MELVYN!!!!!!

[Wade Whitehead]

Melvyn understands the difference between simply following the rules and abiding by the spirit of the game.  A Champion isn't a deserving one unless he achieves both.

Until television broadcasts Amateur club events the PGA Tour will represent the game of golf for most people.  It's not just entertainment.

WW

[George Pazin]

Maybe a simple change to "He is the most visible offender" would better describe the situation next time.

Sometimes hyperbole is needed to make a point, sometimes it alienates potential friends. Just a thought.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Gentlemen

I fear you are getting bogged down because some have not correctly read my post  - quite surprising for GCA.com

Example:
"It is not necessarily just Tiger Woods, but he is probably the worst offender when it comes to throwing clubs."  The word PROBABLY should perhaps have been considered.

The article went on to say but not in my words:
Morrow supports the idea of marking the special anniversary of the game's oldest major in such a way, but he says he'd be saddened if it went to a player who behaves badly on the course, claiming there has been no worse offender in the modern game than Woods

But I did say:
"I want assurance that course etiquette will be upheld. It's not just Tiger; it applies to all players throwing clubs, which is just bloody dangerous”

Again not my words:
In a letter to Prestwick, Morrow requested their support for his stance that the belt should not be given to anyone who does not behave appropriately on the golf course, in particular, Woods. The world No1 promised earlier this year to improve his conduct on the course, but was heard cursing loudly during the Masters

Prestwick Golf Club made the following statement "His main concern is if it is won by Tiger Woods, he does not want that” which is not true. The following is an extract from my letter to the club.

“I, along with my family, are in agreement with Prestwick Golf Club, in that we feel the idea of presenting a Replica Championship Belt is an excellent idea. It brings out the history and reminds us of the past great Champions who held the belt with pride and honour. Perhaps this feeling of pride is not understood today due to the fact that there were no great financial rewards in those days, only the Belt being the culmination of all their efforts. That being the case I feel that the Belt represents more than just a replica. It represents the dream of long dead heroes and I feel we should remember that first and foremost.

In line with this I seek and ask for the help of Prestwick Golf Club in making certain that only those who have followed the rules and more importantly the course etiquette are the recipient of The Replica Championship Belt.

My concerns relate to the lowering of professional conduct and behaviour on our golf courses i.e. the language and more alarming in the way clubs have been thrown. Whilst I show Tiger Woods as the main antagonist, he is not alone and for the purpose of an example I am concentrating on his (on course) performance”

Throughout all this I have tried to behave in an open and honourable way. I did not publish my letter on GCA.com because I knew the reaction I would get and I have not been disappointed. Pity because this should be the ideal site to debate such things but there is just too many people wanting to score points ignoring the main and important issues.

Melvyn  

[George Pazin]

I did not publish my letter on GCA.com because I knew the reaction I would get and I have not been disappointed. Pity because this should be the ideal site to debate such things but there is just too many people wanting to score points ignoring the main and important issues.

Actually, I'd argue you are seeing debate and discussion on here. There's quite a few who agree with you, Melvyn. Uniform agreement would not be debate or discussion.

"Always look on the bright side of life, do doo, do doo do doo do doo"

 

[Melvyn Morrow]

George

And back to you with do doo, do doo do doo do doo

Melvyn

[David Egan]

I really hope Tiger wins this tournament by 20 shots and, in response, Melvyn has a stroke.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Is this the real face of GCA.com making a statement like "I really hope Tiger wins this tournament by 20 shot and, in response, Melvyn has a stroke".

What hope is there when sites like this allows people like David Egan to join. Sir you are one sick guy, clearly you just do not understand life let alone golf.

Gentlemen I give you David Egan, looks like he will settle in well with many others here - George is this what you mean and he must be next inline to get to know.

Melvyn

 

[Bill_McBride]

Melvyn, it's possible you are sending some of the lads around the corner.

[Greg Tallman]

This thread is troubling at best. Thought provoking at times but overall... troubling.

[Craig Sweet]

Melvyn, you want the winner of the belt to follow the rules, but MORE importantly the course etiquette?  You can't be serious? Proper etiquette is more important than following the rules?

[Michael Dugger]

Melvyn, it's possible you are sending some of the lads around the corner.

+1

[Pat Burke]

I for one, have had disagreements with Melvyn on his approach to this.
I have felt, in the past that he singled out Tiger's temper outbursts, when clearly
there were others, if in the same spotlight, would exhibit similar "trangressions"

In this case, it is pretty clear that Melvyn used Tiger as an example, but also clearly stated
that ANY player behaving in the same manner should be dealt with.  
I am not overly worried about Tiger's outbursts, but understand those that are bothered by it.
As one who has locked horns in the past with Melvyn, I give him credit for applying his concerns more clearly (to me ay least ) across the board of any player

[Steve Lang]

  Mel,

If tiger wrote a personal letter to the R&A, the USGA, and the PGA saying he was apolologizing for his unexcusable past behavior and that he would never do it again, would he favor your forgivenance?  And having it in writing he could be held to task?

[Matthew Rose]

Tiger Woods is the example, because he is far and away the most visible player on tour. He may not have the worst temper on tour. But he has the worst temper on tour out of the 10 or so players the casual golf viewer knows of, except for maybe John Daly. But everyone knows Daly is kind of a loose cannon anyway.

Tiger is going to be held to a much higher standard than, say, Steve Pate (who is a notorious hothead).

Whether you feel that is fair, or unfair, is another argument altogether. Perhaps it is a little unfair but it is part of being in the spotlight.

[Dave Falkner]

Melvyn

 as usual the devil is in the details, If Tiger behaves in exemplary fashion during all 4 rounds would you condone giving him the belt?  or are you seeking to punish him for past behavior?  is he in your opinion and unreedemable case?  if not what behavior would your require between now and the open in order for him to qualify for the belt?

[Craig Sweet]

Tiger does nothing on the golf course... behavior wise...that the VAST majority of everyday golfers don't do. He does nothing that the vast majority of competitive athletes don't do when they strike out, miss a field goal or drop a pass, spin out on a curve...

Oh but golf is different.....ha!

[noonan]

I really hope Tiger wins this tournament by 20 shot and, in response, Melvyn has a stroke.

I owe you a pint of the finest ale money can buy.

[RSLivingston_III]

WOW, this threads comments are more polarized than the political climate of the US.

[Bill_McBride]

WOW, this threads comments are more polarized than the political climate of the US.

Where have you been? 

[RSLivingston_III]

WOW, this threads comments are more polarized than the political climate of the US.

Where have you been?  

I pop in from time to time. Just don't feel like I will have much to add until I can get back to playing and chasing courses again.
In my usual assbackwards way, I was trying to show Melvin some support. That I can still do.

[Bill_McBride]

WOW, this threads comments are more polarized than the political climate of the US.

Where have you been?  

I pop in from time to time. Just don't feel like I will have much to add until I can get back to playing and chasing courses again.
In my usual assbackwards way, I was trying to show Melvin some support. That I can still do.

  I was trying to be a bit more global.   

[Sean_A]

I really hope Tiger wins this tournament by 20 shots and, in response, Melvyn has a stroke.

Classy stuff this. 


I find it interesting that folks want to believe that a player's etiquette in no way should effect how he is treated by the game's authorities.  Do folks think sports exists in some sort of bubble within society?  I know sports authorities and players of professional sports sometimes like to believe this to be the case, but if we have learned anything from the Tiger saga it is that sport is very firmly within the boundaries societal norms and mores.  Granted, those boundaries have expanded far beyond what many think is good for sport and society, but as in the case of Tiger, those boundaries can constrict almost at a moment's notice and the newly created boundaries may, rightly or wrongly, apply only to one or a few people.  Now, some folks believe this isn't fair so the answer lies in doing nothing.  I would and do profoundly disagree with the Do Nothing Crowd.  It is far better to punish one or a few even though it is widely accepted that many more are guilty than to do nothing.   Most people, even the spoon fed golfers of the tours, understand carrot and stick behvaviour modification.  Its not as if a player can defend offensive behaviour so why wouldn't the solution be some sort of punishment? 

Ciao

[Jon Wiggett]

I really hope Tiger wins this tournament by 20 shot and, in response, Melvyn has a stroke.

I owe you a pint of the finest ale money can buy.

These two coments are just about as low as it gets What sort of people are you two guys that you feel it is okay to wish something like a stroke on to someone?

Golf is very much about etiquette. I don't care if the guys playing in my group shoot 150 a piece over 18 holes as that isnt going to affect my enjoyment or playing. But if they are throwing clubs, swearing and being generally ill mannered this is going to affect my enjoyment and game.

Tiger Woods is world number one and as such is in the spotlight. That he is even more in the spotlight than usual is entirely his own fault. It is about time he shaped up for his own good and that of the game.

Jon

[Melvyn Morrow]

Game on

The Old Master against the young Grasshopper

                       

The Prize
A replica of the original Young Tommy Championship Belt.




Ok the fun part is over the sick bit follows

The Problem
Course Behaviour, yet now overshadowed by a spill over onto GCA.com by David Egan and Jerry Kessler using reprehensible words as follows

D Egan Reply #31
I really hope Tiger wins this tournament by 20 shots and, in response, Melvyn has a stroke.

J Kessler  Reply #42
I really hope Tiger wins this tournament by 20 shot and, in response, Melvyn has a stroke.
I owe you a pint of the finest ale money can buy.

I am so pleased to see that the Spirit of Golf and Fellowship on GCA.com is still alive albeit in “Intensive Care” with me. What is most surprising is the lack of condemnation from the vast majority on this site, leaving one to believe that this statement is acceptable to the majority.

I do not wish anyone on this site dead nor the trauma of having a stroke.

Melvyn

PS A thank you to those who felt the comment was reprehensible

[Michael Dugger]

Perhaps the comment concerning "Melvyn having a stroke" was in the same spirit as Melvyn discussing Pat Craig's wife???

Maybe, just maybe.  Could be....