back to list ]From The Director's Desk - Baldy's Blue Notes II
Posted by Eric Baldwin (08/02/2008 09:00PM )There were likely few people – even if you know little about the game of golf – who didn’t hear about and maybe even marvel at Tiger Woods’ 19-hole playoff victory over Rocco Mediate at the 2008 U.S. Open. Those who followed Woods’ progress that entire week were aware of the pain he suffered from in his left knee.
No one, though, could’ve predicted that immediately thereafter would come the announcement that Tiger would need surgery to repair the ACL in that left knee and, moreover, that his season would come to an abrupt close.
There were likely few people – even if you know little about the game of golf – who didn’t hear about and maybe even marvel at Tiger Woods’ 19-hole playoff victory over Rocco Mediate at the 2008 U.S. Open. Those who followed Woods’ progress that entire week were aware of the pain he suffered from in his left knee.
No one, though, could’ve predicted that immediately thereafter would come the announcement that Tiger would need surgery to repair the ACL in that left knee and, moreover, that his season would come to an abrupt close.
Since then, we’ve certainly missed Tiger’s presence on the PGA TOUR and he’ll definitely be missed at this year’s Deutsche Bank Championship. While it is tough to imagine the game of golf without its most popular image for the time being, it will also be interesting to see the types of storylines that have already taken form and will continue to do so as we head towards the PGA TOUR Playoffs.
We’ve already seen it at the recent British Open, where 53-year-old veteran Greg Norman grabbed the attention of the golf world by holding the 54-hole lead at golf’s oldest major. The PGA Championship is less than a week away and one can only hope to witness similar drama there.
This year has also been a time for some players such as Anthony Kim and Boo Weekley to take major steps forward, and they now have a chance to further define themselves as the faces of the PGA TOUR.
It’s also a time where the greats of the game, like past Deutsche Bank Champions Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh, to further advance their personalities and voices on the TOUR and expand their roles as ambassadors for the game.
One thing that is clear: It certainly was fortuitous timing for the PGA TOUR to bring “seasonality” to the game in the form of the PGA TOUR Playoffs. The TOUR had the foresight to see that it could not rely on just one player and that tournaments need not be individual events. At a time when the No. 1 player is missing from the game, it is now up the remainder of the “league” to carry forward and uphold the momentum that continues to build across the PGA TOUR.
I, for one, am interested to watch as the TOUR and its players develop and grow as we enter this year’s post-season. There are so many great players.
On Monday, July 28th, we officially kicked off this year’s Deutsche Bank Championship with our media day. We were very fortunate to have with us that day two of the brightest young stars from the PGA TOUR: Anthony Kim, who earned his first two career victories this season and currently sits near the top of the FedExCup point standings, and Brandt Snedeker, last year’s PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year. Both of these players are consummate professional and have great personalities and attitudes.
We had a lot of fun with both players while they were here. Both were able to make it to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox play. Brandt saw a great Sox win over their bitter rival the New York Yankees. Anthony was there a night later and had the good fortune to take batting practice with the Sox before the game. We’re really looking forward to having both of these players, along with the rest of the top 120 players on the PGA TOUR, with us this Labor Day Weekend.
On a separate note, I’d like to take this opportunity to offer my sincerest congratulations to Jay Monahan. It was announced recently that Jay will take over the reigns of the PLAYERS Championship, one of the most high-profile and prestigious events on the PGA TOUR.
Jay was the first Championship Director of the Deutsche Bank Championship. We worked side by side for the first three years of the event and I consider him a great friend, colleague and trusted mentor. Jay is an amazing person and has an incredible way of connecting people. It is with that talent that proved instrumental in making the Deutsche Bank Championship a Labor Day tradition. We are all sad to see him leave New England but we all wish him the best of luck and continued success as he embarks on this new journey with the PLAYERS Championship. Congratulations Jay, the PGA TOUR is very lucky.
This year’s Deutsche Bank Championship is now less than four weeks away. I hope to see all of you at the TPC Boston over Labor Day Weekend to cheer on the best golfers in the world!
