Advertisers have "embraced the net," prompting golf Web
site managers to "think the unthinkable -- namely, that
their sites might soon begin to turn profits," according to
Christopher Lewis of GOLFWEEK. Site managers have also
"recognized that providing simple, creditable information is
no longer enough" as "real" advertising dollars are
"suddenly at stake." But to "stay competitive and attract
those dollars," managers have "rushed to upgrade content in
hopes of drawing more visitors, enriching their sits mostly
by entering into partnerships that have transformed the
Internet's golf news landscape." Golfonline.com GM Julie
Hansen: "Lately advertiser interest has been really strong.
... It's gotten to the point where our ad sales, which are
normally print-led, are going the other way -- the site is
now really helping print." NBC Sports VP/Business
Development Kevin Monaghan: "What we're finding is that our
on-air advertisers are saying to our salespeople, 'We want
the exposure on NBC, but you have to be able to integrate
your Web site into the package'" (GOLFWEEK, 6/12 issue).
WHO'S LEADING? Lewis writes that the "competitive edge"
among the top sites belongs to pgatour.com and its new
partners, SportsLine USA and GolfWeb. But "it is no
surprise that ethical finger wagging ensued" after the deal.
One industry source: "I don't understand why people haven't
been all over them because of conflicts of interest. If
GolfWeb is now the editorial arm of the PGA Tour, are they
going to say that this week the field was weak, or that the
greens were in terrible shape?" Sports Illustrated Senior
Editor Jim Herre: "You can't cover your partner."
SportsLine "sees no reason the deal should jeopardize the
honesty of its golf coverage." SportsLine Exec VP Mark
Mariani: "Our relationship with the PGA Tour won't prevent
us from covering the Tour responsibly." (GOLFWEEK, 6/12).
FOR YOUR DAILY FIX: The official U.S. Open Web site is
at www.usopen.com...Golf.com and Total Sports have partnered
to offer www.pinehurst99.com....Golf Digest and Golf World
have joined with FoxSports.com to offer coverage of the Open
at www.foxsports.com/golf/usopen99....ESPN's coverage is at
www.espn.go.com/golfonline (THE DAILY).
