Mid-Week Musings

Of course, I'll be zipping it, sucking it up, clenching desperately, and drinking decaffeinated all week. That goes without saying. I can alter my style to suit the moment, which at Augusta is considerably more serious than anywhere else. If you don't believe me, just look at the player's faces. This one means more than any other to them, as it should. To answer the question I am most commonly asked, no, McCord will probably never work there again. And yes, we miss the idiot. But if he were to even attempt to alter his style, there would be about 30 seconds of silence, followed by the sound of his head exploding. It just wouldn't work. Not on this particular week. DAVID FEHERTY

We've got some actual breaking news for you today, so let's not dawdle with the pleasantries...

A Shocker - Sports Business Daily brings us this news:

CBS Sports has decided not to renew David Feherty’s contract. Feherty, who has been with CBS for 19 years, called his last golf tournament with CBS last weekend at The Barclays. Sources said the two sides could not reach an agreement on Feherty’s role on the network’s golf coverage. Feherty has a relationship with NBC Sports Group and hosts an interview show on Golf Channel called “Feherty."

No need to click through on the link, as that's the entirety of the post.  That leaves you at my mercy to make sense of it...

Shack got to it first (hey, being on the Left Bank he has the time advantage), so let's Fisk his reax (Spoiler Alert: I agree with most of his comments and I stole the quote above from his site):

He's been doing the same job for 19 years! What confusion could there be? 

Perhaps Feherty asked to do less on course reporting or work fewer events. After all, it's hard to imagine CBS wanting to rid themselves of someone who is arguably their most recognizable face and voice (just go to a PGA Tour event). Feherty's possible departure also leaves a huge void in their major championship coverage, where he always stepped up his game and somehow, some way, managed not to offend the Lords of Augusta from the 15th hole perch.

One or both I'd think, but I find it shocking that CBS couldn't or wouldn't accommodate those requests.  I don't like the thought of either Sir Nick or Gary McCord given free reign without Feherty's voice in their earpiece.  And Feherty's popularity is well-deserved in this observer's eye, as he manages to remain clever and insightful without annoying, and that's no small compliment given the huge swaths of airtime to fill.

Shack doesn't get into the roster, which in the last year has seen Oosty retire and Frank Nobilo added, but could they not find a tower for him somewhere?  Seems an unforced error, no?

Back to Geoff:

Then there is the timing. 

CBS just wrapped their 2015 at The Barclays last weekend. If the two sides actually were wanting to work together going forward there was time to work things out. Or if this is actually an official split and not just a negotiation hiccup, leaking the news so soon after the last telecast of the year suggests a fatal blow in the partnership. After all, the next CBS golf telecast is not until late January 2016. 

If this is not just a breakdown in talks, Feherty is a free agent at a good time: Fox is coming off a widely panned start to their 12-year USGA deal where Corey Pavin was their lead on-course announcer, while NBC/Golf Channel just added R&A events starting in 2017.

Parsing the wording of the item leaves us perplexed, as the plural form of the noun is used but no indication is provided as from which side of table the leak sprung.  It may well be, as Shack seems to infer, that this is a done deal, but it also may be one side posturing that it's prepared to accept a divorce in order to move an intransigent negotiating partner... in which case you'd think it would be on Feherty's side, as I'd expect CBS is getting an earful this morning.

In response to that last 'graph, you'd think that NBC would be the heavy fave... I'd think Feherty would be smart enough to avoid the Fox train wreck, unless of course he has a heretofore unknown urge to cover amateur fourball events.  Of course Fox would likely add a few zeros to an offer, such is their need for any good press...  unless, of course, they've finally done the math and realized how much this 12-year itch is going to cost.

Keep the popcorn handy, this likely isn't over...

Department of Curious Timing - Our Shack continues to bestride the golf world like a colossus, introducing a new feature at The Loop called Forward Press, a preview of the coming week in golf.  I guess it's the equivalent of an out-of-town tryout for a Broadway musical, because you couldn't pick a week with les sof interest....

But, there's always a silver lining for a relentlessly upbeat guy like your humble correspondent...yeah, hope nobody spit out their drink in reaction to that.  But it does turn out that the FRiday kick-off to the Deutsche Bank allows Golf Channel to comb their vault for some interesting programming:

Thursday at noon ET on Golf Channel, a mini Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf half marathon kicks off, starting with Nicklaus vs. Palmer at Pinehurst, Azinger vs. Ballesteros at 1:30 p.m. ET from St. Andrews. That must watch duel is followed by Nicklaus vs. Watson at Pebble Beach and Nicklaus vs. Miller at Olympic Club. 

In the Azinger-Ballesteros match, you’ll be reminded that Ben Crenshaw played the Shell’s roving reporter role made famous by Jimmy Demaret and even better, Seve cursed the Virgin Mary (in Spanish, though the actual meaning is up for debate but it was funny either way!).

Good times!

POY Why? -  The controversy du jour is whether Jason Day could snitch the Player of the Year honor from that Spieth kid... I know, talk about first-world problems.  We could go into the definition of "is" stuff, since the POY is a PGA Tour event, but Shack and Damon Hack..err, hack it around on Morning Drive.

It's always helpful when the individuals involved have some perspective as well:

“Right now, Jordan Spieth gets my vote,” Day said. “Winning two major championships at such a young age is big. Winning four tournaments overall is great.” 

Then again, there are still three FedEx Cup playoff events remaining, including the Tour Championship that determines the $10 million bonus. It’s already been a banner summer for the 27-year-old Australian, and he’s not done yet. 

“I think winning the FedEx Cup and maybe one or two more tournaments, that could put my name in the mix for player of the year,” Day said. “I’m not sure. I’m going to leave that to the peers, to the people. That will definitely throw my name in the mix.”

I'm with Geoff on this one, and think that Van Cynical might have nailed it with this:

As for Jason Day, let me put it simply: If Day won all four FedEx tourneys and the $10 million bonus, would Jordan Spieth trade his year for Day’s? No way (insert the adjective of your choice between those two words for emphasis).

What he said.

A Trumpalooza -  Lots of news of the Repub front-runner today, first this:

As part of constant feedback on golf courses, players were allowed to submit their

thoughts (signed or anonymous). Those were presented to Trump and work has been underway to make a few changes for next year's Cadillac Championship. 

''I just went over some changes to make it more friendly for guys who hit it my length instead of it being a bomber's paradise,'' said Brandt Snedeker, among those who offered reasonable suggestions. ''I think Gil (Hanse) tried to do the right thing to tighten it up, but it's hard to see how a golf course plays until guys play it. You don't know what bunkers are in play and out of play.''

 Why do they think it favors bombers?

Dustin Johnson won this year. Next on the leaderboard were J.B. Holmes, Bubba Watson, Henrik Stenson and Adam Scott.

Oh, I withdraw the question... I think it's entirely appropriate to revisit the layout after seeing how it plays, I'd just feel better if they told me that Gil is involved.  Remember, Gil had to dig in his heels to leave one hole on the course without water...

Martin Dempster caught up with former First Minister Alex Salmond, and this is the juiciest bit:

“It’s not my decision, but I would have thought Mr Trump’s odds are lengthening as far as these matters are concerned,” he replied to being asked about the American hosting the tournament before adding, jokingly: “But he might become the president of the United States of America. He might say, ‘do it or else’!” His tone becoming serious once more, Salmond continued: “Look, let’s talk positively. There’s absolutely no doubt it’s an absolutely great golf course. But there are things to consider in the fullness of time, and I’m sure Aberdeen Asset and the Tour will be considering these matters. Obviously the PGA of America made a decision, a quite understandable decision. Politics is a rough, old trade, as Mr Trump will find out. Sometimes you can say things when you’re a television star, but not necessarily when you’re a politician.”

As you'll recall:

During a visit to Scotland in June, Trump claimed his course north of Aberdeen had been earmarked for the tournament, possibly as early as 2017 after its return to Castle Stuart, near Inverness, next year. It was also reported that a deal was in the pipeline to stage it at Trump International Golf Links in 2019 and 2020 as well, with the American billionaire fuelling speculation by saying “the Scottish Open wants to be here forever, they think this is the best course they’ve ever seen”.

June seems quite far away at this point, a far more innocent time...certainly they wouldn't dare entertain that notion until Trump's Presidential aspirations are in the rear view mirror, but beyond that it's hard to know who's playing whom.

According to my caddie, the second course is moving forward (though the terrain didn't look all that promising), but his lodging plans have been scaled back to only twenty units or so.  That makes the logistical arrangements a little tougher, not that the drive from Aberdeen is that long....

My view of Salmond is inevitably tainted by the independence referendum, but there's little doubt that he deserves credit for securing the Scottish Open.  And I like the man more after comments like this (that's Nicola Sturgeon, his successor as First Minister and Martin Gilbert, CEO of the event's sponsor):

Salmond said he felt “very confident” about Sturgeon, Gilbert and Keith Pelley, the new European Tour chief executive, making the “right decisions” for the Scottish Open, the next one likely to be the announcement of a venue in the west of Scotland. “Everybody is happy the way it has turned out,” he said of the three-way partnership, heaping praise on Gilbert for having the “guts and gumption” to bring Aberdeen Asset Management on board. “Martin was the man with the money,” stressed Salmond. “I had good thoughts, but he had good money.”

Is there bad money?

 And lastly in our Trumpfest, comes this welcome news:

DONALD Trump has been given the go-ahead to erect a massive Roman Chariot fountain outside the Turnberry Hotel. 

The US tycoon won a battle to erect the 25ft monument despite concerns that it was too big and out of keeping with the upmarket resort.

The Planning Commission ultimately ruled that he, you know, owns the place and can do what he wants with it, but did at least air this:

“When viewed from the east, the fountain will impact on the setting of the listed building given its height and proximity to the hotel. There are some concerns that the fountain is excessive in height and has no contextual reference to the architectural style of listed hotel.

The silly part of this is that there's really no reason to view it from the east, and will only be seen when driving into the resort.  But I do love that contextual reference phraseology...can you say eyesore?

Been There, Done That - Travelin' Joe has a silly slideshow on the best 19th holes in golf, which includes one that provokes recent memories for the bride and I:

OK, quibble we must.... first and foremost, how does one leave the Dunvegan off such a list?  Second, here's his caption for The Jigger:

Just off the 17th fairway of the Old Course, the Jigger sits in a building that dates to 1850, when it was the stationmaster’s lodge. It’s dark and cozy and the perfect spot to sip a whiskey as you rehash your round on the iconic links. Don’t miss the sticky toffee pudding.

And how do you ignore that delightful outdoor seating area on a nice day?  Yeah, the nice day is a bit of a longshot, but we sure grabbed one.