[Pete_Pittock]

Has anyone heard the announcers discussing whose ball was used in the foursomes matches? Did JT and Tiger each tee off with their own ( Titleist/Bridgestone) balls on their holes, or did they agree to use 1 ball?

Not quite the answer to your question, but one closeup of the ball in the foursome, alternate shot, format was Tiger looking at the ball in the rough after Justin drove it off the tee. It was personalized "tiger".

[James Bennett]

How does the price and ease of access for Royal Melbourne compare with say Pebble Beach - recognising that one is a private member's club? What about any of the top-ranked private US clubs?

[V. Kmetz]

I like the emotional temperature of the President's Cup much more than the Ryder Cup... something about the broadness of the International team roster doesn't infuse the event with the RC's made-for-merchandise flag-waving nonsense (and yes, its nonsense because most of these guys live regularly within like 3 FL counties)...


If Reed wasn't an issue, this thing would've went off with only those 50 or so trick or treaters to annoy....and that's a good thing for enjoying the golf and the course, isn't it?


I don't know if something like this is already done, but perhaps they could come up with a match between the Internationals and Europe/UKs to be played every third year and thus could be a three year rotation...RC, PC, "NewC" where one of the three squads if "off" that year/season.

[V. Kmetz]

In other President's Cup news:


It's still a long way to the Spring, but Woods looks fantastic...thinking of just his recent ZoZo and Hero showings plus this air-tight Cup performance and I see an entertaining 2020 season.  Perhaps as meaningfully, I perceive Woods transforming naturally and comfortably into the "Elder standard" that the greatest players must be... beyond this competent captaincy and his restored play, he has allowed the vestments of age and accomplishment to take their rightful hold... It's 10 years ago right now that Woods was at the fountainhead of his tabloid humiliations, and 5 years ago when he couldn't hit a chip...and less than 3 years ago when his doped-up DUI mugshot hit your servers; oh how the tide is turned.

[mike_beene]

Bryson's been bulking up for next year. He was out hitting balls at my club a few weeks ago then stayed around and worked with some of the kids until dark. Changed my opinion of him.

[mike_beene]

Was that the most dangerous snap hook ever hit?

[Chris Kane]

How does the price and ease of access for Royal Melbourne compare with say Pebble Beach - recognising that one is a private member's club? What about any of the top-ranked private US clubs?

Pebble Beach is $US550 for a resort guest, around $A800 at the current exchange rate.


If visitors are prepared to pay $750 per game, then good for RMGC. There is little to gain by charging less than what the market will bear.

[Matthew Rose]

Has the 2023 venue not been selected yet? Seems kinda late.

[Sean_A]

How does the price and ease of access for Royal Melbourne compare with say Pebble Beach - recognising that one is a private member's club? What about any of the top-ranked private US clubs?

Pebble Beach is $US550 for a resort guest, around $A800 at the current exchange rate.

If visitors are prepared to pay $750 per game, then good for RMGC. There is little to gain by charging less than what the market will bear.

I guess its good for RM, not so much for punters hoping to have a go. It is a great shame that golf has become so market and brand driven with its pricing. Despite the OTT fee for TOC, it is clear the Trust is a market leader in providing relatively affordable green fees and accessibility for a highly significant architectural and historical course. I do feel sorry for the next generation of golfers.

Happy Hockey

[John McCarthy]

I just want Reed's caddy's next bag to be JC Snead.

[John Kavanaugh]

How does the price and ease of access for Royal Melbourne compare with say Pebble Beach - recognising that one is a private member's club? What about any of the top-ranked private US clubs?

Pebble Beach is $US550 for a resort guest, around $A800 at the current exchange rate.

If visitors are prepared to pay $750 per game, then good for RMGC. There is little to gain by charging less than what the market will bear.

I guess its good for RM, not so much for punters hoping to have a go. It is a great shame that golf has become so market and brand driven with its pricing. Despite the OTT fee for TOC, it is clear the Trust is a market leader in providing relatively affordable green fees and accessibility for a highly significant architectural and historical course. I do feel sorry for the next generation of golfers.

Happy Hockey

We can not promote the greatest courses in the world and then despair over the rise in cost. Perhaps if the next generation of golfers can refrain from turning golf courses into social media must sees demand to be seen at those same courses will decrease along with the price to play.

[Sean_A]

How does the price and ease of access for Royal Melbourne compare with say Pebble Beach - recognising that one is a private member's club? What about any of the top-ranked private US clubs?

Pebble Beach is $US550 for a resort guest, around $A800 at the current exchange rate.

If visitors are prepared to pay $750 per game, then good for RMGC. There is little to gain by charging less than what the market will bear.

I guess its good for RM, not so much for punters hoping to have a go. It is a great shame that golf has become so market and brand driven with its pricing. Despite the OTT fee for TOC, it is clear the Trust is a market leader in providing relatively affordable green fees and accessibility for a highly significant architectural and historical course. I do feel sorry for the next generation of golfers.

Happy Hockey

We can not promote the greatest courses in the world and then despair over the rise in cost. Perhaps if the next generation of golfers can refrain from turning golf courses into social media must sees demand to be seen at those same courses will decrease along with the price to play.

I spose yer right. However, I am as concerned about clubs being flush with cash as I am about stupidly expensive green fees.

Happy Hockey

[John Kavanaugh]

Well I was just sitting here thinking about how I played Pebble twice this month and didn’t take a single picture. I feel like a walker who paid for a cart fee. The value of taking pictures at Pebble and posting them on social media is at least $100.

[William_G]

How does the price and ease of access for Royal Melbourne compare with say Pebble Beach - recognising that one is a private member's club? What about any of the top-ranked private US clubs?

Pebble Beach is $US550 for a resort guest, around $A800 at the current exchange rate.


If visitors are prepared to pay $750 per game, then good for RMGC. There is little to gain by charging less than what the market will bear.

Bandon Dunes would be your better comparison for similar golf.
summer resort guest is 295 with a replay anywhere on property at 150

[Jason Topp]

My sense is that if the President's Cup were a stroke play event, the winning score would have been very low compared to par and there would be countless stories about how the course was no longer strong enough to host a major event.   Match play strips away those scoring considerations and shows players struggling to perform regardless of what the scorecard labels as par.

[Sean_A]

My sense is that if the President's Cup were a stroke play event, the winning score would have been very low compared to par and there would be countless stories about how the course was no longer strong enough to host a major event.   Match play strips away those scoring considerations and shows players struggling to perform regardless of what the scorecard labels as par.

+1. We are used to seeing leaderboard play. In these matchplay events a significant percentage of players will struggle, showing off the designs of courses such as RM.

Happy Hockey

[Peter Pallotta]

Sean, Jason
yes, really good point. Hadn't thought of it until you posted, but for those who were playing well the birdies were certainly out there. 
Also: though far from what would be described a 'penal architecture', RM sure seems to test one's game very thoroughly: hit a good shot -- or, better said, the right shot, in the right way -- and you are rewarded; but if you hit the wrong shot, not matter how 'well' it was hit (in theory) and you pay the price. 

[David_Tepper]

"My sense is that if the President's Cup were a stroke play event, the winning score would have been very low compared to par and there would be countless stories about how the course was no longer strong enough to host a major event." 


I am pretty sure I heard that Patrick Cantlay made 7 birdies in his 18-hole singles match against Niemann.

(As I posted on another thread, the best golfers in the world playing well can make the best golf courses in the world look easy.)

[Jeff Schley]

The only thing I wanted to see was Reed vs. Smith play in singles, which would have been epic.  Can you imagine the interest if they would have mic'd up the players as well?    Put the undercard of "The Match" of Woods vs. Mickelson as Reed vs. Smith.

[V. Kmetz]

The only thing I wanted to see was Reed vs. Smith play in singles, which would have been epic.  Can you imagine the interest if they would have mic'd up the players as well?    Put the undercard of "The Match" of Woods vs. Mickelson as Reed vs. Smith.

I have to be an Inquisitor here Jeff.... WHY?  Why would that be "epic;" because they would've had words or gotten into a fistfight? The increase in "interest?"  Who does that serve...?  How could the golf or course shown substantially better than it did because two mouthy talented pricks were matched?


This...THIS (the extracting of un-needed, contentious buzz-hype to add to the coffers of sport) right here is why I've come to loathe the Ryder Cup and the 16th at Phoenix and "passionate" New York crowds at Bethpage... the pursuit of that coin has demeaned and neutered sports, made that many more spectators feel they are entitled to impact or think themselves "a part " of the competition, and given us a media industry of ratings-chasing puffery where little is given dignified treatment.

[Jay Mickle]

Here's Tiger Woods take on the Royal Melbourne course - worth watching - https://twitter.com/i/status/1205802891253964802 -
atb

The Internationals gave us Royal Melbourne we will reciprocate with Quail Hollow. I wonder if their Captain will so enthusiastic in 2 years.

[William_G]

Here's Tiger Woods take on the Royal Melbourne course - worth watching - https://twitter.com/i/status/1205802891253964802 -
atb

The Internationals gave us Royal Melbourne we will reciprocate with Quail Hollow. I wonder if their Captain will so enthusiastic in 2 years.

no doubt, Quail Hollow will not steal the show

[Kalen Braley]

Here's Tiger Woods take on the Royal Melbourne course - worth watching - https://twitter.com/i/status/1205802891253964802 -
atb

The Internationals gave us Royal Melbourne we will reciprocate with Quail Hollow. I wonder if their Captain will so enthusiastic in 2 years.

no doubt, Quail Hollow will not steal the show

And then some William.  Given how poor the Internationals do in the US events, i may not even turn it on.

[Jeff Schley]

The only thing I wanted to see was Reed vs. Smith play in singles, which would have been epic.  Can you imagine the interest if they would have mic'd up the players as well?    Put the undercard of "The Match" of Woods vs. Mickelson as Reed vs. Smith.

I have to be an Inquisitor here Jeff.... WHY?  Why would that be "epic;" because they would've had words or gotten into a fistfight? The increase in "interest?"  Who does that serve...?  How could the golf or course shown substantially better than it did because two mouthy talented pricks were matched?


This...THIS (the extracting of un-needed, contentious buzz-hype to add to the coffers of sport) right here is why I've come to loathe the Ryder Cup and the 16th at Phoenix and "passionate" New York crowds at Bethpage... the pursuit of that coin has demeaned and neutered sports, made that many more spectators feel they are entitled to impact or think themselves "a part " of the competition, and given us a media industry of ratings-chasing puffery where little is given dignified treatment.

Who knows what would have happened, but it would have shown more about who each of them are as players and competitors. Why did everyone love Tiger playing Ames after his trash talking, or when Vijay's caddie popped off?  Can a golfer stay mentally tough enough to concentrate on execution when there are numerous distractions, not the least of which is despising your competitor. It shouldn't matter, you should concentrate on your own game, but in that environment with one of them rarely criticizing a fellow competitor (IMO rightly so) what would happen on one of the biggest stages?  I'd tune in and don't think it would be any sideshow at all, 2 gladiators in their arena.

[William_G]

Here's Tiger Woods take on the Royal Melbourne course - worth watching - https://twitter.com/i/status/1205802891253964802 -
atb

The Internationals gave us Royal Melbourne we will reciprocate with Quail Hollow. I wonder if their Captain will so enthusiastic in 2 years.

no doubt, Quail Hollow will not steal the show

And then some William.  Given how poor the Internationals do in the US events, i may not even turn it on.

maybe I will watch if there are golf cart races to and from Quail Hollow and Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar LOL

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