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Reactions: World Golf Championship Should the best golfers be forced to play?Posted: Tuesday November 07, 2000 1:36 PMUpdated: Tuesday November 07, 2000 1:36 PM
The American Express Championship, one of the World Golf Championship events, tees off Thursday at Valderrama Golf Club in Spain. But how can this be a world-class event when many of the world's best golfers are passing on the tournament? We asked CNNSI.com users if the top golfers should be obligated to play. Reaction was mixed, with some saying golfers owe the product-buying public a good showing while others contend that it is the golfers' choice to play or not. Here is a sample of the responses we received: At this point in the golf season, it's not a matter of "for the good of the game," or the continued success of World Golf events. Most of the quality golfers have a life outside the game, and scheduling has to balance that of family and work. Without them, there would be no World Golf, and for those that make an appearance in Spain, the game is made better for marketing and promotion of corporate interest. The bottom line is money. Most of those staying home have their cup running over and would like to take a break, while some want even more (Tiger) and others need some to make it till next season.
I believe it is a personal choice as players consider their families and schedules. It sounds like many of the suggestions from the players have been ignored by the PGA Tour. I think the change for next year that moves the event prior to the Tour Championship is the right move -- it is really a scheduling issue. Since the players give so much of their time to the PGA Tour and related events, the officials should put greater weight on adjusting to the players' schedules and less concern over making a buck.
If not for their fans, those involved in sports would not have their jobs. With the exception of Tiger Woods, so many other professional golfers are concerned only with money and with themselves, with no concern for their fans, without whom they would have nothing. If they don't go to Spain, then they shouldn't be allowed to play anywhere else either.
Unless these guys are under some contract, I don't see any reason for them to go anywhere. Except for money, and if they don't need the money, then I guess they won't show up. It is a personal decision to these guys. Basically, is it worth the travel for the paycheck? Most have wife and kids to think about also. Tiger Woods has no family, and I don't think he is playing every event either, so he can sure go if he wants.
The players who do not go with Tiger to Spain are wimps.
With Tiger Woods playing, I would think that most players would want to try and beat him. It also is a huge event. Money has gotten way out of hand in golf, and some of the players have forgotten why they are playing.
These "World Golf" tournaments were set up for the very best golfers in the world. They should welcome the challenge to compete against the very best (even if it might be a course that doesn't set up well for their game). Purses have increased so rapidly that a million dollars at a World Golf tournament is not the incentive that it was only a year ago. With the purses as large as they are, it allows the players to pick and choose more favorable courses that favor their game and also allows players to take more time off during the season grind.
The pro golfer is on his own. If he doesn't produce, he is gone. We would like them all to play every tournament every time. It is not possible, and if a golfer does not like a course or tournament, he should have the option to skip it. I average 10 events per year in person and understand when my favorites do not play.
The reason most of these players are not attending is simple. Most of them don't need the money! Look at the money list. See how far down you must go to find someone who has earned less than a million dollars this year! Why is Tiger attending? Two reasons: 1) He has no family of his own; therefore, he can travel at will, and 2) He wants to win!
More top players would attend if they were still hungry. It is apparent that they have earned more than they need. In business, I could have my employees work overtime anytime there was a need, but when their wages rose to a much higher level, filling the company's overtime needs could not be met. I'll take Duval's place for free.
No golfer should be obligated to participate in any event in which he/she does not want to play. However, I feel that some, if not all the WGC events will, in the not too distant future, reshape the major championship landscape, as we know it today. Players who opt to sit out these events now, may very well come to regret their decision later on in life. They will have deliberately chosen to forego precious opportunities to win WGC events that will come to be regarded as "major" victories by future generations. Imagine how golf history would have been changed had Gene Sarazen chose to sit out the '35 Masters. Sitting out one of these WGC events may one day have the same unimaginable consequences.
I am an international student living in the U.S. right now, and it certainly hurts to see that some of my favorite players and heroes will not be participating. I understand that they can feel tired after a whole year of tough competition, but hey, we all have to work for a living, and for less money. They have to remember that their income, in large part, comes from companies that use each tournament to sell products that we buy. Their endorsing incomes are high because we buy the products they use. So, yes, they owe it to us, and they should give us what we are expecting from them, which is to participate and give the best of themselves. Sometimes it doesn't matter if they win or not, I just want to see them play. The expectation to see David Duval win again keeps me watching the tournaments.
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