Around The Links: PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem Wants The European Tour

A lot of news has surfaced in the last month that PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem wants to own the European Tour. He continues to duck the questions, but my pappy always told me that where there’s smoke, there’s probably fire. As with everything in sports today, it’s about the money. The money is driving the constant conference changes in college football, and the money will drive changes in golf, but on a global basis. Finchem want’s the European Tour, and my money is on him getting it.   

Key Points of Possible PGA Tour and European Tour Merger

I have written in the past that professional men’s golf will eventually become a world tour like the LPGA. This change has almost killed the LPGA in the US, but in men’s golf, the PGA dominates. That is the reason top European players are jumping ship to play here. The PGA has strong leadership from former stars, and unlike the LPGA, the PGA has enough star power to carry the sport here in the USA. This is an interesting article from the Los Angles Times that will validate some of the rumors that Finchem refuses to own.

Stenson should be Comeback Player of the Year

I have been singing the Henrik Stenson song all summer, but he needed a win to put the exclamation mark on his comeback, and validate it. He is without a doubt, the comeback player of the year. If he could have beaten Phil Mickelson at Muirfield, he would be part of the Player of the Year conversation as well.

Get kids into golf early

The only way to insure the future health of any endeavor, is to bring the young people in, and get them hooked early. In the past decade, golf has spent millions of dollars convincing young people to get involved in golf. As with everything in golf, Tiger Woods’ success in the game has driven parents to get their children involved early. Unlike many sports where your done in the mid 30’s, you can enjoy golf for a lifetime.

Tampa PGA Tour stop finds sponsor

There have been changes to the “Florida Swing” during the years, but with the help of Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus, this part of the yearly schedule has remained intact. The Florida Swing is when the new season really begins every year. The top world players usually don’t play the West Coast Swing, and join the tour in Florida. Finding a sponsor to prop up the Tampa event was key to keeping it in Florida.

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