Notice you don't hear Tiger or Nicklaus complain about wanting to go home? They play (ed) 20 or fewer times a year. They get their rest, so they can play their best. Some guys feel like they need to play more often to compete. A player complaining about fatigue or showing signs of it is one who needs to manage his schedule better. Often those guys are so tired by Sunday that they don't have the reserve strength to meet the demands of Sunday pressure (sadly they often think they need to work harder). They end up dropping down the leaderboard, making a smaller check, and feeling like they need to play more to make their money. Marthoners have found they perform better by training smarter and tapering down the pre-race training. It is a delicate balance between doing everything you can to be ready and having enough energy to compete. Sometimes you just have to suck it up.
No secret that Tiger learned a lot for the Nicklaus model.
Great post, henny, as usual!
And your point about scheduling is well taken: A wise woodsman takes time to sharpen his axe.
However, for our readers' perspective, we're talking about two classes of TOUR players here (at a minimum). In the first class are the guys who are eligible for all the 'big money' events (say, $6 million up), i.e., the four majors, the World Golf Championship events and the invitationals (Mercedes, Arnold Palmer, etc.). Not to mention the FedEx Cup Series.
In the second class is everybody else. While the TOUR 'cream' is playing the limited field events for the big money, e.g., WGC at $8.0 million purse, 70-80 players, 'no cut' and last place money of $35,500, the second tier must make their money playing the 'opposite events', e.g., the Reno-Tahoes, John Deeres and Mayakobas ($3.5 million purse, 144-156 players, full cut, and pocket change for last place). For those still scrambling at season's end (after The TOUR Championship), it's off to the low-budget Fall Series (seven events).
And remember, unless and until these journeymen secure their 'cards' for the next year by finishing in the Top 125, there is no next year! In the pressure-cooked Land of the Meateaters, nobody knows it more than the meateaters themselves. So, while 20 tournaments might be an ideal -- I love Chi Chi's great line about Jack Nicklaus: "He became a legend in his spare time!" -- such a limited schedule is simply not practical for golf's rank-and-file.
Until that elusive 'next year's' card is in the bag, it's hard to quarrel with those who cannot rest --- psychologically or physically -- until it is. For most, that requires scratching it out in 30 or more events.
Your right 6B, the Tour does have a bug up their ass about the pro-ams..Because those people are the ones that give the money so that there even is a tour. It's pretty important and just like any other business.
Imagine if you blew off a client meeting in the morning because you were told wrong by someone who you shouldn't have been talking with about the issue anyway.....I would guess your boss would not like it...and you would not have that client anymore...You may not get fired, but I would bet there would be a post-it in your personnel file.
One more thing. I am sick of all these Tour players and all they can talk about is "getting away from the game" every damn one of them acts as if they hate the game during interviews. JD included. If they hate it so much, don't play, do something else, I am sure everyone of them has made a ton of contacts playing the tour and could do pretty much anything they wanted.
Haven't you been late to something important in life? A missed exit, an alarm that didn't go off because of a power surge in the middle of the night, a wrong turn? Are all of you so perfect? Life is more about controling adversity then thumping one's chest about perfection. The game of golf is just that. Some of theses pro- Am disqualifications happen after just a few minutes late. I understand sponserships but I bet Daley's guys would have rather played 15 holes with him, then NONE. And tossing the other two guys was weak.
of watching DAVE HILL hit golf balls here in SARASOTA......he was on a few Ryder Cups.......and in 1969 i believe it was 69.......he won the Vardon trophy........with a 70.34 scoring average........what a great swing..............and what a nice guy.........suffering with a bad back.....
anyway......the year he won.....Nicklaus had an average of 68.? , not sure exactly.........but you had to have 88 rounds of golf.......to be eligible......so yes every moment does count........
one other note................ 2008 Ryder captain....PAUL AZINGER
WAS A STUDENT AT SARASOTA HIGH SCHOOL.......when i was teaching there......anyway...thought it might be interesting to share....
Haven't you been late to something important in life? A missed exit, an alarm that didn't go off because of a power surge in the middle of the night, a wrong turn? Are all of you so perfect? Life is more about controling adversity then thumping one's chest about perfection. The game of golf is just that. Some of theses pro- Am disqualifications happen after just a few minutes late. I understand sponserships but I bet Daley's guys would have rather played 15 holes with him, then NONE. And tossing the other two guys was weak.
I have made mistakes and will continue to do so. However, I attempt to learn from them, unlike our esteemed Mr. Daly.
There must be an echo 'cause I swear I said the above in an earlier post. So to answer your question for the second time. No I do not think I am perfect. Yes I have made errors of judgement. BTW, I am really sick of this "well I guess you think your perfect" type of argument when it comes to Daly....at least think of something more original to denigrate his detractors and defend him with...JMO
Anyway I will do a favor and list the scenario that caused our protagonist to miss his pro-am tee time..... If you still think it's defensible......well, I just don't see how you can.
Despite the pro-am tee sheet being posted in the locker room and posted on a players only website that contained the correct information and multiple PGA TOUR officials on hand to answer any and all questions......
Daly asked a volunteer...someone who may or may not know....and, here is the kicker, he blindly just trusted what she had to say. Fault is all his. Case closed. At least ask someone who may have a clue. Or do yourself a favor and dial up the website on your Blackberry....can't be that hard.
I have made mistakes and will continue to do so. However, I attempt to learn from them, unlike our esteemed Mr. Daly
I agree that he has repeatedly made some mistakes but "learning from" and "execution" or "implementation" of the lessons is the devilized details we all struggle with. Daley is immature- his picture is next to the word in Websters but he is Gray and a Black and white world of the pga. I'd rather fine him (heavy) and send him out on the course, which I think those guys would rather see happen then have nothing.
. . . the pga has a bug up their ass about these pro -ams.
In my opinion, perhaps the most grievous mistake of the hard-nosed PGA Pro-Am policy involved Bob Tway and the 2006 BellSouth Golf Classic.
Bob’s son, Kevin, had won the U.S. Junior Amateur the previous summer, defeating 16-year-old Bradley Johnson 5-and-3 in the 36-hole final. http://www.usjunioram.org/2005/news/Final.html
Eight months later, on March 25, Brad was killed in an automobile accident. This notice appeared in the local papers:
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, 2017 Columbiana Rd., Birmingham, Ala. 35216. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the church.
Bob Tway asked to be excused from that Wednesday's Pro-Am so that he could attend the funeral with his wife and son. It was only 150 miles away, and he would be back to tee it up on Thursday. The TOUR staff said no.
Rules, after all, are rules.
Bob is a graduate of Wheeler High School in Marietta, a suburb of Atlanta. He is a former champion of the event, winning in 1986. He grew up playing Atlanta Country Club where his father, Bob, Jr., was (and still is) a member. To say that Bob has a following in Atlanta –- one that would be deeply disappointed should he not play the tournament –- is an understatement.
So Bob chose to play, and honor the living, rather than withdraw and honor the dead.
It was a tearful decision he should never have had to make.
In my opinion, perhaps the most grievous mistake of the hard-nosed PGA Pro-Am policy involved Bob Tway and the 2006 BellSouth Golf Classic.
Bob’s son, Kevin, had won the U.S. Junior Amateur the previous summer, defeating 16-year-old Bradley Johnson 5-and-3 in the 36-hole final. http://www.usjunioram.org/2005/news/Final.html
Eight months later, on March 25, Brad was killed in an automobile accident. This notice appeared in the local papers:
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Shades Mountain Baptist Church, 2017 Columbiana Rd., Birmingham, Ala. 35216. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the church.
Bob Tway asked to be excused from that Wednesday's Pro-Am so that he could attend the funeral with his wife and son. It was only 150 miles away, and he would be back to tee it up on Thursday. The TOUR staff said no.
Rules, after all, are rules.
Bob is a graduate of Wheeler High School in Marietta, a suburb of Atlanta. He is a former champion of the event, winning in 1986. He grew up playing Atlanta Country Club where his father, Bob, Jr., was (and still is) a member. To say that Bob has a following in Atlanta –- one that would be deeply disappointed should he not play the tournament –- is an understatement.
So Bob chose to play, and honor the living, rather than withdraw and honor the dead.
It was a tearful decision he should never have had to make.
But not just any Dead- it was his son's friend and U.S. Junior finals opponent. I never heard this story- the PGA should be ashamed. And its not the only wart on the face of the PGA either. I understand Greg Norman much better now.
MY BAD. Yoda saved me from myself and edited my post after a PM. I failed to read that it was Brad- a friend, not his son that died. That changes something for me since it wasn't family. Had the PGA denied family time to grieve is one thing. I still think the PGA is wrong about their pro-Am policy, especially in this age. The policy should be tough but fair that rewards both parties not punish one side for the benifit of the other- and yes I understand sponsors. How would you feel in you where in a foursome that forced a player to be there when you knew his wife was sick or son was in the hospital?
But not just any Dead- it was his son's friend and U.S. Junior finals opponent. I never heard this story- the PGA should be ashamed. And its not the only wart on the face of the PGA either. I understand Greg Norman much better now.
That would be the PGA Tour should be ashamed, which is very different from the PGA. The PGA members take their mission to grow the game very seriously. Many are like Harvey Penick, grown up caddies. In my career, I have met many a PGA member who has offered to help me progress in the PGA.
We have our warts, but do it for the love of the game. The PGA is like a religous sect, most members have taken a vow of poverty. In all seriousness, It is a nice lifestyle, but members leave the profession to pursue more lucrative opportunities.
This post is only meant to inform not offend. Their are some other PGA members who faithful participant to this site. They have work very hard to attain and maintain their memberships. They and their organization should not be confused with the PGA Tour
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