The golf world has been buzzing all through, and in the hours after this year's exciting U.S. Open Championship. It's a shame that, in the wake of such a great championship, one major negative stands out.
I was getting ready to write about it, when a faithful GolfStyles Philadelphia reader sent the following e-mail. He made his point so well, I decided to run it verbatim:
"Only the stiffs who run the USGA could have ruined a great sporting event like the U.S. Open. It's Sunday night and Tiger Woods makes a dramatic putt. Great gallery, great television audience, great drama.
Unfortunately, great disappointment. Sorry folks, you'll have to take off from work Monday to see who wins!
Of course the "blue bloods" who run the USGA won't change their playoff system.
Can you imagine someone kicking a field goal with no time left on the clock to tie the Super Bowl and then the commissioner for the NFL makes a decision to play one more quarter Monday ? There would be an uproar.
But in golf, the snobs at the USGA don't care about the regular guy."
- John Bonano, Easton, Pa.
I think the 18 hole playoff is a great idea. The attendance at Monday's playoff was high and the TV ratings also were good. I used a DVR to tape the playoff and watched it on Monday Night - only took about an hour using the fast forwarding.
ReplyDeleteThe 18-hole playoff seems great on Monday, when golfers are looking for something to watch and get the unexpected extra of a playoff. But the playoff day is a nightmare for the media (I guarantee there was a lot of cursing and groaning in the press room when Rocco missed his birdie putt on 18).
ReplyDeleteMore important, the feeling of unfulfillment on Sunday night can be quite frustrating. Must I remind you of those dates during your high school years?
I think the 18 hole playoff in the US Open validates our national champion. This event is the ultimate 'grind', and another 18 holes is fitting. As far as the inconvenience, the anticipation of another 18 holes on Monday, even if it is watched on tape after work, outweighs everything. And by the way, what a playoff it was!
ReplyDeleteAn 18 hole playoff is tradition and some traditions are worth saving. I believe this is one of them. The drama of the playoff only furthered that point.
ReplyDelete