Fred Ridley at the national press of Augusta this week.
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Augusta, Ga-Fred Ridley, National Chairman of Augusta, an amateur golf player reached on his day and a detail-oriented real estate lawyer so measured and appropriate in his public statements, his comments Wednesday around The pace of game issuesIt was a hysterical adaptation to its soft standards. At his press conference of the master state, in his prepared Remark, Ridley said this:
“Due to the size of our field this year and also because of the comment in recent weeks, the topic of the game is in mind. Playing without unfair delay, as the rules and traditions of the game time of other people, including, most importantly, fans who support the game, is a fundamental courtesy.
For Ridley, reading from a statement worked? This is screaming. And if you need a cliffsnotes version, here is: “Golf, at any level, play at a slow pace and is drowning life out of play.”
After he read his official statement, Ridley, for custom, he received questions from reporters. You may need to cover your ears as you read this exchange:
Reporter: “I am wondering what was your reaction on Sunday afternoon, when you saw a small mites of a golf to use Aimpoint, and take some time to do it. And then, after lining her putt like that, she then went to a Putt tour and calling at every point of the compass on the surrounding road and taking as much as two minutes. I’m asking what your reaction was.
“Second, given your comments now on the pace of the game, I am wondering if in the spirit of the great founder (club), which said so much about the labeling that there is also the thought that you can lead the way in trying to encourage these young players to take a move.”
That is, Bob Jones.
People laughed not because it was funny ha-ha but because it was so deeply true.
Ridley’s response:
“Well, I think that example really illustrates the problem, and unfortunately, these young people are looking for their heroes who play the game every week to live on how they will approach playing competitors in the game.
‘I think it was a very good thing that the people of the wise, as is Dottie Pepperhave commented on this. Recently, she made the point that I alluded to in my comments, for respect to others, including, especially people watching the game, fans. So I think maybe this could be a call for action we may have not seen in the past.
“I’ve spoken about this several times. We’ll deal with that issue this week. I won’t tell you I’m going to be happy with the results, but I think I’m encouraged that PGA Tour is doing some thingsexperimenting with some time procedures that may be a little more aggressive than we have seen in the past.
PGA Tour to mention the fastest, slower pro, but will it improve the pace of the game?
“While connecting to drive, chip & putt, I also noticed exactly what you have noticed. Interesting interesting, but every phase of competition has the same chip length and the same put, so it is really necessary to open it. They know how much it is. However, this is what it was doing.
“Thanks for that question.”
Translation: “The rhythm of the country is a joke. We can improve the game’s kids rhythm here. But while PGA and LPGA Tours make the rate ready, by fines or clock or through social stigma, nothing will change.”
Ridley had one more comment on the pace of the game:
“We’re starting with a couple, which always helps move things. And it will put a little more pressure, I think, in the groups they follow because as long as you move on with the group ahead of you, then you will be fine, and that group will definitely play faster.”
This is a fantasy of good meaning. The first group, at 7:40am, is double the Davis Riley and Patton Kizzire. They can play in four hours. The average pace for the trio to follow is likely to be more than five hours. Afternoon winds and rusty greens and self-importance and slow habit just slow down the rhythm. On Friday, the first group of the day is a trio.
This problem is as interactive as nothing, of course, cannot change within a day. No single comment from a commenter, as well as Pepper, is likely to have an impact. Would eliminate the backyard book and give it every kadi a sorted Accelerate the pace of the game? Yes, but it will never happen. Would make tour courses, including Augusta NationalIt from above with 7,000 yards speeds the pace of the game? Yes, but that will never happen. Will the LPGA rhythm initiatives, notified last month and linked to one hour shot and penalty kicks, will improve the rhythm in the women’s tour? Yes, but it is unlikely to have an impact beyond it. If the professional golf of men as its highest levels does not do the same in a meaningful way.
Can you imagine Augusta National with officials in the forests watching their watches?
