[Sensbachtal]

Yesterday I was watching the GC who was running a Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf segment with Byron Nelson, and Gene Littler. Gene Sarazen was the moderator. Besides the golf being played, I was also thinking how other parts of the game of golf has changed over the years. These guys were polite, the crowds were polite, and even Sarazin’s commentary had a “golfie” feel to it. I even developed a different read on the Pine Valley course they were playing on. I really enjoy watching these one on one matches, more so than the weekly events we are now accustomed to.

We all know about the game changing advancement in equipment technology, and the better turf conditions today’s players play on. Today’s fairways were yesterday green surfaces. Today’s putting stroke is a bit different than yesterday's stroke, due to stimp. But watching this show I would have to say that todays tour players have also changed, as well as the crowds. Granted golf was a back burner sport back then when compared to MLB and the NFL. The NBA had Wilt, and Bill dueling with each other. Track and Field might have even been further up the ladder than golf. Heck, I think we watched more boxing in our home than we did golf. Of course Arnie, and Jack were helping the sport along, to garnering more TV time.

Still, it is the players, and even the game to some extent that seems different now days. They still talk about the game of golf being a game of honor, integrity, a sport that polices it’s own rules, and players who call their own penalties. “We don’t have the problems the other sports have” has been thrown about by the powers to be. Well sorry professional golf, you do have the same problems other sports have. Honor, integrity, and even self officiating are all taking negative hits, caused by some of the bad apples on tour. On course, and off course, poor decisions by players, just as in any other sport have an effect on the perceived value, honor, and integrity of the game of golf. I am not going to list all the less than honorable decisions that players have made, or even some of the cheating that (allegedly) has gone on just this past year alone. I saw cheating taking place at the Shriners’ tournament. Little stuff, but still a rules violation. Nothing was done about those player's poor decisions. “We all do it” readily comes to mind. Anyone reading this has there own memory of something not quite right. Some of the PGA’s decisions on some of the rules violations, have even developed a smell of less than honorable arrogance to them.

Still there is more good going on in pro golf than bad. The money generated for charities is the best part of the game. There are still more, fine upstanding players on the pro tours than bad ones. The bad one’s just seem to stand out more so, which is due to the type media coverage we have today. Of course, being a top 10 player, good, or bad will usually over shadow any good done by those lesser ranked players. Again, that’s a media thing.

Don’t know why I wrote, or even bothered to post this gibberish. It started out as just a note on my personal blog. I am not an accomplished writer by any means. Maybe it is because I woke up this morning to find that the GC is no longer part of my CATV package…………unless I want to pay more money.