Sam Saunders - why is he at Pebble?

[mtsalmela80]

Originally Posted by Shorty

Quote:

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.

So one of golf's greatest legends should not have a few extra perks?

[Dave H]

Originally Posted by Shorty

Quote:

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.

Yeah, ok I get what you're saying but I don't really have a huge problem with it. If you think about it, that's exactly the point of sponsor's exemptions isn't it? I would have to believe (I could be wrong) that most exemptions are given based on some sort of relationship or network, not a random act of kindness. Sam's connection happens to be that he's Arnie's grandson. I don't think I would turn down opportunities because of something I can't help. I would probably feel differently if he were an obvious hack who didn't have any business being out there but it seems like he's got some decent game.

[sean_miller]

I recall during last year's event at Bay Hill when someone was talking about Arnie's grandson doing things his own way. I assumed they were talking about Saunders' swing and his approach to the game of golf. I assumed it had little if anything to do with taking advantage of opportunities to tee it up in a PGA Tour event.

[Quinn07]

I haven't seen any evidence that Arnie is seeking out special treatment for his grandson.  Perhaps the tournament sponsors grant Sam's request simply because he's Arnies grandson, and not because Arnie is requesting it.   A lot of speculation with no evidence.

[clubchamp]

Originally Posted by Shorty

Quote:

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.

I see your point and to an extent agree but...

Originally Posted by Shorty

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

John Daly is not good enough to win on nationwide regularly or make it through q school and winning majors over a decade ago doesn't matter if you've done nothing since. Bottom line is Sam draws attention because he's Arnie's grandson just like Daly draws attention for being a long hitter and his whole story so both will continue to get exemptions. I do agree that the journey men nationwide players deserve a shot but the sponsors exemption is slotted for players that will draw publicity.

[uppi]

Originally Posted by Shorty

Quote:

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.

It is unfair.  But its called the REAL WORLD!  In the world of business, it is all about who you know.  Newtworking, making connections.  They have classes in college on this for godsakes.  And golf happens to be a very big business.  Look at the kid who goes to Harvard and gets his MBA, 4.0 GPA, etc but gets passed up for a job by a guy who has a 3.7 GPA from Michigan (still good, but not as good) because a family friend is the CEO or other bigshot of the company.  Thats life.  Its not fair, but you should be used to that by now.

[walk18]

Originally Posted by uppi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shorty

Quote:

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.

It is unfair.  But its called the REAL WORLD!  In the world of business, it is all about who you know.  Newtworking, making connections.  They have classes in college on this for godsakes.  And golf happens to be a very big business.  Look at the kid who goes to Harvard and gets his MBA, 4.0 GPA, etc but gets passed up for a job by a guy who has a 3.7 GPA from Michigan (still good, but not as good) because a family friend is the CEO or other bigshot of the company.  Thats life.  Its not fair, but you should be used to that by now.

True as that may be, it doesn't mean people have to be complacent about it.

[BallStriker]

LOL at people who think life is (or should be) fair.............is it fair that I wasn't born with the talent to shoot sub-70 rounds on tour?

C'mon man........

[zeg]

Right on, BallStriker.  It's entirely up to the tournament's discretion who gets the invite.  Are you all telling me that if you were offered a chance to play in a tournamentat Pebble Beach you'd turn it down?  (Well, actually, let's just keep that question to the sub-10 handicappers, because the rest of us might think twice before risking being seen on TV.)

The guys on the Nationwide, while they'd all give a nut or two to have a shot at the big time, but they're no more entitled to that slot than anyone else.  It's not a charity tournament berth for the benefit of a down-and-out golfer, it's a promotional tool for the sponsors.  If it can be used to increase their payoff, it increases the chances of sponsorship in the future.  It's part of the deal that funds the tournament, so I'm not going to fault the sponsors for using it as they see fit.

[Elvisliveson]

True as that may be, it doesn't mean people have to be complacent about it.

It's nothing you can change, so you're just being an agitator for the sake of it. For all it's anti-establishment bravado, the vast majority of the Hippie generation ended up assimilating into the establishment. More people need to accept their lot in life and do the best they can giving 100% instead of complaining about what's fair and unfair. I can assure you, none of the people complaining about Sam Saunders getting into the tournament would turn down a spot if it was offered to them, so protestations to that affect are just hypocritical.

[Camo]

Seems prettY simple to me, the people paying the bills invited him. Weather they thought it was going to be the best return on their investment or simply a favor is a moot point. It is thier money and they get to invite whom ever they want. If I was forking out millions to host a tourney I would invite a few porn stars, lmao

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by zeg

The guys on the Nationwide, while they'd all give a nut or two to have a shot at the big time, but they're no more entitled to that slot than anyone else.  It's not a charity tournament berth for the benefit of a down-and-out golfer, it's a promotional tool for the sponsors.

Who suggested that Nationwide Tour players get a start?  We're talking about players who have earnt their Tour card by graduating form the Natiowide Tour and even those who made it through Q School. Some of them don't get a start but Sam Saunders does. Why? Because he's Arnie's grandson. Doing it all on his own. Being his own man. Let Arnie pay for SS to go to Q School.  Like I said, the fact that he plays in Arnie's tournament is bad enough but then Nicklaus has to suck up as well by having him at the Memorial.

And I think that more people than some realise would not accept a start in this event if they were undeserving.

What are you doing next week?

I'm playing at Pebble.

Did you get through Q School?"

No. I didn't enter Q school.

Player X made it through Q SChool. He didn't get a start. He was third alternate. How come you're playing?

Embarrassed silence, translated as: "I'm Arnies grandson"

[shades9323]

Originally Posted by Camo

If I was forking out millions to host a tourney I would invite a few porn stars, lmao

If you invite Tiger, the porn stars come free!

[zeg]

Originally Posted by Shorty

Who suggested that Nationwide Tour players get a start?  We're talking about players who have earnt their Tour card by graduating form the Natiowide Tour and even those who made it through Q School. Some of them don't get a start but Sam Saunders does. Why? Because he's Arnie's grandson. Doing it all on his own. Being his own man. Let Arnie pay for SS to go to Q School.  Like I said, the fact that he plays in Arnie's tournament is bad enough but then Nicklaus has to suck up as well by having him at the Memorial.

And I think that more people than some realise would not accept a start in this event if they were undeserving.

Sorry, I misunderstood an earlier post.  Still, your argument makes no sense.  No one "deserves" the sponsor's exemption more than anyone else, he's not taking a slot away from anyone on that basis.  The whole point is that the sponsors pay for that slot and can do with it what they please.  Take away that right, and you probably take away some of the funding that helps pay the paychecks of the guys you're worrying about.

A golf tournament is entertainment for the fans and advertisement/perks for the sponsors first and foremost.  The players are entertainers.  There's nothing "fair" or "unfair" about this.

Sorry you have such a personal issue with this guy taking an opportunity to have some fun and play some good golf.

[Shorty]

Quote:

Sorry you have such a personal issue with this guy taking an opportunity to have some fun and play some good golf.

My issue is with guys NOT having the opportunity to have some fun and play some golf.

If the organisers feel the need to suck up to Arnold Palmer and think that Sam Saunders is a drawcard, well, that's their prerogative.

I just don't like the hypocrisy of what Arnold Palmer says about SS and what actually happens.

It seems patronising in the extreme. The only thing about the tournament  that irritated me more was the "hilarious" mugging of Bill Murray and the commentators lapping it up.