Really is this any worse than our government selling them weapons of war or us burning their oil? Maybe I am just missing the point. Rich guys whining about their club house getting fixed up by blood money, never stopped them before. Just looks bad so now they have to make it sound like it wasn’t their idea but, isn’t the new club house nice? Golf!?(yawn)
John, the USA has considered Saudi Arabia a friend for decades. Even on 9/1/2001 when 15 Saudi nationals out of 19 terrorists attacked the USA, we took our retaliation out on Iraq and let Saudi Arabia skate free, (wonder why?)
It’s sorry behavior on our part not to take the Saudi’s to task for their behavior, then and now, and it’s hypocritical behavior to criticize Pumpkin Ridge for accepting the invitation to host this tournament. As Mr. Sanchez says, “we are known by the company we keep”. Those critical of Pumpkin Ridge now need to look in the mirror.
I'm hoping the event is a dismal failure. It's sad that some people think "money is money" no matter where it comes from. My heart goes out to the Smart family.
For some reason you do hold all other professional athletes and franchise owners to the same standard as golf. You probably are driving your car powered by Saudi supplied gasoline, eg Shell and Chevron.
For some reason you are not sympathetic to professional golfers who want to spend more time with their families.
For some reason you think that it is ok for the PGA to expect its players to be present for nearly every PGA event all year long.
I feel for the Members of Pumpkin Ridge but what they are experiencing is no different than every other club that chooses to host a tour event.
Shameful. I wonder if Lefty, Greg Norman et. al. have considered what it would feel like to enter an American or Australian embassy in a foreign nation only to be abducted by a government hit squad, taken to the basement and dismembered limb by limb with a bone saw - because they spoke truth to power? The again, when have any of them - with rare exception (T. Woods) done that?
Read your column today on LIV Golf at Pumpkin Ridge and, while I'm glad for the opinion/news piece and found it interesting, it brought to mind an earlier column you wrote about giving people an escape from the daily grind with your work and your words. John, respectfully, this wasn't that escape.
To me, this whole thing comes across as a bit sanctimonious. Of course its a money grab! As an outsider to the golf world looking in occasionally on Sunday afternoons, and a one time visitor to Augusta, the whole sport looks and feels like a money grab to me and, I suspect, most other non-golfers. I remember all those sponsors that loved Tiger Woods for much of his career, then dumped him in an instant when he didn't turn out to be the saint he never was. I remember missing the draft by a couple of months back in the 70's, and now I buy shoes and clothes made in Vietnam of all places.
Not defending LIV golf. Using Saudi ownership logic as a reason to not support their product, are the fans of the following soccer clubs supposed to drop their allegiance and start rooting for competitors clubs because of Saudi ownership of their teams?
Hull City Tigers F.C., Malaga C.F., Everton F.C., Manchester City F.C., Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Newcastle United F.C., Sheffield F.C., Aston Villa F.C.
Does Joe Biden represent who YOU are as a person or business?
No, then why is everyone acting like this Suadi Company is the same as their hateful government?
Joe Biden is BEGGING the Saudi's to sell him oil, AFTER he publically stated they are terrorists. Where is all of your HATE a vitriol for HIM in your PUBLIC columns? You cannot have it BOTH ways or you are being dishonest!
Thank you for this column about LIV and Pumpkin Ridge. I worked in the Middle East for many years and it is my considered opinion that anything done to make the Saudis look better is morally wrong. They are hated in the Middle East, for good reason.
______________ (unprintable for your page). escalante and pumpkin ridge (no longer worth capitalizing) sold their soul for $$. Simple as that. Nuff said.
Really is this any worse than our government selling them weapons of war or us burning their oil? Maybe I am just missing the point. Rich guys whining about their club house getting fixed up by blood money, never stopped them before. Just looks bad so now they have to make it sound like it wasn’t their idea but, isn’t the new club house nice? Golf!?(yawn)
John, the USA has considered Saudi Arabia a friend for decades. Even on 9/1/2001 when 15 Saudi nationals out of 19 terrorists attacked the USA, we took our retaliation out on Iraq and let Saudi Arabia skate free, (wonder why?)
It’s sorry behavior on our part not to take the Saudi’s to task for their behavior, then and now, and it’s hypocritical behavior to criticize Pumpkin Ridge for accepting the invitation to host this tournament. As Mr. Sanchez says, “we are known by the company we keep”. Those critical of Pumpkin Ridge now need to look in the mirror.
Say her name…Fallon Smart, enough said.
Well said John Canzano!
I'm hoping the event is a dismal failure. It's sad that some people think "money is money" no matter where it comes from. My heart goes out to the Smart family.
John... We are known by the company we keep.
The team concept surrounding the LIV event does nothing to enhance golf.
It tells me everything about greed and cowardice and whitewashing unspeakable behavior.
Some stains don't wash out. I feel badly for Pumpkin Ridge staff and members. They are bystanders, not willing participants.
For some reason you do hold all other professional athletes and franchise owners to the same standard as golf. You probably are driving your car powered by Saudi supplied gasoline, eg Shell and Chevron.
For some reason you are not sympathetic to professional golfers who want to spend more time with their families.
For some reason you think that it is ok for the PGA to expect its players to be present for nearly every PGA event all year long.
I feel for the Members of Pumpkin Ridge but what they are experiencing is no different than every other club that chooses to host a tour event.
I feel sorry for the pumpkin ridge staffers, and members, who have to deal with this mess.
Shameful. I wonder if Lefty, Greg Norman et. al. have considered what it would feel like to enter an American or Australian embassy in a foreign nation only to be abducted by a government hit squad, taken to the basement and dismembered limb by limb with a bone saw - because they spoke truth to power? The again, when have any of them - with rare exception (T. Woods) done that?
Read your column today on LIV Golf at Pumpkin Ridge and, while I'm glad for the opinion/news piece and found it interesting, it brought to mind an earlier column you wrote about giving people an escape from the daily grind with your work and your words. John, respectfully, this wasn't that escape.
To me, this whole thing comes across as a bit sanctimonious. Of course its a money grab! As an outsider to the golf world looking in occasionally on Sunday afternoons, and a one time visitor to Augusta, the whole sport looks and feels like a money grab to me and, I suspect, most other non-golfers. I remember all those sponsors that loved Tiger Woods for much of his career, then dumped him in an instant when he didn't turn out to be the saint he never was. I remember missing the draft by a couple of months back in the 70's, and now I buy shoes and clothes made in Vietnam of all places.
Not defending LIV golf. Using Saudi ownership logic as a reason to not support their product, are the fans of the following soccer clubs supposed to drop their allegiance and start rooting for competitors clubs because of Saudi ownership of their teams?
Hull City Tigers F.C., Malaga C.F., Everton F.C., Manchester City F.C., Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Newcastle United F.C., Sheffield F.C., Aston Villa F.C.
Read: PGA Tour Series--China. So where does one draw the line?
Does Joe Biden represent who YOU are as a person or business?
No, then why is everyone acting like this Suadi Company is the same as their hateful government?
Joe Biden is BEGGING the Saudi's to sell him oil, AFTER he publically stated they are terrorists. Where is all of your HATE a vitriol for HIM in your PUBLIC columns? You cannot have it BOTH ways or you are being dishonest!
Who is “Par 5”, the company that is putting on the LIV golf tournament?
Thank you for this column about LIV and Pumpkin Ridge. I worked in the Middle East for many years and it is my considered opinion that anything done to make the Saudis look better is morally wrong. They are hated in the Middle East, for good reason.
When I think of pumpkin ridge now I think
______________ (unprintable for your page). escalante and pumpkin ridge (no longer worth capitalizing) sold their soul for $$. Simple as that. Nuff said.