USPGA Debate

[PaulOHagan]

There has been much debate in the GM office over the USPGA. Some say that its the least respected of the majors, should be held outside the US becoming the PGA and is far to close to the Open.

Clive Agran seems to sum up these feelings in his blog this week: http://www.golf-monthly.com/blogs/clive_...cle_136282.html

I still think its one of the 4 best tournaments of the year and would love to win it! This years final day provided plenty of drama and was great to watch.

How does the rest of the forum feel?

Paul (GM)

 

[ForeLeft]

I love golf. I watch it, I play it, read about it.

But whenever a tournament is held in the US I have to turn over. I would rather watch the Challenge tour, seniors anything but the US. The screams from some half a**ed american of "in the hole" as a player drives off the Tee at a par 5 600yrd hole drives me mad. The temptation to rip the driver out of the players hand and set about the crowd is too much.

my blood pressure.....

 

[Marko77]

Where else could the USPGA be held apart from in the US?

Blog is a bit harsh. Southern Hills was a good venue and the climate added something a bit different. This tournament tv coverage was no different to any other with Tiger in the field. The BBC was just as, if not more, guilty of over exposure during the Open.

All the top players were there, creating value to the tournament - it's more a Major in my eye than the Masters is. What more do people want from this event?

 

[ace_in_the_pack]

i agree the crowd shouts could be annoying for some... but personally I cant stand watching the European Tour as there is no noise or atmosphere at all.

But the "get in the hole" and general screaming adds something to my enjoyment of the PGA Tour and thats why I can happily sit and watch it all night where as the European Tour i just tend to ignore and find out the results.

As for the USPGA I loved it, the crowd were up for it especially on the final day and during Tiger's 63 and I think it is definitely one of the big 4 of the year...although probably number 4 in that list.

 

[GB72]

I am of the opinion that 3 of the 4 majors should not be held in the same country. Asia, Australia, South Africa and many other European countries are producing any number of decent players and have the courses so why should the majors not be spread about the globe a bit more. Tennis splits its major tournaments over 4 countries so why shouldn't golf. Surely there would be more chance of golfers from other nations winning major tournaments if they could do so on home territory with home support. I know this would mean breaking with years of tradition but the sport is more of a global event now than it has ever been.

 

[Teetotal]

As a major it is unmissable but it would be nice to have a major in Europe, maybe at Valderrama or another tough course. Or if not a major then a fixture with a big purse and prestige (double ryder cups points or something) to lure a big field.

 

[ace_in_the_pack]

That would be a good idea, something like the Players Championship (obviously not, but something along those lines) held over here would be class.

Where did the WGC event that was at Valderamma a few years back go anyway?

 

[Trueblue]

I do agree that in an ideal world there should be a major on another continent - possibly Asia? But what are the chances of golf changing? It just doesn't happen in this sport!!

So as it is I think the USPGA is currently the fourth best event on tour - it's a Major for goodness sake, that to me is arguement enough

 

[madandra]

I questioned the fact that the USA has 3 of the 4 majors and was shot down in flames.

Post number 3385

Typical of the yanks .... Wanting to rule the world.

 

[birdieman]

I'm with Sparrow, all he says is right. Watching the European Tour with no crowds is dull. Changing Majors to Japan or somewhere is not necessary, we do not need golf in the Olympics either.
Despie George W Bush, America is still a great country and through Hagen, Jones, Snead, Palmer, Nicklaus, Watson, Woods they pushed the great game of golf miles further than we could have hoped to in Europe during the 20th century.
Leave the Majors alone!!!

 

[ForeLeft]

I have gone back and watched some of the tournaments on tape (sad I know) and the overall atmosphere is better at the USPGA (in the hole comments aside) then the Eurotour.

I stand corrected.

 

[DriveForShow]

Where else could the USPGA be held apart from in the US?

I agree - but why not hold it in Us, in Northern France. That way Teetotal could have his wish for a Major in Europe (I presume he doesn't count Britain as in Europe?)

I don't think Us has any golf courses - but that merely gives a perfect opportunity to build a course there specifically designed to host a Major, bit like Celtic Manor have built a course to host the 2010 Ryder Cup. The goods news is that Us seems perfectly adapted to this - according to Wikipedia: "The main landscapes around Us are fields". It also borders the River Viosne, which could be incorporated into the water hazards.

If Clive Agram cannot get permission to build the first Clive Agran (Handicap 14) Signature Golf Course and Health Resort on the MOD land near Carnoustie, which he talked of in his Alternative Open blog (I'd do a link to it if I knew how), maybe he could be persuaded to build it here instead? I nominate Teetotal as the first Secretary.