Hey, I am all for fun at golf events and I am here to say the Phoenix Open has for years been where FUN was the center piece of the event…especially at the now historic ‘Place to Be” #16.
Reel In the Hurt
But…why does a ban on flying objects at the event makes sense? First of all, it is cool to get stuff from the players who throw stuff up into the stands..makes for great conversation back at the office when someone asks where the Bubba Glasses can from.
But what about the lady whose arm was broken by some asshole trying to catch the football Phil Mickelson was throwing up in the stands at 16…or the guy who caught an elbow to the jaw from someone in the mass of people who was trying to catch some promotional item one of the caddies was throwing into the crowd.
The Dude Has to Make a Living
Now I know the Golf Professionals are out there to entertain and their sponsors are paying them to get their brand out there in front of (what they think are ) their consumers. I have reviewed enough of their endorsement contracts to know the incentives these guys are given to put more shine to their sponsor’s brand. Certainly, throwing promotional items into a crowd of (who they think are their) consumers does provide some added value…but when that action results in causing bodily harm does it help their brand?
I am in agreement with the policy and as a former tournament director know they, the PGA and the tournament organizers, had to do something or they were going to be ‘Law Suited’ to death…which could result in the FUN going away all together.
Enough of the WTF
Yes, I know it is now ‘Cool to Hate’ and be a ‘Hater’ out here in La La Land, but it is not cool to pay for a ticket..a Hefty sum I may add…to sit in the stands at #16 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and catch a Head Butt from some dude fielding a golf ball that one of the pros throws into the stands.
Jmping up and down in excitement that you just watch someone hit a high draw 6 iron 198 yard to make an ace is one thing and is part of the excitement a professional golf tournament can provide. However, I’m sure receiving a bloody nose is not what someone paid to see or expected to happen to them at a professional golf tournament…at a Pearl Jam concert, Yes…at a Professional Golf Tournament, No!
Let’s have FUN at the Phoenix Open, but let’s reel in the slam dancing caused by everyone trying to be cool. OH, and I assume that the No Flying Objects Policy at the Phoenix Open will cover those mini drones being flown around at public events…don’t get me started on that…
Have fun out there and let me know how I can help.
