The Golf Watch

Greenbrier Classic replaces Buick Open

It's old news already (thanks to Golfweek's standout reporting), but The Greenbrier will be the title sponsor and host of the Greenbrier Classic starting in 2010. 

The course has always gotten rave reviews, but it's in the middle of nowhere, literally.  Quite a turnaround for an event that prided itself on exuberant crowds. 

Going against tradition, Tiger throws ball into raucous Michigan crowd

Tiger Woods carded two spectacular rounds Friday and Saturday that jolted him to first place on the leaderboard...and there was no looking back.  Woods' win at the Buick Open is his 69th overall and his fourth this year.

What many viewers will take away from the tournament was Tiger's relationship with the rowdy Michigan crowd.  Aiming to please a group of fans that were likely attending their last Buick Open, Tiger threw balls into the crowd at 17 and 18. 

If you didn't know, this isn't Tiger's style.  Even at Bethpage Black, Tiger opted not to throw his ball to the 'ball hogs' behind the third green.

But this weekend was different.  Tiger said:

I don't ever do that, but this is different ... I just want to say thanks to all the people here and that's one reason I tossed it on 18 as well.

They came out and supported this event over all the years, especially this year. As I said, with the economy, how it's going on in this region, for them to come out and still support this event, it's very special to us as players.

Tiger gave the Michigan fans an excellent send-off.  He reminded us what his presence means for a tournament on its last leg.

Update: Not even Tiger can save the Buick Open

With Tiger Woods committing to play in this week's Buick Open, we speculated that this could prolong the life of the tournament.

But Golfweek's Adam Schupak reported over the weekend that this will be the last year for the tournament.  Two sources familiar with the situation said the Tour will make an announcement about the new sponsor and venue next week.

The news could be disappointing for Michigan golf fans. 

Tiger Woods might have just saved the Buick Open

And that's the truth.  With a great deal of uncertainty over who would take over the sponsorship of the tournament after this year, Tiger Woods comes in to save the day, committing to play in next week's tournament. 

This means Tiger will play three weeks in a row.  That's right--you read that correctly--three weeks in a row.

We all wondered whether or not Tiger would increase the number of tournaments he played in a season to help the Tour out.  And he has--at a critical time.  Who wouldn't want to sponsor a tournament when Tiger has played the year before?

It looks like a PGA Tour event might stay in Michigan...for now at least.  

This year's Buick Open 'might be the last'

Tim Twentyman of The Detroit News files a bleak report on the future of the Buick Open.  Tournament officials aren't saying much regarding the future of the tournament, which isn't a good sign.

With the Champions and LPGA Tours no longer in town, the departure of a PGA Tournament from Michigan would be a major blow.  After all, Michigan has a huge golf population with the most public courses of any state in the country.

Twentyman offers this suggestion:

For golf fans who've never been to the Buick Open, solid advice is to hit the Open this year -- it might be the last.

No black tie fundraising gala at Buick

Erring on the side of caution, Buick Open officials have decided to cancel their annual black tie fundraising gala which has raised a great deal of money for a number of groups including the American Red Cross. 

The ABC-affiliate report indicates that the tournament wants to scale back slightly this year. Tournament Director Robb Grainger said:

From GM specific, there is probably a likelihood that they will step back from some of the traditional hospitality venues that they would have for dealers and executives and that type of thing.

Pictures of Buick officials celebrating in formal attire could draw the ire of the likes of Barney Frank, even if it is a charity event. 

Let's lay it out there--the tournaments needs a Tiger Woods appearance. 

More than just Red Wings and cars

When we think of Detroit--we think of auto manufacturers, bailout and hockey. 

But Bob Carney reminds us of the thriving, well arguably, once thriving golf community in Detroit...

The total impact of golf in the state, direct and indirect, was $4.2 billion. Remember, Michigan ranks near the top in the nation in number of golf courses, especially public links. Meanwhile, clubs in the Detroit area have been hit especially hard. Two examples: One well-regarded club charged an initiation fee of $50,000; it dropped the fee to $5,000. Another in roughly the same bracket was taking members for monthly dues alone. I'm sure there are many more in these straits now.

Wow, $4.2 billion!?

On the country club initiation front, Baltimore is in a similar situation. There are a number of clubs in the Baltimore area that once charged hefty initiation fees, and have recently scratched them altogether.

"Tour broadcasts feel the pain"

Thomas Bonk of the LA Times catches us up on how badly television ratings have been hit the last three weeks without Tiger...

It's all a matter of perspective. The PGA Tour and its truckload of sponsors aren't even asking you not to touch that dial on your television; they're asking you to make sure the set is turned on in the first place.

The Absent Tiger Factor is here and it's awful to behold.

Case 1: Buick Open. The first event of three events so far that Woods would have played but missed because of his knee surgery. The overnight rating on CBS for the fourth round was down 12%, from a 1.7 to a 1.5.

Case 2: AT&T National. Worse. The overnight ratings for the fourth round on CBS were down 48%, from a 2.9 to a 1.5. Third-round ratings dipped 35%, from a 2.0 to a 1.3.

Case 3: British Open. Not good. The overnight ratings for ABC's final round coverage Sunday fell 14.6%, from a 4.1 to a 3.5.

We called it, Woods commits to Buick Open

Don't say we at The Golf Watch didn't call it.  Buick golf marketing manager Larry Peck announced earlier today that Tiger Woods will be playing at this year's Buick Open at Warwick Hills. 

In order to retain full PGA Tour membership privileges, Woods needs to compete in at least 15 tournaments.  With this latest injury, the tournament is a necessity for the world's number one golfer if he wants to avoid playing in the fall finish.

Mediate, Verplank, Bateman, share lead

Rocco Mediate, Scott Verplank, and Brian Bateman share the second-round lead at 9-under-par as the afternoon groups tee off at the Buick Open.  Mediate, who led after the first round, shot a 1-under 71 with four birdies and three bogeys on his card.  Scott Verplank shot a 69, which included six birdies, a double-bogey on the par-4 18th hole, and a bogey on his final hole, the 9th.