Molly
Assistant Pro
Morning all – just wondered what you all think about the lack of Ryder Cup stars at the Welsh Open this week? Read in the paper that Monty will be asking them to play the course next year, but is that enough? Missed opportunity for my money. I know qualifying has a way to go yet, but those that think, or even expect, to get in the side will have had a chance to see the course and get familiar with it. I know many are in America, but would have expected a bit of effort from them – at least shows us they care!
This leads on to another point, there seems to be a lack of Top European stars at European events! It beggars belief that the current Open Champion was not at the PGA at Wentworth. I lost count of how many times Sky/BBC referred to it as the ‘European Tour’s Flagship Event’. Surely they’d expect, even INSIST, Harrington etc to be there? I know Poulter missed it, plus a few others - I can’t remember who.
I did read or hear something about the ET introducing new membership rules around members having to attend key events to keep their cards. Personally, I hope they do introduce something like that to ensure big names come to the big tournaments and that sponsors are secured and tournaments not dropped – as per Homer’s post regarding the British Masters. It is difficult enough to get the sponsors involved, but if they can’t guarantee top golfers will play, they will feel devalued investment and shy away or even pull out. It follows that more people tend to watch the bigger tournaments as the bigger/better players are involved – you all heard about the woods factor on audiences in America.
The arguement against is that these bigger players are members of both the European and US tours, so have to juggle a schedule – if they are in America for 6 weeks, they can’t return for a week and play a mandatory tournament midway through. Why are they in US as well? Money! Bigger prizes for sure. But also, less long haul travel. So is the Race to Dubai really working?
What do you think? Introduce new rules to ensure European Members attend key events not just the minimum number over the year? Leave it as it is? Or do something else? Would mandatory tournaments lead to some players leaving for US altogether? It’s a tricky one!
This leads on to another point, there seems to be a lack of Top European stars at European events! It beggars belief that the current Open Champion was not at the PGA at Wentworth. I lost count of how many times Sky/BBC referred to it as the ‘European Tour’s Flagship Event’. Surely they’d expect, even INSIST, Harrington etc to be there? I know Poulter missed it, plus a few others - I can’t remember who.
I did read or hear something about the ET introducing new membership rules around members having to attend key events to keep their cards. Personally, I hope they do introduce something like that to ensure big names come to the big tournaments and that sponsors are secured and tournaments not dropped – as per Homer’s post regarding the British Masters. It is difficult enough to get the sponsors involved, but if they can’t guarantee top golfers will play, they will feel devalued investment and shy away or even pull out. It follows that more people tend to watch the bigger tournaments as the bigger/better players are involved – you all heard about the woods factor on audiences in America.
The arguement against is that these bigger players are members of both the European and US tours, so have to juggle a schedule – if they are in America for 6 weeks, they can’t return for a week and play a mandatory tournament midway through. Why are they in US as well? Money! Bigger prizes for sure. But also, less long haul travel. So is the Race to Dubai really working?
What do you think? Introduce new rules to ensure European Members attend key events not just the minimum number over the year? Leave it as it is? Or do something else? Would mandatory tournaments lead to some players leaving for US altogether? It’s a tricky one!
