Pipe Dream Show

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by LBlack14

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Originally Posted by Quinn07

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Originally Posted by LBlack14

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Originally Posted by walk18

I don't think people are being haters, it's just that there are a lot of unanswered questions and holes in the story.

There are holes, but do you read the conclusions being drawn?

The conclusions are being drawn because of how he / and the show have presented his earlier life.  They made two thing clear (or at least portrayed):

1 - He was successful (I highly doubt it if he's dropped off at a street corner and is automatically homeless)

2 - His ex-girlfriend was footing the bill for everything while he tried to make it on the tour.

It's not like his story is severely tragic where he had a family, lost them and went into some depression and his life spiraled out of control.  He was a "pro" golfer trying to make it.  Found a chick with lots of money, she probably had enough supporting him, got rid of him and now he's suddenly homeless.   I doubt it's a coincidence that there aren't a line up of people waiting to help him out.  There also comes a time in ones life where they need to evaluate and take a serious look at where they are and their surroundings.  If I all of a sudden became homeless I know 100% that there would be people to help me along the way.  Both Mark and the GC have shown that this was clearly not the case.

I don't blame people for making judgements because the show hasn't shown us anything different.

You may be surprised. I've been in the golf business since 1988 and from December 2008 until March 2010 was unemployed for 14ish months. I tried in and out of the golf biz and know many MANY friends and aquaintences (spell check sucks here amongst other things) in position to help me out job wise and NOT ONE even offered. Granted I never asked, but still......

Granted, the golf biz is not all it is cracked up to be.  But I think here the point is that, with the information presented as being a golf professional with above average credentials (IE not PGA Tour Credentials, but maybe a solid minor league resume) living with a supermodel, you should have made a connection or two along the way especially in a golf mecca like Palm Springs.

As far as no one offering you a job, something tells me that you would have started inquiring if the circumstances were desperate enough.  I know that if it meant living on the streets, the average person would exhaust all connections and friends.  Of course the average person isn't being bankrolled to practice for the Champions Tour as a kept man shacked up with a supermodel living the good life in Palm Springs with access to a club that has multiple courses.

The more I think about it I am not sure which situation is more foreign to me...kept man or homeless golf pro.

[Radford Wooly]

I watched the first episode and liked it. You can't help to pull for the guy and hope everything works out in the end.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by LBlack14

Lots of haters here. I hope none of you have to go through depression and hard times, but I would sure like to be there if you do. Never judge a man.....well you know.

The 1 thing that stands out in my mind after watching it TWICE was the look of utter disbelief on the ladies' face at the range when he asked for a small bucket.

Sorry... the guy is a mooch.  You don't go after a pipe dream and ignore reality.  If you do then you get what you get.  I have little sympathy for him.  I've sort of been there (dead broke and headed nowhere) and you don't spend your days hitting shag balls... you go out and find a job, any job, to start the recovery process.  You don't keep chasing a will-o-the-wisp and hope that someone will bail you out.  In my opinion this is pure hogwash.  After seeing the first episode, I won't be watching any more.

[limoric]

Definitely a lot of haters here and a lot of assumed facts.

As I understand it, he lead a sheltered life as a kid, only child growing up around private school kids who came from high pedigrees. He got pretty good at golf and it consumed his life. His mother was able to afford him this life as a result of success in business. I'll assume he worked in the family business a bit, but never really learned the work ethic he should have. That said, he can kick all of our asses in golf, so he definitely knows how to commit, I think it's just that he's been sheltered. Further, a cousin from New York (part of a criminal syndicate) got his hands in the business and caused his mother to loose everything due to problems with the police and IRS...no one has mentioned this. I'm sure he lost a large sense of security when this happened as well as emotional stress. I'm not making excuses for this guy, but one can see the track this guys life went down.

As for part of his life that are missing in the show...I don't know, there is definitely some dramatization and I also asked the question, "they just left him to pipe at the end of the Show"? I don't think that really happened, I think it was to dramatize what is life was prior to the show...but you had to read between the lines.

I also thought he was a scumbag near the middle of the show and then I googled him. My understanding is that his long-time girlfriend took some doctored pictures to the police, this is what caused him to be escorted out of the house. She is currently facing charges for destroying the evidence that would have supported her domestic violence case; and I've read she's caused some similar stress to another fellow. As far as him being destitute after being kicked to the curb, I can see this; he was likely spending a lot of money to keep up with the girlfriend feeling secure in his relationship, he probably had little savings as a result. Was he a kept man? I think they both got what they wanted out of the relationship, but he was not in a very good position financially for things to not workout. How many woman find themselves in this situation. In the case of a woman, she'd be suing for her fair share, which is exactly what he'd be doing, if he hadn't been charged with domestic violence. I can see his attitude when being kicked to the curb in the beginning; he's got his fair share coming, but things didn't go his way and his life unraveled. As far as family to fall back on; my understanding is that he was only ever close to one cousin who he fell out of touch with more than a decade ago.

Could all of these circumstances have lead to where his life is? Sure. I'm pissed off that he didn't put some cash aside over the years...but that fact alone, as well as a lot of other factors could have lead to some serious mental issues. Its a hard lesson he will have learned once he gets through all of this.

I say that he does make it through Q-school...

[2bGood]

Watch last night show, and I think I have a chance of getting on the Champions tour, all I need to do is:

-Ride my bike around allot

-get a bad haricut

-talk about how I want to be on the champions tour

-Play one round on a nice resort course but don't practice at all

I figure if i can just ride my bike a bit more a should have the magic formula.

I have to say the homeless angle wasn't my draw to the show, I was more interested in seeing a guy prep for "q" school - so far I have seen any of that.

Also a nice touch when his buddy takes out for round - pick him up at the door, but when it is done he kicks him out of the cart and makes him walk home. Too funny. I know it was done for tv but it looked pretty dumb.

[Lefty-Golfer]

Quote:

Granted, the golf biz is not all it is cracked up to be. But I think here the point is that, with the information presented as being a golf professional with above average credentials (IE not PGA Tour Credentials, but maybe a solid minor league resume) living with a supermodel, you should have made a connection or two along the way especially in a golf mecca like Palm Springs.

As far as no one offering you a job, something tells me that you would have started inquiring if the circumstances were desperate enough.  I know that if it meant living on the streets, the average person would exhaust all connections and friends.  Of course the average person isn't being bankrolled to practice for the Champions Tour as a kept man shacked up with a supermodel living the good life in Palm Springs with access to a club that has multiple courses.

The more I think about it I am not sure which situation is more foreign to me...kept man or homeless golf pro.

Having been in volved in several different industries over the years i think it is safe to say that very few if any business are what they are cracked up to be...i remember thinking all the boss does is put his feet on his desk and watch things get done - i am still attempting to find that job!!

[Gioguy21]

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Originally Posted by Lefty-Golfer

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Granted, the golf biz is not all it is cracked up to be. But I think here the point is that, with the information presented as being a golf professional with above average credentials (IE not PGA Tour Credentials, but maybe a solid minor league resume) living with a supermodel, you should have made a connection or two along the way especially in a golf mecca like Palm Springs.

As far as no one offering you a job, something tells me that you would have started inquiring if the circumstances were desperate enough.  I know that if it meant living on the streets, the average person would exhaust all connections and friends.  Of course the average person isn't being bankrolled to practice for the Champions Tour as a kept man shacked up with a supermodel living the good life in Palm Springs with access to a club that has multiple courses.

The more I think about it I am not sure which situation is more foreign to me...kept man or homeless golf pro.

Having been in volved in several different industries over the years i think it is safe to say that very few if any business are what they are cracked up to be...i remember thinking all the boss does is put his feet on his desk and watch things get done - i am still attempting to find that job !!

work for the government ;)

[Rebel_Golfer]

Yea, I am getting a little annoyed at the show. I was intrigued at first, but now.... meh. Too many holes in the story, too many things just "happen" (oh, a free blackberry and bluetooth, oh a free room in a pool house, oh free legal representation!), maybe it is just a poorly produced show. But, it isn't really holding my attention anymore. I can't decide if I feel bad for the guy or think he is an idiot. LOL...

[jmanbooyaa]

My interpretation of this show so far is that this guy doesn't live in reality and was way to used to getting things handed to him, and when the real world got in the way he wasn't able to hack it and now is homeless because he refuses to roll with the punches and anti up. He only wants a job to get by why not strive to go to work to afford and apartment? I may be to harsh but so far it seems all that he does is complain. Not sure what I think of the legal issue yet, will give it a bit more. But I agree with the other post that for a homeless guy things seem to be handed to him, way to easy to get his clubs out of pawn shop, free blackberry really? Pool house? C'mon something seems off.

[Harmonious]

Here's how he does it: http://www.markburk.com/merchandise.html Only $29.99 for a signed ball!  And a Topflite at that!

[Rebel_Golfer]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

Here's how he does it:   http://www.markburk.com/merchandise.html   Only $29.99 for a signed ball!  And a Topflite at that!

See, how does dude have a website??? He doesn't have a computer! Does he do this on his blackberry?? My favorite part from the site:

http://www.markburk.com/appearances.html

Whether your company is looking for a motivational speaker for your next event, celebrity or sports figure to endorse your product, make a special appearance, deliver a keynote speech or VIP meet and greet session, Mark Burk is right choice for all of your talent needs.  Please check the contacts page for further information. Really??? LOL...

[2bGood]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

Here's how he does it:   http://www.markburk.com/merchandise.html   Only $29.99 for a signed ball!  And a Topflite at that!

Or this

http://www.markburk.com/appearances.html

but what is else is the guy supposed to do? why would he not cash in on this?

[jmanbooyaa]

is anyone still watching this man child coasting thru day to day life getting hand outs? This show seems a bit off base from what it might actually be like to be homeless and this guy seems to just do what he wants nothing more. I wonder after this show if he gets back on his feet if he will give back to others who are homeless or just turn his back. My initial thoughts of this guy is he will just turn his back and give nothing back. He seems like a very selfish person imo.

[nsauser]

I sure hope the show isn't scripted, that would be a shame.

I am starting to think this guy is the classic case of everything comes down but it's not his fault. He some how rationalizes everything to look the way he wants. I do feel bad for him that his family didn't educate him (sounds like very little) and then the family business was clipped by his cousin. I'm probably done watching it, I wonder how his "friends" and their investment are doing.

[TourSpoon]

Originally Posted by nsauser

I sure hope the show isn't scripted, that would be a shame.

Wow, that would be the ultimate shame...especially on TGC for picking the show up.  It couldn't be any more scripted than say the Instructor Search? Oops, bad example.

[Kenny D]

This show in my opinion is boring and confusing?!  He has all these (seemingly) well-off golfing buddies and none of them are willing to take him into their house?!  Look I get if they had a family/wife/girlfriend etc... that would detest the idea of a "homeless friend" living with them but still he's trying to be on a professional golf tour not looking for his next crack fix.  Plus he must be getting paid to do a show on Golf Channel?! You don't think he'd get a paycheck worthy of paying for a small apartment or hotel or ANYTHING BUT A PIPE?  Also it's like the show Man vs. Wild, having a camera crew following you around takes away any credibility in the shows 'realism'.  I am semi interested in seeing the whole Q school process so I guess I'll watch the last episode

[weavej2]

I dont know why he refers to himself as a golf professional, he has never held a job, he was a trust fund baby..he is a golf bum.   Which is like being a bum,,but you have golf.  It is not even a real story

[Tugglife2]

Originally Posted by weavej2

I dont know why he refers to himself as a golf professional, he has never held a job, he was a trust fund baby..he is a golf bum.   Which is like being a bum,,but you have golf.  It is not even a real story

Good point.  Some people are bums without a hobby.  Some are beach bums.  He's a golf bum.  It just seems like he's played the occasional mini-tour here and there but was always well off financially or had someone taking care of him.  It doesn't sound like he's ever had to work.