Connect with us

19th Hole

Ted Bishop: Valhalla is “more dramatic and challenging” than Augusta National

Published

on

Ted Bishop, former president of the PGA of America, has no problem courting controversy…and sometimes, he even does it on purpose.

Bishop, largely out of the spotlight since his famed “little girl” tweet to Ian Poulter, got out his typing fingers for a piece on the Morning Read.

Now, Bishop’s core suggestion may be worth looking into: Find a permanent home for the PGA Championship, ala the Masters.

OK. Perhaps this could be a good thing and a point of differentiation for the least prestigious of the four major championships (no disrespect to the PGA of America or tournament organizers).

Unable to refrain from entering for salesman mode, Bishop travels to absurd realms with a comparison between Augusta National and Valhalla.

“I would argue that even with the natural beauty of Augusta National in early April, the golf course itself is not as dramatic or as challenging as at Valhalla. Certainly, Valhalla can be better and the PGA would be greatly incentivized to do that if it were a showcase of the championships that it owns.”

Not as dramatic or as challenging? What exactly is Bishop basing this on? The “drama” of the last PGA Championship at Valhalla was merely that of a birdie-fest shootout, not a “challenge.”

And in terms of popular guard, there is of course no competition: The Jack Nicklaus-designed course comes in at No. 81 on Golf Digest’s Top 100 list for 2017-2018. Augusta National, for its part, is second.

But let’s be real for a moment: There’s no way Ted Bishop actually thinks there is a comparison between the two courses.

He’s merely icing a cake of serious suggestion (finding a home course for the PGA Championship) with the thick frosting of absurdity (Valhalla/Augusta comparison) knowing the media would be unable to resist eating it up (and we’re eating it up).

Right?

Your Reaction?
  • 10
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL4
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB0
  • SHANK32

GolfWRX Editor-in-Chief

19th Hole

LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you

Published

on

On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.

“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350 

  • Food: $377 
  • Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé 
  • Hotel: $0 because  @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!  
  • Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car  
  • Gas: $165 
  • Entry Fee: $130 
  • Lounge Pass for caddie: $50 
  • Gym: $0 
  • Yardage book: $0 
  • Total expenses: $3672 

Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”

When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.

With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 7
  • LEGIT3
  • WOW9
  • LOL1
  • IDHT2
  • FLOP0
  • OB1
  • SHANK3

Continue Reading

19th Hole

54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV

Published

on

After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.

Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.

After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.

“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”

“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.

The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 4
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW1
  • LOL3
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB2
  • SHANK7

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open

Published

on

As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.

Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.

If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 3
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL3
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP2
  • OB1
  • SHANK6

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending