04/23/24
October 14, 2004
The PGA Tour need a good kicking.: Ernie Els has played 15 tournaments in the US and 15 in Europe this year. The PGA Tour have sent him a letter saying they'd really rather he would play 20 in the US and none abroad. And they wonder why they get lambasted so often from so many different directions.
It sounds like they were just asking him (the part about the release, withstanding). No harm in that, is there? He'll not be kicked off the tour or anything and I feel good knowing the PGA is taking steps to bring the best players to the US tour more often. He doesn't want to and he doesn't have to. What's so bad about it?
posted by dfleming at 07:35 AM on October 14, 2004
That there are people who thought the question worth asking is sad - that they work for the PGA Tour is alarming. It's not like the guy is even American. It's the sort of situation that needed them to send in someone with some charm to have a chat with Ernie about it all at some tournament or other - someone to test the water. To send him a letter and expect him not to get pissed off about it is ridiculous. What they're asking would be the equivalent of a free-lance journalist submitting a piece to a newspaper and then being told by the editor that actually they'd prefer it if he didn't write anything for anyone else without their permission. It might be your hope and desire to get the best people to work for your company, but you don't just send them a letter telling them you think they should - you make your company attractive enough to them that they end up coming to that conclusion by themselves.
posted by JJ at 09:31 AM on October 14, 2004
Why does Ernie Els hate teh America?
posted by billsaysthis at 12:10 PM on October 14, 2004
I would think that a global Ernie Els (assuming 15 US and 11+ abroad) would be better for the PGA anyway. I'm more likely to watch a European Tour event when I know Americans will be playing in them. Wouldn't it be safe to assume the same would happen abroad? Is there that much difference in another 5 or so tournaments? Seems strange to me that they would risk alienating him. Although I would like to see the letter. Does the PGA offer appearance fees like the other tours? (I'm guessing no). That brings up another question. Are PGA events even broadcast abroad? I know the Majors are, but what about the John Deere Opens of the tour?
posted by usfbull at 12:32 PM on October 14, 2004
Most of your minor PGA events pop up as hightlights on Channel 5 here in the UK. I must say, if this story is true I find it amazing. He's met the criteria to compete on the PGA Tour. Where is the problem?
posted by squealy at 06:09 PM on October 14, 2004
There isn't a problem. They're just worried that Tiger is truly busted.... "Geez Ern, could ya maybe play more here?.... And maybe start wearing a cowboy hat? People like cowboys."
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:46 PM on October 14, 2004
That made me laugh Weedy :) We get ALL the PGA Tour events (on cable/sat) - and I suspect it's precisely because people like me have no interest in watching Gerry Fleschmantle Jnr battle it out at the top of the leaderboard with Jimmy Wendleson XXIV for the coveted Jimmy's Carwash Open title that makes the PGA want Ernie to play more in the US. I don't blame them for wanting it, I just find their approach somewhat questionable.
posted by JJ at 02:40 AM on October 15, 2004
This is really bad politics by the PGA, as evidenced by another column on the tiff. The guy's their number 2 player behind Vijay Singh and one of their most marketable players. Why's the PGA president going after him with a letter, rather than having a face-to-face meeting to cajole him into more U.S. tournaments?