Sam Saunders - why is he at Pebble?

[Shorty]

I think we all know the answer, and it's not the first time, but when Arnold Palmer says in interviews that his grandson is doing it his own way, he isn't really telling the truth. I think that it is totally unfair of Palmer to use his influence and for the sycophantic organisers to give Saunders a place in this event and others. Even having him at Bay Hill is pushing it, I think. Let him earn his place, like all the other players, then maybe he'll get the respect of others and perhaps even the sort of self respect that doesn't depend on nepotism and sycophancy.

[iacas]

Anyone's allowed to get a sponsor's invitation.

[Shorty]

I know that, and it's up to the sponsors, but one would have thought that Saunders would be at the point now where he insisted on no more favours and walked the walk about being his own man.

[davepenny]

I agree Shorty,sadly thats how it is . Its who you are and who you know.Just dont feed us that' his own way' BS .

[walk18]

Yeah it seems like a lose/lose situation for him. Wouldn't he rather be known for making it there the same way everyone else had to?

[jamo]

He only plays a few times a year (if that, he didn't play at all in '07 and '08), and most of them are either less prestigious events, or those run by Jack or Arnie. I say let the kid play. He had a T17 at the Honda last year, and he's T23 right now, so at least he can play.

[Dave H]

He may as well play. I have no idea if he got in this tourney due to outside influence or not, but he'll always have to deal with being Arnie's grandson and people will think what they want. Like Jamo said, he seems to have some game so it's not like he's at the back of the pack with no chance taking a spot from someone who could compete.

[2bGood]

Exemptions aren't give for skill, they are given to folks that get some press for the most part. He gets a bit more ink the other guys. At least it is not Michelle Wie....

[michaeljames92]

Well Gee he is doing pretty well....... give the guy a break.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by Dave H

it's not like he's at the back of the pack with no chance taking a spot from someone who could compete.

Do you think all of the Nationwide graduates got a start?

Originally Posted by michaeljames92

Well Gee he is doing pretty well....... give the guy a break.

He's been given a break he hasn't earnt. That's the point :-)

[michaeljames92]

Originally Posted by Shorty

He's been given a break he hasn't earnt. That's the point :-)

This is true, but he's doing well at the moment and I hope he does well. Golf is a game that you don't wish hard times on someone.

Oh btw, The 3 round pro am is really lame, watching analysis of some movie star's crappy swing and crappy advice they get to fix it really is annoying.

[Shorty]

Man, you got that right! Is there anything more boring than watching Bill Murray doing the same boring crap over and over again? I'm watching Dubai ATM. Very exciting and no need for analysis of the swings of celebrities who "play to about a 12", but who clearly could not break 110.

[Dave H]

Originally Posted by Shorty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave H

it's not like he's at the back of the pack with no chance taking a spot from someone who could compete.

Do you think all of the Nationwide graduates got a start?

I'm sorry Shorty, I don't understand your reply. Of course all the nationwide players didn't start the tournament, so what?

[Quinn07]

Originally Posted by Shorty

I think we all know the answer, and it's not the first time, but when Arnold Palmer says in interviews that his grandson is doing it his own way, he isn't really telling the truth.

I think that it is totally unfair of Palmer to use his influence and for the sycophantic organisers to give Saunders a place in this event and others. Even having him at Bay Hill is pushing it, I think.

Let him earn his place, like all the other players, then maybe he'll get the respect of others and perhaps even the sort of self respect that doesn't depend on nepotism and sycophancy.

I see your point and agree to some extent, but I wasn't aware that others didn't respect him.  Have there been tour players coming out saying that they don't like the fact that he gets to play in some of the events or if he was someone else's grandson he wouldn't be playing in those events? I equate this to a father getting his son a job at his work by pulling some strings.  Sometimes it's who you know...right now I don't have huge problem with it.

[michaeljames92]

Originally Posted by Dave H

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shorty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave H

it's not like he's at the back of the pack with no chance taking a spot from someone who could compete.

Do you think all of the Nationwide graduates got a start?

I'm sorry Shorty, I don't understand your reply. Of course all the nationwide players didn't start the tournament, so what?

Nationwide Graduates . Meaning the top 30 who qualified to the PGA Tour on the money list last year.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by Dave H

I'm sorry Shorty, I don't understand your reply. Of course all the nationwide players didn't start the tournament, so what?

The top 25 money winners on the 2010 Nationwide tour who get a Tour Card and qualify to play on the PGA Tour are ranked and get starts according to vacancies when more established players aren't teeing it up. They often have to sit on the sideline.

So..., there are guys who've done the hard yards who don't get a start, but Sam Saunders who's not good enough to play on the Nationwide Tour regularly or come close to making it through Q School gets a  start. Why? Because he's Arnold Palmer's grandson.  I wonder how someone could not think that that's bordering on the unfair.

[keb]

Why does John Daly get a sponsor's exemption?  Interest.

[Shorty]

Because he gives the tournament publicity. He may be a basket case, but he is a dual major winner.