Golfers, Caddies Express Displeasure With Microphone Idea
 |
Westwood Says He Would Say No If Asked
If His Caddie Could Wear A Microphone |
The PGA Tour and NBC this weekend are partnering to put microphones on at least two caddies for the final two rounds of the Shell Houston Open "hoping to capture some conversational nuggets," but for "those involved in said conversations, here comes trouble," according to Lawrence Donegan of the Manchester GUARDIAN. The Tour and NBC will use this weekend's event as a trial, not broadcasting any of the comments on air, but players and caddies alike are worried about having "every cough, spit and bitchy remark about another player recorded for posterity." Golfer Lee Westwood said, "In theory I think it is a good idea. Golf needs to try hard to attract sponsors and viewers, but if they asked me if my caddie could wear a microphone I would say no. Golf is a game of very small margins and I wouldn't want people to know what I say or how I act when I'm trying to win a tournament. I would be giving away an edge." Caddie Jimmie Johnson said, "I'm not worried by what goes out on air, but by what stays in the television van. What about leaks? How can they guarantee that everything I say that isn't broadcast will remain private?" Golfer Padraig Harrington said, "Obviously, you couldn't be as free and easy in your conversations with your caddie. But if I wanted total privacy then I would stay at home." Caddie Mick Doran added, "I swear a lot, so I guess I'm not suitable for afternoon television. But I think it would be really good for the tour because it would bring in more viewers. I would definitely wear a microphone if they asked me to" (Manchester GUARDIAN, 4/2).
 |
Jim MacKay (r) Says He Would Wear A
Microphone If Mickelson (l) Wanted Him To |
MIC CHECK: Sports Xchange's Tom LaMarre, in a special to FOXSPORTS.com, wrote the willingness of the caddies to comply with the microphone experiment is an "area of concern," as the "argument is that having a microphone will pick up everything a caddie says." But PGA Tour Senior VP/Tournament Administration Andy Pazder said, "Just like anything, we're always striving to improve the quality of the telecast." LaMarre noted an area in which it "would definitely improve the viewing experience is on the greens, because TV personnel with boom mikes are not allowed on the putting surfaces" (FOXSPORTS.com, 4/1). NBC golf producer Tommy Roy stressed that the microphone experiment is "being done at the Tour's request, with the network willing to help out." Caddie Jim MacKay, who works with golfer Phil Mickelson, said, "If Phil is for it, then I'm for it. We know the TV contract comes up next year. Anything to help the Tour and the ratings, we're all for it." But caddie Eric Larson said, "I'm going to recommend we not do it. I think they get enough from the boom mic. A lot of stuff we talk about (during a round) is personal stuff that has nothing to do with golf. They say that won't get on TV, but somebody is always listening, so you always have to be careful with what you say" (PGATOUR.com, 3/31).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
PGA Tour To Debut TV Spot With Tiger
March 19, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Augusta Offers Tiger Controlled Environment
March 17, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Sponsors Stand To Gain From Woods' Return
March 17, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Tiger Will Return To Golf At The Masters
March 17, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Farmers To Sponsor PGA Tour Event
March 16, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
What's The Future For Tiger's Brand?
March 19, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
PGA Tour To Debut TV Spot With Tiger
March 19, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Woods Online Game Released Masters Week
March 18, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Will CBS Score "60 Minutes" Tiger Chat?
March 18, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Augusta Offers Tiger Controlled Environment
March 17, 2010 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
