The Round Table: WTGL, old favourites and the Shark’s legacy

Each week, we ask our panel of writers, PGA members and golf industry experts to weigh in with their views on the hot topics of the day.

The WTGL kicks off this weekend with a game between Michelle Wie West’s LA Team and Lydia Ko’s New York squad. Are you curious to see how it all unfolds?

Jim Deeks, Fairways Magazine (@jimdeeks): Can’t say that I am, no.  I prefer to watch golf on green grass.

Craig Loughry, Golf Ontario (craigloughry): Absolutely. Any new format that puts elite women’s golf in front of more fans is worth watching. Having Michelle Wie West and Lydia Ko attached gives it credibility. I’m curious to see whether the team concept creates storylines that resonate beyond the traditional golf audience. Women’s golf has never lacked talent, but it has sometimes lacked consistent visibility and marketability has been a struggle. If WTGL can deliver a compelling competition, strong personalities (this is a must, it can’t all be vanilla), and a modern viewing experience, it could be a win. At minimum, it’s something different, and golf needs to explore some new ways to engage the next generation of fans.

Michael Schurman, Master Professional / Hall of Fame Member, PGA of Canada: Very few people believe as I do that there is a need for LPGA golf including some kind of mixed event in a Ryder Cup style format. But I truly dislike gimmick golf. Unfortunately, this one kicks off with Michelle Wie. I didn’t like her as a Junior. I didn’t like her as a player. And, I don’t like her now. Events that simulate golf are trying to ‘piggyback’ a great game. I’ll watch long enough to be an informed writer on this blog.

TJ Rule, Golf Away Tours (@GolfAwayTJ): Not at all, the indoor golf stuff just hasn’t interested me at all.  I do hope it’s successful for the ladies, but it won’t be due to my viewership.

Hal Quinn, Freelance Writer, Vancouver: Terrible timing. This weekend the neighbour has invited a few of us over to watch the paint dry in his renovated den. So, obviously that takes priority over anything happening with the WTGL, whatever that is.

Peter Mumford, Fairways Magazine: Mildly curious, just to see if it’s any better than the men’s version. So, I’ll withhold judgement until I’ve viewed the evidence but not optimistic that it will be a weekly routine.

Greg Norman has had an illustrious career as an elite player, successful businessman and golf course designer. Along the way there were failed marriages, a disastrous foray into broadcasting and a number of business ventures that didn’t pan out. Then there was LIV Golf. Through it all, Norman has been a larger-than-life figure, always commanding the spotlight and never afraid to speak his mind. When you add it all up, will he be remembered more for his successes and contributions to golf or will LIV Golf forever taint his legacy?

Deeks: I’m sorry to say that I think LIV has forever tainted Norman’s legacy, and despite the fact that I am no fan of Greg’s (based on personal experiences with him), I do feel kinda badly for him.  His legacy should be celebrated.  Before the ascent of Tiger Woods, Greg was ranked number one in the world for 331 weeks (not consecutively)… that’s over 6 years at the top in total.  He could destroy golf courses with his talent.  And he had a vision for how professional golf could become much more global in scope and fan support.  Unfortunately, his ego, sense of self-importance, and pugnacious arrogance prevented him from being beloved and respected like Palmer, Nicklaus, and Watson before him and his ill-conceived battle with the PGA Tour at the start of LIV was just the beginning of the end.

Loughry: For me, Greg Norman’s legacy is bigger than LIV Golf. He was one of the most dominant players of his era, built a global business empire, designed courses around the world, and helped elevate golf’s profile internationally. LIV will always be part of the conversation (it’s most fresh), especially because of how polarizing it became, but history tends to take the long view. Twenty years from now, people will remember both the highs and the controversies. Case in point: who talks about the USFL anymore vs NFL? Norman has never been afraid to challenge the status quo. Whether you agreed with him or not, he left a mark on golf that few others ever have.

Schurman: All L1V golf provided was ‘free agency’. Critics talk about L1V paying with ‘blood’ money and a lack of loyalty. The truth is the main critics of L1V are collecting major fines in the same “blood’ money. As for loyalty, professional golf is a business. CEOs, EDs, Presidents and other employees change companies all the time and some even return to the same company. Greg Norman foresaw a future business opportunity and took it. However, as much as he will always be linked to L1V as a disruptor, those of us who watched him play and be World Number One will remember his dashing stride, colourful shirts and wide brimmed hats. His business acumen will fade, his golf will not.

Rule: I loved Greg as a player and was so disappointed when he blew the big lead at The Masters in 1996, but since his retirement he has shown his true colours, and it’s hard to cheer for him due to his legacy off the course.  Add that to the fact that anyone I’ve ever talked to that met him personally has the same impression, and it’s not a good one.  It’s a shame because he was one of the best ever on the course.

Quinn: Had a few Heinekens with Norman at the 1997 Whistler Skins Game ( Nicklaus, Faldo, Couples), and played three holes with him at an event years later. (Went 1-under on those holes, creating the wrong impression about my game). As he went to join the next group, said: “Greg, we had a few lagers in Whistler.” “Right mate,” he said. I cheekily added: “If memory serves, it’s your round.” Later at the reception the crowd parted as Norman crossed the room with a pint in hand. “Here you go mate, we’re even.” That was the Norman I knew before he became LIV-Greg. If he is remembered — the current Gen couldn’t pick Hogan out of a line up — it likely will be for the last ignoble chapter and not the larger-than- life, swashbuckling Aussie who was, at times, the best there was.

Mumford: Few players have been as compelling to watch as Norman, and fewer still have left such stirring memories. Open Championship victories offset by heartbreaking losses at Augusta, Norman thrived on the battle, both on and off the course. Taking on the PGA Tour was part of his DNA and plenty of players on both sides of the LIV debacle should be thanking him for growing their bank accounts. Unfortunately, LIV didn’t pan out the way it could have and that’s all people will remember. I’ll remember The Shark as one of the best and most exciting players ever; the rest is a footnote.

Which course that you haven’t played for over 20 years would you most like to play again?

Deeks: I would love to revisit my top 3:  Sunningdale Old near Heathrow, TPC Ponte Vedra, and Royal Birkdale near Liverpool.  (Don’t get around much anymore…)

Loughry: Without hesitation, The Ocean Course (Kiawah Island). It’s been well over 20 years, and my appreciation for architecture, and strategy has evolved significantly since then. Back then, I focused more on score than design (shot 78). Today, I’d enjoy soaking in how the course asks questions on every shot. It’s a great golf experience and a course that continues to earn global recognition. Revisiting it with a different perspective, and slightly smarter golf game, would make for a memorable day.

Schurman: That’s an easy one, Pebble Beach. I also enjoyed quite a few courses on Long Island. My favorite Canadian course is Summit but you asked for 20 years.

Rule: It’s been 20 years since I played Jasper Park for the one and only time and I desperately want to return to see what many rank as one of the top courses in our country.  And given the changes Mother Nature has inflicted on the property in the past few years, I’m sure she’ll look a little different than when I was there last.

Quinn: Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, is the most spectacular layout imaginable. Tom Doak fashioned finger-like runways stretching 140 M above the Pacific that are as stunning as they are challenging. Played in a horizontal rain storm — three Yankee buds and I alone on the course — alarming the pro who sent out the superintendent to see if we’d gone over a cliff. Found us huddled against the storm in a bunker, think it was on the 650-yard par 5 15th. We kept playing until dark, it was awesome. Would love to play it again on a day when well-struck 3 woods weren’t blown back at us.

Mumford: It’s been 40 years since my first trip to Scotland, but that introduction made me fall in love with links golf and particularly Royal Dornoch. We arrived in Dornoch late at night and were on the first tee early the next morning. With the course spread out before us, wide open and inviting, we joked that this one might be easy. Could we have been more wrong? Following a hearty lunch, another round beckoned, where we assumed our new local knowledge would help us bring the course to its knees. Wrong again, so we repaired to the hotel for recriminations, a sumptuous dinner and a few beverages. When we staggered from the dining room around 8pm, it was still quite light for a May evening, and someone mentioned it would be light until midnight – time for one more round. Wisely,but regretfully, we didn’t pursue that option. On subsequent trips to the UK, I have played lots of wonderful seaside courses but have never been back to Dornoch.