Getting to know your Title Sponsor... for those that missed our special addition of The Golfers Home Radio Show last night, you missed my interview with EDS Chairman, Ron Rittenmeyer. We discussed the extension to the EDS Title Sponsorship of The Nelson; the relationship between EDS and Mr. Finchem in the Tour offices; the EDS commitment to this golf tournament and the entertainment value of the event.
Mr. Rittenmeyer is nothing if not direct. Rittenmeyer’s background is taking companies that are in trouble and bringing them back to life. To do that, his personality is direct and honest. It is amazing to speak with someone who is around our great game who does not give the “from the book" response.
Because of Mr. Rittenmeyer’s direct approach with the Commissioner, commitments have been made to our tournament which will move the date. As the Title Sponsor of the tour's leading money-raising-event, Rittenmeyer wanted two things from the tour: first, a later date; second, a date that is not next to a major.
Rittenmeyer must have felt he got the desired answers from the Tour offices as EDS extended their contract with the Salesmanship Club for an additional 4 years.
Ron Rittenmeyer is a good man. A man that definitely gets want he wants, but understands the importance of doing the right thing for our event.
It is definitely time for the tour to start taking advantage of The Nelson. It is time to give this event its due. It is time to put this tournament back together with our other great tournament, The Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Something that will happen in May of next year.
Getting to know the players... Ok, I know... only one player from the World’s Top Ten. Yes, this tournament deserves a way better field. And I believe that will happen over the next couple of years. What this year gives us is a chance to meet some of the future of golf. Trevor is here (if just for today after a very bad round yesterday), Adam Scott is here as is Sergio Garcia.
But I have a couple of suggestions on how to enjoy this year's event.
First, get to know your local players... and there are plenty. From the Golfers Home or Avid Golfer Magazine, you hear the names, now you have a chance to watch and see how good they are.
Corey Pavin – need I say more. Watch the guy think his way around a golf course better than anyone in history. A guy who can take today’s ball and still make it move both ways.
AnthonyKim – I think the future of golf. Likeguys that show emotion? Kim is your guy.
Rory Sabatini – Want to watch a player that puts his heart and soul in every shot? That's Rory. He's not afraid to show his emotions and has no fear trying to make the perfect shot. He is fun to watch.
Justin Leonard – I love watching Justin play golf. He takes it serious. He wants to win. He fights for every shot. He plays the game the way I learned it.
Todd Hamilton – Watching Todd is just a joy. The reason is quite simple: Todd loves to play. Heck, Tom will play anytime, anywhere. You see his passion throughout the round, from the swing to the walk. Want to learn to love this game no matter how well you are playing? Watch Todd Hamilton.
Rod Pampling and Chad Campbell – A couple of guys that I always think will win more than they do. Not sure why, but here’s your chance to watch two of the better players from the metroplex.
Tommy Armour III – Ok, he’s my age, but what you get watching Tommy is a “no quit” attitude above any other tour player. Yesterday, most tour players would have shot 76+ after Armour’s first nine holes... not the "never give up” Tommy. He made 5 birdies in the next 9 holes with the wind blowing up to 30 miles per hour.
Harrison Frazar – One of the smartest guys on the PGA Tour, Harrison was one of DA Weibring’s two tour assistants on the redo.
JJ Henry – See above... Plus, if you want to learn how to move body and soul into a round of golf, JJ is your guy. It is almost hypnotic, his method of mind to the round.
Tag Ridings – Probably not your household name, Tag is one of the longest drivers of the ball on tour. He's a guy that I see getting better and better.
John Senden and John Rollins – Two players that I love to watch play golf. They never take a shot lightly. They want perfection in their game and it comes across as you watch them move around a course.
Paul Stankowski, Ben Crane and Hunter Mahan – These are three of my favorite players to watch play golf. Each are good strikers of the ball. Each see a shot as well as anyone. Each has a passion to improve. And while Hunter has done most of his improving and 2007 was a tremendous year for him, these three make golf an art form. And I don’t say that about many golfers.
So get out and watch your locals... I promise you a good time.
Getting to know the course – There is no question that D.A. Weibring did a great job improving the TPC at Las Colinas. But I have to say my favorite part of the improvements is not the course but the sight lines. He has made it possible to sit in a few locations and watch a minimum of 4 shots. Here are a couple –
Behind number 1 – Watch them hit into one; putt on one; hit on two; putt on two; hit to 16; putt on 16. How about that for a seat?
Behind number 5 – Watch the tee shot into the par 3; watch the putt – watch the second shot into 9; watch the putt; and if you turn around, you can watch the tee shot on 6 as a bonus.
If excitement and noise are in your plans... 17 is the place to be. You can sit there all day and have a terrific time.
So grab a beer and have a great time at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship!
