The Open on Sky - It's official

[Hacker Khan]

I think you are still failing to spot the difference between the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews who recently voted to allow members of either gender and the R&A. The latter being the body that organises the Open, among other events, and does endless work for the promotion of the game, both at home and abroad.

If you are going to express prejudices best to at least do some research.

Where am I not spotting the patently obvious difference between 2 organisations with virtually the same name and run by the same man? Who was trumpeting the women's vote as a progressive move.

And it's called an opinion. Which of course can be renamed a prejudice if you don't agree with it.

 

[delc]

I wonder if Sky Sports will or can do anything about the scourge of modern pro golf, slow play? You can often go out for 30 minutes and find that a playing group have played just one hole, or are even still stranded on the same tee! Pretty boring really and not good TV. At least Peter Alliss & Co could amusingly fill the gaps in play on the Beeb! On Sky we will probably get the thoughts of some has-been's swing coach! :mmm:

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Where am I not spotting the patently obvious difference between 2 organisations with virtually the same name and run by the same man? Who was trumpeting the women's vote as a progressive move.

And it's called an opinion. Which of course can be renamed a prejudice if you don't agree with it.

Distinct difference in the activities and objectives of the two organisations and this has been the case since 2004.

Is there a problem with one man being Chief Exec of both?

An opinioon that appears to have no basis in fact can often be a prejudice.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Distinct difference in the activities and objectives of the two organisations and this has been the case since 2004.

Is there a problem with one man being Chief Exec of both?

An opinioon that appears to have no basis in fact can often be a prejudice.

Yes if they expect the public to think they are separate if they have virtually the same name and are run by the same person.

And he's the secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, not the chief exec. He's the chief exec of the R&A. I'e done my research. Perhaps you were getting the two confused? It's easily done apparently.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Distinct difference in the activities and objectives of the two organisations and this has been the case since 2004.

Is there a problem with one man being Chief Exec of both?

An opinioon that appears to have no basis in fact can often be a prejudice.

As an accountant, it is drilled into us that just because you know things are separate, if it doesn't appear so to an independent, outside person, then there is an issue, and you will be perceived as being connected.

These two organisations may operate completely separately, but by having a very very very similar name, and the same chap in charge of both, could you really say that to an outside agency they look separate?

If UEFA was called FIFA (of Europe) and was headed by Sepp Blatter, would you argue they are two completely separate entities that operate separately?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I have not trawled through all posts so apologies if this has been mentioned before.

Good decision by the BBC. On the week it was played The Open did not even get into the 20 most viewed 'shows/events'.
You cannot expect the BBC to continue to spend a fortune on an event with such low viewing figures.

Look on the bright side 'Alliss no More'.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Yes if they expect the public to think they are separate if they have virtually the same name and are run by the same person.

And he's the secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, not the chief exec. He's the chief exec of the R&A. I'e done my research. Perhaps you were getting the two confused? It's easily done apparently.

I was keeping it simple for your benefit.

I cannot see why the public perception of their independent roles would be of any particular interest to either body provided they are meeting their objectives which, in the case of the R&A includes promoting the game at all levels.

There appears to be an assumption on this forum that any extra revenue generated by the new TV deal will end up in the pockets of the players. Whilst the R&A have for many years insisted that prize money at the Open will keep pace with other similar events there is no evidence to suggest that they are planning a major hike in the prize fund.

Rather the extra money will be of considerable assistance in further funding of areas such as international development f the game and promoting golf in schools etc.

I appreciate it is much more fun to dismiss the R&A as anachronistic but that is to deny the truth.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've said before I think the R&A have a once in a generation chance here. Make good with the extra money and grow the game at all levels and around the world and it will be seen to have been a great decision. If not and golf popularity and the image declines and remains seen by many as a game for fuddy duddy's then the R&A have some serious questions to answer

 

[Val]

People who like watching sports have sky sports, it's where most of the quality sports action reside. It was always going to sky, it was just a matter of when.

 

[TheJezster]

People who like watching sports have sky sports, it's where most of the quality sports action reside. It was always going to sky, it was just a matter of when.

Exactly! Sky has been fantastic for sport lovers, absolutely fantastic. As for the comments that non golfers won't be able to watch it now? Poppycock! Since when was it only golfers who have sky? If anyone wants to watch it they can. I've only been playing golf myself for about 4 years but I always put the big tournaments on to watch before I played. And guess what, I had sky! Yes a non golfer with sky... As I said before the bbc can now spend their money on what they are good at to benefit a wider audience. They are not good at sports because it's not their forte and they're not set up to be. Sky are.

 

[Val]

In a reverse of the arguement that many won't see it now, you could possibly say more will because sports fans channel hopping will channel hop sky channels for sport rather than BBC channels.

I'll be honest and say when the masters was on both Sky and BBC I watched sky as I felt their commentary was better, coverage was the same on both due to both using US broadcasters.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

In a reverse of the arguement that many won't see it now, you could possibly say more will because sports fans channel hopping will channel hop sky channels for sport rather than BBC channels.

I'll be honest and say when the masters was on both Sky and BBC I watched sky as I felt their commentary was better, coverage was the same on both due to both using US broadcasters.

I think Allis mentioned in his article that over double watched the BBC coverage on the Sat and Sun of the masters

But the point about sports fans flicking through channels is a valid one

 

[Bobirdie]

Skys doing a good deal at the moment if you phone up. I got top package inc sky sports. For £54 p.m only thing i dont have is the movie package

 

[delc]

I have not trawled through all posts so apologies if this has been mentioned before.

Good decision by the BBC. On the week it was played The Open did not even get into the 20 most viewed 'shows/events'.
You cannot expect the BBC to continue to spend a fortune on an event with such low viewing figures.

Look on the bright side 'Alliss no More'.

Should I demand a reduction in my TV licence fee, now that the BBC are no longer spending money on covering golf? Might contribute a little to taking out a Sky subscription!

 

[TheJezster]

Should I demand a reduction in my TV licence fee, now that the BBC are no longer spending money on covering golf? Might contribute a little to taking out a Sky subscription!

this is a nonsense argument. You don't pay your fee FOR golf you pay your fee so they spend money making or covering programmes that would suit a wide range of people. Clearly golf fell off a cliff on the bbc so it would be a waste of our money to continue to bid for it.

 

[Val]

I think Allis mentioned in his article that over double watched the BBC coverage on the Sat and Sun of the masters

My don't doubt that, I'm only saying what I did, one thing sky do really well during the majors and the masters in particular is their interview with Jack Nicklaus, I could listen to him talk golf all day.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

My don't doubt that, I'm only saying what I did, one thing sky do really well during the majors and the masters in particular is their interview with Jack Nicklaus, I could listen to him talk golf all day.

Yeah agree in regards Jack - the fawning over him bt the rest is embarrassing though

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'd rather listen to Nicklaus too and to be honest I think the others were actually respectful rather than fawning. Still better than Alliss and his "all my yesterdays"

 

[Smiffy]

I like listening to Nick Faldo.

 

[Dave3498]

I haven't read all the replies to this thread, 30 pages, so it may have already been mentioned but how about next year's Olympic coverage? Do you think we will see much of it, and what difference will it make if a GB player is in contention for a medal? I understand that there will only be individual, ladies and gents competitions, no team events.