The Begining of The End?
Hello. Read the following story today
http://www.tsn.ca/golf/news_story.asp?id=163111. In it the RCGA admits Bell will no longer be the title sponsor of the Canadian Open. Bell will stay on in a lesser role ($2.5 million as opposed to $5 million). The RCGA is optimistic there will be one prior to the 2006 Open. If not, then they're for sure about a sponsor for the 2007 Open, because CBS will be covering the tourney instead of ESPN.
Don't count on it. I have no idea why the RCGA is optimistic. Who in their right mind would sign on for this tournament? This year it's right after "Tiger's tournament", the Deutsche Bank, which ends on Labour Day Monday, meaning a short week. Vijay Singh seems to be the only top-ranked non-Canadian who has any interest in playing. Only 4 of the top 20 came last year. Why sponsor a tournament that runs against the NFL with a below-average field?
Next year may even be worse. The tournament is in July, right after the British Open. Top players will be resting or playing in Europe, because the PGA Championship, a World Golf Championship and the Fedex Cup all follow. No way anyone in the upper echelon will add this tourney to their schedule.
It's so sad for me to see the Canadian Open in this state. 30 years ago I was watching all the top players at Glen Abbey. The Canadian Open was regarded as the fifth major, a position the Players Championship now holds. All the great players came to Glen Abbey then. Winning meant a spot in the Masters. It was a great thing to have on the resume. Jack Nicklaus didn't win it (7 seconds, though), probably the only blemish in his career.
Does anyone remember the last 5 winners? 2001 Scott Verplank, 2002 - John Rollins, 2003 - Bob Tway, 2004 - Mike We...I mean Vijay Singh, 2005 - Mark Calcavecchia. If Weir had won in 2004, it would've meant a lot. Other than Singh, the others haven't won again. Not a great honour roll.
What can be done? Lorne Rubinstein had a great idea. Many years ago I heard his presentation. He suggested then the Canadian Open should be part of the European Tour. I think it's still a great idea. Maybe it could be part of the PGA Tour too, just like the majors and World Golf Championships. That way players on both tours could earn points for both.
I hope something is done soon, otherwise it may be the beginning of the end.
Regards,
Steve
http://www.tsn.ca/golf/news_story.asp?id=163111. In it the RCGA admits Bell will no longer be the title sponsor of the Canadian Open. Bell will stay on in a lesser role ($2.5 million as opposed to $5 million). The RCGA is optimistic there will be one prior to the 2006 Open. If not, then they're for sure about a sponsor for the 2007 Open, because CBS will be covering the tourney instead of ESPN.
Don't count on it. I have no idea why the RCGA is optimistic. Who in their right mind would sign on for this tournament? This year it's right after "Tiger's tournament", the Deutsche Bank, which ends on Labour Day Monday, meaning a short week. Vijay Singh seems to be the only top-ranked non-Canadian who has any interest in playing. Only 4 of the top 20 came last year. Why sponsor a tournament that runs against the NFL with a below-average field?
Next year may even be worse. The tournament is in July, right after the British Open. Top players will be resting or playing in Europe, because the PGA Championship, a World Golf Championship and the Fedex Cup all follow. No way anyone in the upper echelon will add this tourney to their schedule.
It's so sad for me to see the Canadian Open in this state. 30 years ago I was watching all the top players at Glen Abbey. The Canadian Open was regarded as the fifth major, a position the Players Championship now holds. All the great players came to Glen Abbey then. Winning meant a spot in the Masters. It was a great thing to have on the resume. Jack Nicklaus didn't win it (7 seconds, though), probably the only blemish in his career.
Does anyone remember the last 5 winners? 2001 Scott Verplank, 2002 - John Rollins, 2003 - Bob Tway, 2004 - Mike We...I mean Vijay Singh, 2005 - Mark Calcavecchia. If Weir had won in 2004, it would've meant a lot. Other than Singh, the others haven't won again. Not a great honour roll.
What can be done? Lorne Rubinstein had a great idea. Many years ago I heard his presentation. He suggested then the Canadian Open should be part of the European Tour. I think it's still a great idea. Maybe it could be part of the PGA Tour too, just like the majors and World Golf Championships. That way players on both tours could earn points for both.
I hope something is done soon, otherwise it may be the beginning of the end.
Regards,
Steve
posted by Irrelevant at 1:49 PM
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