AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > February > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTiger’s presence a make or break
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
Is it or is it not a warning signal? It isn’t a tournament that has taken the PGA Tour by storm, though it is unique in its own way. Foundation for scoring is the Stableford System, tweaked now and then since The International was first played 21 years ago. “Modified Stableford” it had become, but that’s beside the point.
Well, maybe it isn’t. There is something about it that Tiger Woods doesn’t care for, and therein lies a story. He played at Castle Pines only two times. His best finish was fourth. He didn’t make the cut the other time and never went back. He could have made a difference. As Jack Vickers, the founder and curator of The International, said the other day, “There are the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots.’ If Tiger Woods doesn’t show up, you’re a ‘have not.’ We didn’t fit into his picture.”
Vickers was speaking up at last rites for The International. He was officially throwing in the towel. He became the first casualty of the “new” tour, the race for the FedEx Cup, the Tour’s unabashed emulation of NASCAR’s holy grail. Vickers had seen The International date switched to the Fourth of July. “Tough timing,” he said. Then he was not able to come up with a title sponsor, one willing to part with $8 million to put its brand on the tournament. It’s not that Vickers is soliciting funds; it’s the principle of the thing.
He’s richly bankrolled. Some refer to him as an “oil baron.” He endowed Jack Nicklaus to build the Castle Pines course, then had to dig deeper when costly renovation became necessary. Players who came to play were treated like royalty. Some didn’t care for the scoring system. One hole could take you out or win the tournament for you — the 17th, for instance, which attracted spectators like a train wreck.
It isn’t often you find a sponsor who exits once the season has begun. PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem did have the moxie to join Vickers for the bailout. They were cordial on the face of it, but deep down Vickers is bitter. The switch in scheduling, the absence of Woods — who’ll travel the planet to play but not to Colorado to support one of the Tour’s generous and creative sponsors — all brought The International down. (Strange, Woods has played in four events overseas, including the Ryder Cup, and hasn’t had a winner, but here in the United States his “streak” is ballyhooed.)
Meanwhile, the tour is taking a tremulous venture into television. So far this year, viewing has been switched around among three networks and three sets of broadcasters. Presumably, the Golf Channel is the home team, but then you find Nick Faldo and Kelly Tilghman, of TGC, mixed in with Johnny Miller, Jim Nantz and various other personnel from NBC and CBS. It all creates sort of muddled viewing. Most surprising of all is that the PGA Tour should marry up with the Golf Channel for 15 years. That’s a long commitment to a channel that’s like a chick just breaking the eggshell.
Up to now, I’d have to say the jury is still out on the Faldo-Tilghman team. They have nothing of the relaxed interchange that Faldo had with Paul Azinger. Tilghman still comes off a bit stiffly, and you are struck with the thought, “Can you imagine 15 years of this?” Maybe I’m just an old turk who has a tough time adjusting to the new.
What you see, I’d surmise, is the PGA Tour trying to create its own world, as has the NFL, and if NASCAR doesn’t already have one in the works, there’s great promise there.
Anyway, this began with the shock of The International breaking ranks. You don’t expect to see a mass bailout, but it does cause one to wonder: What of those seven tournaments on the schedule after the Tour Championship? What future is there in bucking college and NFL football, the World Series and the dash to NASCAR’s Cup?
This is a heavy load for one viewer who is trying to adjust to a newly revised scheme of televised golf, one who has come to the disturbing realization that the presence of one player can be the key to whether a tournament survives or not. Can’t blame Tiger Woods, but that’s the way it is, and it’s alarming.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Furman Bisher
Comments
By David Duncan
February 18, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this
Mr Bisher,Ilive in Colorado and have went to watch the International. I saw Tiger Woods play in one of his two appearances. Jack Vickers became obsessed with trying to get Tiger. Some of the players (Davis Love comes to mind)told Jack Vickers to forget about Tiger. He already had a good tournament. And he did. He attracted a very good field.They did have weather problems. In August , we have a lot of thunderstorms in the afternoon. If Jack Vickers had left the tournament on the date he had for years, the International would still be alive. Thank you for an excellent piece of writing.
David Duncan Centennial, CO
By Ken Stallings
February 18, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
Well, Furman, at least you still allow comments to your columns. I guess Terrence Moore is not such a lightening rod that he no longer allows them.
Considering some of the comments he is making, I guess that’s a wise plan.
I’m glad that at least some of the AJC Sports columnists still understand that this isn’t supposed to be a non-stop referendum on racial issues overcome generations ago.
You can speak on issues involving people without turning it into a racial manifesto. I think that’s why we admire your presence here.
By Marvin Mangrum
February 18, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
Ive been reading you since the early 60’s, I am yet to read the first uninteresting colunm. Thank you so much for allowing me to contact you in such a simple way. M&G
By Leroy Rogers
February 18, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
Hey, Mr. Bisher, remember this ole ridgerunner from Tennessee, the home of the late Bill Lane of Masters’ fame? I told you ten years ago that Tiger Woods would OWN the game of golf and now he does! Just check the attendance at any tourney except in Phoenix, which isn’t a good gauge..it is a drinking, rowdy, party…unlike the way a golf tourney is supposed. Yesterday was a good example; the Rivera and the smallish crowd. When gentleman Phil Mickelson, the nearest person to a modern KING ala Arnie Palmer, can’t pack the fans this near his home town, I feel the game is heading downhill, after all these great years. {Sure hope I am wrong though} I don’t know anybody satisfied with the new golf channel team…bad decision. And to listen to Gary McCord on any channel, just ruins my day! Leroy Rogers Maryville, Tennessee
By Paul
February 18, 2007 02:18 PM | Link to this
Ken why in the hell would you come to this blog to complain about Terrance Moore??? I don’t get people like you. TM’s blog is commentary, just his opinion get it?
If people like you don’t like his opinion THEN STOP READING HIM. You’re not paying for anything here are you? It’s people like you who turn everything into something racial.
You can’t spread your hatred of the man on his blog so you go from blog to blog complaining about him. It’s America man and if you don’t like how TM writes then don’t read him. Grow up you big baby!