PGA Tour Tees Off As Questions Surround Economy's Impact On Golf

PGA, LPGA, Nationwide and Champions Tours All Will Offer Fewer Events In '09 Than In '08

MAKING A SWING ADJUSTMENT: The GLOBE & MAIL's Lorne Rubenstein noted 12 of the Tour's first 15 events are title sponsored by "auto, financial or electronics companies, sectors of the economy that are in trouble," and as a result '09 is an "important year for the PGA Tour." A source said, "The old model of the PGA Tour growing its core business by getting more sponsors and acquiring more tournaments is probably over. ... Finchem is going to have to learn how to manage profitability rather than trying to pile on with more dollars." Rubenstein wrote it is not "certain what the overall PGA Tour landscape will look like next year," and given the "current business climate, will it survive as a nearly year-round enterprise?" The source said, "I think the PGA Tour will be smaller and more concentrated. What's wrong with 26 tournaments (as opposed to the 43 the PGA Tour conducts today)? Is more necessarily better?" (GLOBE & MAIL, 1/7). In Toronto, Dave Perkins writes the PGA Tour should "prune a couple of tournaments out of its overcrowded schedule" and "shorten up its season a little" (TORONTO STAR, 1/8).

Tim Finchem Said Tour Is Prepared For Rough Economy, Will Make Necessary Changes

ROOM FOR OPTIMISM: In Dallas, Bill Nichols writes, "Rarely has a season opened with so much anticipation" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/8). In Philadelphia, Mike Kern writes nobody knows when Woods will return to action, but "whenever that is, the buzz will return with him and not a second too soon" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 1/8). Finchem said of Woods' return to action, "I think all of the build-up that we assumed would happen leading to Tiger's return is going to be now enhanced because we've got more players on the stage that are ready to take him on and I think it shapes up for what could be a really, really exciting year in '09" ("19th Hole," Golf Channel, 1/7). USA TODAY's Steve DiMeglio notes 13 golfers below the age of 30 won 15 Tour events last season, including Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas, who each won two tournaments. If "demographic trends in golf mean anything, Kim could be Woods' main challenger in the years to come" (USA TODAY, 1/8).

THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM? PGA Tour Exec VP/Communications & Int'l Relations Ty Votaw said that the FedEx Cup playoff system, although "imperfect in its first two designs, has delivered on its goals: hold fans' interest past the PGA Championship in August; energize the players; reward regular tournament sponsors; and help TV ratings." But what it "hasn't done is create a final-round shootout" at the season-ending Tour Championship. The Tour this offseason made changes to the playoff system, and Votaw said, "We believe the changes we've made will go a long way toward accomplishing that." Golfer Trevor Immelman added, "We're still trying to come to grips with the playoff system, still trying to figure it out" (USA TODAY, 1/7).

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