Seth Waugh is your guy-in-charge at the PGA Of America.
First, let’s make sure that everyone is clear that the PGA Of America is the organization for those hard-working golf course professionals, club pros, teachers, etc. The PGA Tour is for the spoiled rich-guys who make millions playing our favorite game.
Okay, so back to Mr. Waugh, CEO of the PGA Of America.
Seth is so excited that the PGA Championship (run by the PGA Of America) is this month and even more excited by Tiger’s win at The Masters.
But Seth got a little carried away this week and came up with this gem:
“Obviously Tiger has impact, sort of the moon landing. It’s not golf; it’s where were you when, kind of stuff,”
Moon landing? Well, Tiger Woods’ victory at Augusta National wasn’t any sort of “giant leap for mankind.” Not in the least.
Excitement? Yes.
Moon landing comparison?
Come on Seth!
We’re sending you to The Dog House to hand out with our two Moon Dogs (pictured above).
4 Comments
baxter cepeda
2 things:
Until 18, 19, and beyond People will remember 3 of Tigers major wins: 97 and 19. And Torrey.
These are not quite moon-landing level steps for mankind; although 97 is very arguable.
Still Tigers biggest achievements and setbacks are What we call it in communications: Collective memory.
That’s what waugh — the proudest man at Augusta with DCP — means.
———
Second
But Tom, you seem to be taking a soft stance on the pga of America compared to the usga and pga tour. They seem no different.
PGA of America does amazing work, set many standards, but their process seems set up for the status quo.
With their long, expensive process The pga lose many great coaches whom can bring more to the table than privilege and great scores in their youth.
Other organizations like the lpga, US Kids, First Tee may be lesser to some but imo they generally run better due to humbler coaches whom deal with people better, making it easier, less intimidating and more affordable/accessible to play this game.
To be fair, many of these coaches are pga also. Many of these pga coaches are smartly getting involved with these other orgs to get more access to actual students; because the old pga/club system doesn’t seem to do much. I see pga pros doing very little teaching while First Tee coaches deal with 25 kids an hour, all potential private lessons.
As a system the pga of America’s jr Leaue can learn from First Tee; and even from their own DCP.
The price for pga junior league borders on ridiculous: 300-500$ for 2-3 practices and a few 9 hole matches where kids often play 6 holes. Often it’s kids already working with the pga coaches.
Meanwhile Dcp is free. It brings new people.
First tee keeps kids more entertained/more active, learning more lessons, great for college resumes imo, and so much more for about 10$ a class, including range balls, clubs, snacks, even course time. It brings new people.
We got 2 scholarships for jr league this season so we are doing it but would never pay that price again. They play 9 hole matches but kids often only get to play 6 holes.
Imo No one should pay that much for jr League; not when sponsors like Nationwide and the pga itself get so much good exposure thanks to the kids.
It’s like Ronald McDonald Charging 25$ for a hamburger because they provide kids with Hamburger eating opportunities.
Families pay less to get their kids into USC for goodness sakes.
As a volunteer coach, I challenge the pga of America to find a way to make junior League truly affordable; bring more potential students to their hard working coaches.
If they don’t do it someone else will.
Tom Edrington
We’ve gotten after the PGA quite often, they keep raising the dues for their members while they continue to make huge $$$ on PGA Championship and Ryder Cup….great point on the junior leagues…..
baxter cepeda
Thanks.
My question is: is the pga championship major worthy if they are not bringing people to the game thru instruction better than most.
To that point — #Never5– but The better-than-most-wanna-be major —the players — just may have an argument to overtake the pga championship as 4th major someday. More than any other major they should be looking over that shoulder wondering if they are doing enough.
Tom Edrington
Baxter: This isn’t the LPGA Tour, there won’t be a “FIFTH MAJOR” anytime soon, as in my lifetime or yours.