The Tour Players Association (TPA) -- formed in August
'98 -- is "becoming more assertive in its dealings" with the
PGA Tour, as it contends that PGA Tour members have the
"right to inspect" the tour's financial records, according
to Lorne Rubenstein of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, who
reported that the TPA has "been working with" Boston law
firm Ropes & Gray to "make this happen. Rubenstein wrote
that the TPA's "central point has merit. Who does control
the PGA Tour -- the players or the administration? Who
works for whom?" Ropes & Gray attorney Dennis Coleman: "We
would like the PGA Tour administration to realize players
are serious and that this includes some who aren't TPA
members. Players both prominent and non-prominent want
access to the PGA Tour's books and they will keep pressing
on the issue." Rubenstein added that PGA Tour players Lee
Janzen and Phil Mickelson "authorized" Ropes & Gray to "use
their names" in an October 13 letter to PGA Tour
Commissioner Tim Finchem and last Thursday, 21 players
participated in a conference call with Nuccio and Coleman.
However, Rubenstein wrote that Janzen has "recently decided
to withdraw from any involvement; the suspicion is that he
did so after pressure from the PGA Tour." But Tiger Woods
and Greg Norman are "said to be interested" in the TPA and
are "watching developments closely" (GLOBE & MAIL, 12/18).
