Slow play is a huge problem in golf, and complaints are prevalent. But on the professional tours, from which the masses take their cues, there has rarely been a deterrent.
The LPGA Tour recently took the bold step of imposing a toughened slow-pace policy that results in a two-stroke penalty if players don't hit shots in an average of 30 seconds. No other golf tour is anywhere near as strict.
"We are making it clear we are serious about enforcing the rules," said Barb Trammell, vice president for tournament operations.
The policy went into effect last month, Trammell said, and already the time for an average round has decreased nearly 20 minutes.
At the recent Sybase Classic, three of the top 13 finishers were hit with two-stroke penalties, including Stacy Prammanasudh, who had a 2 changed to a 4 at the par-3 16th hole because she exceeded the time limit. That meant a drop from a tie for fourth to a tie for fifth.
"We were behind, so we knew we were probably being timed," said Prammanasudh, who made $46,550 but would have earned an additional $11,262 if not penalized. "I don't know how I went over. I've never been considered a slow player ever in my life."
The PGA Tour has a non-effective slow-play policy that starts with warnings and fines before a player is hit with penalty strokes. The strokes are far more damaging. That gets a player's attention because the money lost can mean the difference between qualifying for a major event or staying home.
WHINING ABOUT WIE: Michelle Wie, 14, received a special exemption to play in the U.S. Women's Open, a fact that would seemingly be a boost to the LPGA Tour. But not everyone is happy about the free pass from 36-hole qualifying. In fact, in a poll of 30 LPGA players by GolfWorld at last week's Corning Classic, 23 were against Wie receiving the exemption.
"I am disappointed with the USGA," said LPGA Tour player Heath Daly-Donofrio. "I just wish they would be honest about their motivations. It's about the money. This was a sponsor's exemption, not a special exemption. She is a special player, but this is wrong."
No doubt the USGA is looking to create interest in the tournament. But the organization may also have been trying to do Wie a favor. She will be competing for the U.S. Curtis Cup team in England June 12-13. To qualify for the U.S. Women's Open would have made it difficult for her to also attempt to qualify for the U.S. Amateur Public Links, a men's event where the winner receives an invitation to the Masters.
SO LONG, JACK: After this week's Memorial Tournament, we might not see Jack Nicklaus in an official golf tournament for a long time, if ever. Nicklaus, 64, has made it clear he won't be playing much more competitive golf.
"I'm interested in doing other things. I've had enough golf," Nicklaus said at the Senior PGA Championship last week. "Competitive golf has been my life, I love it. And I absolutely just died for it. It's what I want to do. But I'm not competitive anymore. And I said I would play the game as long as I was competitive and as long as I could enjoy it. If you're not competitive, it's pretty hard to enjoy just going out and beating a ball around."
Nicklaus did not rule out playing in future Memorials, where he is the tournament host. He would not commit to next year's Masters, but there is a good chance he will play a final British Open next year at St. Andrews.
U.S. OPEN QUALIFYING: Tom Kite (1992) and Scott Simpson (1987) are two past U.S. Open champions who will try to get into this year's tournament through 36-hole sectional qualifying. Kite has played in 30 straight U.S. Opens and will be trying for one of two spots in Richmond, Texas. Nick Faldo will be among 61 players trying for three spots Tuesday at Lake Nona in Orlando.
LOCALLY: The Help A Child Golf Tournament is June 14 at Countryside Country Club. The 1 p.m. shotgun is $150 per player. For information, call 727 544-3900. ... The inaugural Gator's Cafe World Amateur Golf Tournament is June 25-28. Two-man teams will play Innisbrook's Island course, Bardmoor Country Club and Mangrove Bay, with the top 30 teams advancing to Innisbrook's Copperhead course on June 28. Call (727) 898-8528 or visit www.tampabaybeachesgolf.com
- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.
