Latest on Riviera and the fires. Plus, a pre-Ryder Cup heckler twist, NBC's SpinCo play, major invites at stake in the Latin America Am, plenty of Quotables, This, That and Reads.
Adam Lawrence started a GoFundMe campaign for Tommy Naccarato and the response has been great. Tommy, who works with Gil Hanse, lost his home in Pacific Palisades.
I assume they are just taking the LIV productions and maybe slapping their logo on the screen, and also taking PIF money to air it. But we'll see. Well, the people who watch LIV will see.
Well, it was a member of LIV's beloved "Country Club Adjacent," so you're talking about bro humor. But I think it was more the shock of being unexpectedly heckled that made it productive in prepping for what could come if Bethpage alcohol sales start at 7 am.
Bernhard Langer confirmed—barring another injury on the pickleball court that keeps the 67-year-old from playing—that the 2025 Masters will be his last.
I'm confused. How does one get hurt on a pickleball court?
This just in. Long lost recording found. Nicklaus is overheard whispering to Jacklin,”No sense putting that, Tony. We’re not even being paid.” Sorry Mr. Azinger. Compensation is a choice, not a right. Not enough for you or your charity? Decline the invite. You know? Just like many of California’s first responders did when they heard they weren’t getting enough overtime.
I get why they hate seeing another organization make money off of them, but they had every opportunity to have taken on a greater percentage of the Ryder Cup profits and also every opportunity to have handled this much more discreetly and creatively. But no matter how many times they are told this relentless pursuit of a buck to just show up is not helping their image, the Tour pro bubble prevents them from understanding how dire the situation is for their images.
Nice piece on Altadena, though I can't recall anyone having ever called it "the Dena". Worked there and Eaton Canyon for about six years 1992-1998. W=Worked alongside a couple who both appeared on separate seasons of the Big Break (one started as a cart kid), and the current head pro at the Vintage in Indian Wells. Also had some high school matches there (though our home course was Santa Anita). Great place to work. Lots of second tier Hollywood types were regulars (and the occasional A-lister). The former general manager of the Dodgers was a regular and would hook us up with tickets. Unpretentious, usually in somewhat rough shape, good driving range. Really hard to believe the fire made it all the way there, because it to go through quite a few residential blocks before getting to the course. It's not like it's on the edge of the canyon. Will be interesting to see what the County decides to do with it.
The person currently practicing the best actual professional journalism, Michael Shellenberger, was interviewed, at his own request, by Tucker Carlson for two hours yesterday. If anyone wants the no-holds-barred truth on every possible aspect of this story, they will need a very high "I'm-so-pissed-off-I'm-gonna-slam-a-seven-iron-through-the-screen" threshold. Multiple national and local weather warnings ignored, broken equipment, complete lack of planning, and murderous incompetence are unveiled. Then the cultural and spiritual nihilism that led to this and so many other current catastrophes is brilliantly explained. Make sure to listen to Shellenberger's reason for asking to be on the podcast.
I just got a Johnnie-O hoodie which has quickly become my favorite garment. Sounds like I should get a couple more to show some support. Turns out the founder, John O'Donnell, is Chris O'Donnell's brother and a former Golf Channel guy - I didn't know that.
Luke is clearly plugged in early for Bethpage, but then I don't suppose he's been unplugged since Rome. The American comedian hurling insults is hilarious, though I suspect the humor will be lost come September.
Not sure why you included the Peter Fenwick piece but it was an interesting read. What are the best local LA charities to donate to for wildfire relief?
Geoff, can you explain why the PGAT begins as the NFL, by far the most watched sports events, goes into the playoffs? How were the ratings for the first two events and really who is going to be watching this week? Strange marketing, no?
Not sure they have any alternative? The PGA Tour has already truncated (unreasonably, IMO) the conclusion of its season to avoid the NFL. Now you want it to wait until mid-February to start?
If there’s a sponsor who’s willing to foot the bill, they will hold the tournament, NFL and ratings be damned. It certainly makes business sense for the participating players and I guess it works for Sony. Why else would they sponsor this event for decades?
The value proposition for sponsors is a mystery to me. The CEO of Wells Fargo was CEO of the company I worked for before he left for Wells Fargo. A non golfer and a cost cutter. Didn’t surprise me when they pulled their sponsorship.
I can't but I am always mystified that with numbers so low, that sponsors do not ask for Monday finishes these first few weeks. If nothing else, to be in a news cycle away from football.
No ratings reported by anyone the first two weeks except for the TGL. I guess that 20% boost with the new Nielsen metrics has yet to kick in because we would have heard by now.
Adam Lawrence started a GoFundMe campaign for Tommy Naccarato and the response has been great. Tommy, who works with Gil Hanse, lost his home in Pacific Palisades.
Brad Becken
Fox and LIV, the perfect marriage. A bad broadcast announcing bad golf, sponsored by bad people.
I assume they are just taking the LIV productions and maybe slapping their logo on the screen, and also taking PIF money to air it. But we'll see. Well, the people who watch LIV will see.
“He said to Tyrrell Hatton that he looks like a reborn Amish farmer because of his beard.
Not a good joke. Will there now be Amish protesters at the Ryder Cup?
Or a new fan base for the Euros ... Hatton's Amish Herd or Tyrell's Amish Tribe?
Well, it was a member of LIV's beloved "Country Club Adjacent," so you're talking about bro humor. But I think it was more the shock of being unexpectedly heckled that made it productive in prepping for what could come if Bethpage alcohol sales start at 7 am.
Bernhard Langer confirmed—barring another injury on the pickleball court that keeps the 67-year-old from playing—that the 2025 Masters will be his last.
I'm confused. How does one get hurt on a pickleball court?
There are several stories out there about how many injuries are occurring in pickleball. I know, hard to believe!
Rules of pickleball for those of a certain age:
Don't back up, don't chase lobs, don't dive...when in doubt, let it go
So, essentially don’t move? 😛
One step left, one step right, one step forward; then repeat.
Can't take one step back?😁
Quick short movements can blow your Achilles
From what I observed quick & pickleball don't go together.
This just in. Long lost recording found. Nicklaus is overheard whispering to Jacklin,”No sense putting that, Tony. We’re not even being paid.” Sorry Mr. Azinger. Compensation is a choice, not a right. Not enough for you or your charity? Decline the invite. You know? Just like many of California’s first responders did when they heard they weren’t getting enough overtime.
I get why they hate seeing another organization make money off of them, but they had every opportunity to have taken on a greater percentage of the Ryder Cup profits and also every opportunity to have handled this much more discreetly and creatively. But no matter how many times they are told this relentless pursuit of a buck to just show up is not helping their image, the Tour pro bubble prevents them from understanding how dire the situation is for their images.
Nice piece on Altadena, though I can't recall anyone having ever called it "the Dena". Worked there and Eaton Canyon for about six years 1992-1998. W=Worked alongside a couple who both appeared on separate seasons of the Big Break (one started as a cart kid), and the current head pro at the Vintage in Indian Wells. Also had some high school matches there (though our home course was Santa Anita). Great place to work. Lots of second tier Hollywood types were regulars (and the occasional A-lister). The former general manager of the Dodgers was a regular and would hook us up with tickets. Unpretentious, usually in somewhat rough shape, good driving range. Really hard to believe the fire made it all the way there, because it to go through quite a few residential blocks before getting to the course. It's not like it's on the edge of the canyon. Will be interesting to see what the County decides to do with it.
A better prep would be to take the Euro team to Yankee Stadium wearing Red Sox hats.
The person currently practicing the best actual professional journalism, Michael Shellenberger, was interviewed, at his own request, by Tucker Carlson for two hours yesterday. If anyone wants the no-holds-barred truth on every possible aspect of this story, they will need a very high "I'm-so-pissed-off-I'm-gonna-slam-a-seven-iron-through-the-screen" threshold. Multiple national and local weather warnings ignored, broken equipment, complete lack of planning, and murderous incompetence are unveiled. Then the cultural and spiritual nihilism that led to this and so many other current catastrophes is brilliantly explained. Make sure to listen to Shellenberger's reason for asking to be on the podcast.
Best part of his interview was explaining the mindset of the performative white liberals.
The last 15 or 20 minutes is .... interesting.
I just got a Johnnie-O hoodie which has quickly become my favorite garment. Sounds like I should get a couple more to show some support. Turns out the founder, John O'Donnell, is Chris O'Donnell's brother and a former Golf Channel guy - I didn't know that.
Luke is clearly plugged in early for Bethpage, but then I don't suppose he's been unplugged since Rome. The American comedian hurling insults is hilarious, though I suspect the humor will be lost come September.
Such a shame about Altadena.
Not sure why you included the Peter Fenwick piece but it was an interesting read. What are the best local LA charities to donate to for wildfire relief?
Geoff, can you explain why the PGAT begins as the NFL, by far the most watched sports events, goes into the playoffs? How were the ratings for the first two events and really who is going to be watching this week? Strange marketing, no?
Not sure they have any alternative? The PGA Tour has already truncated (unreasonably, IMO) the conclusion of its season to avoid the NFL. Now you want it to wait until mid-February to start?
And don't forget the expansion of college football's calendar in summer and winter.
If there’s a sponsor who’s willing to foot the bill, they will hold the tournament, NFL and ratings be damned. It certainly makes business sense for the participating players and I guess it works for Sony. Why else would they sponsor this event for decades?
Agree though I'm amazed what Sony has put up with for their dedication.
The value proposition for sponsors is a mystery to me. The CEO of Wells Fargo was CEO of the company I worked for before he left for Wells Fargo. A non golfer and a cost cutter. Didn’t surprise me when they pulled their sponsorship.
I can't but I am always mystified that with numbers so low, that sponsors do not ask for Monday finishes these first few weeks. If nothing else, to be in a news cycle away from football.
No ratings reported by anyone the first two weeks except for the TGL. I guess that 20% boost with the new Nielsen metrics has yet to kick in because we would have heard by now.