"In a way, it {too many rules} makes it different, and it makes it special and it makes it unique," Toms said. "But then again, it's still a golf tournament. It's the players that make that tournament. It's Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods battling down the stretch that makes that event successful on television around the world. It's not how green the grass is on the No. 1 fairway."

David Toms, on Augusta having too many rules.  Here's the full article.  

http://www.pga.com/news/majors/themasters/2006/toms041106.cfm

So the Masters is supposed to be about the PLAYERS?  The majority of the stories leading up to the tourney were on the course changes.  

As the only Major hosted at the same course each year, I'm sure Hootie et al love the way they remain able to call ALL the shots.  

David Toms, on Augusta having too many rules.  Here's the full article.  

I don't think Toms was implying that he was the most important person around during Masters week, but that there is no joy in mudville.

This pervasive atmosphere of wondering which rule you might have just broken is as real to the Members as the touring pro.
A member gets out of his car, walks to the locker room to get his jacket and woe and betide him if he is tardy in so doing. Questions will be asked about its absence.
 
As most members bring in their own pals he is responsible for their demeanor, as such, he is on tenterhooks for the whole time he is there that an expletive might be considered  grounds for censure.

When Hootie is around, a Ladies Temperence Society Meeting has more gusto than some of the foursomes playing there.

Bob

I just love this story.  One of the most pampered subsets of humanity, PGA tour players, coming under the supervision of the most heavy-handed controlling institution in America, Augusta National.

Is there any other private organization in the world with control over a world-class event?  I can't think of one.  Gives them so much power, which they obviously crave.  

Bob,

If members are treated as you imply, would you want to be a member at such a place?  I know the place is godly, but if it is as you describe, would you want to pay dues to be subjected to this?

It's a question I'd love to have to answer when it came time, but right now its just hypothetical obviously.

Jason

JES,

I think Wimbledon is private but the championships are run by the national tennis association.  I could be wrong about this but I don't think the club controls the event in the same way Augusta controls the Masters.

JES,

I think Wimbledon is private but the championships are run by the national tennis association.  I could be wrong about this but I don't think the club controls the event in the same way Augusta controls the Masters.

That makes sense Phil, thanks.

Wimbledon is run by the All England Club

And this is a separate entity from Wimbledon?

The All England Club don't have the decision making power of Augusta National, since so much more of the logistics are dictated by the ATP Tour, WTA Tour and their bodies. The event hosts have a smaller paddock and narrower framework to roam in their own way.

I'm with Mr Stiles. I cannot for one second believe that having to follow the tasks outlined are some kind of imposition. Most overseas tours (like ours here in Australia) have some of these rules week in week out for players.

And Bogey hits the jackport with the reminder that it is an invitational. If you are forced to my place, bad luck. But if I invite you for a party each year and you decide to come, don't whine about the dip.

Bob,

If members are treated as you imply, would you want to be a member at such a place?  I know the place is godly, but if it is as you describe, would you want to pay dues to be subjected to this?

It's a question I'd love to have to answer when it came time, but right now its just hypothetical obviously.

Jason

Jason,

At my age and having been around the block I could not give a hoot about being a member there. My idea of the perfect club is to be with good friends, with two courses to choose from, alongside a couple of miles of the Pacfic Ocean somewhere on the Monterey Peninsula. S'funny, I'm there.

A good friend of mine here in Pebble has as his California license plate, "TLMITW", standing for the luckiest man in the world, I'm second in line.

Gotta go with JAL on this one. Toms comes off as poutty, whiny and a bit pathetic. Imagine someone who has to wait on lines, subject himself to the scrutiny of others, and has to be mindful of what he says and how he acts. This is a problem in America and the world in 2006? What would this guy do if he actually had to work for a living or worry about his family's safety? You dont have to side with ANGC on this one to see that Toms comes off as simply spoiled.

Perhaps DT should take a stand against these rules and decline his invitation to play in next year's Masters?  By doing this, I am sure he could start a grass roots movement among the players to end the injustices that must be endured by the players during the Masters.

I believe the tour players were asked "what would you change about the Masters".....a rather useless question considering the pro's have no say about what will "change" at the Masters.

So I can't blame Tom's for saying he would change the all the rules.

Ask a silly question, get a silly answer.

But in this world of politically correctness.....he is labeled a whinner?  

Craig,

A perfect riposte.

Bob

I believe the tour players were asked "what would you change about the Masters".....a rather useless question considering the pro's have no say about what will "change" at the Masters.

So I can't blame Tom's for saying he would change the all the rules.

Ask a silly question, get a silly answer.

But in this world of politically correctness.....he is labeled a whinner?  

Craig,

I wasn't setting up Toms because he answered the question. I believe I made my judgements due to how Toms' answer revealed what he thought in general.