THE GREATS OF GOLF: NICKLAUS, PLAYER AND SORENSTAM COMMENT ON THE GAME

The buzz around the grounds of The Woodlands Country Club indicated that some big names had made their way onto the property. Media members are accustomed to being around the top players in golf, but occasionally circumstances turn even the most seasoned reporters into fans. About 10:15 am on Saturday, Annika Sorenstam made her way into the media center, accompanied by son Will and husband Mike.  The 10 time LPGA major championship winner was relaxed and cordially greeted the gathering of press members. Next, global golf ambassador Gary Player entered, dressed all in white and taking every opportunity to espouse exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Finally, the greatest of all time, Jack Nicklaus made his appearance and the trio were led to a table in front of the small interview room adjacent to the area housing the media . Sorenstam is the first woman to play in the 3M Greats of Golf, an exhibition following the second round of the PGA Tour Champions Insperity Invitational in The Woodlands, Texas. It features twelve past champions of the game, including seven

Jack Nicklaus, Annika Sorenstam and Gary Player

members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Nicklaus, age 78, Player, 82 and Sorenstam, 47 covered a wide range of golf topics during a session that lasted just under 35 minutes. It began with Gary Player commenting on Sorenstam’s presence in the event. “I just think it’s wonderful that they decided to invite a woman to play. I’ve seen a lot of them play the last five years. I’ve been so impressed. They play so well.” The legendary global ambassador of golf’s remarks seemed apropos, considering that only 250 miles to the north, the Old American Golf Club in Colony, Texas was hosting the Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic.

Coincidentally, this month marks the fifteenth anniversary of Annika Sorenstam’s play at the PGA Tour’s (then) Bank of America Colonial, where she missed the cut, shooting 71 - 74 for a five over 145. The fact that she failed to qualify for the weekend really didn’t matter that much, as she had shown that she could compete at the highest level. Sorenstam reflected on the tournament. “I remember most of that week. Certainly it was the highlight of my career. It was at a time that I was at the peak of my career and I  was looking for different motivators to take my game to a new level.” For the record, she always played at a high level. From 1995 - 2006, Sorenstam won ten major championships and was LPGA player of the year and money winner ten times. She retired following the 2008 season, making the announcement a couple of days after winning her 90th professional tournament. “At that time it was golf, golf, golf. Now my life is fulfilled with other things.”

Gary Player watched by Annika Sorenstam and her son Will

Jack Nicklaus at the seventh hole at the Woodlands

One of the things that I knew from prior comments by Jack Nicklaus, in particular, was that all three of the greats have a keen interest in making sure the game of golf is healthy and established for future growth. I asked the trio how we do that. Jack Nicklaus was the first to respond. “We've got to get out of the dark ages. The millennials are looking for instant gratification. When Gary and I used to play the British Open, we’d play in two hours and 25 minutes. Why can’t we play in two hours and 25 minutes?” The 18 time major championship winner went on to answer his own question. “The three things are, golf courses are too difficult, the game is too expensive and it takes too long. We need to do things to bring people into the game and keep them in the game. I think the USGA and the PGA of America are very aware of that and I think they’re working on things to try to get there. It just takes time.” Gary Player, the always outspoken career Grand Slam winner, chimed in next. “I think the ball is the biggest detriment to golf. We should keep the ball as it is for weekend golfers because the professionals are not important at all when you think about the game. For professional golfers, it’s becoming a joke. It’s becoming the ruination of golf.” He was referring to the distance the current golf ball travels relative to past versions. “The head of a golf ball company in this country says, ‘Oh, well, the guys are bigger and stronger today’. That’s nonsense.” Player went on to name a number of former players who were every bit as athletic as many of those playing today, referencing George Bayer, Mike Souchak, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. “So that’s hogwash. The ball is just going too far.” Player’s solution? “Just cut the ball back fifty yards. The man who markets the best will still sell the most golf balls. I think the ball is the big problem.” Nicklaus then responded to Player’s comments. “The ball has always been the big problem. The ball is a contributing factor to all those other things. Gary’s absolutely dead right.”

Annika Sorenstam at the fifth hole of the Woodlands

Finally, Annika Sorenstam had a chance to give her take on the subject. “I think family is what we need to focus on. Growing the game within families, making clubs family friendly, kids friendly. It’s not just about introducing people to golf, how do we get them to stay in the game. I think that’s the biggest issue. You can do that by doing  a little bit more, you have to modernize a few things.” It’s no surprise that a woman who retired from the pinnacle of golf to focus on her family would bring that perspective to the conversation. “There’s so many options for young kids and families, of course time is the essence, you don’t have time to be out there for four hours. Can you play three holes, six holes, nine holes? Can you build courses that are easier to walk around for families? Maybe make clubs not just for golf.” The World Golf Hall of Famer has a foundation that focuses on bringing young girls into the game of golf. “It’s not just about hitting seven irons or being good players. It’s much more than the game. What other game do you have someone in their seventies and eighties being here? That’s what the game of golf has to offer, it’s a game for life, so we need to get families in there. I still think there’s growth for women. I know there are women out there who can pick up the game. We can grow the game, there’s no doubt. I know there are initiatives out there and we've just got to keep on going. Address the difficulty, accessibility and the time.”
 

An hour later, the hoopla moved to the practice range, with the rest of the 3M Greats of Golf warming up for the 18 hole, scramble format event. The area was filled with interested media, including former players Lanny Wadkins, John Mahaffey, John Cook and Billy Ray Brown, all with the Golf Channel. Wadkins was giving Tom Weiskopf, who is coming off knee surgery, a driving

lesson. Fuzzy Zoeller was talking to just about anyone who would listen in between practice shots."I don't play five days in a row anymore", he remarked as he showed Billy Ray Brown a sore left hand
. Meanwhile, a PGA Tour staffer was trying to gather all participants for a group photograph. It

The 3M Greats of Golf

seemed as if the second round of the Insperity Invitational was secondary in importance.  Finally, the 3M Greats of Golf began, with Fuzzy Zoeller, Charles Coody and Bill Rodgers leading off with the team of Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Annika Sorenstam the last to tee off. Zoeller's group started fast, with birdies on the first four holes and they held on to tie the group of Hale Irwin, Larry Nelson and Dave Stockton at 12 under par. After a slow start, the Nicklaus, Player and Sorenstam started making some birdies but finished at 10 under par, the same score as the team of Tony Jacklin, Tom Weiskopf and David Graham.

Hear my interview with legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg, where we discussed his agency, concussions, franchise relocation and philanthropy at http://thechtonsports.com/cold-hard-truth-sports-radio-show-1242017/

Also listen to our conversation with author and sports journalist Mike Carey, as we discussed his latest book "Bad News" about Marvin Barnes and reminisced about Mike's coverage of the Boston Celtics during their glory years with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge and Robert Parish. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/golongmedia/2017/02/08/the-cold-hard-truth-on-sports-radio-show

Don't forget to check out my new book, "Offsetting Penalties - A PK Frazier Novel" at  Amazon.com. Also check out www.thechtonsports.com for our podcasts and live broadcast on Tuesday's at 8:30 pm EST. I can also be reached via email at kevin@pkfrazier.com.