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Cliff Hamm

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What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« on: June 19, 2014, 07:24:07 PM »
when SI does not even have a story on the US Open?  They have a 2 page spread, of which over 1.5 pages is an overhead photo and essentially one paragraph summary of the event.

Unheard of.  In the past the US Open was typically the cover story.  Is this just another example of the decline of golf?

Greg Chambers

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2014, 07:33:33 PM »
I don't think it says much about the game of golf.  I think it has more to do with the fact that the superstars of the game either weren't there, or weren't a part of the story.  Not much to write about when it's one of the most boring golf events in recent memory.
"It's good sportsmanship to not pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling.”

Carl Johnson

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2014, 07:42:01 PM »
when SI does not even have a story on the US Open?  They have a 2 page spread, of which over 1.5 pages is an overhead photo and essentially one paragraph summary of the event.

Unheard of.  In the past the US Open was typically the cover story.  Is this just another example of the decline of golf?

Not necessarily just the decline of golf, but a change in our culture generally and the decline of print media.  I was a charter subscriber to SI and still have the Aug. 16, 1954 first issue.  My current subscription expired in May, and I did not renew, although I just received today the June 23 issue, which includes US Open coverage.  As long as it's been offered, I've chosen the Golf+ version of SI.  My copy includes a two-page photo spread to start and then two pages of text and photos.  Shipnuck wrote the article.  (The NBA championship is on my cover - which would you choose?  NBA championship or US Open Championship if you were the editor-in-chief?)  Two observations - which are why after almost 60 years I did not renew.  First, the SI golf writers are lousy (IMO).  Second, SI is in the same kind of trouble as are all print media and trying for a very young audience - one that's more interested in "extreme" sport and gossip and has a very short attention span.  Sorry if I sound like an O.F.
« Last Edit: June 19, 2014, 07:46:50 PM by Carl Johnson »

Cliff Hamm

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2014, 07:42:54 PM »
Out of curiosity googled to see if Michael Campbell's victory was covered.  Indeed not the cover story but a complete story.  Yes, he beat Tiger, but I still think it says tons about the state of professional golf when SI does not provide coverage of our national championship.

mike_beene

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #4 on: June 19, 2014, 07:48:46 PM »
I did not realize Sports Illustrated was still in circulation. I took it for years growing up.Now I only get Golf Digest but I don't know why. Didn't purchase it.

jeffwarne

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2014, 07:55:58 PM »
I did not realize Sports Illustrated was still in circulation. I took it for years growing up.

I'd say it says a lot more about SI, than golf.
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Kevin_Reilly

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2014, 08:34:21 PM »
The "Golf Plus" version of the magazine (that's the version I get) had the above-mentioned 2-page picture, plus a 2-page foldout picture of Kaymer, plus 2-page articles by Shipnuck (the tournament) and Bamberger (on the course). 
"GOLF COURSES SHOULD BE ENJOYED RATHER THAN RATED" - Tom Watson

Carl Johnson

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2014, 08:36:27 PM »
The "Golf Plus" version of the magazine (that's the version I get) had the above-mentioned 2-page picture, plus a 2-page foldout picture of Kaymer, plus 2-page articles by Shipnuck (the tournament) and Bamberger (on the course). 

I missed the Bamberger piece, thank goodness!

Tim_Cronin

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #8 on: June 20, 2014, 01:09:25 AM »
Carl, I'm impressed. You've read everyone in SI from Herb Wind (who struggled with the deadlines but whose lasting contribution was the five-part series with Hogan on the modern fundamentals of golf, which became the still-selling book) to Alfred Wright to Dan Jenkins to Rick Reilly to today's tag-team coverage.

Once upon a time, SI covered the tour on a week-to-week basis, in part because SI was popular with golf equipment manufacturers. Golf World, then and now, reached a sliver of the circulation.
The website: www.illinoisgolfer.net
On Twitter: @illinoisgolfer

Carl Johnson

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #9 on: June 20, 2014, 08:51:50 AM »
Carl, I'm impressed. You've read everyone in SI from Herb Wind (who struggled with the deadlines but whose lasting contribution was the five-part series with Hogan on the modern fundamentals of golf, which became the still-selling book) to Alfred Wright to Dan Jenkins to Rick Reilly to today's tag-team coverage.

Once upon a time, SI covered the tour on a week-to-week basis, in part because SI was popular with golf equipment manufacturers. Golf World, then and now, reached a sliver of the circulation.

For me, Wind and Jenkins were the best.  I've bound a copy of Wind's 1964 Dornoch article (from The New Yorker) for my golf "library."  I've had mixed feelings about Reilly.  I have no recollection of Alfred Wright - I'll look him up in the SI Vault.

Mike Schott

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #10 on: June 20, 2014, 09:53:16 AM »
I don't read SI these days but the US Open fell on the same weekend as the start of the World Cup and the last game of the NBA finals following the end of the Stanley Cup finals. No Tiger, Phil was not a factor and it was not an interesting tournament due to the runaway win.

Greg Clark

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #11 on: June 20, 2014, 11:15:21 AM »
The "Golf Plus" version of the magazine (that's the version I get) had the above-mentioned 2-page picture, plus a 2-page foldout picture of Kaymer, plus 2-page articles by Shipnuck (the tournament) and Bamberger (on the course). 

This also included about a 30-40 page US Open preview standalone edition the prior week.  In fact, my finding this site was the result of the Golf Plus article on GCA several years back.  It also produced the first look at The Sheep Ranch.  SI does just fine covering golf, as long as you get the free Golf Plus addition.  The magazine itself has fallen from its apex days for sure.  However, IMO, not nearly as far as many other leading magazines from back in the day.

Peter Pallotta

Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #12 on: June 20, 2014, 11:35:06 AM »
I've noticed and heard/read from many sources (including Brad K here) about the pressure to write ever-shorter articles, best suited (so the theory goes) to the gnat-like attention spans and on-line reading habits of the modern age. I'll leave aside the suggestion that these articles may in fact be encouraging -- not responding to -- our shorter attention spans. I'll say instead that, in a month of purposely trying to do all my golf reading (golf week, GD, golf magazine etc) on line, nothing could have prepared me for just how very short and superficial the articles have become. I used to be a freelance writer, and maybe one day I will be again, and so it pains me to see the potential demise of all these print publications. But if magazines like SI and GD do die, it'll be the editors and writers there who are digging the graves (and administering the deadly poison). I say: come on, boys, step up to the plate. If you're going down anyway, you might as well go down swinging/writing the best you possibly can.  On the other hand, maybe I have the writers/editiors pegged all wrong; maybe these are exactly the kind of articles and writing you want to do, and that you do best. If so, I say: shame on you.

Peter
« Last Edit: June 20, 2014, 11:59:51 AM by PPallotta »

Cliff Hamm

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #13 on: June 20, 2014, 12:00:18 PM »
As I read the responses there are many valid responses. Yes print journalism is a dying breed. Yes American stars did not challenge in this US open. Yes, the coverage in the Golf bonus section may have been adequate. I read Sports Illustrated through Next Issue a great app if you like magazines.

Here is what Sports  Illustrated did cover the NBA and NHL, no surprise. The death Chuck Noll, addition of Rutgers and Maryland to the Big Ten, the Oakland A's.  Sorry, but when our national championship can't crack this lineup  it says something about golf and how it is perceived.

Sports Illustrated wants to sell magazines. There is no doubt that they don't believe Golf sells magazines unless Tiger or Phil wins. Again, the comments made are true, but the fact remains that Golf is not being covered.
« Last Edit: June 20, 2014, 12:06:16 PM by Cliff Hamm »

Tim_Cronin

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #14 on: June 20, 2014, 12:16:09 PM »
The articles in SI are much shorter today than five or 15 years ago. One of the things contributing to that, curiously, was the improvement in print technology. When SI was finally able to print four-color on every page, the publisher decreed that there would be color on every page. That meant shorter stories.
The website: www.illinoisgolfer.net
On Twitter: @illinoisgolfer

Dan_Callahan

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #15 on: June 20, 2014, 01:38:57 PM »
I had a subscription for about 30 years. First got it as a teenager to follow Larry Bird and Doug Flutie. I used to read it religiously. A few years ago, it occurred to me that several issues would stack up that I hadn't even opened. With the exception of some really good journalism on steroids, there was very little substance anymore. (The best writing today, in my opinion, is in Esquire, of all places. And sometimes Rolling Stone.) So I canceled my subscription and haven't missed it. Besides, the only thing that was keeping me interested was the swimsuit issue, and all that content can be found online, and for free, before the magazine hits mailboxes. (I'm kidding ... no I'm not ... yes I am ...)

Tom Bacsanyi

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #16 on: June 20, 2014, 01:48:41 PM »
I would agree with those that say it's more indicative of the decline of print media rather than the decline of golf (which isn't to say that all is well with golf).  Just look at Golf Digest now (double whammy).  Paulina Gretzky on the cover?  What the crap does she have to do with golf?  Desperation is a stinky cologne. 
Don't play too much golf. Two rounds a day are plenty.

--Harry Vardon

Joel Zuckerman

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #17 on: June 20, 2014, 04:58:42 PM »
If Phil had won, exorcizing his US Open demons and completing the career Grand Slam, the editor would have been in a quandary---Phil or the artistry/domination of the Spurs.

My guess is  he would have chosen the Spurs, with Phil up in the right hand corner of the cover...postage stamp size.

Tim_Cronin

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Re: What does it say - SI US Open coverage
« Reply #18 on: June 21, 2014, 12:20:32 PM »
Actually, there were three covers this week. Chuck Noll (national), the Spurs (regional) and the Kings (regional).
The website: www.illinoisgolfer.net
On Twitter: @illinoisgolfer

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