Ryder Will Return

“This has been a very long, very arduous process, but I think we also need to put it in perspective, right? This pandemic has caused so much pain across the world, and this is a paper cut relative to what so many others are going through. We’re going to live to fight another day and hopefully we’ll have the kind of Ryder Cup that we have dreamed about.”

The PGA Tour’s Presidents Cup, which had been scheduled for Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2021 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, will now be played in September, 2022. The Ryder Cup will be held in odd years, with the Presidents Cup in even years.

In a corresponding decision, the Junior Ryder Cup at Blue Mound Golf & Country Club in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, featuring the top junior golfers in the U.S. and Europe, was rescheduled for Sept. 20-21, 2021. It was originally scheduled for Sept. 21-22, 2020.

Steve Stricker of Madison, Wisconsin, named U.S. Ryder Cup team captain in February 2019, will remain in that capacity, as will his counterpart, Padraig Harrington of Ireland.

“While it is disappointing that the Ryder Cup won’t be played this year, the decision to reschedule is the right thing to do under the circumstances,” Stricker said. “At the end of the day, we want to stage a Ryder Cup that will rival all other Ryder Cups in my home state of Wisconsin, and now we have an opportunity to showcase the event as it was meant to be seen.” Harrington agreed.

“Rescheduling the Ryder Cup was never going to be an easy decision given the many factors to take into consideration. But I believe it is the right assessment given the unprecedented circumstances we are facing at this time.”

The decision to postpone was made jointly by the major stakeholders — the PGA of America, the PGA Tour and the European Tour — after months of discussion and negotiation. Waugh, who consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hired an infectious diseases expert and even phoned Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy for advice, called it “the most complicated deal of my career.”

The Ryder Cup is the most lucrative event in golf and postponement required the cooperation of the PGA Tour, which rakes in millions from the Presidents Cup. It also had a domino effect, with the Ryder Cup scheduled for 2022 in Rome moved back to 2023 and four more previously scheduled Ryder Cups in the U.S. all moved

THE PGA OF AMERICA OFFERED THE KOHLER CO. AN OPPORTUNITY TO OPT OUT OF ITS CONTRACT … IT WAS NEVER A SERIOUS CONSIDERATION.

back one year.

“As Seth described it, we now face an array of logistical challenges with our colleagues at the PGA of America and with the PGA Tour, with Whistling Straits, with future venues on both sides of the Atlantic, with our commercial and broadcast partners and with our various event suppliers,” said Guy Kinnings, the European Tour’s deputy CEO. “We are so grateful

for the understanding and cooperation of everyone involved in the process.”

The PGA of America offered the Kohler Co. an opportunity to opt out of its contract to host the 43rd Ryder Cup, but David Kohler, the company’s president and CEO, said it was never a serious consideration.

“From Day 1, we have been all-in to serve as honored hosts of the Ryder Cup,” Kohler said in a statement to Golftime. “We embrace the responsibility and opportunity in bringing the Ryder Cup to Wisconsin — now in 2021. It’s an incredible celebration of the game of golf and a capstone event recognizing the tremendous contribution that Herb Kohler and Pete Dye have made in making Wisconsin a top global golf destination.

“Our team remains fully committed to delivering an unmatched experience, seeing it through safely and creating lifelong memories for all involved, locally and around the world.”

Tickets purchased for the 2020 Ryder Cup via rydercup.com will automatically be valid for the corresponding day(s) in 2021. The event was a sellout, with approximately 200,000 tickets claimed in a random lottery in October 2019.

The PGA of America said it would contact those who secured tickets via rydercup. com to facilitate refunds for those unable to attend in 2021. People who purchased tickets and hospitality packages on the secondary market will have to contact that specific site directly.

As for the PGA’s ability to stage the Ryder Cup with a full contingent of fans in 2021, Waugh said there were no guarantees.

“I think I would bet on science, I guess, is what I would say … about the ability to figure out treatments, vaccines or protocols for safety, given that we have 15 months to do that,” he said. “But there frankly is no guarantee. If we do get to this time next year and we can’t responsibly hold it, it likely will result in a cancellation at that point. I don’t think we can perpetually roll things forward.

“We’re hopeful that we will hold it, but all bets are off in terms of what’s going on in the world.”

DRIVE, CHIP & PUTT

Here’s the best gear for getting back to golf’s basics

If you’re like us, “midseason form,” means suddenly nit-picking every club in your bag, looking for the weak link and a quick fix. When it’s time to mix things up, one of the best things you can do is get back to basics — drive, chip and putt. Here are some suitable replacements in those three crucial categories.

TaylorMade TP Patina Collection

Look good, play good, goes the saying, and it’s tough to imagine a putter looking better than one from TaylorMade’s new TP Patina lineup. The collection includes seven different putter head options, all with the new patina finish — combining black nickel and copper for a unique look that will oxidize over time. Ooff.

$299. taylormadegolf.com.

Ping G410 Plus

Ping’s newest driver drops some serious tech to help golfer’s with mid-range swing speeds. Easily adjustable with a moveable weight system, the G410 Plus can promote a draw, fade or neutral shot shape, with improved forgiveness and flight height. This Ping goes boom. $500. ping.com.

Titlelist Vokey SM8

Bob Vokey might be the biggest name in wedge design, and the new

SM8 might be his best yet. The new SM8 aims to help you in three areas: distance control, shot versatility and spin. The SM8 sounds like a triple threat to us. $159. vokey.com. .

Odyssey Stroke Lab Black

The No. 1 putter company on every major tour has turned its mad scientists loose yet again, and the result is the beauty called Stroke Lab Black. Its innovative shaft saves 40 grams of weight, redistributing it to the head and grip of the putter for better balance and improved tempo and consistency in your stroke.

$299. odyssey.com.

TaylorMade SIM Max D

Just like your swing, the team at TaylorMade knows if you keep things the same you get the same result. Their new SIM drivers have an asymmetrical sole design and Inertia Generator to increase speed when you need it most. The Max D model promotes a draw shot shape, great for mid- to highhandicappers needing a midseason fade fix.

$500. taylormadegolf.com.

Callaway Jaws MD5

Just when you thought it wasn’t safe in the sand anymore … comes Jaws. Touted as having the “Most Aggressive Teeth in Golf,” Callaway’s Jaws MD5 wedges come in 23 different loft/bounce combos and five grind styles. Jaws is as custom to you as your smile.

$159. callawaygolf.com.

Bettinardi BB1 Flow

Bob Bettinardi’s BB Series putters turn 21 this year, with the first ones unveiled back in 1999. Now they’re old enough to drink, you’ll want to toast them after a few rounds with the BB1 Flow, returning to the lineup after a five-year hiatus. The BB1-F features a flat topline, softened for a Tour-preferred, more contoured appearance, in addition to the Super-Fly Mill face. Salute! $300. bettinardi.com

TaylorMade Milled Grind 2.0

The Milled Grind 2.0 is truth in advertising: The reimagined club combines precision milling with a “Raw Face” technology that will slowly rust the face, but not the rest of the club. The laser-etched grooves are designed to deliver greater green side spin. $169.

taylormadegolf.com.

Mizuno T20 Blue Ion

If your short game’s got the blues, Mizuno’s T20 Blue Ion might have the cure for what ails you. The T20 is made with a “Grain Flow Forged HD” process to create consistency, distance control and incredible feedback. $149.

mizunousa.com.

PING Sigma 2

Do you feel like you’re swinging a hammer on the greens? PING’s Sigma 2 invites you to the softer side of things, with a responsive feel but a firm face. The Sigma 2 also offers an adjustablelength shaft to find the right fit for you. Sounds like a great fit to us already. $219. ping.com.

Cobra King MIM

Another contender is Cobra’s King MIM wedges. The MIM (that stands for Metal Injection Molded) is designed to deliver a soft and precise feel and create more consistency with your short game.

$159. cobragolf.com.

Bridgestone Tour B JGR

While many club makers seem bent on building Tour-ready clubs, Bridgestone’s take is their new Tour B JGR series, aiming at helping the rest of us: the mid- to high-handicappers. (Thank you.) Case in point: The Tour B JGR driver. With a 460cc head and “boost wave” crown, it’s designed to help you hit it higher, longer and straighter, with a slight draw bias. Sign us up!

$297. bridgestonegolf.com.

Erin Hills, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Sand Valley, The Ryder Cup, SentryWorld, Wisconsin Dells, Lake Geneva, Badgers, cheese, tournaments, Lake Michigan, friendly golfers, views, beer, lakes, fun, and so much more… Then you need to follow If you love Erin Hills, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Sand Valley, The Ryder Cup, SentryWorld, Wisconsin Dells, Lake Geneva, Badgers, cheese, tournaments, Lake Michigan, friendly golfers, views, beer, lakes, fun, and so much more… Then you need to follow If you love The Voice of Golf in Wisconsin The Voice of Golf in Wisconsin

Best golf writers in the state with Gary D’Amato, Rob Hernandez and Dennis McCann. Daily updates on all things golf. Best golf writers in the state with Gary D’Amato, Rob Hernandez and Dennis McCann. Daily updates on all things golf.

www.Wisconsin.golf www.Wisconsin.golf Killarney Golf Media publishes Wisconsin.golf and Golftime Midwest Killarney Golf Media publishes Wisconsin.golf and Golftime Midwest

Titleist Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12.5

For many struggling golfers, it’s not the swing it’s the setup. Scotty Cameron’s Phantom X 12.5 gives golfers a new setup option — a low-bend shaft and a single milled sight line. Titleist’s Phantom X 12.5 combines stainless steel and aircraft-grade aluminum for better feel, forgiveness and feedback. $429. titleist.com.

Cleveland CBX 2

Cleveland can make a case as the King of Wedges, and it’s no wonder with the new CBX 2s. Built for the average and high-handicap golfers, the CBX 2 provides tour-level spin and control for players looking to punch up their short game.

$139. clevelandgolf.com.

Titleist TS1

Titleist has gone back to basics, too, and spent the past two years breaking down their drivers and rebuilding every facet for greater speed. The result is the stellar TS1, with the thinnest crown around to move that weight down and low, for higher speeds and launch angle, with a slight draw bias. Watch it go. $499. titleist.com.

Are You a Real Golfer?

As I write this, I know I’m like millions of other people who are happy to have had golf as an escape from reality this year. While wondering about that, it occurred to me (not for the first time) to ask myself a question that I encourage you to ask yourself as well: What kind of a golfer am I? By that I don’t mean what kind of a golfer am I ability-wise, I mean what kind of a golfer am I person-wise. Put another way, are you a real golfer, or a golfer in name only? Yeah OK, you’ve got a bag full of nice clubs, cool shoes, the latest outfit, and maybe a low handicap. That doesn’t make you a real golfer; there’s more to it than that.

Photo by Nile Young Jr.

For example, when you get to a golf course — whether it’s your regular course or a new one — how does the staff treat you and how do you respond? Are the people in the pro shop friendly and happy to have you there, is the wait staff helpful and eager to supply you with some food or a drink? And what

by Danny Freels

about the superintendent and members of the grounds crew? Do they greet you with a smile or a wave as you pass by? If the answer to those questions is no, then I suggest you finish your round and not go back.

If, on the other hand, the answer to those questions is yes, think about how you treated them. Were you friendly in the pro shop, did you leave your waitress a nice tip, and did you wave back to the woman mowing the fairways? Years ago, someone at some public course somewhere came up with an advertising line that I believe has hurt golf etiquette immensely. The line was, “Your country club for a day.” Unfortunately, too many golfers took that to mean they were special and could act as badly as they wanted. That it was OK to take a divot on a green, or trash a trash can or toss a tee marker into the weeds.

It’s sad but true — and I speak from experience.

For the past 13 years, I’ve worked as a seasonal grounds crew member at a golf course near where I live in Michigan. One of the worst, most disheartening days I’ve had during this otherwise enjoyable time was the day two seniors pulled up to the tee where I was filling divots and one of them walked over and began to urinate only a few yards from where I was — as if I was nothing more than a tree. It made me so mad I wanted to knock this fellow senior of mine on his butt. But I didn’t — partly because I would’ve been fired immediately and partly because I probably would’ve been sued. Another reason was because I knew this old fart was not a real golfer and he was never, ever going to be.

What about you?

1. Arrowwood Resort

www.arrowwoodresort.com

2. Black Bear Golf Course

www.golfatthebear.com

3. Braemar Golf Course

www.braemargolf.com

4. Breezy Point Resort

www.breezypointresort.com

5. Chaska Town Course

www.chaskatowncourse.com

6. Cragun’s Resort

www.craguns.com

7. Destination Bloomington

www.bloomingtonmn.org

8. Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort

www.giantsridge.com

9. Legends Club

www.legendsgc.com

10. Madden’s on Gull Lake

www.maddens.com

11. Minnesota National GC

www.mnnationalgolfcourse.com

12. Prestwick Golf Club

www.prestwick.com

13. Ridges at Sand Creek

www.ridgesatsandcreek.com

14. Royal Golf Club

www.royalclubmn.com

15. Rush Creek Golf Club

www.rushcreek.com

16. Stonebrooke Golf Club

www.stonebrooke.com

17. StoneRidge Golf Club

www.stoneridgegc.com

18. Superior National GC

www.superiornational.com 94 19. Territory Golf Club www.territorygc.com 20. The Wilds Golf Club www.golfthewilds.com 21. Wilderness at Fortune Bay 94 15 14 12 5 3 7 9 16 20 17 35E 35W www.golfthewilderness.com 35 13 22

22. Willingers Golf Club

www.willingersgc.com VISIT MINNESOTA Home of Great Golf and the 2016 & 2028 Ryder Cups

Play golf where the best golfers in the world play!

The land of 10,000 water holes invites you to test your game at some of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the world — enjoy Minnesota golf.

QUALITY VARIETY PRICE-POINT VALUE

6 4 10

Brainerd 21 8

Duluth 11 2

1 18

1

Alexandria

St. Cloud 19

Alexandria

94

15

35W 94

5 3 16 20 9 7

13 22 35

35E

14 17 12

Twin Cities

Rochester

6 4 10

Brainerd

St. Cloud 19