Oakhurst:Why does pro golf not care?

[ward peyronnin]

Am i being petty, jealous, and mean spirited to wonder why, with all the money floating around professional golf, these pros can't find the vision or generosity to buy the mortgage for $700,000; set up a modest sinking fund ; and preserve arguably the most pure example left in America of the roots of golf complete with a true hickory venue.

Some might say why don't we , on these pages , step up? Well we don't owe our living to this game ; we don't have a HUGE pension plan funded by TPC and other revenues. Farmers fund tractor  museums, operating engineer union funds equipment museums, etcetara, etcetera.

I know the tour raises lots of money and the players( except maybe The cheetin feegin) seem generous but don't they get it?

[Tim_Cronin]

Ward, you'd think somebody at Ponte Vedra would look under the carpet for some unused sponsorship money. How about the Web.com TPC of Oakhurst? Maybe if it was in Florida...

[Tommy Williamsen]

Ward, there are so many places that need things.  There are hundreds of worthy courses that are struggling financially.  Additionally, most players have a special charity they support.  I for one just raised $10,000 to replace the deplorable desks in our Lutheran school in El salvador.  How do you feel good about learning in these desks?





Everyone has to make choices about where their money goes. I don't mean to minimize Oakhurst's importance to the history of the game, but there are many places that need financial aid.  We just have to pick and choose.

[cary lichtenstein]

Well said,

[Jeff Fortson]

Am i being petty, jealous, and mean spirited to wonder why, with all the money floating around professional golf, these pros can't find the vision or generosity to buy the mortgage for $700,000; set up a modest sinking fund ; and preserve arguably the most pure example left in America of the roots of golf complete with a true hickory venue.

Some might say why don't we , on these pages , step up? Well we don't owe our living to this game ; we don't have a HUGE pension plan funded by TPC and other revenues. Farmers fund tractor  museums, operating engineer union funds equipment museums, etcetara, etcetera.

I know the tour raises lots of money and the players( except maybe The cheetin feegin) seem generous but don't they get it?

Ward,

With all due respect, the PGA Tour would most likely be poor stewards of the property.  I can see island greens and stadium settings.  Not to mention the areas needed for corporate sponsor tents.


Jeff F.

[Sam Morrow]

Ward I like your passion and don't want to sound like a dick but why should pro golf care?

[Dan King]

There's an idea that's time has come: TPC at Oakhurst. Anyone can go experience the golf of yesteryear, using Titleist made, PGA Tour approved faux hickory clubs.

Cheers,
Dan King

This place is like one of those hot-air hand dryers in toilets. It's a great idea and everybody uses it once, but never again. It takes too long.
 --David Feherty (on a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus in Grand Cypress, Florida)

[Kris Shreiner]

It is criminal, but not surprising, that the known ground, still in existence, of the earlist acknowledged course as the birththplace of the game in America is getting such shabby treatment from U.S. golf. Alas, if there is no immediate profit center to be garnered, most shy away. The USGA is the logical entity to broker something to preserve it. Why not a partnership, with other industry or interested golf folks, to celebrate this historic golf landmark and prerserve the opportunity to sample and experience golf of yesteryear? If we can find ourselves looking to generate another $100 MILLION in 2012 to shovel the First Tee's way, how can this noble preservation effort not merit some funding initiative?

Let's hope the U.S. game can show some love...beyond that mainly for the almighty dollar.

Cheers,
Kris

[Tim Gavrich]

The person for whom buying Oakhurst ought to be the most obvious no-brainer, in my opinion, is Jim Justice.

[Ronald Montesano]

Gavrich is so right, Morrow never sounds like a dick, Tommy did a good thing (but any desk in El Salvador beats the alternative).

One question: why the shot at Vijay Singh? Personal differences? I know all about the cheating insinuations from years ago...is there something more recent?