It is possible to assume, based on their ads for Cadillac, Mercedes, and Investment Management, etc, which abound on the TV Golf coverage and in the Glossy Golf Magazines, that the assumed demographic are Free Market Believers? And By FMBelievers I mean - that one believes that one can allow the market to decide what is good or bad, appropriate or inappropriate, moral or immoral, depending upon the market response to various proposals... If this is the case, is it possible to then assume that editorial values, especially when it comes to evaluating the merits of new golf courses, or golf courses chosen by tournament sponsors, may be somewhat compromised by the idea that 'what the market dictates' can't be bad? Especially if 'serious' investors are involved?
Lloyd,
Mostly I agree with Brad Klein's assessment, with regard to the fact that 'markets' are never truly free. i.e. over $640bm a year is spent by American companies attempting to influence the activities of markets.
Having spent a chunks of that myself on behalf of such esteemed companies as Apple Computer, VISA, MCI (Before everyone went to jail), Fedex, GM etc. they all expected something in return for their investment. One of the ways they improve the return on their marketing investment is to place marketing messages in front of the kind of people who can and will buy their product. If golf did not attract the kind of people who can buy Mercedes and Cadillacs or invest their money with large financial companies, we wouldn't see quite as much of it on the TV as we do.
It's fair enough to say that you won't see a lot of criticism of these companies and their products during these telecasts... on the other hand, I don't think that some ads for Cadillac during the Masters on CBS means it's hands off for the entire Viacom media empire when it comes to detailing GM's woes.
Every marketplace of ideas has it's own parameters and guidelines. Criticising Tom Doak and C&C on GCA.com would yield about the same result as Peter Kessler taking on Arnold Palmer on the Golf Channel. Each community will attempt to enforce their standards on participants. That's more human nature than market forces.
In terms of the golf courses that get built and praised these days obviously there exists a range of opinions. It seems as if our group mostly prefers the investment to be reflected in the condition and character of the golf course. On the other hand, if you are married to the standard issue American suburban housewife, you might find your ear being bent over the availability of family amenities, a pool, tennis courts etc. at that point you are straddling two 'marketplaces of ideas'. Not always a comfortable place to be...
PERSONAL HISTORY: When weighing up joining either Royal Sydney or New South Wales, my grandfather was so traumatised by the idea of his offspring playing golf at a course with tennis courts he immediately sent me a check for the entrance fee and set up an interview with the head of the NSWGC membership committee. Like the majority of marketplace 'decisions,' this one was effectively resolved the same way. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$