Now that members of Team USA are done throwing each other under the bus, we can discuss a thoughtful, well-reasoned plan to return the Red, White and Blue to some semblance of competitiveness in the Ryder Cup. Losing 9 of the last 11 matches to Europe is not a sign of a sea-change in terms of the balance of talent in the golf world. Even this year, the average World Ranking of the US team was better than that of Europe's. So why can't the Americans win--even if they "don't care as much as the Euros?"
I have a multiple-part plan that I think would restore some of the competitive balance to the matches. Most require no change to the nature of the Ryder Cup itself (because are the Europeans going to willingly surrender whatever advantage they have gained over the past two decades willingly?) Let's start with those--and then cover some changes to the format itself that would make the competition better--regardless of whether the US gains an advantage or not.
Step 1--Bring in the PGA Tour as a fully-vested partner in the Ryder Cup. Without this step, several of the other suggestion I'm about to offer will be impossible--because a lot of the "problems" Team USA deals with before even arriving at the Cup venue are tied directly to the Tour acting separately from the interests of the Ryder Cup. This of course will likely require the PGA to give up some of the millions it makes from one of its two huge cash cows--and I don't see Ted Bishop (or any of his successors) being very enthusiastic about this. But if they really do care about winning more than once every decade, this will be necessary.
Step 2A--Make the FedEx Cup a biennial competition awarded opposite of the Ryder Cup years. If there is any "European template" it likely includes a provision that calls for its players not wear themselves into the ground the month of the competition trying to win 10-million dollars. Three-quarters of the American team was playing at New York, Boston, Denver and Atlanta over the space of five weeks in the Fed Ex Cup "Playoffs". Remember the derision Phil Mickelson received in some quarters for withdrawing from the Tour Championship so he could "rest" for the Ryder Cup? Meanwhile, most of the European team played a couple of the Fed Ex tourneys--or cruised through all of them if they made the cuts--not trying too hard to win. The rest skipped the European Tour's Swedish and Russian Opens--with nobody saying "boo" about that--because the Tour knew those guys needed to be fresh for the Ryder Cup.
Step 2B--Play the Ryder Cup on Labor Day Weekend. If PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem can't bear the thought of using two-year rolling standings for his beloved "Playoff" that nobody--least of all the players--really cares about, this will have to be the other alternative. Play the Ryder Cup a few weeks after the PGA Championship when everyone should be sharp--but not worn out. Then, everybody can head into the "Playoffs" after that with whatever effort they want to put forth. If you're on the team, you can probably afford to skip the first two events and still stand a pretty good chance of making it to Atlanta for the cash grab--I mean "highly coveted FedEx Cup". Playing earlier also reduces the chances of 45-degree mornings at the European venues that make everyone miserable (although it might cut down on the number of "Official Team Stocking Caps and Chopper Mittens" sold at the merchandise tent and online.
Step 3--Change the Accenture Match Play Championship into the Accenture Foursomes Match Play Championship. You can keep the top 64 World Rankings eligibility for the event--but everyone playing has to pick a partner for double-elimination, alternate-shot match play. This should help any future Ryder Cup captain see which players work well together--and help some guys to realize that they and their best buddy on tour are a terrible match because they are both wild off the tee and can't make big putts. This might also help the Presidents' Cup--as the Internationals get a chance to practice a format that they get drubbed in every two years as badly as the US does in the Ryder Cup. Given that the pace of alt-shot is much quicker than everyone playing their own ball, you should be able to play 36 every day for five days to get the tourney done.
Step 4--Drop the idea that every American captain has to be a major winner. What do Paul McGinley, Sam Torrance, Bernard Gallacher and Colin Montgomerie have in common? Ryder Cup wins as captains--and ZERO major victories. Just because you are a great golfer doesn't mean you know the first thing about organizing a team or inspiring others to do better than they thought they ever could. Look outside the world of golf. Can you name a hall of fame, mulitiple-championship winning player who made a great coach or manager? Ted Williams used to get in the batting cage in his 50's while managing the Washington Senators and hit line drive after line drive "teaching" his players--who still went out and hit .230.
Step 5--Groom a succession of captains in the "program". European captains tend to serve several turns as assistants--getting to learn what does and does not work in the team room, the pairings and the order of play. Paul McGinley had three turns--and captained the Seve Cup team for Great Britain and Ireland as well. If the PGA Tour joins in the effort (as I require in step one) future captains can cut their teeth as assistants in both Ryder and Presidents Cups--and perhaps lead both teams in consecutive years if they are ready to make the commitment. It can't work any worse than going from direction to direction with a new captain every two years has the last two decades.
Step 6--Employ analytics. This goes for both picking the wildcards and creating your pairings. Could Tom Watson have told you who his eight highest ranking players were in birdies or eagles made on Tour this year? Those are the kind of pairings that win at Fourballs. Who led the team in fairways hit and strokes gained putting on the Tour? Those are the kinds of teams that win Foursomes--where the one ball in play must be treated as the most precious thing on the face of the planet. I bet every European captain could recite his team's numbers forward and backward in those stats.
Step 7--Play courses that are regularly on the PGA Tour. The selection of host courses on the European side usually lead people to scratch their heads. You're going to have a Ryder Cup in Scotland and then play at Gleneagles instead of Carnoustie, Muirfield or St Andrews? The answer lies in the fact that Gleneagles is a regular stop on the European Tour. As was the K Club, Celtic Manor and Valderama. I know the teams arrive early and play the course in practice rounds all week before the Cup--but there is no substitute for an entire week of competitive play on a venue to build familiarity and confidence. Meanwhile in the US, we host the Ryder Cup on super-hard, past major venues that nobody plays more than once a decade. Here are some suggestions: Ryder Cup Pebble Beach, Ryder Cup TPC Sawgrass, Ryder Cup Riviera or the ultimate dream, Ryder Cup Augusta National.
Step 8--Change the attitude toward players that are successful only in the Ryder Cup. Quick, what feeling do you have about the careers of Monty, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter? The first three you think of as chokers, and all four you would classify as "under-achievers" because they have ZERO major wins between all of them. And nearly all of them have multiple major collapses that we can point to immediately and laugh. But in Europe, these men are treated as golfing gods--all because of what they did in Ryder Cup. Conversely, here in the US a player's major total is the only thing that matters. Phil Mickelson was a good Ryder Cup player but was considered "overrated" because he never won a major. Then he started winning majors but losing nearly all the time in Ryder Cup and he suddenly was being talked about as one of the "all time greats". It's why the greatest US Ryder Cuppers--Larry Nelson, Billy Casper, Lanny Wadkins and Paul Azinger are mere afterthoughts in that same conversation.
Step 9--Dump the idea that you need to have "veteran experience" on the team every year. Call this the Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed platform because they were two crazy-young guys who went over to Scotland believing that they could single-handedly take on the world and end this embarrassment--only to get no real support from the "veterans". Besides, what good is experience if it is only the experience of defeat? I'll take "young and foolish" over "old and beaten down" any time.
My final step does include an actual change to the Cup format--which would require the approval of the European committee--and I'm not confident they will be too keen on it.
Step 10--Adopt the same four-day, everybody plays format of the Presidents Cup. When you look at how the Europeans started this run of dominance, they came over with five great players, three really good guys and four guys that sat the bench for two days and then tried to somehow come up with a half point in singles on Sunday. Save for this year, I would say that the US has always had the deeper team--but had guys who would have easily won more points having to sit out matches for the first two days. Plus, adding a day cuts into the endless pre-match analysis and interview sessions and would actually keep the players fresher--as nobody has to go 36 except on Saturday. Maybe if Jack Nicklaus could make this suggestion the Continental Europeans will gladly accept it--since they would be watching all of this fun at home on TV if Jack hadn't suggested letting them play too.
While it may have seemed the Phil Mickelson was driving the bus over Tom Watson in the post-match press conference, he was clearly sending a message to Ted Bishop at the PGA of America that something needs to change--and right quick--before we lose another generation of players to the black cloud that hangs over Team USA at the Ryder Cup.
I want to end this on a positive note: All-time Ryder Cup record, USA leads 25-13-2. We have a ways to go before we even get close to a .500 (competitive) record.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Bracketology
Golf's version of "March Madness" tees off tomorrow with the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship at Dove Mountain, Arizona. While it certainly is not as exciting at the NCAA Tournament, it is fun to fill out a bracket for on-line prizes. Here are my Predictions Sure To Go Wrong:
FIRST ROUND
Rory McIlroy over Shane Lowry--Rory seems to be taking the Tiger Wood approach to getting out of a slump: take a bunch of time off. But he should be able to beat his former amateur rival in Ireland.
Ricky Fowler over Carl Pettersson--Ricky is one of those guys who thrives on head-to-head match play competition. Carl never gets to play on the European Ryder Cup team--so he doesn't get to expierience the format that much.
Dustin Johnson over Alexander Noren--If Paulina Gretzky hasn't exhausted DJ by now, he should be able to bomb his way to a win in this match over one of the multitude of "Who's that" guys in the field.
Padraig Harrington over Graeme McDowell--This will be the best match of the first round--as both gritty players come in playing less than their best. I think Paddy out-scrambles Graeme for an extra holes win. Plus it's a 12-5 matchup and those are given upsets.
Bubba Watson over Chris Wood--The battle of the crazy long guys. Bubba is better in the format and gets the win.
Ryan Moore over Jim Furyk--Moore is something of a match play specialist dating back to his amateur days. He outgrinds the Grinder for the upset win.
Charl Schwartzel over Russell Henley--Remember when Henley was going to take the Tour by storm after the Sony? Charl is red hot right now and rolls to a win.
Zach Johnson over Jason Day--Zach has never played well on this bombers paradise--but I think Day will be too wild to win this one.
Louis Oosthuizen over Richie Ramsey--I have heard of Oosthuizen, I have not heard of Ramsey before this blog post.
Robert Garrigus over Brendan Grace--Garrigus will be outrageously long and make just enough putts to beat last year's Euro Tour sensation.
Keegan Bradley over Marcus Fraser--Keegan just needs to pretend it's Friday and Saturday at the Ryder Cup again. Still the best non-Monty/Poulter match play I have ever seen.
Fredrik Jacobson over Ernie Els--Do you get the feeling that Ernie's Open Championship last year is going to look like a final fluke victory in his career. I just hope the Junkman won't have a four footer on the last to force a playoff. That was one of the worst putts since Scott Hoch at the Masters.
Justin Rose over KJ Choi--Rosie just needs to pretend it's the back nine at the Ryder Cup again and drain every GD putt.
Bill Haas over Nicolas Colsaerts--Haas has finished top ten in the last three events. Colsaerts has been awful.
Sergio Garcia over Thongchai Jaidee--I really thought there would be an upset here (Jaidee is a prettey decent player)--but Sergio will sulk his way to at least one win in this tourney.
Matt Kuchar over Hiroyuki Fujita--Kooch has never lost a first round match. And there is a reason the US dominates Presidents Cup--the Asian Tour guys never play it.
Tiger Woods over Charles Howell III--Chuckie Three Sticks' coach was making noise about how confident he is that his pupil can beat Tiger. I might refer him to Stephen Ames and the definition of an absolute and total ass-kicking in this same event. It won't be 9 and 8.
Francesco Molinari over Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano--I'm picking Molinari just because I want to see him go against Tiger in the next round where revenge will be served for last year's Ryder Cup mop up non-concession on 18.
Webb Simpson over David Lynn--You know why the US doesn't dominate Ryder Cup anymore? Because Team Europe isn't filled with guys like David Lynn anymore.
Peter Hanson over Thomas Bjorn--Because I have to pick someone.
Lee Westwood over Rafael Cabrera-Bello--Westwood has played more over here and gets the nod here.
George Coetzee over Martin Kaymer--Kaymer is on my permanent shit list for sinking the Ryder Cup clinching putt last year.
Jason Duffner over Richard Sterne--Duffman wins with a clutch putt on the 18th and goes crazy by giving his patented "hey dude" hand wave.
Hunter Mahan over Matteo Manassero--The defending champ won't go out in the first round this year.
Luke Donald over Marcel Siem--For all the talk about Ian Poulter's match play record, Luke's is just as good.
Paul Lawrie over Scott Piercy--Scott Piercy is in the top 66 in the world? Lawrie showed new life in the Ryder Cup last year.
Henrik Stenson over Steve Stricker--It kills me to pick this--but you can't just shake off the rust in the first found of a match play tournament--and Steve hasn't played in a month.
Nick Watney over David Toms--Toms is a pretty good match player, but I'll take youth in this one.
Adam Scott over Tim Clark--Battle of the broomhandle putters. Better make em while you can boys--despite the PGA's threats against the USGA. Scott's better length (driving not putter) makes the difference.
Jamie Donaldson over Thorbjorn Olesen--There are no guarantees in match play, but I GUARANTEE NOBODY will be following this match!
Ian Poulter over Stephen Gallacher--Is the format still match play? Yeah, I'll take "The Ninja".
Bo Van Pelt over John Senden--A very underrated match here. Van Pelt's experience wins it.
SECOND ROUND:
Ricky Fowler over Rory McIlroy--Remember the "Har-Bowl" a couple of weeks ago? This is the "Hair Bowl". I'll take straight and long over curly and shaggy in about 26-holes.
Padraig Harrington over Dustin Johnson--Mr Intensity versus Mr Laid-back. I'll take intensity in this one.
Ryan Moore over Bubba Watson--I think Bubba loses focus and interest just two rounds in and Moore gets the upset win.
Charl Schwartzel over Zach Johnson--Riding the much hotter horse here.
Louis Oosthuizen over Robert Garrigus--Louis is looking too smooth to be rattled by a big bomber.
Keegan Bradley over Fredrick Jacobson--Who is more likely to make a four footer on 18 to win the match?
Justin Rose over Bill Haas--Another extra holes match, but Rose is starting to feel his oats and realize his talent.
Matt Kuchar over Sergio Garcia--Could any two men be any more different in demeanor? One sulks around the course all day acting like every force of nature is conspiring against him. The other makes a double bogey and smiles his way off the green to the next tee.
Tiger Woods over Francesco Molinari--Tiger is like Michael Jordan, he remembers every slight affected against him by any other golfer, writer, coach and caddy. 18 at Medinah last year will be very fresh in his mind on number 1 at Dove Mountain.
Webb Simpson over Peter Hanson--Webb is playing much more consistant golf right now.
Lee Westwood over George Coetzee--This will be a real snoozer, but Lee will out par Coetzee for the sleepy win.
Jason Dufner over Hunter Mahan--Anyone with a pulse in this one. Dufner will celebrate dropping the winning putt with his patented hat tip.
Luke Donald over Paul Lawrie--Luke makes a bunch of putts to win easily.
Henrik Stenson over Nick Watney--Stenson is building some momentum here.
Adam Scott over Thorbjorn Olesen--Simply because I can't provide any insight into Oleson's game.
Ian Poulter over Bo Van Pelt--The last time I checked, the format is still match play.
THIRD ROUND
Padraig Harringon over Rickie Fowler--One low seed always makes a run in this tournament--and Harrington is my pick to be that guy.
Charl Schwartzel over Ryan Moore--Schwartzel continues to hit perfect shot after perfect shot to win again.
Keegan Bradley over Louis Oosthuizen--There is a lot of question about Oostie's ability to close. No question about Keegan.
Matt Kuchar over Justin Rose--A slight upset here as well, but Kooch has been consistent all year.
Tiger Woods over Webb Simpson--This will be the 22-hole match that Tiger makes a bunch of crazy long putts to survive.
Jason Dufner over Lee Westwood--The Duffman will celebrate with an over the top slight fist pump.
Henrick Stenson over Luke Donald--Luke is great in this format, but always finds a way to lose too early.
Ian Poulter over Adam Scott--Still match play.
BRACKET FINALS
Charl Schwartzel over Padraig Harrington--Paddy's Cinderella run ends here to Mr Consistent.
Keegan Bradley over Matt Kuchar--Intensity overwhelms calm with a bunch of incredibly clutch putting.
Tiger Woods over Jason Dufner--This match will set a new tournament record for fewest words said by competitors. Tiger guts out another extra holes win.
Ian Poulter over Henrik Stenson--The only thing missing here is the crazy-faced, bulging-eye reaction from Poulter that we get at the Ryder Cup when he makes every must-make putt to gut his opponent.
FINAL FOUR
Keegan Bradley over Charl Schwartzel--I give Keegan the wide advantage in fist pumps and clutch putts to win 1-up.
Ian Poulter over Tiger Woods--If this match actually happens, cancel all of my plans for Saturday afternoon because there is NO WAY I am missing it. Poulter gives us his Ryder Cup face when he bounced Tiger on the 20th hole.
CONSOLATION MATCH
Charl Schwartzel over Tiger Woods--You think Tiger will actually be interested in a consolation match?
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Keegan Bradley over Ian Poulter--I hope the Europeans get a good look at this match--because this is the future of the Ryder Cup. (Or at least the future those of us who care about the Ryder Cup here in America hope it will look).
FIRST ROUND
Rory McIlroy over Shane Lowry--Rory seems to be taking the Tiger Wood approach to getting out of a slump: take a bunch of time off. But he should be able to beat his former amateur rival in Ireland.
Ricky Fowler over Carl Pettersson--Ricky is one of those guys who thrives on head-to-head match play competition. Carl never gets to play on the European Ryder Cup team--so he doesn't get to expierience the format that much.
Dustin Johnson over Alexander Noren--If Paulina Gretzky hasn't exhausted DJ by now, he should be able to bomb his way to a win in this match over one of the multitude of "Who's that" guys in the field.
Padraig Harrington over Graeme McDowell--This will be the best match of the first round--as both gritty players come in playing less than their best. I think Paddy out-scrambles Graeme for an extra holes win. Plus it's a 12-5 matchup and those are given upsets.
Bubba Watson over Chris Wood--The battle of the crazy long guys. Bubba is better in the format and gets the win.
Ryan Moore over Jim Furyk--Moore is something of a match play specialist dating back to his amateur days. He outgrinds the Grinder for the upset win.
Charl Schwartzel over Russell Henley--Remember when Henley was going to take the Tour by storm after the Sony? Charl is red hot right now and rolls to a win.
Zach Johnson over Jason Day--Zach has never played well on this bombers paradise--but I think Day will be too wild to win this one.
Louis Oosthuizen over Richie Ramsey--I have heard of Oosthuizen, I have not heard of Ramsey before this blog post.
Robert Garrigus over Brendan Grace--Garrigus will be outrageously long and make just enough putts to beat last year's Euro Tour sensation.
Keegan Bradley over Marcus Fraser--Keegan just needs to pretend it's Friday and Saturday at the Ryder Cup again. Still the best non-Monty/Poulter match play I have ever seen.
Fredrik Jacobson over Ernie Els--Do you get the feeling that Ernie's Open Championship last year is going to look like a final fluke victory in his career. I just hope the Junkman won't have a four footer on the last to force a playoff. That was one of the worst putts since Scott Hoch at the Masters.
Justin Rose over KJ Choi--Rosie just needs to pretend it's the back nine at the Ryder Cup again and drain every GD putt.
Bill Haas over Nicolas Colsaerts--Haas has finished top ten in the last three events. Colsaerts has been awful.
Sergio Garcia over Thongchai Jaidee--I really thought there would be an upset here (Jaidee is a prettey decent player)--but Sergio will sulk his way to at least one win in this tourney.
Matt Kuchar over Hiroyuki Fujita--Kooch has never lost a first round match. And there is a reason the US dominates Presidents Cup--the Asian Tour guys never play it.
Tiger Woods over Charles Howell III--Chuckie Three Sticks' coach was making noise about how confident he is that his pupil can beat Tiger. I might refer him to Stephen Ames and the definition of an absolute and total ass-kicking in this same event. It won't be 9 and 8.
Francesco Molinari over Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano--I'm picking Molinari just because I want to see him go against Tiger in the next round where revenge will be served for last year's Ryder Cup mop up non-concession on 18.
Webb Simpson over David Lynn--You know why the US doesn't dominate Ryder Cup anymore? Because Team Europe isn't filled with guys like David Lynn anymore.
Peter Hanson over Thomas Bjorn--Because I have to pick someone.
Lee Westwood over Rafael Cabrera-Bello--Westwood has played more over here and gets the nod here.
George Coetzee over Martin Kaymer--Kaymer is on my permanent shit list for sinking the Ryder Cup clinching putt last year.
Jason Duffner over Richard Sterne--Duffman wins with a clutch putt on the 18th and goes crazy by giving his patented "hey dude" hand wave.
Hunter Mahan over Matteo Manassero--The defending champ won't go out in the first round this year.
Luke Donald over Marcel Siem--For all the talk about Ian Poulter's match play record, Luke's is just as good.
Paul Lawrie over Scott Piercy--Scott Piercy is in the top 66 in the world? Lawrie showed new life in the Ryder Cup last year.
Henrik Stenson over Steve Stricker--It kills me to pick this--but you can't just shake off the rust in the first found of a match play tournament--and Steve hasn't played in a month.
Nick Watney over David Toms--Toms is a pretty good match player, but I'll take youth in this one.
Adam Scott over Tim Clark--Battle of the broomhandle putters. Better make em while you can boys--despite the PGA's threats against the USGA. Scott's better length (driving not putter) makes the difference.
Jamie Donaldson over Thorbjorn Olesen--There are no guarantees in match play, but I GUARANTEE NOBODY will be following this match!
Ian Poulter over Stephen Gallacher--Is the format still match play? Yeah, I'll take "The Ninja".
Bo Van Pelt over John Senden--A very underrated match here. Van Pelt's experience wins it.
SECOND ROUND:
Ricky Fowler over Rory McIlroy--Remember the "Har-Bowl" a couple of weeks ago? This is the "Hair Bowl". I'll take straight and long over curly and shaggy in about 26-holes.
Padraig Harrington over Dustin Johnson--Mr Intensity versus Mr Laid-back. I'll take intensity in this one.
Ryan Moore over Bubba Watson--I think Bubba loses focus and interest just two rounds in and Moore gets the upset win.
Charl Schwartzel over Zach Johnson--Riding the much hotter horse here.
Louis Oosthuizen over Robert Garrigus--Louis is looking too smooth to be rattled by a big bomber.
Keegan Bradley over Fredrick Jacobson--Who is more likely to make a four footer on 18 to win the match?
Justin Rose over Bill Haas--Another extra holes match, but Rose is starting to feel his oats and realize his talent.
Matt Kuchar over Sergio Garcia--Could any two men be any more different in demeanor? One sulks around the course all day acting like every force of nature is conspiring against him. The other makes a double bogey and smiles his way off the green to the next tee.
Tiger Woods over Francesco Molinari--Tiger is like Michael Jordan, he remembers every slight affected against him by any other golfer, writer, coach and caddy. 18 at Medinah last year will be very fresh in his mind on number 1 at Dove Mountain.
Webb Simpson over Peter Hanson--Webb is playing much more consistant golf right now.
Lee Westwood over George Coetzee--This will be a real snoozer, but Lee will out par Coetzee for the sleepy win.
Jason Dufner over Hunter Mahan--Anyone with a pulse in this one. Dufner will celebrate dropping the winning putt with his patented hat tip.
Luke Donald over Paul Lawrie--Luke makes a bunch of putts to win easily.
Henrik Stenson over Nick Watney--Stenson is building some momentum here.
Adam Scott over Thorbjorn Olesen--Simply because I can't provide any insight into Oleson's game.
Ian Poulter over Bo Van Pelt--The last time I checked, the format is still match play.
THIRD ROUND
Padraig Harringon over Rickie Fowler--One low seed always makes a run in this tournament--and Harrington is my pick to be that guy.
Charl Schwartzel over Ryan Moore--Schwartzel continues to hit perfect shot after perfect shot to win again.
Keegan Bradley over Louis Oosthuizen--There is a lot of question about Oostie's ability to close. No question about Keegan.
Matt Kuchar over Justin Rose--A slight upset here as well, but Kooch has been consistent all year.
Tiger Woods over Webb Simpson--This will be the 22-hole match that Tiger makes a bunch of crazy long putts to survive.
Jason Dufner over Lee Westwood--The Duffman will celebrate with an over the top slight fist pump.
Henrick Stenson over Luke Donald--Luke is great in this format, but always finds a way to lose too early.
Ian Poulter over Adam Scott--Still match play.
BRACKET FINALS
Charl Schwartzel over Padraig Harrington--Paddy's Cinderella run ends here to Mr Consistent.
Keegan Bradley over Matt Kuchar--Intensity overwhelms calm with a bunch of incredibly clutch putting.
Tiger Woods over Jason Dufner--This match will set a new tournament record for fewest words said by competitors. Tiger guts out another extra holes win.
Ian Poulter over Henrik Stenson--The only thing missing here is the crazy-faced, bulging-eye reaction from Poulter that we get at the Ryder Cup when he makes every must-make putt to gut his opponent.
FINAL FOUR
Keegan Bradley over Charl Schwartzel--I give Keegan the wide advantage in fist pumps and clutch putts to win 1-up.
Ian Poulter over Tiger Woods--If this match actually happens, cancel all of my plans for Saturday afternoon because there is NO WAY I am missing it. Poulter gives us his Ryder Cup face when he bounced Tiger on the 20th hole.
CONSOLATION MATCH
Charl Schwartzel over Tiger Woods--You think Tiger will actually be interested in a consolation match?
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Keegan Bradley over Ian Poulter--I hope the Europeans get a good look at this match--because this is the future of the Ryder Cup. (Or at least the future those of us who care about the Ryder Cup here in America hope it will look).
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Event Review: Fox Cities Golf Show
Date: 2/16/13
Site: Players Choice Appleton
Got in for free with a pass from the radio station. Admission for the general public was $6--although most of the guys ahead of me in line had $3 off coupons that appeared to come from Valpak.
With the demise of the Green Bay Golf Show two years ago, this is the largest golf show north of Milwaukee. However, the venue makes if feel like it is still small-time. There were two dozen courses on hand, three equipment suppliers and various "sort of golf related" businesses as well.
Everybody has drawings at their booths--with entry forms you drop into one of those mini-golf bags. I learned from an old-timer last year that the best way to save time is to bring your return address labels and stick those on. Then you just have to write out your email address and phone number. I expect a boat load of spam email over the next couple of months.
Longest line of the day was leading to Shamrock Heights booth. It turned out they were handing out free two-ball packs of Titleist Pro V1's (previous generation). Second longest line was at the Nevada Bob's--where everyone was stocking up on discontinued golf shoes and drivers that were at least three years old.
Mini Cooper had a huge presence there as well--with at least four models on site. One was a convertible. Unless you are a midget or legless, the backseat of one of those is a joke. The back of the front seat touches the front edge of the back seat!
The guys at the Chaska booth could not confirm if they will serve as the host of this year's Fox Cities Amateur--seeing as how Reid is down to just nine holes this summer. They would only say they were in talks to host one round of the two.
Not nearly as many two for one deals handed out by the courses this year. We got a free round (with purchase of cart, of course) at Branch River and Shamrock Heights just for being the first 500 in the door. Got a free greens fee (with purchase of cart) at Tuscumbia for just five bucks. All of the other coupons were "golf show discount rates" that expire around the first of June.
For a company promoting its "One Bucket" challenge, you would have thought Taylor Made would have had their vendors on site letting people hit the new R1 driver. They were nowhere to be seen. Callaway had a tent. Got a chance to hit the new X Hot 3-wood. I may have found a replacement for my X Hot 3-wood that is more than 10-years old now. Exotics, Cleveland and Srixon also had equipment tents. No interest in those products.
Only launch monitor and video display on site was Bob Burns out of Appleton. They were steering everyone toward their slice-proof woods and their putter that allows you to mark and pick up the ball without having to bend over. No places to try out new putters.
In case you are wondering, Thornberry Creek is now the "Official Golf Course of the Green Bay Packers."
No appearance by any of the top courses in the state: Kohler or Erin Hills. No appearance this year from the WSGA either. No Sentry World--but that is explainable since they will be closed for the season to facilitate a complete renovation.
Final thoughts: It's nice to have a golf show in the area--since I'm always in Florida during the weekend of the Milwaukee Golf Show--but I'd like to see a greater prescence from the manufacturers and suppliers. In addition, a little better representation from courses outside the area and Wisconsin Dells would be nice. Give us a good reason to travel across the state to play, the more likely we are to do it.
Site: Players Choice Appleton
Got in for free with a pass from the radio station. Admission for the general public was $6--although most of the guys ahead of me in line had $3 off coupons that appeared to come from Valpak.
With the demise of the Green Bay Golf Show two years ago, this is the largest golf show north of Milwaukee. However, the venue makes if feel like it is still small-time. There were two dozen courses on hand, three equipment suppliers and various "sort of golf related" businesses as well.
Everybody has drawings at their booths--with entry forms you drop into one of those mini-golf bags. I learned from an old-timer last year that the best way to save time is to bring your return address labels and stick those on. Then you just have to write out your email address and phone number. I expect a boat load of spam email over the next couple of months.
Longest line of the day was leading to Shamrock Heights booth. It turned out they were handing out free two-ball packs of Titleist Pro V1's (previous generation). Second longest line was at the Nevada Bob's--where everyone was stocking up on discontinued golf shoes and drivers that were at least three years old.
Mini Cooper had a huge presence there as well--with at least four models on site. One was a convertible. Unless you are a midget or legless, the backseat of one of those is a joke. The back of the front seat touches the front edge of the back seat!
The guys at the Chaska booth could not confirm if they will serve as the host of this year's Fox Cities Amateur--seeing as how Reid is down to just nine holes this summer. They would only say they were in talks to host one round of the two.
Not nearly as many two for one deals handed out by the courses this year. We got a free round (with purchase of cart, of course) at Branch River and Shamrock Heights just for being the first 500 in the door. Got a free greens fee (with purchase of cart) at Tuscumbia for just five bucks. All of the other coupons were "golf show discount rates" that expire around the first of June.
For a company promoting its "One Bucket" challenge, you would have thought Taylor Made would have had their vendors on site letting people hit the new R1 driver. They were nowhere to be seen. Callaway had a tent. Got a chance to hit the new X Hot 3-wood. I may have found a replacement for my X Hot 3-wood that is more than 10-years old now. Exotics, Cleveland and Srixon also had equipment tents. No interest in those products.
Only launch monitor and video display on site was Bob Burns out of Appleton. They were steering everyone toward their slice-proof woods and their putter that allows you to mark and pick up the ball without having to bend over. No places to try out new putters.
In case you are wondering, Thornberry Creek is now the "Official Golf Course of the Green Bay Packers."
No appearance by any of the top courses in the state: Kohler or Erin Hills. No appearance this year from the WSGA either. No Sentry World--but that is explainable since they will be closed for the season to facilitate a complete renovation.
Final thoughts: It's nice to have a golf show in the area--since I'm always in Florida during the weekend of the Milwaukee Golf Show--but I'd like to see a greater prescence from the manufacturers and suppliers. In addition, a little better representation from courses outside the area and Wisconsin Dells would be nice. Give us a good reason to travel across the state to play, the more likely we are to do it.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
List-A-Mania
Last month, Golf Digest published its annual list of the 100 GREATEST COURSES! Being a fan of comparative lists (Top 10 on Golf Channel, ESPN's 50 Greatest Athletes of All Time) this issue used to get me really excited. But soon you realize that the vast majority of the course compared and rated you (meaning the average non-millionaire golfer) will never get to play. In fact, the top 6--Pine Valley, Augusta National, Cypress Point (especially if your Black), Shinnecock Hills, Oakmont and Marion--are all ultra-exclusive private clubs. Pebble Beach is the first "public" course on the list--and it will set you back $435 a loop to play there.
So really, the 100 GREATEST COURSES! is nothing more than an opportunity for really rich guys in one club to have bragging rights over really rich guys at another club. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left with "phony knowledge" (aka Bullshit) to share when discussing the list. "Oh yeah, Pine Valley deserves it just based on the greater variation in potential lies and hazards than Augusta" is one we can all use.
Enough complaining, let's talk about where I've actually played.
My highest ranked course is #17--Whistling Straits (Straits). Never broke 90--never shot over 100--just like every other Pete Dye course I've played. Windy and rainy the first time (98), windy and not rainy the second time (94). The second time I actually met Mr.Dye overlooking the 17th green (that's a story for another blog). The par 3's really make this course. All four of them on are the lakeshore and are exposed to the elements with crazy-shaped greens and impossible pin positions in some wind conditions. Wonderful use of the contours of the native land--and of course the most penal bunkers (when you remember they are bunkers, Dustin Johnson) in the country.
Next is #44--TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium). 94 from the Blended Tees after one round and one range session in five months. Dry on 17 as well (followed by a three putt). We played in February when the rough was dormant--so it didn't play nearly as tough as it does during the Players. The front 9 is pretty non-descript--although the par 3 3rd is a great little hole with the bulkhead green and the pond. 16, 17 and 18 are worth the price of admission by themselves. Great clubhouse too.
Next is #63--Blackwolf Run (River). Never broke 90--never over 100 in three rounds (plus one on the "Championship" hybrid course). The par 3 4th is my biggest nemesis hole in Wisconsin. I've aimed into the driving range left the last two times and still managed to push it into the pond right. The elevated tees on 5 and 8 provide the best inland views in Wisconsin and the narrow chute you shoot through from the tips on 8 looks like its only wide enough for about three balls to fit through. Like all Dye courses though, things always look more intimidating from the box then they actually are when you get out to the landing area.
The only other course in the 100 that I've played is #97--Kapalua (Plantation). It's all about the view, Brah. Three different off-shore islands, huge fairways, spectacular drops, long drives and killer headwinds. Tough greens to putt too. Driving range is weak.
I've also attended tournaments at several of the 100 as well.
#2--Augusta National. It is true when they say TV doesn't do the place justice. If Pine Valley is beating out this course, it must be absolutely mind-blowing. BTW, my ashes will spread in the bunkers behind 13 Green. I've got people willing to risk arrest for that to happen.
#31--Medinah. Big course with great water carries and plenty of risk/reward in the layout. Unfortunately, the US collapse on Sunday at the Ryder Cup has made me want to banish everything about the course from my memory.
#62 Olympia Fields. Not really that impressed when we went to the US Open there. Although having 50-thousand people packing the place every day made it difficult to really appreciate the layout.
For the first time this year, Golf Digest also ranked its Second 100 Greatest as well.
Whistling Straits Irish has made that list at #161. Never broke 90 in five rounds there--never shot over 100. The blind tee shot on teh par three named "Dubsdred" (with its 12-foot tall flagstick) is one of my favorite shots in all of Wisconsin. The only difference from the Straits course is no view of the lake.
You may notice that Wisconsin's other beauty--Erin Hills--is not in the rankings. GD has a minimum number of reviews required for each course in the 100-greatest--and Erin hasn't met that minimum yet. It is however included in the 100 GREATEST PUBLIC COURSES! This is the list that I always look at more closely--since I actually have a chance to play these courses.
So far I have played:
#2--Whistling Straits (Straits)
#9--TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium)
#14--Blackwolf Run (River)
#19--Kapalua (Plantation)
#39--Whistling Straits (Irish)
#62--Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys) Shot a 90 there from the tips shortly after it opened.
#77--The Bull--oh for 2 in breaking 100 there. That course just eats my lunch--which is strange since its a Nicklaus design and he always sets it up for guys who hit high fades.
So in the overall 100 GREATEST! I've played four--and five of the top 200. In the 100 Public I've played seven. I'll be adding Erin Hill to that number later this year. Tomorrow: The state by state best.
So really, the 100 GREATEST COURSES! is nothing more than an opportunity for really rich guys in one club to have bragging rights over really rich guys at another club. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left with "phony knowledge" (aka Bullshit) to share when discussing the list. "Oh yeah, Pine Valley deserves it just based on the greater variation in potential lies and hazards than Augusta" is one we can all use.
Enough complaining, let's talk about where I've actually played.
My highest ranked course is #17--Whistling Straits (Straits). Never broke 90--never shot over 100--just like every other Pete Dye course I've played. Windy and rainy the first time (98), windy and not rainy the second time (94). The second time I actually met Mr.Dye overlooking the 17th green (that's a story for another blog). The par 3's really make this course. All four of them on are the lakeshore and are exposed to the elements with crazy-shaped greens and impossible pin positions in some wind conditions. Wonderful use of the contours of the native land--and of course the most penal bunkers (when you remember they are bunkers, Dustin Johnson) in the country.
Next is #44--TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium). 94 from the Blended Tees after one round and one range session in five months. Dry on 17 as well (followed by a three putt). We played in February when the rough was dormant--so it didn't play nearly as tough as it does during the Players. The front 9 is pretty non-descript--although the par 3 3rd is a great little hole with the bulkhead green and the pond. 16, 17 and 18 are worth the price of admission by themselves. Great clubhouse too.
Next is #63--Blackwolf Run (River). Never broke 90--never over 100 in three rounds (plus one on the "Championship" hybrid course). The par 3 4th is my biggest nemesis hole in Wisconsin. I've aimed into the driving range left the last two times and still managed to push it into the pond right. The elevated tees on 5 and 8 provide the best inland views in Wisconsin and the narrow chute you shoot through from the tips on 8 looks like its only wide enough for about three balls to fit through. Like all Dye courses though, things always look more intimidating from the box then they actually are when you get out to the landing area.
The only other course in the 100 that I've played is #97--Kapalua (Plantation). It's all about the view, Brah. Three different off-shore islands, huge fairways, spectacular drops, long drives and killer headwinds. Tough greens to putt too. Driving range is weak.
I've also attended tournaments at several of the 100 as well.
#2--Augusta National. It is true when they say TV doesn't do the place justice. If Pine Valley is beating out this course, it must be absolutely mind-blowing. BTW, my ashes will spread in the bunkers behind 13 Green. I've got people willing to risk arrest for that to happen.
#31--Medinah. Big course with great water carries and plenty of risk/reward in the layout. Unfortunately, the US collapse on Sunday at the Ryder Cup has made me want to banish everything about the course from my memory.
#62 Olympia Fields. Not really that impressed when we went to the US Open there. Although having 50-thousand people packing the place every day made it difficult to really appreciate the layout.
For the first time this year, Golf Digest also ranked its Second 100 Greatest as well.
Whistling Straits Irish has made that list at #161. Never broke 90 in five rounds there--never shot over 100. The blind tee shot on teh par three named "Dubsdred" (with its 12-foot tall flagstick) is one of my favorite shots in all of Wisconsin. The only difference from the Straits course is no view of the lake.
You may notice that Wisconsin's other beauty--Erin Hills--is not in the rankings. GD has a minimum number of reviews required for each course in the 100-greatest--and Erin hasn't met that minimum yet. It is however included in the 100 GREATEST PUBLIC COURSES! This is the list that I always look at more closely--since I actually have a chance to play these courses.
So far I have played:
#2--Whistling Straits (Straits)
#9--TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium)
#14--Blackwolf Run (River)
#19--Kapalua (Plantation)
#39--Whistling Straits (Irish)
#62--Blackwolf Run (Meadow Valleys) Shot a 90 there from the tips shortly after it opened.
#77--The Bull--oh for 2 in breaking 100 there. That course just eats my lunch--which is strange since its a Nicklaus design and he always sets it up for guys who hit high fades.
So in the overall 100 GREATEST! I've played four--and five of the top 200. In the 100 Public I've played seven. I'll be adding Erin Hill to that number later this year. Tomorrow: The state by state best.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Phil Is Back....For This Week
First your fun fact of the day: Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have now won on back-to-back weeks on the PGA Tour nine times in their careers. It makes you wonder if the two really have been driven by the other--and they make it a point to one-up the other as much as possible? I was thinking on Sunday why we have never seen those two involved in a classic playoff--or even in the final group on Sunday battling for the title. It's like we were denied the real rivalry that previous generations enjoyed with Jack and Tom, Jack and Arnie, or Hogan, Snead and Nelson.
Reason why I love Phil #4,517: There has never been a more inconsistant superstar golfer in the history of the game than Phil Mickelson? I'm too young to remember Jack and Arnie in their primes--but I never read about how either of them would be also-rans for two weeks, barely making the cut and playing out the string--and then blowing the field away the next week.
And for Joe Ten Handicapper, that IS the way we play. Hopelessly lost for two or three rounds--not hitting a single good shot--not making any putts on the course or on the practice range. Then--without making a swing change or tweaking our equipment or even putting in extra hours of practice (usually the exact opposite--letting the clubs rest for a few day)--we go out and shoot a career low round. When Tiger was in his prime, he was great just about every week--always a threat to win an almost always finishing top ten. But that is an unattainable goal for the rest of us, Whereas Phil is barely average--then exceptional--then ordinary again--just like us.
It would be nice if we could have Butch Harmon take a look at our swings--drop his two lines of advice for five-grand--and suddenly have us back on track. It would also be nice to have Callaway give us their newest driver--custom fit to our swing--to magically find every fairway as far out as we have ever hit it. I've seen on other golf sites that the new RazorFit that Phil is playing is the "drastic change" that he was actually talking about a few weeks ago--and that this has been nothing more than a cleverly-crafted marketing ploy. Personally, I think Phil was doing the math every shot this week--figuring out how much more money he will keep by winning in Arizona than winning in California.
So now we get a couple of days to wonder what Phil will show at Pebble Beach. He's defending champ--thanks to a specatuclar final round (paired with Tiger) that served as another reminder of how spectacular his talents are. You may recall, that was followed up with a playoff loss at Riveria--and it seemed like Phil was going to be the clear-cut favorite to win at Augusta. Then one horrible tee shot on the 4th hole on Sunday sent Lefty from unbeatable to unbearable in five seconds.
As a wise fake movie character once said: "Phil is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get."
Reason why I love Phil #4,517: There has never been a more inconsistant superstar golfer in the history of the game than Phil Mickelson? I'm too young to remember Jack and Arnie in their primes--but I never read about how either of them would be also-rans for two weeks, barely making the cut and playing out the string--and then blowing the field away the next week.
And for Joe Ten Handicapper, that IS the way we play. Hopelessly lost for two or three rounds--not hitting a single good shot--not making any putts on the course or on the practice range. Then--without making a swing change or tweaking our equipment or even putting in extra hours of practice (usually the exact opposite--letting the clubs rest for a few day)--we go out and shoot a career low round. When Tiger was in his prime, he was great just about every week--always a threat to win an almost always finishing top ten. But that is an unattainable goal for the rest of us, Whereas Phil is barely average--then exceptional--then ordinary again--just like us.
It would be nice if we could have Butch Harmon take a look at our swings--drop his two lines of advice for five-grand--and suddenly have us back on track. It would also be nice to have Callaway give us their newest driver--custom fit to our swing--to magically find every fairway as far out as we have ever hit it. I've seen on other golf sites that the new RazorFit that Phil is playing is the "drastic change" that he was actually talking about a few weeks ago--and that this has been nothing more than a cleverly-crafted marketing ploy. Personally, I think Phil was doing the math every shot this week--figuring out how much more money he will keep by winning in Arizona than winning in California.
So now we get a couple of days to wonder what Phil will show at Pebble Beach. He's defending champ--thanks to a specatuclar final round (paired with Tiger) that served as another reminder of how spectacular his talents are. You may recall, that was followed up with a playoff loss at Riveria--and it seemed like Phil was going to be the clear-cut favorite to win at Augusta. Then one horrible tee shot on the 4th hole on Sunday sent Lefty from unbeatable to unbearable in five seconds.
As a wise fake movie character once said: "Phil is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get."
Monday, January 28, 2013
Tiger's Back!!.....Again
"Tiger's doesn't move the needle, he is the needle"
John Hawkins of Golf Channel made that line famous--and today proved it. If it was Brandt Snedeker and Eric Compton battling head to head at the lead of the Farmers Insurance Open in a Monday finish I would bet a month's pay CBS would have been more than happy to farm out the final round coverage to Golf Channel today. But because it was Tiger--even in a total blowout--CBS had to have at least some coverage.
And to do so threw a giant monkey wrench in some players' plans. All of the non-exempt guys (like Brad Fritsch) had a tough decision to make. In order to get into a broadcast window that most (but not all) local affiliates would work with, CBS had the PGA Tour push back today's resumption of play to 11:10 local time. That meant no Monday qualifying at Scottsdale for the non-exempt guys who made the cut at San Diego. (Fortunately for Fritsch, his T9 finish at the Farmers gets him into the field for Waste Management. Tag Ridings at T15 was no so fortunate.) I guess they can spend the next week telling their families how "awesome" it was to be an also-ran in Tiger's 75th career Tour victory.
We were apparently among the lucky ones here in Northeast Wisconsin to get the CBS coverage today. Based on several Twitter postings, a number of markets didn't carry a minute of Tiger today. Judge Judy was the most popular "alternative" programming on those channels. I'd be willing to bet another week's pay that if Oprah was still on our CBS affiliate, us diehards would have been sitting through a lengthy discussion on Gwyneth Paltrow's parenting techniques hoping they would break in at some point with some golf.
Those who got bupkus in terms of network coverage today really didn't miss much. Tiger was wild off the tee again--push-slicing one into the broadcast compound on one hole (from where he still made par) and he found the iceplant on another hole with a pull-hook--that ended up with David Faherty going knee deep into the cabbage in an effort find the wayward shot (which resulted in a bogey).
Granted, he had a big lead heading into the day, nobody put up a real challenge, it was cool and windy--but it was not exactly vintage Tiger golf. Or should we say vintage pre-divorce-knee-injuries-other-distractions Tiger--no matter how hard CBS and the Golf Channel try to convince us it is.
Tiger is still better than 99.8% of the guys on the Tour when he is healthy and interested. But he will never be that guy who blew away the field in every major and never lost a 54-hole lead and made every clutch putt he ever looked at from the age of 16. So let's enjoy the days when he is on his game and accept the days (like in Abu Dhabi) when he just doesn't have it--rather than turning every round into an instant referendum on whether Tiger is going to break Jack's record in the next year.
John Hawkins of Golf Channel made that line famous--and today proved it. If it was Brandt Snedeker and Eric Compton battling head to head at the lead of the Farmers Insurance Open in a Monday finish I would bet a month's pay CBS would have been more than happy to farm out the final round coverage to Golf Channel today. But because it was Tiger--even in a total blowout--CBS had to have at least some coverage.
And to do so threw a giant monkey wrench in some players' plans. All of the non-exempt guys (like Brad Fritsch) had a tough decision to make. In order to get into a broadcast window that most (but not all) local affiliates would work with, CBS had the PGA Tour push back today's resumption of play to 11:10 local time. That meant no Monday qualifying at Scottsdale for the non-exempt guys who made the cut at San Diego. (Fortunately for Fritsch, his T9 finish at the Farmers gets him into the field for Waste Management. Tag Ridings at T15 was no so fortunate.) I guess they can spend the next week telling their families how "awesome" it was to be an also-ran in Tiger's 75th career Tour victory.
We were apparently among the lucky ones here in Northeast Wisconsin to get the CBS coverage today. Based on several Twitter postings, a number of markets didn't carry a minute of Tiger today. Judge Judy was the most popular "alternative" programming on those channels. I'd be willing to bet another week's pay that if Oprah was still on our CBS affiliate, us diehards would have been sitting through a lengthy discussion on Gwyneth Paltrow's parenting techniques hoping they would break in at some point with some golf.
Those who got bupkus in terms of network coverage today really didn't miss much. Tiger was wild off the tee again--push-slicing one into the broadcast compound on one hole (from where he still made par) and he found the iceplant on another hole with a pull-hook--that ended up with David Faherty going knee deep into the cabbage in an effort find the wayward shot (which resulted in a bogey).
Granted, he had a big lead heading into the day, nobody put up a real challenge, it was cool and windy--but it was not exactly vintage Tiger golf. Or should we say vintage pre-divorce-knee-injuries-other-distractions Tiger--no matter how hard CBS and the Golf Channel try to convince us it is.
Tiger is still better than 99.8% of the guys on the Tour when he is healthy and interested. But he will never be that guy who blew away the field in every major and never lost a 54-hole lead and made every clutch putt he ever looked at from the age of 16. So let's enjoy the days when he is on his game and accept the days (like in Abu Dhabi) when he just doesn't have it--rather than turning every round into an instant referendum on whether Tiger is going to break Jack's record in the next year.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Lefty Shrugged
Fiscal Conservatives have a new sports hero to root for. On Sunday, golfer Phil Mickelson made cyrptic statements
following his final round at the Humana Challenge in Conjunction With
the William J Clinton Foundation (how fitting is that?) about having to
make "drastic changes in his life" to deal with higher taxes. Phil
lives in California--which has followed the Federal Government's lead in
increasing taxes on the rich to deal with crippling budget deficits
driven by the expansion of the entitlement system. By Phil's estimate
he will now pay between 62 and 63-percent of his annual income in
Federal, State and FICA taxes.
Keep in mind, as independent contractors, pro golfers are responsible for paying 100-percent of their
Social Security and Medicare taxes. They also buy their own health insurance--and I'm guessing with the potential for surgeries and rehab caused by repetitive motion injuries--their plans fall under the "Cadillac Plan Tax" included in the Affordable Care Act. And their income levels--especially Phil's--are subject to the ObamaCare surcharge tax on the rich as well.
Phil wouldn't get into specifics about what the "drastic changes" might be. It could be as simple as not playing as many tournaments in California (where all those making the cut in a tournament pay state taxes on their winnings. That explains why there are so many tourneys in Texas, Arizona and Florida every year--no state income taxes). Or Phil may choose to move his family from their home outside San Diego to one of the other tax haven states I mentioned before--which is where the vast majority of pro golfers have chosen to live. But what many in the media are guessing is that Phil may choose to just hang up the clubs and walk away from full-time Tour membership.
The guess comes from the fact that Phil's statement came during a discussion of Steve Stricker's semi-retirement this year. That's when Phil launched into his dissertation on taxes and how he is one of the President Obama's "targets". He also pointed out that he would be able to cut those tax rates by simply living off of his investments--which would be taxed at the lower capital gains rate (or "Mitt Romney rate" as it will likely be known for the next decade or so).
With an income of more than 100-million dollars last year--according to estimates by Golf Digest--Phil Mickelson and his family will still do okay whether he continues to golf for a living or retires. But the millions that he and his wife donate to charities every year like their foundation--which provides grants to science and math teachers around the country and to disabled veterans programs--or the dozens of other non-profits that benefit from anonymous gifts, likely won't be provided any more. And that just means more taxes so the Government can pay for those things instead.
Maybe Phil just finished reading Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged and realized that his "fair share" is a little beyond "fair"--and that he would be better off joining the "non-working class". I just find it ironic on this Inauguration Day that President Obama has not only made it more lucrative for the unemployed to stay out of work--but also for the rich to no longer work as well. Perhaps he really is the "Messiah" the Left believes him to be.
Keep in mind, as independent contractors, pro golfers are responsible for paying 100-percent of their
Social Security and Medicare taxes. They also buy their own health insurance--and I'm guessing with the potential for surgeries and rehab caused by repetitive motion injuries--their plans fall under the "Cadillac Plan Tax" included in the Affordable Care Act. And their income levels--especially Phil's--are subject to the ObamaCare surcharge tax on the rich as well.
Phil wouldn't get into specifics about what the "drastic changes" might be. It could be as simple as not playing as many tournaments in California (where all those making the cut in a tournament pay state taxes on their winnings. That explains why there are so many tourneys in Texas, Arizona and Florida every year--no state income taxes). Or Phil may choose to move his family from their home outside San Diego to one of the other tax haven states I mentioned before--which is where the vast majority of pro golfers have chosen to live. But what many in the media are guessing is that Phil may choose to just hang up the clubs and walk away from full-time Tour membership.
The guess comes from the fact that Phil's statement came during a discussion of Steve Stricker's semi-retirement this year. That's when Phil launched into his dissertation on taxes and how he is one of the President Obama's "targets". He also pointed out that he would be able to cut those tax rates by simply living off of his investments--which would be taxed at the lower capital gains rate (or "Mitt Romney rate" as it will likely be known for the next decade or so).
With an income of more than 100-million dollars last year--according to estimates by Golf Digest--Phil Mickelson and his family will still do okay whether he continues to golf for a living or retires. But the millions that he and his wife donate to charities every year like their foundation--which provides grants to science and math teachers around the country and to disabled veterans programs--or the dozens of other non-profits that benefit from anonymous gifts, likely won't be provided any more. And that just means more taxes so the Government can pay for those things instead.
Maybe Phil just finished reading Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged and realized that his "fair share" is a little beyond "fair"--and that he would be better off joining the "non-working class". I just find it ironic on this Inauguration Day that President Obama has not only made it more lucrative for the unemployed to stay out of work--but also for the rich to no longer work as well. Perhaps he really is the "Messiah" the Left believes him to be.
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