This Week in Golf
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.
CBS and David Feherty have apparently split. Will you miss Feherty’s brand of humour and his irreverent analysis?
Dave Kaplan, Freelance Writer (@davykap): Got to give credit to CBS, they found a way to make their already dreadful broadcast even worse. Feherty was the only thing holding me back from pressing mute every week. Feherty may be a goof, but at least he was entertaining. The rest of that cast is atrocious. Here’s an idea, CBS: call Anthony Kim and see if he is interested in sitting in the booth. Get some youth in there already!
Matthew MacKay, Golf Away Tours (@GolfAwayTours): Absolutely, Feherty is one of the best. His sense of humour is a welcome addition to any golf telecast, but don’t underestimate his knowledge of the game. He is a smart cookie.
Jim Deeks, Fairways Magazine (@jimdeeks): If it was three or four years ago, I would’ve said yes, I’d miss him. But I found him quite tiresome recently. However, I’d far sooner see them get rid of Gary McCord.
Hal Quinn, Freelance Writer, Vancouver: He’ll be missed only until NBC’s first broadcast of 2016. It only makes sense for him to move — after his agent’s feigned power play for more CBS money — as his well-produced and videographed Feherty Live is on The Golf Channel owned by NBC, which likely didn’t enjoy the CBS conflict of interest and even more likely did the deal before the CBS announcement. He’ll be great comic relief for the monotonous Miller.
Craig Loughry, GAO Director of andicapping (@craigloughry): Feherty is hilarious, and unique. There aren’t many that hate him (player or audience). I can only think CBS wasn’t willing to pay what he was asking. Pretty sure Fox has already called – the USGA and broadcaster could sure use him.
Peter Mumford, Fairways Magazine (@FairwaysMag): Feherty has a brand of humour that works in small doses but, like McCord, overexposure has me reaching for the mute button. What concerns me more is that CBS might be replace him with someone like Corey Pavin or Jay Delsing. Yikes!
With three wins in the last four weeks including a major and a FedEx Cup playoff tournament, has Jason Day put himself into the conversation for Player of the Year?
Quinn: He’s definitely in the conversation, and could be world #1 before the FedEx excess is over. But the Majors carry a capital ‘M’ for a reason. Spieth’s two Majors trump Day’s one. That’s what these guys, and golf fans, care about.
Loughry: Day sure has but unless he wins one more including the $10 mill, I’m not sure it’s enough to win the player of the year. Hard to beat two Majors.
Kaplan: Not only in the conversation – I would say that Day is a front runner. Only Jordan Spieth has had a comparable season in terms of success. Both players have been stellar and it is nearly a toss up at this point. I’ll give it to whoever finishes higher in the Fed Ex Cup.
Mumford: Currently Day would be an afterthought in what would be a very short conversation. POY is almost always about Majors and Jordan Spieth has two wins (Masters and U.S. Open), came within one stupid call by the R&A of getting into a playoff for the British Open, and a runner-up finish at the PGA Championship. Maybe if Day runs the table for the rest of the FedEx Cup playoffs, he gets consideration.
MacKay: As great as Day has played I have to figure that winning The Masters, US Open, and nearly winning The Open is insurmountable. Spieth deserves the award no matter what Day does from here on out.
Deeks: Yes he has but surely it’s no contest. Jordan Spieth wins hands down with two majors and one shot shy of three.
It’s time to think about extending the season to some warm weather destinations. There are lots of great courses to play but where is your favourite spot for après golf refreshments and story telling?
Deeks: I’d go back to Palm Springs anytime, or Hilton Head. And après golf is wherever you make it.
MacKay: I love Pinehurst in November as a way to extend the season. The weather is perfect for golf, it’s easy to get to, and the golf is sublime.
Loughry: Doesn’t get much better than Kiawah Island for me. Ocean view, incredible course and area. If you haven’t been, it’s a must.
Kaplan: The King’s Riding clubhouse has an amazing buttermilk fried chicken sandwich on a pretzel bun (coleslaw and tomato aioli on top) that I keep coming back for. I’m pretty sure I didn’t answer this question correctly but I suggest you all go there and try it – it’s amazing. Don’t expect any post-round stories from me if you see me there … I’ll be busy stuffing my face with fried chicken.
Mumford: It’s tough to beat almost any clubhouse or pub in Scotland or Ireland for tall tales and good fellowship. Dunvegans in St. Andrews and the Portstewart clubhouse spring immediately to mind. For warm weather spots, Mr. B’s Lounge at the Pine Crest Inn in Pinehurst, NC is one of the best. It was formerly owned by Donald Ross. You always meet interesting people and if the conversation flags, which it rarely does, you can look at the amazing photos and memorabilia.
Quinn: The Royal (until Beijing took it all back) Hong Kong GC has an oxtail soup that makes one yearn for the return of the Empire and turn of the century decor and ambience to inspire such discussions. An alcove with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the 18th green at Muirfield is the perfect spot (in jacket and tie, of course) to enjoy a single malt, a smoke, and the karmic pleasure of watching a loud and uncouth foursome of ugly Americans finish in a snow storm — in August. But the Jigger Inn by the 17th at St. Andrews, with your caddie from the round hoisting a few drams and chasers and spinning yarns, can’t be beat as being there means you’ve just played the Old Course, and may even have a chance to play it again soon.
