review, which will lead to inconsistency and unfairness. I don't believe the players are even aware of how others discipline is handled very often so they cannot even object if the Tour is not fair.
Avoiding the critical eye only makes the fans doubt the integrity of the game.
If Vijay''s lawyer is right and its shown in court that the Tour has been inconsistent, the press and players will be very negative. Transparency avoids that up front, everyone is conscious that others are looking and its changes behavior.