Greetings Golfers,

I can’t believe that it’s already the PGA Championship. How did that happen? In some ways I feel like the golf season just started.

Maybe it’s because we opened the course at the end of April, and then May and and June were cold and wet.

But July was beautiful. And August is starting out gorgeous too. Let’s hope for a glorious Fall – we deserve it.

The PGA has never had the cache of the other 3 Majors. I’m not saying it’s a dud … but it definitely doesn’t have the magic and aura of the Masters, US Open, and British Open. Can it? I think so … but it needs a different flavor – it needs to draw on its history. If I were in charge, I’d make Walter Hagen the face of the PGA Championship. I don’t understand why Hagen is so underutilized by the PGA. He single-handedly made the PGA of America respectable … and he won 5 PGA Championships. Hagen is also third in Major victories – behind Nicklaus and Woods – no one ever mentions that.

To get fan interest, the PGA is asking fans to vote for where to put the pin on the 72nd hole. Did the PGA every hear about the Law of Attraction? That’s how you get people interested – not some survey.

Well, I’ll still watch. Rory is playing out of his mind. So is Sergio. Your buddy Dustin Johnson won’t be there … and who knows about Tiger. A little drama always helps. But an exciting tournament with a magical vibe and a vaunted history is what is really needed.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com