Golf HOFer Greg Norman on Friday said that pro golf is "in good hands for the next 15 years" with the presence of Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, according to Brian Biggane of the PALM BEACH POST. Norman also said the game globally "is the healthiest it's ever been." The World Golf HOFer said McIlroy and Spieth are the "kind of ambassadors the pro game needs going forward." Norman: “They’re both extremely humble, but also passionate about the game of golf. For the next 15 years, they will set a new standard for the game.” He also noted that his "recent history in golf design ... tells him the global game is in great position." Norman: "In 2007 and ’08, we saw everything shutting down, even before the economy did. Now, just in the last nine months, we’ve gone from 32 courses under contract to 46; the money is moving again. All of a sudden, people are building golf courses again, and the negative trend we’ve had in the U.S. of courses shutting down will flat line. Next year, more courses will open than close" (PALM BEACH POST, 4/18). Meanwhile, Golf Channel analyst Frank Nobilo said of Tiger Woods and the state of the game, "We're desperate to fill a void. I don't think you can just put someone into someone else's shoes. One thing I learned a long time ago is the game does benefit if you have an American No. 1. ... We shouldn't try to replace Tiger Woods. The game has always survived. It is different" (GLOBAL GOLF POST, 4/20 issue).
EURO TRIP: GOLFWEEK's Alistair Tait wrote if incoming European Tour Commissioner & CEO Keith Pelley "brings in the money the rest will fall into place." It "won’t be easy, but cash holds the key to making the European Tour more successful." Pelley’s appointment is a "bold and welcome move," and it is the third successive time the Tour's BOG has "gone outside of golf to make significant appointments." The European Tour is a "good tour, but it has failed over recent years to provide enough big money events in traditional European countries to keep its main stars in Europe." It can be "argued it more or less acts as a feeder system for the PGA Tour." So Pelley "has to find a way to attract sponsors not only to get Europe’s main stars playing in mainland Europe, but keep future players from defecting to the PGA Tour" (GOLFWEEK.com, 4/17).
TAKING ON THE ISSUES: GOLF WORLD MONDAY's Mike Stachura wrote more than 100 golf-industry reps last week visited Capitol Hill for National Golf Day and "took dead aim on building stronger ties with the game's political supporters." World Golf Foundation CEO Steve Mona administers the "We Are Golf" coalition that put on National Golf Day and "came away from the effort encouraged." Mona: "I can tell you unequivocally the narrative has changed" (GOLF WORLD MONDAY, 4/20 issue).
