As has been rumored for some time, the AP's Doug Ferguson confirms that the WGC Match-Play event has found a long-term sponsor and a new slot in the schedule. More on the implications of that last bit in a sec, but here's the gist of it:
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - (AP) -- The PGA Tour is completing plans to bringthe Match Play Championship to Austin, Texas, starting in 2016.
Three people aware of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Texas-based Dell will be the title sponsor of the World Golf Championship event that features the top 64 players from the world ranking. They spoke on condition of anonymity because an announcement has not been made.
The Match Play would be held next year on March 23-27, the week after the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and the week before the Shell Houston Open. The Masters is April 7-10 in 2016, which could be ideal for international-based players to stay in America in the weeks leading to Augusta National.
Subject to a vote of the membership, the event is to be held at Austin Country Club. I have no knowledge of the venue, but here's Shack's take:
The venue, Austin Country Club, should be great fun for match play theatrics (dreadful for spectators, players will cry foul, but there will be many wonderful blimp shots). Particularly if Pete Dye's riverside holes are used as the closing stretch. Either way, it's a fascinating choice but one driven by the sponsor and the chance to go to a thriving city.
OK, but it's not Dove Mountain, so we've got that going for us.... and I'm guessing we won't get snowed out. Win-win, so far. Here's Geoff's thoughts on the schedule:
The west coast swing was already hurt by moving the match play as its anchor event. But now that the PGA Tour is going to move this to a March date situated between Bay Hill and the Shell Houston Open. This could hurt Bay Hill's field and makes clear the PGA Tour is far more excited about closing the deal on a new sponsor rather than being considerate of the ones they already have. Because as much as we love having match play, raining on Arnold Palmer's parade in any way seems mildly rude, if not downright short-sighted.
Good to know it wasn't just an anti-west coast swing thing!
Lots to unpack there, so let's dive in. Commissioner Ratched's treatment of his business partners (sponsors as well as the venues) has long been the first in my multi-count indictment, and it goes way back and has resulted in the loss of important and/or enjoyable events such as The Western Open (the second oldest professional event in the U.S.) and The International. As an amusing tangent, I noticed on last year's broadcast that the Tour is now trying to tie the BMW event that's part of the FedEx Cup to the history of The Western Open, as if they suddenly realized the error of their ways.
As for the scheduling implications, I think first and foremost it seals the deal on the fate of the West Coast swing. Stick a fork in 'em folks, they're done. I don't think Geoff would disagree, as I'm guessing that he just considered that a fait accompli, but I think it's worth reinforcing. Finchie has now beefed up the Fall with both the fed Ex Cup and the wraparound schedule and now Florida/Texas as well, so something has to give. But it seems a strange business model to pull the rug out from under that portion of your schedule with the best venues, richest history and typically the most robust television ratings.
But I'm not sure that I see the implications he does for Bay Hill. I assume this will be the schedule for the run-up to Augusta:
- Honda - PGA National
- WGC - Doral
- Whatstheirname - Inisbrook
- Arnie - Bay Hill
- Dell WGC Match-Play
- Shell Houston
- Magnolia Lane
The good news is that the Texas event in San Antonio is now presumably linked to the Texas swing, so we're free to ignore it. No doubt that's a jam-packed schedule, but I'm not sure that two WGC's bookending Bay Hill hurts it, as it ensures that all top-ranked international players will be in the 'hood. Of course they may want to take off a week and they'll have the choice of either Bay Hill or Innisbrook, but the West Coast sponsors would take that in a heartbeat.
And we do need to acknowledge that much of the Bay Hill event's weakness is self-inflicted, as it's just not a very interesting golf course, easily the worst of the Florida swing. The draw of the event is the King himself, and prospects for this tourney after we lose him seem dubious. But I think the far more important issue is how Finchie has orphaned the West Coast, a really unfortunate turn of events.
I can't help but wonder if AT&T knew this before they re-upped for ten years.
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