Rocco has it right---the fans and sponsors are #1

[PEZGolf]

Rocco Mediate is 100% right when he says this about the PGA Tour asking the players to be gracious to fans, sponsors, and volunteers:

"The fact that we, as a Tour, had to even say that makes me nauseous. How's that? We have to tell people how to be to the sponsors who are putting up a bazillion dollars for us to play golf.....and we've got to TRAIN guys to be better with them? It's ridiculous. I know Arnold is probably nauseous even hearing those facts."


Way to go, Rocco! I know that you folks have read my posts that the gals on the LPGA Tour are very "fan friendly", and I thoroughly enjoy going to their Majors, the Wegman's, the Corning Classic, etc. for that very reason. The guys need to follow the example set by Rocco, Arnold and the gals.

[Quinn07]

I completely agree both you and Rocco. It's unfortunate that the PGA Tour has become what it has. Don't get me wrong, I am sure the majority of the guys talk to fans and such, but if the tour itself has to make a statement like that...there is something wrong.

[RocketSauce]

Rocco is an awesome guy. Good post!

[GaijinGolfer]

Rocco is 100% right. If it werent for the sponsors and fans, these guys wouldnt be able to make their living playing golf.

[flanagan]

It is sad but true that there are a lot of golfers on the tour who don't feel the way Arnold Palmer does, and Rocco is echoing his sentiments.

Compared to even 15 years ago, the purses and numbers of tournaments have ballooned to such an extent that it is easier to "afford" to not be sensitive to fans and sponsors.

Was reading an article an whether golfers should have to play in certain events so many times over a period like the LPGA. The idea being that certain tournaments basically will never attract Tiger, may need help staying afloat, etc. I'm not really in favor of that. There were always second tier tournaments that didn't attract some of the top players, some of them are being hurt more by WGC creations/scheduling. I don't think the players have an entitlement to $6m tournaments every week, or that the golf schedule needs to be basically full from January through December. If the economics are such that the schedule decreases and purses decline and fewer guys can earn a million dollars by not even playing well enough to automatically keep a card, let it happen. At some point golf was going to become oversaturated, I think it's been there awhile.

[Jared]

I don't think there is a guy on tour I would rather play with than Rocco. He's from the Pittsburgh area, I guess you never know.

[jrode]

I love Rocco, one of my favorites on tour.

He's just such a great guy and is out there enjoying what he does.

[Dub]

Well said Rocco!!!!!

[PEZGolf]

It is sad but true that there are a lot of golfers on the tour who don't feel the way Arnold Palmer does, and Rocco is echoing his sentiments.

One interesting story with a happy outcome is in Binghamton, NY, where the BC Open was held until terminated two years ago. It was a "minor" tournament EXCEPT in the years when guys needed points to make the Ryder Cup team. Because of that, Tiger played there one year, and Freddie Couples, Payne, and other "name" players did play in this great, little tournament. Three years ago, the area was "under water" due to flooding throughout Upstate New York. On an emergency basis, the event was transferred to the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, and the name was terminated. That tournament has continued, with a $6 million purse, and is the first event on the "Fall Series". It is appropriately named the Turning Stone Resort Championship because the Oneida Nation is the SOLE sponsor. Meantime, the Binghamton area has a new event, sponsored by Dick's Sporting Goods stores, and it is on the Champions Tour. Name players do compete in it, and lend their support in terms of advertising. The Walrus has been a big booster!! The crowds at the Turning Stone tournament have been a big disappointment to the PGA Tour, but the fan support in Binghamton for Dick's has been fan---tastic!! Goes to show you what strong community support can do in terms of sponsoring and boosting a professional golf tournament!

[Three Putt]

Rocco is a cool guy, my oldest son and I followed him and Will Mckensie for about 5 holes last week. He gave out balls to kids and chatted with the fans. Will was cool also, Will's caddy must have gave out 15 balls and gave my 12 yr old son a brand new bridgestone glove (along with a ball). It was sort of like following Santa, following both of them.

[PEZGolf]

Rocco is a cool guy, my oldest son and I followed him and Will Mckensie for about 5 holes last week. He gave out balls to kids and chatted with the fans. Will was cool also, Will's caddy must have gave out 15 balls and gave my 12 yr old son a brand new bridgestone glove (along with a ball). It was sort of like following Santa, following both of them.

Good post. That is the way professional golfers on Tour should act. Kids love to get golf balls, and they become fans forever as a result.

[Chas]

Rocco rocks. It needed to be said, and Rocco was the man to say it. Bravo, and let's hope he isn't the only pro to feel that way.