Social Media Police Disbanded: Tours Cave On Fan Phone Policy

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The evolution of fan rules for cell phones at golf tournaments has shifted gradually everywhere but Augusta, Georgia. Still it was fascinating to see the PGA Tour and European Tour both allow fans to shoot photo and video this week (Casey/Golfweek).

As noted by Casey, the main hope here is more social sharing from fans.

For the PGA Tour, its new policy also allows spectator photo and videos taking during tournament days to be shared on social media platforms.

Live streaming and shot-by-shot coverage are still not allowed, and the new policy also states that phones must be on silent at all times and use of flash is prohibited.

But select media that dares to live Tweet a round in progress will still face losing their credentials, and don't you forget it, worthless non-PGATour.com scribblers!

The European Tour's video announcing the changing going forward:

Playoff Fever! Stars Looking Forward To The Off-Season

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Maybe golf's Playoffs(C) are so rigorous and stressful that they invoke longing for a vacation. Or, not.

Nothing screams playoffs like athletes telling us how they are looking forward to a break. But this is the FedExCup, where stars are coddled by points resets that help get them through all of the stages. Something tells me if these were actual playoffs with traditional eliminations for poor play, that Rory McIlroy's and Bubba Watson's wouldn't be telegraphing their much needed breaks.

Rory on Tuesday, courtesy of Kyle Porter at CBSSports.com:

"I'm not at 100 percent, but I'm at a percent where I feel like I can still compete," McIlroy told reporters. "I want to get a win before I shut it down for the season, so I'm excited for the next few weeks, but I'm excited for the next three months after that. Because more than likely I'll take some time off and regroup.

"When's the last time I've been able to take that much time off and focus on myself and my game. We don't get an off-season anymore, so to be able to get that time to afford myself, I'm really excited about that as well."

After an opening 73 on top of many okay finishes by his high standards, might these playoffs be more interesting if they were sending McIlroy home early? And given that he's not getting any help from his caddie, as David Dusek at Golfweek points out following a day watching Rory play, might the urgency be there with a format that endangers his ability to advance in the playoffs.

Then there is Bubba Watson, who has worked twelve weekends in 2017 even after getting a major wake-up call a year ago when passed over for the Ryder Cup team. Still, he's ready for a break as soon as the playoffs are over.

From Rex Hoggard's Golfweek story:

“You know, truthfully, when I'm done with the playoffs, no matter where that is, I'm taking at least four and a half months off. I won't play until next year,” said Watson, who opened with a 3-under 67 and was tied for fifth at Glen Oaks. “I don't know about you, but traveling every week, my kids started kindergarten. ... If I had to choose golf or family, I'm going family every day of the week.”

Algorithm writers: let's figure out a points reset that helps these stars begin their hard-earned vacations early!

"Feeding off each other can have positive, negative effects for pros"

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Jason Sobel takes on the tricky subject of pairings that go well or not so well.

The ESPN.com writer talks to a nice cross section of players and it's fascinating just how influential the momentum of a group plays in pro golf. Rory's comments on the impact of pairings was of most interest, but this was also fun (and not surprising):

Ask most touring professionals and they'll usually insist that there are extremely beneficial playing partners and ... other guys. Which is to say, when players receive their early-week text messages revealing first- and second-round groupings, most will celebrate the positive discoveries, but won't grouse about potentially negative ones.

"I usually play well when I have a fun group, guys who I like," Pat Perez said before the opening round of The Northern Trust. "This week is going to be fun as s---. I've been playing against [Charley] Hoffman since I was 7. [Brian] Harman is cool as s---. We're going to have a great group."

Roundup: Billy Payne's Legacy As Masters Chairman

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Jaime Diaz of Golf World says Billy Payne's "accomplishments far outnumber the four previous chairmen who followed Jones’ and Roberts’ legacy" and gets an exclusive sitdown with the retiring Chairman.

Among the topics covered included the Masters ball idea...

“That would be a very drastic step, and we would hope before that was necessary, there would be a collaborative decision. We love to follow collaborative decisions. Not be a loner. But we reserve the right to do so if we think it’s needed. We retain options about our course. So, I would suspect we would exhaust those before we would unilaterally jump ahead of others.”

The Augusta Chronicle's John Boyette also talked to Payne about a range of accomplishments. The outgoing chairman offered this on his successor, Fred Ridley:

“I think he’ll be, as I tried to be, another great custodian,” Payne said Tuesday in an interview with The Augusta Chronicle. “I think all chairmen after our first two founders are custodians of their dreams and aspirations. We try to maintain it and, if we can, make it a little better. He’s going to do that beautifully.”

The Chronicle also ranks Payne's best moments and offers this history of the chairmen. Boyette also notes that Ridley will be the first chairman who has actually played in The Masters.

AP's Doug Ferguson leads by writing that "Payne ruled more with an open mind than an iron fist" and offers an extensive history of his tenure.

ESPN.com's Bob Harig focuses on the admission of female members and the many major construction accomplishments achieved during the Payne years.

Christine Brennan for USA Today on Payne's legacy of supporting women's athletics in general.

It was no surprise that the man who ran the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta — an event known as the “Women’s Olympics” for the tremendous success of U.S. women in soccer, softball, basketball, gymnastics and swimming, among others — would be the one to bring staid, exclusionary Augusta National into the 21st century.

In fact, in the early 1990s, as the young leader of the upcoming Atlanta Olympics, Payne wanted to make golf an Olympic sport, with this kicker: staging the competition at Augusta National. He also was going to demand that the competition include women.

At the time he was not a member of the club, and he knew that women were not allowed to be members, but his idea was to show those old men of Augusta National what women could do.

Rex Hoggard for GolfChannel.com:

In many ways Payne – whose leadership style was born from his time as president and CEO of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic committee – was both a consensus builder and an autocrat, a leader who understood the challenges the game faced and Augusta National’s unique position as a conduit for change. That he was willing to use that influence was, quite simply, an act of leadership.

Hoggard also has player reaction, including the reactions from Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson.

Josh Berhow at Golf.com reminds us that Payne also pushed things on the television rights front.

During his tenure, Payne was behind the Masters' new TV contract with ESPN in 2008 — which broadcast and elevated the Masters Par-3 Contest —

On that topic, a statement from ESPN President John Skipper on retirement of Payne:

“It has been my pleasure to work with Billy Payne during his tenure as Chairman. He has wonderfully maintained the preeminence of the world’s greatest golf tournament while innovating effectively in digital media and expanding the footprint of the tournament, the club and the game of golf both literally and figuratively in Augusta and throughout the world. I wish him well-earned satisfaction in his accomplishments and pleasure in his deserved retirement.

“Billy’s last accomplishment was leaving the club in the capable hands of Fred Ridley. We look forward to working with Fred for many years.”

“Golf is trying to shed its image as an old man's sport and is luring bloggers to push that message”

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CNBC's Michelle Castillo reports on the PGA Tour’s efforts to reach millennials and women, using the world “hired” to describe the bloggers helping to spread the gospel of PGA Tour golf.

Castillo focuses on fashion blogger and scarf purveyor Alexandra Dieck, proprietor of Lexicon of Style, who will be employed to cover The Northern Trust in New York.

Dieck, 26, is among a handful of social media influencers hired by the PGA Tour to tout the sport to younger audiences during the Northern Trust tournament this week. Dieck's social media peers will include other fashion writers, foodies and mommy bloggers.

"We are creating a totally new experience in addition to great golf that is inherently more social and fun, and we want more people to know about it," said Julie Tyson, PGA Tour's vice president of business development. "We are widening our circle of storytellers to include influencers we know our fans already look to for insights and information."

Widening the circle...

Billy Payne Steps Down As Masters Chairman

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To be succeeded by Fred Ridley. The news comes as a bit of a surprise given that Chairman Billy Payne was almost finished overseeing a few final projects. However, with Hootie Johnson's recent passing and the growing success of so many other initiatives spearheaded by Chairman Payne and a bad back testing his spirit, perhaps the shift to Chairman Emeritus should not be a surprise.

The club's announcement:

Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, announced today that he is retiring from his position at the beginning of the Club season on October 16. Payne will be succeeded as Chairman by Fred Ridley, who currently serves the Masters Tournament as Chairman of the Competition Committees.

Payne, 69, has served as Chairman since May 21, 2006. In retiring from this role, he will assume the title of Chairman Emeritus.

During his tenure as Chairman, Payne was a collaborative presence, bringing together golf’s leading institutions to implement new ways to expand the reach of the game, such as his vision for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Latin America Amateur Championship and the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship. He worked to make the sport more welcoming, including the addition of women into the Club’s membership and the creation of the popular Junior Pass Program during the Masters. In keeping with the tradition of constant improvement established by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones, Payne directed the significant expansion and development of the Augusta National campus, leading to the creation and improvement of numerous facilities and services enjoyed by the membership and visitors to the Tournament. He also encouraged innovation, especially through the development of digital media offerings and emerging television technologies, in an effort to help reach new and younger audiences.

“The privilege I experienced serving as Chairman of Augusta National and the Masters was far greater than I could have ever imagined,” Payne said. "Just as nothing can prepare you for the unique responsibilities and important decisions that come with this position, it is equally impossible to anticipate the many joys and, most importantly, the wonderful friendships that are the ultimate reward of service. This honor, however, is too great for one person to claim as their own for too long a period of time. I retire knowing it is simply the right thing to do – and at the right moment – to open the door and invite someone new to be called upon to lead, bring forth new ideas and craft a new vision that will honor our Founders and serve the game of golf for many years to come.

“I am now proud to call upon my good friend Fred Ridley to lead Augusta National and the Masters to a future that I am confident will hold new promise, while always being faithful to the principles of Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. Fred will be an excellent Chairman who will serve with my complete and enthusiastic support.”
Ridley will become the seventh Chairman of the Club and Tournament. Those who previously held the post are Roberts (1933-77), Bill Lane (1977-80), Hord Hardin (1980-91), Jack Stephens (1991-98), Hootie Johnson (1998-2006) and Payne.

Riviera Wants A Lakers Courtside-Seat-Style Ryder Cup

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While the U.S. Amateur proved a good fit for Riviera given the weather and sensational match play setup by the USGA's Ben Kimball, it was not a big draw in LA. The miniscule crowds, even more miniscule member support and commitment to the possible 2028 Olympic golf all but rules out any return to the major championship world. The U.S. Open is also slated to return to Los Angeles in 2023 at The Los Angeles Country Club.

Apparently in the mind of the club's "corporate officer" Michael Yamaki, the amateur has positioned Riviera for the first ever boutique Ryder Cup. His reasoning? Folks in LA overpay for Laker courtside seats and gasoline at San Vicente and Allenford, so they'll do the same at Riviera for a massive-scale golf event like the Ryder Cup, PGA or U.S. Open. 

From John Strege's Golf World item:

“I’m still talking with the PGA of America. At some point they professed they’d like to see a Ryder Cup on the West Coast. I think we could do that event. I’d still like the PGA Tour [to consider] a Presidents Cup here.”

And this pearl...

“Its [the USGA] perception of us here in Southern California is that we’re just in our hot tubs or surfing,” Yamaki said. “They don’t think that we will support sports in the same way as the East Coast.”

Given the piles of tickets from the U.S. Amateur, I'm guessing the USGA's mind hasn't been changed.

Rio A Year Later And Golf's Place In The Games

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Rex Hoggard filed a series of one-year-later GolfChannel.com stories and accompanying video report (below) on golf's Rio return. He looks at the state of the course, the increased funding in developing countries and the long term plans for the Rio course.

Some of the images of decaying venues are hard to see knowing that a year ago such joyful and memorable competitions were taking place, but it's a tribute to the new Rio course CEO Mario Galvo that Gil Hanse's creation is alive and well.

Here is Hoggard's story on the course, including this...

An Agence France-Presse report last November described a layout overgrown with natural vegetation and nearly devoid of players. But as the anniversary of that historic hand-over passes it appears the rumors of the layout’s death have been greatly exaggerated.

“The visions of an Olympic course that was going to be overgrown and left to waste didn’t occur. There seems to be a genuine desire to create white elephants when the Olympics are over,” says Mark Lawrie, the R&A’s director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

In April, when Lawrie returned to the Rio course, he found a much different reality. Although he admits the volume of play hasn’t been what officials hoped for, the course itself remains playable with conditions Galvão contends are better than what the world’s best competed on for medals a year ago.

This, for those inspired by Aditi Ashok's play last year in Rio, will serve as a statement backing what IGF organizers hoped would happen.

“Prior to golf coming back to the Olympics, there was very little that the [Indian Golf Union] got from the sports ministry in India,” said Dilip Thomas, the executive vice chairman of the Indian Golf Union. “Golf was also categorized as an elite sport and supposedly played by wealthy people. After the Olympics and following Aditi's performance in the early part of the event, the Indian government has started to look at golf through different eyes and now consider it to be a medal prospect for the country in the future.”

But if Ashok’s impact on golf in India, where an estimated 1 in 10,000 people play the game, was predictable, a year removed from Olympic golf’s return, it has resonated beyond the Rio leaderboard.

In underdeveloped golf countries the Olympics provided a unique opportunity to educate the public, which a recent International Golf Federation study suggests goes beyond the reach of even the game’s majors and other marquee events, as well as a chance to leverage the game’s newfound status as an Olympic sport.

The video piece with interviews from key figures a year later:

Poll And Question: Best Ways To Boost The U.S. Amateur?

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I'd ask you to consider some points made in this Golfweek column related to the state of the U.S. Amateur before voting.

Because even in the aftermath of a classic final match and a week in LA where many players enjoyed the experience of a lifetime, it is apparent that the U.S. Amateur is not quite the championship it once was. Over the decades, tweaks have been made to the format in the name of keeping the event prestigious and it feels like it may be time for those closely associated with the caretaking of America's best amateur event to consider a few tweaks.

There is not one obvious issue or even one essential solution, but there does seem to be a path toward improvement inspired by trend of players turning pro immediate after the NCAA. My suggestions:

--Ranking incentive? As mentioned in the Golfweek piece, the it may be time to consider some exemptions to match play for top-ranked amateurs, which would incentivize them to remain amateurs and reward summer performance leading into the U.S. Amateur. The World Amateur Golf Ranking would also get a huge credibility boost.

--Day and date change. The U.S. Amateur has always fallen near the start of school for those on the semester system and traditionally falls on a Sunday finish against other golf. Perhaps being played a couple of weeks earlier and finishing on a less competitive day will restore some prestige. Other events on the USGA calendar may be moving (Herrington/Golf World) so why not consider the Amateur as well?

--Perks for semifinalists and finalists. We know that exemptions to the U.S. Open disappear when a player turns professional, as do free passes to U.S. Open sectional qualifying. This is why winners of semi-final matches seize on the Masters invitation and not the U.S. Open exemption, prompting the USGA to bring the U.S. Open trophy to the first tee. It's time to reconsider.

--Lose the logos. While it's difficult to pin down the impact, the sight of players sporting company affiliations does not exactly cry amateur golf or improve the event. Years ago the NCAA made players cover college affiliations in non-NCAA competitions, but it may be time to ask players to not look like professional golfers at the U.S. Amateur.

Feel free to add your suggestions and vote for as many of these as you'd like...

Best way to give the U.S. Amateur a boost?
 
pollcode.com free polls

We Can Find Things Again! European Tour Restores Old Website!

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The information-light, purportedly-young people friendly revamp of the European Tour's website is no more after earning universally loathsome reviews.

In an open letter complete with the file photo  PelleyModeratelySomber_RedGlasses_4.jpg, Chief Executive Keith Pelley chalked the change up to technical issues and fan input.

I was hopeful the technical issues we faced were behind us, but having monitored our website and app closely they are clearly not, which is why we have taken action.

You, the fans, are vitally important to the European Tour and our players. I want to make your experience – whether in person at our tournaments or on-line – the best it can possibly be.

We have listened to your feedback and we appreciate all of you who took the time to contact us. We took that very much into consideration when taking this step.

You should know we will continue to work behind the scenes, reviewing the future direction of our website and app, but nothing will be done until we are 100% confident, both from a technical and a design perspective

Here it is folks...rejoice! The site we thought worked fine is back:

PGA Tour Policy Board Adds Kleiner Perkins Internet Expert, But Will They Opt Out September 1?

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I know you all recall that I wrote about the May-PGA move in the August Golfweek. But just in case, a reminder that the piece included a mention of September 1 as the PGA Tour's deadline to opt out its current network television deal. If they do not, the current contract with CBS and NBC is likely to continue as-is until 2021.

Given the uncertainty over schedule dynamics, declining ratings and the uncertain state of television, logic would say wait things out and open up negotiations in two years when the dust has settled.

Countering that thinking was Monday's announcement of Mary Meeker joining the PGA Tour Policy Board. Meeker is a partner in Kleiner Perkins, Silicon Valley's most prestigious venture capital firm and is considered an expert on internet trends.

I believe this announcement also makes her the first woman to serve on the PGA Tour Policy Board. She gets a huge break out of the chute for liking golf architecture, too.

For Immediate Release:

Mary Meeker Joining PGA TOUR Policy Board as Independent Director
 
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (August 21, 2017) – The PGA TOUR Policy Board today announced that Mary Meeker, a General Partner at venture capital firm of Kleiner Perkins in Menlo Park, California, has accepted an invitation to join the Board as an Independent Director.
 
Meeker becomes the Policy Board’s fifth Independent Director, joining Chairman John McCoy, Victor Ganzi, Edward Herlihy and Randall Stephenson.
 
Meeker has been with Kleiner Perkins since December 2010 and focuses on investing in Internet-related businesses around the world. Meeker has led KP’s investments in a number of leading technology companies including Spotify, JD.com, Waze, Airbnb and Peloton.  She is on the Board of Directors of Square, Lending Club and DocuSign. Meeker joined Kleiner Perkins after serving as Managing Director at Morgan Stanley in New York where she helped lead the Global Technology Research Team. Meeker has been listed by Forbes as one of ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ since 2012.
 
“In this dynamic, fast-changing world of media and technology, Mary’s expertise – and proven reputation as a trend-spotter – will be especially helpful as the TOUR innovates to create the best experience for our fans,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “Given that her keen business acumen is matched by a true love and appreciation for the game of golf, we’re thrilled to welcome her to the PGA TOUR Policy Board and look forward to the impact she’s sure to make on the future of our organization.”
 
A native of Indiana, Meeker graduated from DePauw University with a B.A. degree and received an MBA from Cornell University in addition to an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from DePauw.
 
“We couldn’t be more pleased to have someone of Mary’s expertise and caliber become the newest member of the PGA TOUR Policy Board,” McCoy said. “Many on our Board have known Mary for years and are familiar with her successes and expertise. We look forward to working with her and applying her insights as we guide the business strategies of the PGA TOUR to continue its overall growth and success.”
 
Meeker has a strong, longstanding connection to golf, dating back to a summer job working as a groundskeeper and serving as captain of her high school golf team. Meeker has played golf around the world and has participated in pro-ams on both the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, including at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
 
“I grew up around golf and am passionate about the sport,” said Meeker.  “I love practicing, playing, watching, competing and appreciating the artistry of golf course design. The PGA TOUR is impressive – the players, the leadership and organizers, the volunteers and the business model, including the focus on local charities communities and global growth. It’s an honor to have a seat at the table to help participate in the growth of the game.”

According to the release, Meeker joins four other directors, the PGA of America president, and four player directors. That makes ten. The board has traditionally included just nine members. The Tour confirmed there will be ten voters until John McCoy retires some time next year.

The current pre-Meeker board:


But there was also great news for Meeker and others at the PGA Tour!

Citations for everybody at the C Level!

NETJETS EXTENDS CONTRACT AS THE OFFICIAL PRIVATE JET PROVIDER OF THE PGA TOUR
 
TOUR extends partnership through 2022 for the worldwide leader in private aviation
 
Columbus, OH – August 21, 2017 - NetJets® Inc., the worldwide leader in private aviation, has extended its contract as the Official Private Jet Provider of the PGA TOUR® and PGA TOUR® Champions. The agreement solidifies a partnership between NetJets Inc. and the TOUR through 2022, providing flights, marketing support and charitable contributions to assist the PGA TOUR, tournaments and players around the world.
 
“We launched our initial partnership with the PGA TOUR in 2014 and it has been a mutually beneficial arrangement that delivers incredible exposure to our brand and value to the audiences we serve,” said Pat Gallagher, NetJets Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Currently, more than 30 top-ranked PGA TOUR players rely on NetJets to give them a competitive advantage by maximizing their time. We are excited to work together with the PGA TOUR on tournament activations and media opportunities, as well as extending valuable opportunities to our Owners.”
 
Since 2014, when NetJets became the Official Private Jet Provider of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, the company has had the privilege of flying nine of the last 10 FedExCup winners and seven of the Top 10 world-ranked golfers.
 
“My time is valuable and I try to maximize every second I can get on the course and with my family. For more than 16 years, NetJets has made it possible for me to do both,” said Jim Furyk, NetJets Owner. “They do everything possible to get me to tournaments on time, making my schedule, my safety, and my comfort their priority. I truly can’t imagine traveling any other way.”
 
“The PGA TOUR continuously seeks quality partnerships that support our members and the TOUR on a global scale,” said Brian Oliver, PGA TOUR Senior Vice President, Sponsorship & Partnership.  “NetJets is the recognized leader in the private aviation industry with an outstanding reputation for service, safety and comfort. In addition to our joint marketing efforts throughout the year, NetJets has direct relationships with a number of our players who regularly utilize their service for their private travel needs week to week. We are extremely pleased to extend our valuable relationship with NetJets for the next six years.”
 
NetJets, Inc., the global leader in fractional ownership of private aircraft, has more than 700 aircraft in its fleet, making it the fifth largest airline in the world. Featuring 14 aircraft types, including the Challenger 350, Global 5000 and 6000 as well as the Phenom 300, only NetJets can serve the wide-ranging needs of PGA TOUR players. All of its jets feature plush interiors, the latest avionics, state-of-the-art entertainment systems, mood lighting and more. Larger cabin aircraft, which are designed for longer-range flights, feature a spacious divan and seating that can be adjusted to lay flat for a restful sleep experience.
 
Learn more about the NetJets experience from NetJets Owner and PGA TOUR player Dustin Johnson.

USGA's "Walker Cup Needs New Selection Process"

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Some people sample fine wines, GolfChannel.com's Ryan Lavner tracks the always-flawed Walker Cup team selection process. And while you might not care about the plight of college golfers snubbed because they don't fit the team room dynamic, or mid-ams because they didn't play well enough, the entire mess is important if you'd like to see amateur golf survive.

Unfortunately, as Lavner lays out, this appears to be yet another blow for an amateur game that is already struggling to keep top players from turning pro before the Walker Cup. (Even as great as the event has been.)

The latest top talent to be passed over by the committee working in secret, LSU's Sam Burns, is the Nicklaus Award winner and sports a resume as strong as the last LSU player passed over for suspicious reasons, John Peterson.

Lavner calls the oversight "egregious" and writes:

By almost any metric, Burns should have been a lock for the U.S. team. Three months ago, the LSU sophomore earned the Nicklaus Award, given to the top college player. Drawing significant interest from sponsors and tournament directors, he could have turned pro in June but opted instead to wait until after the Walker Cup in September. It should not have been a risk, but that decision proved costly: Last month he played the Barbasol Championship, an opposite-field event on the PGA Tour, and tied for sixth. Because he was an amateur, however, he forfeited a $113,000 payday and sacrificed other playing opportunities.

Burns was the Division I player of the year. He remained amateur through the summer. He starred in a Tour event. It’s unclear what else he could have done to show the committee how much making the team meant to him, save for getting an American flag tattoo.

Peterson took to Twitter and attacked the USGA:

 

 

The mid-amateur world is also upset, though in such a wide open year, the over-25 set had their chances to make the team and failed. This did not stop former U.S. Mid-Amateur winner Scott Harvey from protesting:

 

 

Besides the biennial oversight issue, the lack of a running points list and sense of momentum leading to the team selection hurts the marketability of the event. For better or worse, team cup points lists keep us aware of who is in the running. The Walker Cup, however, is selected in private and therefore, is conducted in private.