FAMOUS ENTERTAINERS who loved their golf. Frank Sinatra had a handicap of about 24, but his idea of golf was to kick the ball back on to the fairway if he missed it. Dean Martin, who played off 6, took it seriously.
Dean and Frank would frequently play the Wynn Golf Course, Las Vegas (then called the Desert Inn course) but would refuse to play the full 18 holes unless alcoholic drinks were provided. The Desert Inn obliged; they came up with a cart loaded with every tipple imaginable. The ‘beverage cart’ was born.
Bob Hope played off 4. He had a $14,000 custom-built golf buggy with a TV, tape deck and a rear-mounted camera so he could film his swing.
Three great golfing entertainers. Sadly missed. Hope they’re having a great game up there.
TEE TIME BOOKING or rollup? For many, a roll-up is what being a golf club member is all about; to just turn up, pop a ball in the hat or throw it up in the air and see what fate brings. Gloriously unpredictable, sociable, and the foundation on which some of Britain’s oldest clubs were built.
Since Covid, even the most traditional clubs in the UK have had to rethink. Subject to strict control measures, many brought in tee booking software for the first time. Using a phone or computer to arrange a round of golf has now become second nature to new golfers, who know nothing else.
Clubs have two choices: keep tee-booking or re-introduce the roll-up. Some golfers want a definite tee time, but according to one harassed club manager: “The trouble was some people were panic booking because, if they didn’t, they might not get a tee time, and then they didn’t always turn up.
It’s impossible to please everyone, and the result will probably be about 50-50, but we’ll just have to put it to the members.” Good luck with that.
COLIN MONTGOMERIE is not impressed by the re-branding of the European Tour. “There’s not one word about Europe” he says; “Challenge Tour, Legends Tour and now DP World Tour. Not one mention of Europe. I wonder what Seve will be looking down and thinking, after everything that he did for the European Tour.”
He is also unhappy with the decision to throw even more money at top players. “The Players Championship is going from $15m to $20m. Are we really supposed to believe that the world’s top players won’t show up if they don’t get that extra $5m?”
The overall prize money on Tour in 2022 will rise to $427m – increasing the average purse from $8m to over $9m. The FedEx Cup bonus pool is to be increased from $60m to $75m, the Player Impact Program (PIP) fund raised to $50m; and the new ‘Play15’ Bonus Program will be worth $10m.
Monty doesn’t think ‘bonus’ schemes are good for the game either. “Getting money based on social media and stuff like that, we’re almost into Reality TV,” he snorts, “Tiger’s come second in that PIP scheme this year, he’s won $6m and hasn’t hit a competitive shot all year. That says it all.
Selling the stadium rights, that’s what it feels like. Thank God my club [Leeds United] still plays at Elland Road. Look around the Premier League. The Emirates, the Etihad. The Vitality. These aren’t places anymore. They’re adverts. They’ve given up their identity for the almighty dollar.” Unfortunately, at that point Monty exploded.
TIGER WOODS called his brand-new Taylor Made Stealth Plus driver “Truly an amazing product” when he used it en route to finishing second with 12-year-old son Charlie at the PNC Championship.
The revolutionary Stealth drivers have a striking red 60X Carbon Twist Face, 40% lighter than a titanium face of the same size, and 60 layers of carbon fibre help provide more speed. “Titanium is old hat,” say Taylor Made, “Carbon is coming!” As Santa didn’t bring me a £550 Stealth driver, I’ll have to take their word for it.
Until next time: Happy Golfing.
Contact Mick for regripping and repairs. Tel. 638 859 475.
