R&A Secures Approval For Re-imagined Glasgow Golf Facility

The Scotsman’s Martin Dempster reports on the R&A securing approval for plans to redevelop Lethamhill Golf Course into a nine-hole with putting greens, short-game areas, “adventure golf” and a lighted driving range. The main theme, however is to re-imagine an existing facility into something that may fine more appeal with more people, including new players and families. It’s a pretty bold but also overdue move by one of the governing bodies to go beyond mere messaging campaigns.

For Immediate Release:

THE R&A SECURES APPROVAL TO BUILD NEW COMMUNITY GOLF FACILITY IN GLASGOW

10 August 2021, St Andrews, Scotland: The R&A has secured approval for its plans to redevelop the existing public golf course at Lethamhill in Glasgow to create a brand new community golf facility in the north-east of the city.

Ownership of the site has now been transferred to The R&A by Glasgow City Council following agreement between the two organisations and preparations for the construction of the revamped venue will now begin this week.

The new development includes the creation of a nine-hole course, putting greens, short-game area, adventure golf and a floodlit driving range to allow visitors to enjoy a wide range of golf activities, including shorter forms of the sport.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “This is a vital step towards realising our ambition of creating a new golf facility which presents the sport in a fun, affordable and accessible way for the enjoyment of families, young people and community groups living locally.

“We are hugely excited about the potential of this project and will be making a significant investment in transforming the existing course at Lethamhill into a first-class venue where everyone feels welcome, no matter their age or ability, in which they can have fun exploring golf’s many different formats and connect with nature, outdoors in the fresh air.

“We believe that golf can be and should be enjoyed by people of all backgrounds and so this is a real opportunity for us to break down some of the unhelpful perceptions and barriers that exist and revitalise the way in which the sport is offered so that everyone feels they have the freedom to play and enjoy its many health and social benefits.”

Golfers have been provided with alternative arrangements by Glasgow Life to continue playing golf at nearby Littlehill until construction is completed and it is hoped that the new facility will open in the summer of 2023.

Councillor David McDonald, Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow Life, said, “Having worked closely with The R&A over the last year to understand and help develop their plans for the new facility at Lethamhill Golf Course, we are thrilled that construction is now set to get underway.

“The new offering will ensure the space at Lethamhill is used to its full capacity, offering activities for everyone from the individual golfer, through to families with young children. We’re looking forward to seeing the progression of the project, and continuing to work with The R&A to ensure the new facility provides key benefits to the local community.”

The agreement will also enable the Seven Lochs Partnership, which overseas the Seven Lochs Wetland Park that includes nearby Hogganfield Loch, to use the facility as its base and hub for the delivery of heritage learning and engagement activities, a free park events programme, volunteering and employability training linked to park management and maintenance.

Access to nearby Hogganfield Loch for leisure activities will be maintained for local users throughout the period of construction.

Councillor Maureen Burke, Chair of the Seven Lochs Partnership, said, “I am delighted to be part of this new partnership, which will bring much needed investment to the local area, creating new jobs and attracting visitors from across the city and beyond. As well as a fantastic new golf facility, the new centre will allow the Seven Lochs team to work with local schools to deliver outdoor learning, offer volunteering opportunities and employability training linked to park maintenance, and support a range of outdoor activities that help improve health and well-being in the local community.”

You can see a few more images of the indoor portion of the facility here. If I find a master plan or more views of the course I’ll include it here.

Today In Wildlife: Bears And Golf Courses

More examples of golf courses providing a safe place for cubs and bears, though the second video making the rounds today suggests a golf bag can intimidate an otherwise large bear.

The first clip of cubs having fun is from North Carolina, though the course is not identified.

This clip is from British Columbia’s Swaneset Golf Course and Country Club:

Take That, Infomercials: Olympic Late Night Ratings Best Since 2019 President's Cup

Before we get to the Olympic ratings news supplied by NBC/Golf Channel, just a reminder that this Thursday’s early morning Golf Channel viewing options cover a vast array of ailments starting at midnight PT/3 am ET: Squat into the best of you! is followed by 5 Makeup Tips 4 You before giving way to the last hour, one-two punch of greatest Must See TV since Cheers and Night Court: Stop Brain Fog and Arthritis + Neck Pain.

If nothing else, this should help a few Villages early-risers fall back to sleep. This middle of the night lineup airs just a bit later than the block last week showing third round women’s Tokyo Olympic golf and the week before that, men’s second round play.

Guess what?

Ratings were up big! But the men’s Olympic golf was down about 8 million American viewers compared to 2016’s final round picked up by NBC. So there’s that.

From Golf Channel PR:

• Coverage of the down-to-the-wire final round of men’s golf on Saturday, July 31 delivered the best late night viewership in GOLF Channel history (878,000 viewers, Midnight-3:30 am ET), and ranked second among all networks in that time period (behind only NBC’s “Prime Plus” Olympics show).

Where, incidentally, the golf was not deemed good enough to show on NBC Prime Plus.

Last time, NBC gave around 90 minutes to the final round and had 8.8 million average viewers plus huge (very specific) streaming numbers.

• Primetime coverage of the men’s golf competition averaged 565,000 viewers – marking GOLF Channel’s best four-day primetime stretch since December 2019 (President’s Cup).

Also worth noting: early 2016 coverage from Rio on Golf Channel drew a 1.22 rating and an average of 1.845 million viewers.

On the women’s side the numbers were pretty awful in Rio and so anything was bound to be better.

• Coverage of the women’s golf competition averaged 345,000 viewers – a 26% increase over the same event in Rio in 2016. The final round on Friday, August 6 (595,000 viewers) increased 39% from comparable Rio coverage.

• Last Friday’s final round of the women’s competition was GOLF Channel’s most-watched women’s golf telecast since August 2017 (Solheim Cup final round).

NBC did show a nice chunk of the women’s third round late Friday/early Saturday but did not show any of the exciting final round.

Quadrilateral Preview: U.S. Amateur Returns To Oakmont

Oakmont’s third hole in 2016 (Geoff Shackelford)

The last time we saw Oakmont, the USGA was having a rough Sunday and Diana Murphy capped it all off with a stirring trophy ceremony presentation since scrubbed from the interweb.

For the kind paying folks who subscribe to the Quadrilateral, I preview what to look for this week, the final before college golfers can cash in on name, image and likeness.

Slugger Has Given His Last Ruling And Driven His Last Cart Without A Roof

Adam Schupak at Golfweek files a wonderful send off to Slugger White, longtime PGA Tour rules official, good player and nice fellow who had more early wake-up calls and listened to more lame player gripes than we’ll ever know.

On how it all started:

With career earnings of $32,279, White determined it was time to find another line of work to make a living. He was a finalist for a handful of club pro jobs in the northeast, but every time he was the bridesmaid.

“I look back and think, you know what, they really did me a favor,” he said.

It just so happened that then-PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman, a former player in his own right, was seeking former players to work in tournament operations. Longtime rules official Mike Shea called White to see if he would be interested.

“It kind of fell in my lap,” White said.

U.S. Women's Am Champ Survived 12-For-2 Playoff, Three Matches After Falling 2-Down

You have to admire the resilience of U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion Jensen Castle surviving a playoff and several down moments, only to prevail in Sunday’s finale at Westchester CC. Oh, and she opened stroke play qualifying with a 79!

Adam Woodward’s game story from Harrison, New York included this:

After surviving a 12-for-2 playoff just to advance from stroke play, Castle was apparently meant to be a champion. For the third time in six matches this week, the Kentucky junior came back from 2-down, this time against Arizona junior Yu-Chiang (Vivian) Hou, to win the 121st U.S. Women’s Amateur, 2 and 1.

“It still hasn’t registered. I mean, it feels like just another tournament,” she said moments after the win on just one hour and 45 minutes of sleep. “But then I sit back and I’m like, ‘This is a USGA event with so much history.’ All the exemptions I didn’t even realize. I was just lucky I could play.”

David Shefter’s game story for the USGA official site touches on the incredible nature of Castle’s win given all of the holes she put herself in, becoming the Castle is the third No. 63 seed in USGA history to win a title since seeding began in the mid-1980s.

Castle defeated Yu-Chiang (Vivian) Hou, 2 and 1 in Sunday’s 36-hole final at Westchester CC.

DeChambeau Hears It From Fans But Does It Amount To "Psychological Abuse"?

Bryson DeChambeau and Harris English unraveled during Sunday’s WGC FedEx St Jude, opening the door to Abraham Ancer’s playoff win over Sam Burns and Hideki Matsuyama. Getting put on the clock several times did not help the duo.

Seems Bryson heard it from fans and even pushed back some. I’m not sure it’s reached the level of “psychological abuse” GolfDigest.com’s Shane Ryan is claiming here, but he was there, and offered this account and it’s worth taking seriously:

Since then, it has evolved into fans calling DeChambeau various forms of Koepka's name, with "Brooksy" being a favorite. On the surface, this may sound ridiculous, minor, and even funny. In reality, when you follow DeChambeau for even half a round, and you see the faces of the people taunting him for a mean little thrill, it looks crueler and more intense than would come across on TV or in written reports. It clearly makes DeChambeau miserable, but he's locked into an unwinnable position where if he reacts, he looks thin-skinned and inevitably makes the abuse worse. Yet staying silent doesn't help, either. After staring down several fans throughout the course of play on Sunday—a long glare, accomplishing nothing, before he marched away—he finally broke down on the 17th tee when a female fan shouted, yet again, "Brooksy!"

"Good one!" he shouted back, but he looked bitter, and tired, and defeated, and the only thing you could feel for him in that moment was pity.

Dating to the days of the Morris’ vs. the Parks, golfers have been subjected to odd forms of heckling or abuse from fans. But it seems different now given a few factors: post-lockdown entitlement to be boorish and the specter of gambling.

The first part the PGA Tour has no control over other than booting fans who are abusive. The second part? I just don’t know how a bettor can trust the sport if a player can be so thrown off their game by hearing “Brooksy”. Imagine what will happen when there is real money on the line?

Anyway, the final round highlights of Ancer’s win, arguably the biggest by a Mexican golfer (though he was born in the U.S. but maintains duel citizenship):

Bryson's Rough Week Continues As Players Call Out Lack Of "FORE!" While Ryder Cup Vax Status May Become An Issue

Bryson DeChambeau was asked last month about his propensity to not yell “FORE!” or signal to fans that an incoming Bridgestone was headed their way. His answer:

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I do shout fore. I don't know what you're talking about. There are plenty of people on the tee box that do shout fore. You're bringing up a very controversial thing, which is unfortunate, but 99 per cent of the time I do, and unfortunately people think I don't. But that's okay, they can say whatever they want.

But as Steve DiMeglio reports, the Return To Golf in Memphis has been a rough one and got worse after an errant tee shot headed for the crowd.

DeChambeau has only granted interviews to PGA Tour Live following his first two rounds. Two European Tour players who are not in the field, however, spoke up and took DeChambeau to task on Twitter for not yelling “Fore!” when one of his errant drives headed toward the gallery.

The players were all from the European Tour, now part of the Strategic Alliance. So, family.

Bryson ploughing it into the crowd again off the tee & no shout of “FORE” 🤷🏻‍♂️ maybe it needs someone to get seriously injured for him to learn

— Richard Bland (@blandy73) August 5, 2021

And these two as well:

Horrendous. Should be fined just like slow play. Penalty shots and, if needed, DQ. https://t.co/RULdPGrwaa

— Bernd Wiesberger (@BWiesberger) August 6, 2021

DeChambeau did find one supporter in Brandel Chamblee, who made this bizarre assertion:

The av driving accuracy for the PGA Tour is roughly 60%, so 40% of the time someone should be yelling fore!…. So that is 874 yells of “four!!” per day at each event. Does the phrase “Cry Wolf” ring a bell? It’s VERY important to know if one is in the landing area of a tee shot. https://t.co/AoVSxg9Zj2

— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) August 7, 2021

After DeChambeau’s early week discussion about his COVID bout and vaccination comments, the topic appears to not be going away.

Quadrilateral readers may recall from this week’s edition my question about the prospects of a traditional Ryder Cup team room if there are vaccination holdouts. Given how team activities, team room laughs and passionate speeches are held up as a key part of players loving the event, it would seem necessary.

Well now we learn from Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch that just a day after DeChambeau’s comments, the PGA of America and Ryder Cup leadership “began reaching out to likely members of the team asking about their vaccine status and if they would be willing to be vaccinated in advance of the event.”

Only time will tell what the response is should a player say no.

But hey, at least he’s playing well in the final WGC to be played in Memphis.

Korda-Inami-Ko Win Tokyo Olympic Medals In Grand Fashion

The women’s side of Olympic golf has prized participation and medals more than the men. No surprise then that the finish was a hard fought one despite Mother Nature’s best efforts to interfere.

American Nelly Korda held off all to capture the gold affirm her status as the world’s best. Rex Hoggard from Tokyo on Korda’s performance and how she dealt with the inconveniently-timed weather delay.

New Zealand’s Lydia Ko took the bronze after losing a playoff with Japan’s Mone Inami, making her a two-time medalist. And Inami, the home country hope, tied Korda at one point before bogeying the last but still delivered her homeland its first-ever medal in golf.

Capping it all off was fourth place finisher Aditi Ashok, who first became known to the golf world by making it to Rio after being randomly drawn to the sport and now, nearly medaling in Tokyo. She was even praised by India’s Prime Minister, as Chuah Choo Chiang writes.

The final leaderboard.

Analyzing Augusta National During Its Mid-Summer Surgery

13th green, August 2021 (Eureka Earth)

Eureka Earth gets all the credit for the latest shots and as I argue in a Quadrilateral for the paying folk, this is educational as hard as it is to see the pristine course all torn up.

Follow-Up: Protestors Camp Outside Winged Foot, Trump Thanks Club For "Love And Spirit" In The Room

After NBC News revealed a controversial August 4th celebration of Donald Trump hosted by Winged Foot members, protestors said they planned to greet the former President upon his return to the storied club. And they did.

Trump issued a statement thanking the club for honoring him, with proof the gala went ahead along with pristine turf for the old autocrat:

NEW!

President Donald J. Trump:

"Thank you to Winged Foot Golf Club for honoring me last night. There was true love and spirit in the room. It is a great and well-run place!" pic.twitter.com/Jtoh2kNdgc

— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) August 5, 2021

The protestors out front can be seen, with more images here if you’re looking to see the Winged Foot entrance and initials in a new light.

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A post shared by Amy Siskind (@amy_siskind)

Hoping For 72 But Women's Olympic Medals Could Be Decided After 54 By Weather, Nelly Korda

Rex Hoggard with the latest from Tokyo where the forecast pretty much stinks in every regard: oppressive heat with the great chance of severe storms. But it sounds like on site officials are doing their best by moving up tee times and at least trying to go early Saturday.

Though it may not matter after Nelly Korda posted an incredible 62 even with a double bogey on the last hole, opening up a four-stroke lead. Last week, Slovakia’s Rory Sabbatini recorded two bogies and still posted a final round 61.

Centroid Closes $1.87 Billion Purchase Of Taylormade And Already Planning For Public Offering

The Korea Herald’s Son Ji-hyoung reports on Centroid Investment Partners closing “a $1.87 billion deal to buy a 100 percent stake in TaylorMade Golf from US private equity firm KPS Capital Partners” and already announcing intentions of a public offering. I.E. exiting.

Ji-hyoung writes:

The buyout deal will lay the groundwork for the US-based golf equipment and clothing maker to go public in the future, the Korean investor said.

When TaylorMade does go public, the investor consortium will have enough room to seek a “considerable amount of capital gain” as they look to price the offered shares when comparing with US-listed peers, Centroid said in a statement.

According to Centroid’s company analysis, TaylorMade’s enterprise valuation is set lower than the two listed golf product rivals Acushnet Holdings and Callaway Golf, considering the three firms’ profit-generating capacity.

Now I don’t know a lot about this stuff, but “redeemable preference shares for risk hedging” sounds like a lot of debt to service.

The transaction comprises $532 million in equity, $405 million in redeemable preference shares for risk hedging, as well as $933 million financed for senior and subordinated debts combined.

Almost a billion. I think that’s a lot of drivers to sell to pay off the interest.

The story also implies apparel maker F&F will be a big part of the equation:

Centroid has worked with numerous partners in Korea, including outfit manufacturer F&F, Korea Federation of Community Credit Cooperative, National Credit Union Federation of Korea and Yuanta Securities Korea.

Of them, F&F is a strategic partner that has injected 500 billion won ($434.4 million) in Centroid, according to a filing submitted to domestic financial authorities. F&F holds the contractual right to be given priorities when the TaylorMade Golf shareholder is engaged in a new business transaction, according to Centroid.

Tour Says 85% Of "Constituents" Vaccinated But Bryson's Going To Wait Until It's Really, Really Mainstream

Bob Harig at ESPN.com with a couple of stories worth checking out if you’re not totally exhausted by First World COVID issues.

The Tour gave updated numbers on vaccination and while their testing program has ended a bit too soon given the Delta variant, the numbers are encouraging for conducting safe events.

From the story:

"Given the increase in cases across the country, resumption of some level of serial testing is a possibility," said Andy Levinson, senior vice president, tournament administration for the PGA Tour, in an email. "However, at this time with our high vaccination rates across core constituents, our medical advisors have not recommended testing of asymptomatic individuals regardless of vaccination status."

The PGA Tour reported that 85% of its "constituents' are fully vaccinated. That includes a rate above 70% for players and above 90% for caddies. Others who were included and were routinely tested at tournaments: rules officials, tournament administrators and media relations personnel.

This was overshadowed by Bryson DeChambeau’s return from a mild bout with COVID and his insistence that he not get vaccinated then or now.

DeChambeau seems to believe there are vaccine shortages.

"I'm young enough, I'd rather give it [the vaccine] to people who need it. I don't need it. I'm a healthy, young individual that will continue to work on my health.

"I don't think taking the vaccine away from someone who needs it is a good thing. My dad is a perfect example. He got it [the vaccine] early on because he's a diabetic. People like that need to get it. My mom got it. I don't want to take away that ability."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said there are no vaccine shortages in the United States.

DeChambeau added: "Now as time goes on, if it [the vaccine] is mainstream, really, really mainstream, then yeah."

On this topic, I wrote in this week’s Quadrilateral about the oddity of having rambunctious team bonding activities indoors at the Ryder Cup.

Quadrilateral: Major(s) News And Notes, August 5th, 2021

This week’s Quad takes in the yuuuuuge news this week of Scottish Open points availability for both the FedExCup and Race to Dubai. It’s been undersold how meaningless this news is to fans, so I tackle that and the more important topic of oversaturating markets with watered down events.

It’s still staggering to think the PGA Tour could not find a sponsor for a New York playoff stop. And yet it’s not after so many majors, Presidents Cups and playoff events in a short time. But this matters because the majors got pulled in on many fronts and, well, just check it out.

Plus a couple of Ryder Cup notes. It’s free every Thursday! Sign up!