The Week That Was, august 30, 2015

     If you lose something that you never officially had, does it still count as a loss? The question is top of mind this week, because the PGA Tour has apparently reversed its decision to award a pair of upcoming Barclays championships to Trump Ferry Point Golf Links, a venue managed by Donald Trump’s golf operation. Last year, citing sources “close to Donald Trump” -- a small circle if there ever was one -- Golf magazine reported that the parties had what amounted to a done deal: “An agreement” that “will move the tournament” to Ferry Point “in 2017, with a return engagement set for 2020.” Today, the tour says that Golf’s story “was never accurate,” a statement that begs another question: Why didn’t the tour object when the story was originally published? Be that as it may, ever since he made his insulting remarks about Mexican immigrants, Trump has boasted that his golf division hasn’t lost any money or prestige. He may be somewhat humbled now, however, because it’s evident that both he and the course’s owner, the city of New York, have been denied a golf event of substance. Trump can legitimately claim that he never truly had the Barclays, but clearly, it was his to lose. And now it’s gone, to a club on Long Island.

     Ever wonder how the CEOs of equipment manufacturers view the future of golf? Would it surprise you to learn that they pretend to be optimistic, because that’s how sales are made? At a recent Golfweek-sponsored get-together, a few CEOs had their say. Your job is to match the boss and his comments. I’ll list the correct answers at the end of today’s blog.

     1. David Abeles of TaylorMade Golf
     2. Chip Brewer of Callaway Golf
     3. Jason Jenne of True Temper Sports
     4. Robert J. Lamkin of Lamkin Grips
     5. Bob Philion of Cobra-Puma Golf
     6. Dave Schnider of Fujikura USA
     7. John A. Solheim of Ping

     A. “I remain bullish about golf in the years and decades ahead.”
     B. “I think the game’s at a pivotal time. We have to invite people to the game through sharing. I think as an industry we’re not very good at sharing.”
     C. “The golf industry is going to be just fine. It will be bright well into the future. The dialogue is shifting back to all the great things that are happening. I see consumers getting excited about clubs, balls, and accessories. And don’t forget shoes and apparel.”
     D. “I think kids will [eventually] come to the game of golf. I think it will have another resurgence because it’s a fabulous game that can be played for a lifetime. I truly believe this in my heart.”
     E. “Golf has a way of becoming part of the fabric of people’s lives, and I don’t think that is going to change.”
     F. “Some people seem to think golf should always be going up. I don’t think so.... There will always be ups and downs in the golf business.”
     G. “Custom-fitting is the future of the game.”

     To ease housing crunches, elected officials in two of the biggest metropolitan areas Down Under are thinking about selling golf courses to residential developers. Pressure is building in Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand, both of which have an under-supply of housing and an over-supply of golf properties. It’ll be months before any decisions are made, but some likely targets have already emerged: Facilities that have for decades been paying rents that are far below market value, in some cases as little as $1 a year. Such venues are effectively being subsidized by taxpayers, a situation that won’t be tolerated for long.

     In China, government officials who get caught golfing may find their careers in jeopardy. But the president of South Korea has encouraged her cabinet members to play golf, in the hope of perking up a low-energy economy. “We should make efforts to revitalize the golf industry,” said Park Geun-hye, who also supports cuts in taxes on greens fees. Park may be fighting an uphill battle, however, because the Korea Times reports that South Koreans generally have “negative sentiments” about golf and believe that private clubs are dens of corruption.

      Here are the answers to the quiz: 1-C, 2-E, 3-G, 4-A, 5-B, 6-D, 7-F.