“It’s about the money.” That is what many people are saying about the June 6 announcement of the merger between the PGA Tour, the European Tour and LIV golf.
Bill Kennedy, Golf Columnist
Very true, but some PGA Tour players feel betrayed by the fact that their commissioner, Jay Monahan, dissed them when he negotiated this deal without telling them what was going on. Monahan did this so silently that there never was a leak in his dealings, something that some PGA Tour players found unacceptable.
Well guess what? Deals like this one often are made in corporations throughout the world, without the consent of officials within the company. And when they are completed, some employees are upset because they could lose their jobs. They realize, however, that this deal is not done with employee permission. That is the difference between corporate workers and PGA Tour players. The corporate people recognize that they have no say, while some golfers fail to understand why they were not told or even consulted about this.
Sorry, but informing employees about this is not how it works, because if it did, many deals would not be completed and/or be approved. The PGA Tour players should not have their noses out of joint over this, because it is the big-money way of the world, from which they will undoubtedly profit as individuals.
This is the biggest thing that has happened to the PGA Tour in the 21st century. Arguably, it is even more important than Tiger Woods’ accomplishments of, almost by himself, making golf so big it increased purses substantially. And this merger has the potential of doing more for professional golf than did the emergence of Tiger.
So, do not hand us this baloney about Monahan having lost the trust of the players, and therefore he should go. History will prove whether or not this was a good move for golf, but the odds are that it will have a positive impact for the PGA Tour.
Yes, it could remove some of the lesser-known players from the PGA Tour, because room must be made for quality and well-known LIV Tour and European Tour golfers. But this is not like telling those PGA Tour folks that they are done with golf, because there are places for them to make money, like the Korn Ferry Tour. Granted, this would be a demotion, but it does not mean that these players will not have a job, and they will continue to make endorsement money, which satellite tour players have done for years. Most of them play Titleist golf balls, and they receive endorsement money for that, and other endorsement contracts are available. Summed up: Those “affected” players will not need to apply for unemployment insurance.
It was reported June 8 that Saudi Arabian money is ready to be spent on the merged tour, the name of which could be changed from “PGA Tour” to who knows what? The Saudis are supposedly ready to invest $2 billion in this golf. That should help the PGA golfers to get over being “betrayed.”
Then there are the families of “9/11” (Sept. 11, 2001), who think that the United States should not be in business with Saudi Arabia, which supported that attack. Their sentiments are totally understandable and legitimate. This took place more than 20 years ago, but Americans never should forget it.
But this does raise a question. Should the U.S. discontinue its business dealings and support of Germany and Japan, which cost the lives of many American soldiers in World War II, along with what they did to prisoners of war?
The Saudis purportedly are going to invest huge money into other sports, with soccer being a prime target. Watch how quickly at least some of those other sports readily accept Saudi funding.
To remind readers how this column began, golf forgiveness and forgetting is “all about the money.”
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The Maine State Golf Association’s Mid-Amateur championship was held June 3-4 at Point Sebago, with Jordan James of Fox Ridge finishing as runner-up (74-72—146). Andrew Slattery (75-74—149), who is a past member at Martindale, was fourth.
Also with good finishes among the field of 123 players included James Frost of Fox Ridge (70-80—150), who tied at eighth place. His first-round sub-par tally of 70 was the lowest score in the two-day event. Craig Chapman of Fox Ridge (74-78—152) was 13th, and Joe Baker of Norway (80-75—155) was tied for 15th.
Ricky Jones of Samoset (72-73—145) was the champion, for a record seventh time.
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Father’s Day being a week away, a short poll of area golf courses produced mostly that a majority of them are having “regular play.” Norway, however, will be conducting a “Father-Child Tournament,” which means that fathers can play with their sons and/or daughters.
Kudos to Norway.
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The upcoming schedule is a large one, headed by the Tri-States (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont) Championship for women June 13 at Martindale. A State Amateur qualifier for men will be June 13 at Val Halla, with a second qualifier June 15 at Augusta.
A Women’s Play Day is set for June 13 at Biddeford-Saco, and a Men’s Play Day will be June 16 at Lake Kezar.
Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 11th season as Sun Journal golf columnist.
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