PGA Tour Wins: Increasing number of Foreign Players

[ipark1303]

Hi Guys,

Even though I am not a native US citizen, I was worried about this increasing statistics...

LPGA has been already a "colony" for foreign players for so many years.

In the amateur level, the last 2 editions of the US Amateur Open were won by foreign players, too.

The 2006 Ryder Cup was an European showdown...

In 2007, we had 5 tournaments and 2 of 5 were won by foreign players.

What's your take on this one?

Should we try to support more US born players since younger age (i.e. junior, high school, college)?

[Q.Q.Quillume]

I blame it on Scotland, Gary Player and Seve Ballesteros. In that order.

[golfchief]

I blame it on Scotland, Gary Player and Seve Ballesteros. In that order.

What makes you say that?

[Q.Q.Quillume]

What makes you say that?

I apologize for any misunderstanding. I was attempting to use verbal irony (The speaker intends to be understood as meaning something that contrasts with the literal or usual meaning of what he says) but it looks like I failed. When I blamed Scotland, I was attempting to give them credit for giving the US the gift of golf. When I blamed Gary Player & Seve Ballesteros, I was attempting to give them credit for being among the long list of international players who came to the USA and not only won many significant tournaments, but were great individuals and ambassadors of golf. And, obviously Scotland came before Player and Player came before Ballesteros. My intent was to suggest, in a subtle manner, that from my perspective I am not worried about the number of international players coming to the US to play, whether it's the PGA Tour, the LPGA Tour, the Nationwide Tour, or whatever. American golf is (IMO) better off for having played host to Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman, K.J. Choi, Annika Soremstam, Lorena Ochoa, Se Ri Pak any many others.

[J.P.]

Well,

I guess you can call them foreign players, technically they are . . . but. . .many of these so called "foreign" players attended USA colleges to learn from our golf teachers, ie. . . Luke Donald (Northwestern), Paul Casey (ASU) etc . . . and others presently live here and learn from our premier instructors, ie Adam Scott (Butch Harmon), Geoff Ogilve (scottsdale).

As soon as International competition comes around though, they are foreign.

[mstuk]

Strange and here was me thinking that you had to be a good golfer already to attend a us college on a golf scholarship.

[allin]

Certainly there is less dominance by US born players. In a world where more golfers have access to good instruction and chances to play, and easier travel it is inevitable that the most lucrative tour would attract many of the best players from other countries. Having said that there was a good thread a few months ago, connected with the Ryder Cup suggesting that many young U. S. players may have become to attached to the lesson tee and need to play and practice more on the course to increase their creativity and ability to get it in the hole when their swing is not on.

[ipark1303]

Wow! I was trying to put some "heat" on the forum....

I guess everyone wants to stay diplomatic....

I myself am from Europe and I like to see more European and International players on the Tour. It offers more competitiveness and rises the level of the game in general.

However, I thought that a native American would have different thoughts and opinions from mine...

[Q.Q.Quillume]

Wow! I was trying to put some "heat" on the forum....

Sorry to disappoint you.

[Shindig]

Anyone see the article in the new issue of Golf Digest about this? The issue came in (for me) yesterday and I read the article today. Hank Haney wrote about a variety of things that may be causing the increase in foreign players, and what domestic teens and early-20s folks are doing to hurt their abilities.

[ricacu]

PGA needs more Chichi Rodriguez. :)

[ipark1303]

Anyone see the article in the new issue of

I actually have not received the latest issue... thanks for mentioning it, I will check the article as soon as I receive it (my postmaster!!!!

)

[LeafsFan]

I think it's great! The PGA tour should be for whoever is the best, ragardless of nationality or gender (sorry Michelle...that means you need to qualify).

There's a great article by Hank Hene(Tiger's coach...don't know how to spell it) where he talks about the weakness of using the College golf programs as the primary training ground for top players. Offers a new (to me anyway) viewpoint on way the younge US players may not be as dominant as they once were.

Anyway, back to the main point. Bring on the best, regardless of where they come from!

[stiffiron]

I think the playing of golf is largely a sign of peace and prosperity. The players that are coming to the US tours to play are largely from the peaceful portions of the world--Australia, South Korea, Europe, Japan, etc.

Let's hope the next crop of great tour players come from Afghanistan, Pakistan, The Middle East, Equatorial Africa, and North Korea!

[Hogan Fan]

Let's face it, we're not the dominate force in any sport except for football.
Look at what is happening to the US basketball team. And in baseball they call it the "World Series" when they would struggle with the better teams from Japan and south american countries.
I like to see the foreign players. I think this was influenced by Bobby Jones and his invitations to the Masters. He always invitated players from around the globe.
If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.