This And That

OK, much non-Ryder Cup stuff has been piling up...let's focus on closing some browser windows, shall we?

Right on Cue - Monday night I was in pre-bedtime channel flipping mode and decided to check out the Back9 Network, the sure-thing golf lifestyle network.  This was their engrossing programming:

Here's the current state of play:

No one at the Back9Network is speaking publicly and only this statement was issued:

“Due to a temporary shortfall in capital, Back9Network has suspended its operations. Management and the board of directors are planning next steps and will continue their efforts to secure long-term, operating capital. The company will keep the public informed with any new developments.”

Stick the proverbial fork in'em, folks...it's all over but the recriminations.  I forget how much money the State of Connecticut threw at this boondoggle, but this is what happens when governments think they're venture capitalists.

I do hope that Jeff Rude and the other legitimate golf writers/commentators got enough money up front to make it worthwhile.

Tiger Stuff -   as the old adage goes, opinions are like a********s, in that everyone gets one as original equipment.  Though I've always suspected that the Shark snuck back into the line a couple of times.  Of course he's got this to say about Tiger:

In a “Today Show” interview on NBC with longtime pal Matt Lauer, the former World

No. 1 also expressed doubts that Tiger Woods can make the climb back to the pinnacle of the game. 

“Quite honestly, I doubt it,” Norman said. “Not top form. Not the way he was from 2000-on for that period of eight or nine years. I think his body is starting to show a lot of letdown. He’s hit a lot of golf balls. He has a lot of power and flexibility, and when you add power and flexibility, something’s got to give.” 

Norman also said it’s more difficult for a golfer to rebound from mental challenges than physical ones, and at this juncture mentally, Norman said Woods is “a little unraveled.”

“Imagine with what we've seen since December of last year,” Norman said, “with his short game (and) chipping, imagine standing over the back of the 12th green at Augusta National, and you've got to chip it down there, Rae’s Creek right in front of you, or the back of the 15th of Augusta National . . . all those gremlins are going to be sitting in his head.”

Hmmmm...gremlins in the mind at ANGC?  Greg, you sure you want to go there?   This is a complete pile on weeks after the fact, but I just couldn't resist the shear amusement factor of The Shark using that specific venue to frame the problem.

And on the subject of piling on, who knew that Butch Harmon got off on pulling the wings off of butterflies:

According to GolfWorld's Tim Rosaforte, swing guru Butch Harmon -- who was with Tiger Woods for eight of his 14 majors and now works with Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler -- would help Woods again. The caveat: Woods would need to call Harmon.

“Tiger probably wouldn’t ask,” Harmon said. “At my age, 71, I’m kind of on the end of my run anyway. If he wanted, I’d be more than happy to spend a couple hours and give him my opinion. I don’t think he would ask because it goes against his pride.”

Take a moment to savor the amusement in that little bit of schoolyard tauntage, and do bear in mind that these two esteemed  gents can barely stand being at opposite ends of the same driving range.  So file it in the ain't-gonna-happen circular, but this is the best part:

“I have no idea what biomechanics is,” Harmon said. “And I’m being serious.”

None of us do, Butch.  More's the pity...

Riv's Tenth, A Brief Post-Mortem - Shack and the AP's Doug Ferguson typically set up shop in the bleachers at No. 10 to watch to watch (some of) the best player sin the world deal with a very unusual challenge.  This year hilarity ensued, per Doug:

No one summed up the 10th hole at Riviera as well as Ryo Ishikawa of Japan.

"Fun hole to watch. Tough to play," he said during the opening round of the Northern Trust Open.

True that.  Really fun to watch, though.  Here's the gist of Doug's piece:

More than one player trudged off the 10th believing the joy had been sucked out of the

315-yard hole. There was ample evidence, especially on Thursday and Sunday with a far right pin, of shots that had plenty of spin taking a hard hop and catching enough of the slope to roll off the green, either in the collection area of in a bunker. 

The response from Riviera superintendent Matt Morton? Welcome to our world.

With all the chatter about so much sand from so many bunker shots building up the green, Morton said the real culprit was a long drought creating firm conditions. 

"The main difference is three firm years in a row," he said. "During the Northern Trust Open, it's usually wet and you deal with rain. We're in a drought. You're seeing three years of dry, firm conditions. We've been able to showcase the hole the way members play in the summer."

 That's what typically happens to create a set-up issue, a combination of natural and designed changes combined with unexpected issues.  Here's Geoff's diagnosis:

On Morning Drive we discussed the reaction from those who watched the CBS telecast and the criticisms of their announce team, and as I tried to explain, there was a combination of dry conditions, excessive green speed and the tacky changes by the Fazio design team to help Riviera not get a U.S. Open. The perfect storm exaggerated certain misfortunes. Sadly, the hole's reputation seems to have taken a bit of a hit, but don't blame George Thomas and Billy Bell.

The tragic mistake was of course bringing in Fazio thinking he was the ticket to an Open, that ultimately went to the Hanse/Shackelford-restored LA Country Club North Course, another George Thomas classic that was more, shall we say, lovingly restored.

But the real reason for the post-mortem is these GIR numbers from Geoff:

Thursday (back left): 4.201 47%

Friday (middle left): 4.007 60%

Saturday (middle front): 3.880 43%

Sunday (back left): 4.227 57% 

All rounds: 4.087 52% 

Note that the easiest of the hole locations on Saturday and the one most unprotected by bunkers but also most tempting to players, had the lowest green in regulation percentage. 

Wow!  All of 315 yards and the best players can only hit the green half the time.  Lastly, I can't let this pass without rebuttal, from Alex Myers:

Riviera's 10th: Can you imagine if this hole was part of a brand new Donald Trump course? It would be labeled the most tricked-up hole in America. But even though it's part of such a classic design, more players like Bubba Watson are expressing their displeasure thanks to recent changes that have made the hole unfair. The best example of this, of course, was Ryan Moore, who lipped out for an ACE, but had to settle for a par when his ball trickled 50 feet from the hole and off the green. Sorry, but that's ridiculous.

I guess his Mommy called him to dinner before the playoff?  Much as I've always relied on Bubba Watson for insightful architectural criticism, can we not agree on the design brilliance of a 315-yard Par-4 that has remained relevant and challenging in the era of ProV1's and 460cc titanium drivers?  That's not to deny or sweep under the rug the set-up issues we've discussed all week, but perhaps Alex will enjoy watching the play from Firestone, to call out only one dreadful PGA venue, more than the Riv?

MJ, Clarified - Boy am I relived to know that His Airness is still happy at the hyper-exclusive Bear's Club:

Just because His Airness might like to build his own Florida golf club doesn't mean he isn't happy with the one he’s got. 

In an email to Golf.com, Michael Jordan acknowledged that the prospect of developing his own golf course “intrigues” him. But he denied that his interest was driven in any way by dissatisfaction with the Bear’s Club, the luxe Jupiter club where he belongs.

Peace in our time and all...  He's got the time and the money to do whatever he pleases, but no reason to make enemies when he'll be there for years even if his project goes forward.   

This Week In Lost Opportunities - While we're on the subject of unfortunate venues, how will we ever pass the time until 2021?

“We’re thrilled to add Quail Hollow Club to the growing list of exceptional venues to

host The Presidents Cup,” said Finchem. “Charlotte is a major hub of business in the Southeastern United States with a growing economy and broad base of sports fans, and The Presidents Cup matches perfectly as we look to bring it to exciting, emerging markets and allow a new fan base to experience the competition, pageantry and international goodwill that the event represents. Quail Hollow Club has been a player favorite since the PGA TOUR returned there in 2003, and we’re confident players, fans and sponsors from around the world will find Charlotte, the Carolinas and the course itself a remarkable setting for The Presidents Cup.

This is more uninspired than dreadful... It's an OK golf course that the players like well enough, but with an annual Tour event and the 2017 PGA Championship (in sweaty August, no less) it's seems like an unforced error.  Can't we find something more interesting for a relatively low-footprint event?  Something perhaps more suited to match play?  Who am I kidding?