Tuesday Trifles

I shan't keep you here too long, but there are a few things that we do need to discuss.  Especially since our regular Wednesday game will precluded any midweek musings.

Sanity Prevails - I'm reminded of this quote, typically (though likely apocryphally) attributed to Churchill:

Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing…after they have exhausted all other possibilities.

We're quite obviously and justifiably not nearly that sanguine about our major golf organizations, about whom we're more likely to advise that you "Follow the money".

Your humble correspondent has been consistently skeptical about a certain team event scheduled for late September.  While there's been a healthy back-and-forth over the concept of a spectator-free Ryder Cup, my arguments have focused instead on basic fairness.  In the year of our discontent, with dramatically curtailed playing opportunities, I simply couldn't and can't see how we devote a prime week to a 24-player exhibition.  I mean, if we're really all in this together....

So, having exhausted all other possibilities, the PGA of America has embraced sanity:

Confirmation that the Ryder Cup, due to be held in September at Whistling Straits, will be postponed until 2021 is expected next week. 

The PGA of America has announced the first major of the year, the US PGA Championship, will be held in early August without spectators. Talks between the PGA of America and the European Tour, who preside jointly over the Ryder Cup, and local government officials in Wisconsin are now close to completion despite a public line of “no change” to existing arrangements. Work on the spectator build at Whistling Straits, ordinarily well under way by now, is not believed to have meaningfully started. 

With health and safety concerns to the fore – playing the biennial competition without spectators has never been a serious option – postponement is now seen as the most responsible solution. As recently as last month hopes had been raised that the Ryder Cup could take place. The relevant parties have considered the US and Europe facing off in front of reduced numbers, with around 25,000 per day mooted, but that is not now thought viable amid coronavirus concerns. Ongoing travel restrictions – such as quarantine – are also a factor.

Excuse me?  Playing without spectators was never a serious consideration?  I seem to remember Paul McGinley lecturing us that we had to take one for the team.... 

I still think the PGA of America screwed the pooch during the restart negotiations.  They likely could have moved the PGA Championship to a September date, by which time fans might have been allowed.  Further news on the schedule looking forward:

The Ryder Cup will remain in “odd” years following the switch, as was the case before 9/11 led to a 12-month delay to its 2001 version. That Europe will wait until 2023 for a home Ryder Cup, which will be held in Italy, will reduce recurring speculation about the state of the European Tour’s finances. A knock-on benefit will arise for Adare Manor, which will now be the Ryder Cup host in 2027 – 100 years on from the first official staging of the event. A delayed Irish Open could fill this year’s Ryder Cup slot.

Lots of moving parts here, but notable is that Ryder Cups will no longer be contested in Olympic years (excepting, of course, 2021), which is likely helpful.

Last time we visited this issue, the PGA Tour was locked down, refusing to consider moving the 2021 Prez Cup at Quail Hollow.  Like me, you'll logically have assumed that this has all been settled, but you'd be wrong:

With next year an exception, it is believed the Ryder Cup’s host broadcasters in the US are comfortable with a move away from Olympic years. There will be a 2021 clash between the Ryder Cup and male golf’s other international team event, the Presidents Cup. While the assumption is the Presidents Cup, which is a property of the PGA Tour, will move to 2022 that has not yet been set in stone.

WTF!  It has to move to 2022... You want a revolt?  Try to make Brooksie and the guys play a Ryder Cup, Prez Cup and the Olympics in the same year...  I'm assuming that the Tour will have no choice but to move its event into 2022, though I'm surprised that they don't have this locked down just yet.

Before we leave this subject, remember those curious comments from Rory about his Euro peers?  Yanno, this bit:

“If I were in their shoes and I was asked to come over to the States and quarantine for

two weeks before these tournaments, I would have done that,” he said. 

“If you really care about your career and care about moving forward, you should be here, I think. Last week was 70 World Ranking points for the winner, this week 74. 

“I get there are different variables and families involved, but we all have the means to rent a very nice house in a gated community in Florida. It’s not a hardship for two weeks to come over and quarantine.”

I know, why would you go there about your friends?  We have a rebuttal, most of which is behind the Telegraph's paywall, but the gist is clear from the header:

Lee Westwood: Rory McIlroy has probably had a rethink after comments on PGA Tour earning ranking points

Has he now?  And would this have been an immaculately conceived rethink, or did Westy have a role in Rory's deliberation?  Any chance you guys might share the text thread with us?

Reality Bites -  There will be no shortage of such stories in the coming months, though this was in the works before we had ever heard of the Wuhan wet market.  But it'll be ugly for sure:

The cheapest countries you can retire in

Dak Prescott signs $31.4M franchise tag

Golf Channel announces major layoffs coming to Orlando-based staff

The Golf Channel on Monday told most of its Orlando-based staff that it would be laid off starting August 29, then allowed those staffers to reapply for a smaller pool of jobs. 

The Golf Channel, owned by NBC, announced in February that it would move its offices from Orlando to Stamford, Connecticut, starting later this year as part of a corporate consolidation.

In a company-wide Microsoft Teams call at 1 p.m. ET, a Golf Channel executive and a human resources representative informed employees of the latest plan regarding its move. 

All employees will be allowed to reapply for their jobs – if they’re still available. Those whose jobs are eliminated in Phase I will find out as early as Tuesday that their current jobs will end August 29. Those in Phase II will be let go sometime between Oct. 31 and Dec. 31. 

“As we announced in February, Golf Channel will be moving its media operations primarily to NBC Sports’ headquarters in Stamford, Conn., by year-end, while GOLFNOW and GOLFPASS will continue to operate from Orlando,” a Golf Channel spokesman said in a statement to Golfweek on Monday. “This week, we’re moving forward with our next phase with date notifications for impacted employees. As our business continues to evolve, NBC Sports is committed to delivering world-class golf coverage for our loyal audiences, and serving golfers’ needs through our portfolio of industry-leading technology and services.”

Stamford is just a strange place to locate an organization dedicated to the game of golf, and one assume that will limit their in studio appearances.  But mostly I think of The King, and that they wouldn't have done this if he were still with us.

A Good Day For Muni Golf -  Andy Johnson at The Fried Egg has great news about efforts to save some architectural landmarks in our game, including the involvement of all the usual suspects:

American municipal golf got a boost today as the National Park Service announced that it will begin negotiations with National Links Trust to operate three municipal golf 

East Potomac

courses in Washington, D.C., under a long-term lease. National Links Trust (NLT), a non-profit headed by Michael McCartin and Will Smith, plans to make a multi-year, multi-million-dollar investment in the East Potomac, Rock Creek Park, and Langston golf properties.

As The Fried Egg previously reported, NLT has partnered with management company Troon Golf, developer Mike Keiser, and a trio of leading design firms. Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design hopes to restore Walter Travis’s reversible layout at East Potomac; Hanse Golf Course Design has agreed to improve Rock Creek Park, a William Flynn design; and Beau Welling, a senior design consultant for Tiger Woods’s TGR Design, looks to renovate Langston.

“Our plan calls for celebrating the history of the three golf courses, particularly their role in the integration of public golf and recreational facilities in both the greater Washington, D.C., area and the nation,” McCartin said in a press release today. “We are honored to take on the responsibility of revitalizing these remarkable properties and look forward to expanding recreational opportunities for underserved communities, including seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those new to golf.”

A reversible Walter Travis design?  Be still my foolish heart...While Langston can't brag of a design credit comparable to Travis or Flynn, it has a history very much worthy of preserving:

The final piece of the puzzle was Langston Golf Course. When Langston opened in 1939, it was one of only 20 courses in the country open to Black golfers. The course was designed with the help of William Gordon, and it soon became a hub of the African-American game. Many well-known Black golfers—including Ted Rhodes, Ethel Funches, Charlie Sifford, Lee Elder, and Calvin Peete—played there regularly.

While I have some misgivings about municipal golf, local governments being so competent at their core functions I'm reluctant to see them distracted by things like golf.  Those qualms aside, these are obviously course that were both critical to the growth of our game and of architectural interest, so I'm thrilled to see them restored and their continued availability ensured.

I'll also draw the stark contrast between these projects and the Obama library project on the South Side of Chicago, which will actually eliminate nine holes for the residents.  The unforced error there is the siren song of building a "Championship" course and luring the PGA Tour, which does exactly nothing for the local residents.  

More like DC please... Words you probably never thought you'd hear from me.

There's Got To Be A Morning After - Lots of sturm und drang from the Nick Watney positive test, but I'm having trouble seeing an actual problem.  First, the SuD:

Trip to Hilton Head leaves players shaken, pondering changes due to COVID-19

“It definitely got me thinking about kind of everything that I’ve done this week,” Webb Simpson said. “I’ve tried to be really careful, but I could probably be more careful. I

hadn’t really gone out to dinner. I’ve gotten takeout every night. But in terms of even wearing the mask, any time I’m out of my comfort zone away from the golf course, I think it’s smart. 

“And really, the six-foot rule I’ve been good about, but I probably could be better. So it definitely got me thinking.” 

Added Ryan Palmer: “Everything you do, you’ve got to pay attention.”

If you say so, but I'm unclear on why that might be.  here's another similar take:

After a positive test, where does the PGA Tour go from here?

 Ummmm...Hartford?

So this is the concern I guess:

Again, Watney has not publicly spoken on his positive test, but according to McIlroy, it 

GMTA: Watney uses the same putter as your humble blogger.

was a fitness tracker that notified Watney his respiratory rates were up, a possible sign of a COVID-19 infection. A source close to Watney confirmed to Golf Digest that the tracker’s data is what prompted a new test.

This is problematic, as Watney had tested negative earlier in the week and under the tour’s guidelines wouldn’t have been tested again until he provided a sample for the chartered flight (which he didn’t use when traveling from Colonial to Harbour Town). One can drive themselves mad with theoreticals, but without the fitness tracker, Watney could have gone along unfettered until taking his arrival test upon getting to the Travelers earlier this coming week.

Unfettered?  Well, we certainly can't have that in the People's Republic. And yes, there is an issue with the gestation period:

Upon the announcement of Watney’s result, the tour announced, “For the health and well-being of all associated with the tournament and those within the community, the tour has begun implementing its response plan in consultation with medical experts including working with those who may have had close contact with Nick.” The tour later confirmed that 11 tests were conducted on Friday to those who were around Watney, “with all 11 tests being negative,” a tour spokesperson told Golf Digest on Saturday.

However, preliminary research shows that if someone is tested too early, one day after potential exposure, their viral load may be below the threshold of detection, rendering a negative result.

“You wouldn’t detect someone being positive from exposure that quickly,” Dr. Adalja said. “We often wait several days. We monitor them, even those who are asymptomatic. Testing the day of, even a day after, contact would not show a positive test.”

Fair enough, but can we pause the perpetual freak-out to remember one salient fact:

“It is very, very unlikely [Watney catching COVID-19] happened at the golf course,” said Dr. Adalja. “We continue to find out more about this virus every day, but we know outdoor transmission is much less likely than other activities.”

The low probability factors in the occasional breach of social distancing, like players and caddies touching clubs and groups congregating at the practice green. This is not to imply the virus can’t be passed while at the golf course, Dr. Adalja said. Just that the meaningful detective work should begin with where else Watney’s been, and who he was with.

Folks seem way too committed to the perpetual freak out, and I just keep wondering to whose benefit that inures.

Sergio Being Sergio - I forgot to include Sergio's priceless reaction to the news of Watney's positive test in yesterday's wrap of the Heritage.  Sergio continues to battle his inner demons, though far more publicly than is advisable:

“I felt terrible for Nick because he's probably one of the nicest guys on Tour,” Garcia said after shooting 65 on Saturday. “Unfortunately, it had to happen to him. So there's a lot of other people that probably deserved it a lot more than him, and he's the one that got it.”

Le Sigh!  Now Alan Shipnuck had this in response:

 If only.

But I think Sergio is onto something here, and I'd like to offer up a selection protocol.  I would prioritize the following souls as deserving of the virus:

1. Highest Priority:  Any player that has expectorated into a golf hole that fellow players will be reaching into to retrieve their balls.
2. Secondary Priority:  Any player that intentionally damaged greens during a golf tournament.  

So, yeah, I'm pretty interested in who that guy thinks "deserves" the virus...

The Hole Story - Golf.com has been running some interesting architectural features lately, a modest help given the many hours we have to fill.  The latest of these is for folks to identify their favorite golf hole, and today we have a gem.  The 13th hole at iconic North Berwick is called The Pit, and it's a bit of a shock if one doesn't know it's coming.  I'll let Brian Curley explain, first with a qualification:

I would imagine that one’s favorite anything would be a combination of comfort, inspiration, admiration and joy, be it a book, movie, song or golf hole.

That said, I’m going to add another requirement and insist that it be a “true” golf hole (not one of those pretty boy, garden-variety parkland holes) and, therefore, a links hole where the ball tumbles along the terrain, falling victim to or benefiting from the effects of gravity.

Brian, you are very much preaching to the choir, so do go on:

There are many to choose from but one of the best is the 13th at North Berwick,“The Pit.” 

This short, quirky par-4 plays along the shoreline and features an ancient stone wall that runs on a straight line for most of the hole, dividing the fairway from the green.

Avoiding a couple of pot bunkers and playing close to the wall leaves the best angle of approach but also can impede the shot. Play away from the wall and you are left with a precarious drop shot over the wall to a tiny green set into a punchbowl backed by gorse. 

The green surface is within a footstep of touching the stone wall. It’s one of those holes you think about and look forward to while standing on the first tee.

From personal experience I can tell you that it's very hard to commit to the line indicated by one's caddie...

Tom Doak also likes the hole, as per this bad scan from his update Confidential Guide to Golf Courses:

North Berwick is famous for its original Redan green, though this to me is the far more interesting golf hole, not least because that Redan is actually a mostly blind shot.

As long as we're in Scotland, may I regale you with some bits from Crail.  Jim McArthur is the club's current captain, and you might recall from these pages that I spoke to him back in March when he phoned to wish me a happy birthday back in March.  That was a nice surprise, but Jim has been sending a weekly letter to the members that I've enjoyed greatly.

Crail is a place with no shortage of history, you'll remember it's claim to be the seventh oldest golf club in the world.  Jim's latest missive raises the question of how golf cups came to be 4 1/4 inches in diameter, and it turns out that Crail Golfing Society has early records that relate to this:

In the early days of golf, fore caddies would set off over the links in the general direction of where the first green might be traditionally located. He carried a flag largely to show the following golfers the general direction of play. 

The caddies would then scoop sand out of the hole to tee up the ball within the required club length from the hole. Clearly the shape and depth of the hole would start to vary greatly. 

As the game began to develop away from match play to stroke play so the need for a standard hole size began to emerge. 

The minutes of Royal Aberdeen refer to the use of 6” holes. What caused to be the size of choice? The exact reasons for why that first tool cut holes at the now-standard diameter are lost to history. But it was almost certainly a completely arbitrary thing. 

The earliest references to hole liners are 1825 at Montrose and in 1829 Royal Mussleburgh, who paid an account to a local Blacksmith, Robert Gay for “forming the hole, the sum of £1”. 

Royal Mussleburgh display the oldest hole cutter which in existence in their clubhouse and it is interesting to note that it cuts a hole 4 ¼ inches in diameter which was confirmed as the official diameter in 1894 and is the size of the hole today. Just how the original blacksmith hit on this measurement is open to conjecture.

I had always heard that that cup diameter originated in Musselburgh, the result of that 19th century blacksmith referenced above, who just happened to have a pipe of that size.  But the Crail connection comes from the Society's records:

In 1874, 7th August, Crail Golfing Society minutes state” that iron cases be got for the holes on the links to prevent the holes from being destroyed.” 

1875, 14th May, Crail Golfing Society minutes state “there was shown to the meeting one of the eight iron rings which had just been got for the golf holes”. It was agreed that they should be left in the holes during that part of the year when there is most play on the links.

Crail is best known for their Balcomie Links, an 1895 Old Tom Morris design (the first nine holes, with the second nine added a few years later).  So these references are to the prior site, but that reference to eight iron rings is a mystery....  Like so much of golf's history, the result of happenstance.

Stay cool in this heat (for my East Coast readers), and I'll no doubt see you Thursday morning.