Tiger's Tourney

[bodoyle]

Anthony Kim wins with a perfect scorecard of 65.

The transformation that this young man has made in a year is remarkable. I have a friend who knows him and has played against him a few times, and said he was such a damn good golfer, but he was sooo arrogant and stuck up that he would only be able to go so far unless he changed his attitude.

Seeing AK this year high-fiving kids as he walks from green to teebox, and stopping to take pictures with little kids and picking them up is very refreshing. Nothing against Tiger, he's going to be the best ever, but he is a robot on the course. Kim, on the other hand, stops between holes, smiles, has fun, and still wins. I recently read an article about a caddie that was killed out in San Diego earlier this year during the Buick Invitational out there (I, or someone on here posted about it the week it happened) and that caddie's roommate was still staying there in the hotel caddying for Todd Hamilton, in the same room all alone, AK found out and told him to move-in with him and his girlfriend for the week. The kid has made a phenominal transformation and I look forward to seeing him during the Ryder Cup.

[89Hen]

Still not a fan Bo. Not sure exactly what the draw is for this kid. The belt buckle was VERY annoying to me. He seems like a fine kid, but still has a lot of growing up to do. I will say that this years version of the AT&T was horrible compared to last year. No Tiger, No Els, No Phil, No Singh, No Scott, No Sergio, No nothing..... verrrrrry boring tourney. xsmhx

[ASUMountaineer]

Still not a fan Bo. Not sure exactly what the draw is for this kid. The belt buckle was VERY annoying to me. He seems like a fine kid, but still has a lot of growing up to do. I will say that this years version of the AT&T was horrible compared to last year. No Tiger, No Els, No Phil, No Singh, No Scott, No Sergio, No nothing..... verrrrrry boring tourney. xsmhx

At least for me, it's nice to see a young American coming up through the ranks. Hopefully, his potential will carry through and he will fill the void left by Tiger once he starts leaving his prime. If only we had someone like that coming up in American tennis, as Roddick and Blake are choke artists.

[89Hen]

At least for me, it's nice to see a young American coming up through the ranks. Hopefully, his potential will carry through and he will fill the void left by Tiger once he starts leaving his prime. If only we had someone like that coming up in American tennis, as Roddick and Blake are choke artists.
Way too early to say that. He's certainly a good golfer and obviously is gaining confidence, but the field last week was weak so it's hard to say how good of a win that was. As for filling the void, I think I'd rather see several players duelling it out than one player dominating year after year. xpeacex

BTW, how did Roddick ever become thought of as a great player??? He loses early every single time out.

[bodoyle]

Still not a fan Bo. Not sure exactly what the draw is for this kid. The belt buckle was VERY annoying to me. He seems like a fine kid, but still has a lot of growing up to do. I will say that this years version of the AT&T was horrible compared to last year. No Tiger, No Els, No Phil, No Singh, No Scott, No Sergio, No nothing..... verrrrrry boring tourney. xsmhx

You don't like Bubba Watson (initials) or Rocco Mediate (peace symbol), Rory Sabbatini (skeleton), Aaron Baddeley (Australia), Bo Van Pelt or about 20 other PGA guys that wear the same belt with their initials or some design on it?

[89Hen]

You don't like Bubba Watson (initials) or Rocco Mediate (peace symbol), Rory Sabbatini (skeleton), Aaron Baddeley (Australia), Bo Van Pelt or about 20 other PGA guys that wear the same belt with their initials or some design on it?
Haven't seen it before, but I'd say the same thing. IMO it is HUGELY pretentious to wear a glittery belt buckle with your initials on it. JMHO.

[ASUMountaineer]

Way too early to say that. He's certainly a good golfer and obviously is gaining confidence, but the field last week was weak so it's hard to say how good of a win that was. As for filling the void, I think I'd rather see several players duelling it out than one player dominating year after year. xpeacex

BTW, how did Roddick ever become thought of as a great player??? He loses early every single time out.

Well, it is early, but he has won a couple of tourneys already. He is young, and I'd be glad to see a few dueling it out, but I'm not sure we'll get that--I'll take one over none. I have never considered Roddick a great player, even though he's been ranked in the top 10. The competition in men's tennis has really dropped off leaving us with two awesome players. That is why, unless Federer wins the French, I don't know that I'll be able to consider him greater than Sampras.

[tribe_pride]

Way too early to say that. He's certainly a good golfer and obviously is gaining confidence, but the field last week was weak so it's hard to say how good of a win that was. As for filling the void, I think I'd rather see several players duelling it out than one player dominating year after year. xpeacex

BTW, how did Roddick ever become thought of as a great player??? He loses early every single time out.

You must have a limited definition of great (and I am not the biggest fan of Roddick) but he has won a grand slam (US Open) and 3 grand slam runner ups, is a former #1 in the world, and at his horrible playing now is #6 in the world. He has 25 career championships and 18 career runnerups.

Unless you are claiming that there are only 2 or 3 great players (Fed, Nadal, Djok? (too early to tell - but similar to Roddick at Roddick's best)) on the tour today, you have to include him as one of the current players who has been a great player. Daveydenko, Blake, Ferrer, Nalbandian, Murray have not had better careers and there is your top 9. No point in looking past that.

[bodoyle]

Haven't seen it before, but I'd say the same thing. IMO it is HUGELY pretentious to wear a glittery belt buckle with your initials on it. JMHO.

So is it fair to say you are a fan of the 'blonde and bland' golf?

[89Hen]

You must have a limited definition of great (and I am not the biggest fan of Roddick) but he has won a grand slam (US Open) and 3 grand slam runner ups, is a former #1 in the world, and at his horrible playing now is #6 in the world. He has 25 career championships and 18 career runnerups.
I do have a limited definition of great. That's what makes people great. Just too many early exits for me to call him great.

IMO "Great" is reserved for a very few. My point being when you see tennis highlights, they will always mention what Roddick is doing as if he's the major attraction. For me, he's not.

These are the "greats"... http://www.tennis.com/features/40greatest/index.aspx

[89Hen]

So is it fair to say you are a fan of the 'blonde and bland' golf?
Not sure what that phrase means? xconfusedx I like all the new clothing styles and loud colors and strange characters, but a big rhinestone belt buckle with your initials?... no thanks. xsmhx

[bodoyle]

Blonde and bland is what people call the style of golf that was out there basically before Woods started. The golfers would never speak their mind, always give you the usual answers, never show emotion, wear those ridiculously ugly/traditional golf clothes.

[andy7171]

Not sure what that phrase means? xconfusedx I like all the new clothing styles and loud colors and strange characters, but a big rhinestone belt buckle with your initials?... no thanks. xsmhx

Grumpy old man! You can't stand what those young whipper snappers wore what they did on your course can you??? :D

[89Hen]

Blonde and bland is what people call the style of golf that was out there basically before Woods started. The golfers would never speak their mind, always give you the usual answers, never show emotion, wear those ridiculously ugly/traditional golf clothes.
xeyebrowx Has it really changed? Payne Stewart, John Daly, Fuzzy Zoeller, Seve Ballesteros, Johnny Miller, Lee Trevino, Chi Chi.... there have always been characters out there and there are still tons of cardboard cutouts in the new crowd.

As for fashion, today's clothes are a lot louder and uglier than much of the past. But I dig them. The poly pants are gone thank God.

Sorry I'm just not ready for it's all about me and screw tradition. I would never have posed for this pic...

http://www.golfdigest.com/images/magazine/2007/08/maar01_kim0708.jpg

[SunCoastBlueHen]

xeyebrowx Has it really changed? Payne Stewart, John Daly, Fuzzy Zoeller, Seve Ballesteros, Johnny Miller, Lee Trevino, Chi Chi.... there have always been characters out there and there are still tons of cardboard cutouts in the new crowd.

As for fashion, today's clothes are a lot louder and uglier than much of the past. But I dig them. The poly pants are gone thank God.

Sorry I'm just not ready for it's all about me and screw tradition...

http://www.golfdigest.com/images/magazine/2007/08/maar01_kim0708.jpg

I have to agree with 89 on this one. He looks like he just won the WWF International middle-weight (light-weight?) championship or something. In other words, he looks like a self aggrandizing jackazz.

[bodoyle]

He might look that way but he isn't. Read any article on him.

[andy7171]

xeyebrowx Has it really changed? Payne Stewart, John Daly, Fuzzy Zoeller, Seve Ballesteros, Johnny Miller, Lee Trevino, Chi Chi.... there have always been characters out there and there are still tons of cardboard cutouts in the new crowd.

As for fashion, today's clothes are a lot louder and uglier than much of the past. But I dig them. The poly pants are gone thank God.

Sorry I'm just not ready for it's all about me and screw tradition. I would never have posed for this pic...

http://www.golfdigest.com/images/magazine/2007/08/maar01_kim0708.jpg

He looks 20 feet tall in that picture!

[AZGrizFan]

I have to agree with 89 on this one. He looks like he just won the WWF International middle-weight (light-weight?) championship or something. In other words, he looks like a self aggrandizing jackazz.

That belt buckle looks like he just won the steer roping contest at the local rodeo! xlolx xlolx xlolx

[tribe_pride]

I do have a limited definition of great. That's what makes people great. Just too many early exits for me to call him great.

IMO "Great" is reserved for a very few. My point being when you see tennis highlights, they will always mention what Roddick is doing as if he's the major attraction. For me, he's not.

These are the "greats"... http://www.tennis.com/features/40greatest/index.aspx

I have no problem with a limited list except if you are putting guys like Rafter and Kuerten (great on clay - others not so much), you have to include Roddick. Roddick from 2003-2005 won 15 tournaments and finished top 3 in the world rankings all 3 years (#1 in 2003).

[89Hen]

He might look that way but he isn't. Read any article on him.
Then why look that way?

[bodoyle]

How do you want him to look? Like a scared rookie or something? I think our disagreement is the fine line between confidence and attitude. I just think he is confident and exudes it - shown by his 2 wins this year.

[89Hen]

How do you want him to look? Like a scared rookie or something? I think our disagreement is the fine line between confidence and attitude. I just think he is confident and exudes it - shown by his 2 wins this year.
I think you are correct that's where the disagreement lies. I just don't think you need to wear a bejeweled belt buckle with your initials to be confident. A rhinestone peace symbol or US flag would be much better IMO.

[bodoyle]

Ehh I dunno. I say go for it...as long as you can back it up.

[89Hen]

BTW guys, the vote to have Tiger's Tourney from 2012-2017 at Congressional comes up for vote in two and half weeks and at this point I don't think it's going to pass. My straw poll so far is 47-2 against. xeyebrowx

[Rob Iola]

BTW guys, the vote to have Tiger's Tourney from 2012-2017 at Congressional comes up for vote in two and half weeks and at this point I don't think it's going to pass. My straw poll so far is 47-2 against. xeyebrowx
Well - Tiger needs to make a personal committment to play, otherwise there's no incentive to the membership to give up the course for what, a month or so?

BTW where the heck were you? Missed seeing you...

[bodoyle]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/golf/cs-080715-british-open-anthony-kim,1,795953.story?page=1

[89Hen]

Well - Tiger needs to make a personal committment to play, otherwise there's no incentive to the membership to give up the course for what, a month or so?

BTW where the heck were you? Missed seeing you...
Catch-22 in a way. If he's there and the field is great, we get a ton more people and a lot more damage to the course. As it was this year, with 33,000 fewer people and better weather, we'll be a lot better off than last year when it was packed, dry and hot. So we either have a crappy field and better conditions, or a great field and crappy conditions. xoopsx

I never made it to the back nine. Stuck close to the clubhouse: 1, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 18

[89Hen]

Well, I'm off to go see Tiger. He's coming to talk to the membership about extending his tourney for 6 more years. Have to "register" at 5pm for a 7pm meeting. I think the plan is to give us two hours of bar time so we're good and liquored when he speaks. :p

[Rob Iola]

Well, I'm off to go see Tiger. He's coming to talk to the membership about extending his tourney for 6 more years. Have to "register" at 5pm for a 7pm meeting. I think the plan is to give us two hours of bar time so we're good and liquored when he speaks. :p
xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx
Vote yes dude!

Please!
xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx

[89Hen]

Sorry Rob, I am firmly on the "nay" side of this vote. You can volunteer when it moves to RTJ or Caves.

The meeting was ugly and Finchem and Tiger had to hear some jeers and boos during their portion of the meeting. They weren't directed at either of them, but at the Board. xoopsx

On a good note, Tiger was not using crutches, but was moving slowly and limping.

[89Hen]

Well Rob, much to my dismay, the feeling I'm getting is that your job may be safe for another six years. I'm just seeing too many e-mails of sheep who are going along with this thing. xnonono2x

[appfan2008]

good to hear tiger is off crutches totally not caring about his tournament... that is great news

[danefan]

What is the benefit to the membership of having the tourney there?
Publicity? Why does a private club need, or for that matter, want publicity?

It probably destroys your course, which the reason most pay the ridiculous initiation fee and yearly dues right?

[89Hen]

What is the benefit to the membership of having the tourney there?
Publicity? Why does a private club need, or for that matter, want publicity?

It probably destroys your course, which the reason most pay the ridiculous initiation fee and yearly dues right?
Can you please come talk to the membership? xoopsx That's what I've been telling them.

[Rob Iola]

What is the benefit to the membership of having the tourney there?
Publicity? Why does a private club need, or for that matter, want publicity?

It probably destroys your course, which the reason most pay the ridiculous initiation fee and yearly dues right?
shhhhhxshhhx xshhhx xshhhx xshhhx xshhhx xshhhx

[danefan]

Can you please come talk to the membership? xoopsx That's what I've been telling them.

Gladly..............for a membership invite.:p

[Rob Iola]

What is the benefit to the membership of having the tourney there?
Publicity? Why does a private club need, or for that matter, want publicity?

It probably destroys your course, which the reason most pay the ridiculous initiation fee and yearly dues right?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Congressional's cut is large enough to cover costs, correct? 89?

[89Hen]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Congressional's cut is large enough to cover costs, correct? 89?
We stand to make $2M per year, so $12M for the six. My problem is, we don't need it. The Board will end up spending it on ridiculous things that in the long run will cost us money because of extra staff. Things like squash courts and a dorm for the summer interns have been mentioned. xnonono2x

[chantster]

Well Rob, much to my dismay, the feeling I'm getting is that your job may be safe for another six years. I'm just seeing too many e-mails of sheep who are going along with this thing. xnonono2x

Seems it was hard to say no to Tiger when he shows up to talk to the members.

[Rob Iola]

We stand to make $2M per year, so $12M for the six. My problem is, we don't need it. The Board will end up spending it on ridiculous things that in the long run will cost us money because of extra staff. Things like squash courts and a dorm for the summer interns have been mentioned. xnonono2x
Oh c'mon - the best player in the history of golf comes to you hat in hand and offers you $2M/year to hold his tournament at your course for the next decade and all you can do is complain? Yeah, ok, unwashed masses, 2-3 weeks of course downtime, squash courts, summer intern (summer interns?) dorms, women - sucks to be a member.

See you next year! xthumbsupx

[danefan]

Oh c'mon - the best player in the history of golf comes to you hat in hand and offers you $2M/year to hold his tournament at your course for the next decade and all you can do is complain? Yeah, ok, unwashed masses, 2-3 weeks of course downtime, squash courts, summer intern dorms, women - sucks to be a member.

See you next year! xthumbsupx


I see your point, but if you paid the $100,000+ initiation fee you may have a different POV.xcoffeex

I know if I paid $100,000 I would.

[89Hen]

Seems it was hard to say no to Tiger when he shows up to talk to the members.


Oh c'mon - the best player in the history of golf comes to you hat in hand and offers you $2M/year to hold his tournament at your course for the next decade and all you can do is complain? Yeah, ok, unwashed masses, 2-3 weeks of course downtime, squash courts, summer intern (summer interns?) dorms, women - sucks to be a member.
I would have no problem telling him to his face I was going to vote no. If it were only a week of no golf or 2-3 weeks of "downtime" I could take it. Let me give you the timeframe...

Mid-May workers start arriving to build the staging areas.
Late-May workers start constructing the stands and luxury boxes.
All-June workers are there every weekday continuing construction.
July 1 tournament week and everything is closed.

Immediately following the tournament some of the things disappear quickly. By Monday morning, the day after, most of the gallery ropes are down and there are tons of workers breaking down everything.

As of July 24th (my last round out there) there were still bleachers and stands on a few of the holes.

In 2007, the rough on the Blue Course NEVER recovered. It wasn't until this spring that we had rough back where the gallery trod.

It has NOTHING to do with the "unwashed masses", nor losing the course for play for "one week". I don't even have a problem with it being 4th of July week. I do have a problem that I pay a lot of money to have a place where I can go relax and I never get to actually enjoy it without interruption.

The things most people don't know is that we're almost constantly under construction even without the tournament. Our Gold Course was closed in 2000 for renovation. When that opened the lower level of the clubhouse was closed for a year for renovation (this is where the normal restaurants, locker rooms, etc... are). Once that opened the driving range closed for several months. Then we had the Booz Allen tournament. Then the AT&T. This year the pools were closed and the AT&T. Next year the AT&T followed by the closing of the Blue Course for a year so they can redo the greens. Then the short game area closes. Then the US Open. Then the AT&T for six more years and thanks to the money we will get from that... more construction... xnonono2x

[danefan]

I would have no problem telling him to his face I was going to vote no. If it were only a week of no golf or 2-3 weeks of "downtime" I could take it. Let me give you the timeframe...

Mid-May workers start arriving to build the staging areas.
Late-May workers start constructing the stands and luxury boxes.
All-June workers are there every weekday continuing construction.
July 1 tournament week and everything is closed.

Immediately following the tournament some of the things disappear quickly. By Monday morning, the day after, most of the gallery ropes are down and there are tons of workers breaking down everything.

As of July 24th (my last round out there) there were still bleachers and stands on a few of the holes.

In 2007, the rough on the Blue Course NEVER recovered. It wasn't until this spring that we had rough back where the gallery trod.

It has NOTHING to do with the "unwashed masses", nor losing the course for play for "one week". I don't even have a problem with it being 4th of July week. I do have a problem that I pay a lot of money to have a place where I can go relax and I never get to actually enjoy it without interruption.

The things most people don't know is that we're almost constantly under construction even without the tournament. Our Gold Course was closed in 2000 for renovation. When that opened the lower level of the clubhouse was closed for a year for renovation (this is where the normal restaurants, locker rooms, etc... are). Once that opened the driving range closed for several months. Then we had the Booz Allen tournament. Then the AT&T. This year the pools were closed and the AT&T. Next year the AT&T followed by the closing of the Blue Course for a year so they can redo the greens. Then the short game area closes. Then the US Open. Then the AT&T for six more years and thanks to the money we will get from that... more construction... xnonono2x

Sounds like you need a new club.

I couldn't deal with all that going on. The prestige of being a member has to wear off after a while and even though it is clearly one of the nicest courses in the country, I don't think I'd put up with it.


Then again, I've never played it.

[89Hen]

Sounds like you need a new club.

I couldn't deal with all that going on. The prestige of being a member has to wear off after a while and even though it is clearly one of the nicest courses in the country, I don't think I'd put up with it.


Then again, I've never played it.
Somebody joked that they should give anyone who wants out $50,000 so they can let somebody in for $100,000. If I could join one of the other area clubs for $50,000 I'd jump at that chance. That's sad. :(