The Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is growing in popularity in leaps and bounds, primarily due to it’s stadium-like atmosphere. Just this past weekend the tournament set another attendance record of 201,003.
Their famed 16th hole is legendary, that’s where thousands of rowdy, loud, privileged, intoxicated, 18 to 25-year-olds gather to take part in what has come to resemble a Super Bowl Tailgate Party. Contrary to popular opinion, I personally feel like it takes away from a long standing tradition in the game known as “Quiet Please”.
I think the Golfing Police are making a big mistake by turning the other cheek and looking the other way, as they condone these young folks’ hollering, yelling and reaching record breaking decibels as they scream during the backswing of any particular PGA Pro they so desire. Least we remember that these guys are out there competing for a paycheck to feed their families and attend to their responsibilities.
The least bit of distraction can cause them thousands of dollars. In 1996, Tiger’s rookie year when he made a hole-in-one on that very same hole those in attendance went bonkers– hence the legend was born. Each year since then the sponsors along with the PGA have gone to great length to tweak and improve on this stadium atmosphere. Unfortunately, it’s not a move to accommodate die-hard, devoted, golf fans. For these wide-eyed kids are not the most enthusiastic golf patrons on the planet. And if not for the likes of Jordan Speith, Rory Mcllroy, Jason Day, Ricky Fowler, Dustin Johnson , Bubba Watson, and maybe Phil Mickleson, I doubt if they even know who the hell any of the other players are.
When I watched the third round on Saturday –and heard them booing Bubba Watson as he attempted to strike the ball on the tee and on the green–I said to myself, how disrespectful is that? Bubba played it off reluctantly.
This behavior cannot continue to be tolerated, regardless of how “cool” it seems or sounds. These PGA players didn’t sign on for this type of treatment. If the PGA of America (and whoever else is involved) doesn’t get a handle on this, and make some serious guidelines, this whole ‘stadium’ atmosphere thing can certainly get out of hand.
I’m pretty sure that the majority of the PGA players are going along with it because it seems that popular opinion has spoken out loud and clear. Demographically, these fans also happen to be at least 90% white. Being a 67-year-old African American myself, somehow, I have a very hard time imagining what the case would be if the crowd were say, 90% black, rowdy, loud, underprivileged, intoxicated 18 to 25-year-olds making their mark on the golfing world. Contemplate that…would the reaction and response be so tolerated? My educated guess tells me absolutely not. Although there’s a slim chance that I could be wrong. I’ll leave it up to you to fill in the blank.
