Take on Worlds

[captainamerica]

First off, congratulations to Carl, David and Pat!  Those were great performances and hard fought victories against some very stout fields.  The week was great getting to see and hang out with some great friends.  Hitting didn't go as great as I would have liked, but that's life!  Here are a few things that stand/stood out to me:

1. I am a firm believer in taking 2 out of 4 instead of 4 of 8.  Couldn't think of a better example than Gentry, Miller, Blakely and Kearney's round 2.  They hit with about a 15mph tailwind and after their set, the wind did a 180 and the next 4 hit directly into the wind and had ZERO chance to advance.  Granted the first 4 hit some great shots, but the next 4 didn't even have an opportunity.  2 out of 4 would have eliminated this and their ability, not the weather would have dictated whether or not they moved on. 

2. From where I was sitting and everyone I have talked to (including those with binoculars following the balls), seems we had another 'ballgate' on our hands.  It was Joe Miller's round 5.  Joe hit his first ball in at 321ish.  He didn't hit another ball in play that set.  After the set, his fourth ball popped up on the jumbotron as a 351!  EVERYONE sitting in the stands around me couldn't believe it as he only hit ONE ball in play...his first at 321ish.  I distinctly remember his 4th ball and it was a high cut spinner into a 25mph headwind and went out right.  Balls 5 and 6 were pulled out left.  For arguments sake, let's say the ball stayed in...Gentry absolutely smoked his ball with a bullet trajectory and hit it 322.  That means that Miller can hit a high cut spinner into a 25mph headwind 30 YARDS past Gentry's best.  This isn't a knock at Joe, just confusing how something like this happens at a World Championship.  Another fairly new competitor came up to me that night and asked how something like that happens as he saw the same thing I did.  I didn't have an answer for him.  The biggest issue is this...take away that 351 and now you have to measure balls for 3 guys, including Miller, to decide who moves on.  People got put into the losers bracket that might not have otherwise.  How does this happen at a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP???  There is too much at stake for something like this to happen or should I say, continue to happen, unfortunately. 

3. There has been a lot of talk lately about growing the sport.  I can tell you for a fact that we aren't going to grow when people don't show up for the Pro-Am's or show up still drunk from the night before.  Both of which happened.  I was actually embarrassed and felt ashamed standing around waiting as Art came up with excuses to tell the sponsors.  When I first started 5 years ago, there were 3 pro-am's each day on different courses and they were full!  Around 60 teams a day!  This year, I think there were 16 or 17 teams total.  I feel that the actions of a few sort of 'slapped the face' of the sponsors that have stuck around and supported us.  This is inexcusable and CAN'T happen.  We need to be thankful for the sponsors that we still have and show respect for them.  Like I said before, I was ashamed and embarrassed and couldn't understand why PROFESSIONAL LONG DRIVERS would conduct themselves that way. 

4.  Speaking of conduct, there was an incident that occurred on the range that has to be addressed by either the LDA or the players, or both.  Everyone I talked to about it agreed that it was uncalled for and something needed to happen.  This incident occurred with many long drivers and fans, including children, watching.  The LD'er lost their cool and I'm sure is sorry for their actions, however, we cannot portray that image to the public and our sponsors.  This isn't a witch hunt, but the sport needs to have some sort of regulation whether it comes from the LDA or the players stand together and say we won't tolerate this behavior as the vast majority agree that this absolutely cannot happen.  The incident didn't stop at the range, it continued as the long driver stormed past several more fans on their way to the parking lot.  Yelling and cursing the entire way to their vehicle, as I was parked right next to him.

5.  Ben Witter is truly an inspiration!  He is so much stronger than I could ever be, both physically and mentally.  He put on an amazing show and I will continue to pray for him and his daughter.  Carl's win was very special to the both of them and I commend Carl for his class acts following his win.  It was emotional and put things into perspective.  We have the fortune to have our health and be out there competing doing what we do.  Ben is competing for his life and for his family and may God be with them always.

Again, it was a great week with friends!  I want to thank Lance and Vinny for everything out at worlds.  Brenda hung out with everyone at the Casa and had a great time.  I want to thank Rich and Jess from Champ Spikes along with Gary and Liz from HIRZL gloves.  All four of them interacted with all of us long drivers all week and supported us.  Last but not least, a huge thanks to the LDA, RE/MAX and Dick's Sporting Goods for putting on the greatest LD event each year.  It is a monumental task and I think the LDA goes under appreciated at times.  Hopefully RE/MAX will re-sign very soon and this event will continue on!  My comments above are not meant to demean, diminish or call out anyone.  These are things that I feel need addressed and so did the long drivers I discussed them with.  If we can't regulate ourselves and our behavior, the sport will go nowhere, IMO.  If the above things continue to happen, the future of the sport isn't bright.  I hate to say that, but it is truly how I feel.       

[TheDoctor]

2 of 4 instead of 4 of 8 is a ten four.

Playing a free round of golf with the people that pay for the event seems like a no brainer to me as well.  The fact that a lot of guys don't want to play the pro am is just weird to me.

[ceejay]

Saw the guy break 2 clubs at the range when he was told he didn't advance. How childish. Also heard he said something inappropriate to somebody in the audience of the range, when that person commented on his behaviour.

[captainamerica]

"If you are invited to participate in the outing your participation is mandatory. Failure to participate will result in disqualification in this year’s championship and suspension from future LDA events. NO EXCEPTIONS (Note: If you are too injured to participate in the Pro-Am, you will be declared too injured to participate in the Championship.)  Please understand your job is to enjoy and entertain the sponsors!!!!!!!!!"

This is directly from the Player packet and hope the LDA stands by it.

[The_Power]

I did the pro-am this year and it is great fun, not only is it a free round of golf you get breakfast, lunch, a $50 voucher, and your very own team

[hightee]

Wow that isn't good. I can only imagine how upset Art is

[DanPacella]

Who threw the temper tantrum and who was it that showed up late and drunk to the pro-am?

[Bart Mellinger]

3. There has been a lot of talk lately about growing the sport.  I can tell you for a fact that we aren't going to grow when people don't show up for the Pro-Am's or show up still drunk from the night before.  Both of which happened.  I was actually embarrassed and felt ashamed standing around waiting as Art came up with excuses to tell the sponsors.  When I first started 5 years ago, there were 3 pro-am's each day on different courses and they were full!  Around 60 teams a day!  This year, I think there were 16 or 17 teams total.  I feel that the actions of a few sort of 'slapped the face' of the sponsors that have stuck around and supported us.  This is inexcusable and CAN'T happen.  We need to be thankful for the sponsors that we still have and show respect for them.  Like I said before, I was ashamed and embarrassed and couldn't understand why PROFESSIONAL LONG DRIVERS would conduct themselves that way.  

There is no excuse for this. These people should be suspended for the 2012 season. We should also be naming names so these actions don't go unrecognized by their peers.

[captainamerica]

The LDA is aware of these things...let's give them an opportunity to address it.  If they don't, then we can see what we players can get accomplished. 

[freak1421]

if the people acting like jack asses arent called out nothing will change.  you told the whole story now its time to name names....these types of episodes will continue to go on if their are no consequences...

[captainamerica]

Like I said, let's see what the LDA does. I'm not going to just let it die if they don't take action. I feel us as the players need to start cleaning/regulating ourselves if the governing body doesn't. I have faith in the LDA, but I saw these things with my own two eyes and will push for action if necessary.

[GolfinCroc]

It has been mentioned before about a "Players Association" or a "Professional Long Drive Competitors Association"or PLDCA To get this started it would take money and legal guidance and for the most respected names in the sport to launch and run it the first 3 to 5 years. To set up the rules and by laws and to set up the financial side to take in dues.  The LDA runs events and promotes long drive and does so even in these hard economic times. But they are the event organisers and yes they do hand out suspensions but they are not at or involved with all events. Right now there is very little  consequence for inappropriate actions or behaviour.

I would support some sort of association to help promote, help, control, govern the competitors to further the sport I love.
Scott McCormack

[Bart Mellinger]

When will you ever get anybody (everybody) to agree or actually submit any money? It will never happen unless you run your own tour or get LDA agreement. Until that time, recognoze that the LDA is the ruler of this sport on the highest level and that they do monitor this board. Having said that, we need to make it known that the players will not tolerate those who piss off the sponsors who ultimately pay the purse and make the event happen. This is unfogivable.

[BigButSmall]

Such an association is in it's infantsy in Europe and being lead by some very passionate Swedes. I honestly believe that if the rules are made by the competitors for the competitors it can work and you could litteraly shame someone into not competeing.

  I watched a live feed this year (I believe it was the Mile High) and a "LD Professional" snapped a shaft across his leg after hitting a bad set, I had 3 text messages from regular golfing friends whom I'd told about the feed saying that with tempers like that the sport stands no chance of growing. One act like that turns peoples opinion in a split second and they will never be convinced otherwise.

Matt UK

[captainamerica]

One more thing concerning the Pro-am...Everyone knows that RE/MAX and the LDA are trying to ink a new deal as their contract is up.  Mike Reagan was there to play in the pro-am and witnessed these things first hand...just sayin'!

[Brigham]

I wasn't there, and don't know what all happened. But, I along with others would like to know who did this. This is a sport/hobby/past time that I love being able to participate in and am ashamed that we have some out there that don't seem to be very thankful for the opportunity that is afforded us by the LDA, Re/Max, Dick's, Slazenger, etc..... Who is to say that if the LDA punishes this person that any of us that did not witness it will ever know about the punishment or who it is? As a group of competitors we need to be able to police ourselves and take of some matters from within the ranks. It is hard enough to get people from outside of long drive even half-way interested in what we do to let these few bad apples spoil it for the rest of us. Ryan, you opened the can of worms to those of us not there, the least you can do is let us know who the offender is. I don't want to possibly "be on this guys side" only to find out he did something I don't approve of. If I know who he is, I want to be able to say something to him about his behavior in the efforts to help him remember what he has and how lucky he/we are to have the chance to showcase our abilities. Even though I have never met you, I have great respect for you, for your long drive accomplishments, your willingness to speak your mind, and your service to our country.

[Rocky]

For those who don't remember the LDA did have an advisor board several years ago to help with situations like this. We were voted on the board by our peers and met during the LDA tour events. We advised the LDA on many subjects including drug testing, professionalism on/off the tee and in the general public. It was a great honor to be voted on the LDA advisory board and serve fellow long drivers. As much as everyone questions the integrity of the LDA at times, I can tell you everything we discussed was for the improvement of our sport and professionalism. We did address an issue like this years ago and the players involved received a disciplinary letter of conduct. I would imagine the same will happen in this incident. Keep in mind that if the LDA deems conduct to be excessive they can disqualify and or ban those individuals from any or all future events. Remain professional at events, pro-ams and exhibitions (for the integrity of the sport). Don't call yourself a World Champion (unless you are one), don't say you are the longest hitter on the planet earth unless you can prove it with solid evidence, be honest about how many appearances you've made to the world finals and what place you took if you know. There is far to much B.S. that long drivers are saying about themselves and they don't realize how much they are hurting the true Champions of the Sport. Example: Jack Hamm claims 6 world titles, J.Z. has 5 real World titles but because of Jack's BS the general public is completely misinformed. Don't be the next JACK HAMM.
Enough for now
Sly

[A-ROB]

Millers 351 ball was not a spinner. It was beat on with very little spin and low boring trajectory. Not the typical Joe Miller ball but was no doubt NOT a SPINNER!
And  why he won that round. To discredit that shot and Joe Miller is uncalled for.
Joes swing has improved from last year. Although he had trouble finding the center of the face in the finals.
Congrats to Wolter!! He wanted it the most and it showed.
Amazing that there were several  450+ yard balls.

So if you are the 3rd longest ball out of eight but 2 out of the 4 in your set beat you? You lose?
Last time I checked, this is to see who the longest hitter in the world is.

There was a group of 8 where first 4 guys hit 355 351 321 345? (Roughly)
2nd set of 4 all went 390+ I think?
2 of the 4 at 351 and 355 should advance? I think not. And wind was not a factor in that set of 8.

There's always gonna be questions. But continuing to complain about things doesn't help anyone.

Hope everyone had a safe trip home.
Good luck in 2012!!'

[captainamerica]

A-Rob,

I'm not trying to discredit Joe by any means.  Maybe our definition of 'spinner' is different, but the 10 long drivers sitting right next to me all described it as such and only saw ONE ball in, his first that was marked at 321.  I am not trying to discredit anyone.  The next morning, someone who was watching/following the balls with binoculars told me the same thing and that there wasn't a ball at 351.  That night, a new long driver brought this up to me and compared it to what happened last year and asked me how that sort of thing happens.  He asked if it was mis-communication or what.  I simply said I didn't know.  All I know is that I, along with everyone sitting around me, (along with others I talked to later) saw ONE ball in the grid at 321ish.  I don't know how else to explain it...did you see him hit more than one ball in the grid?  I ask that honestly.  His first ball was just right of the first painted logo which balls in that area were 320's.  Someone speculated that perhaps his 4th ball landed on one of the balloons OB and bounced back in and the workers just missed it.  I DON"T KNOW.  All I do know is what I saw and that is what I have said, and many, many others saw the same thing.  Why on earth would I make something like this up?  Enough people stir stuff up on here just for the fun of it and I'm not one of those people.  I call them how I see them.  If you saw something else, please share.

[captainamerica]

Just got off the phone with another spectator who was following balls with binoculars and they told me there was no ball at 351.  This isn't meant as a knock to Joe, just that something like this happening is inexcusable at a World Championship.  How do we prevent it from happening in the future?