PGA Tour Turning Into No Fun League
- Dan Hauser
- 16 Jan, 2015
TPC Phoenix and the Waste Management Phoenix Open has always been the most unique stop on the PGA Tour schedule.
Routinely known as a party with a golf tournament going on in the middle, the par 3 16th hole at TPC Phoenix has always been the epicenter of the party. In the addition to the tens of thousands of people that surround the hole stadium style in the bleachers and sky suites, the golfers and caddies had started to get in on the fun over the years.
Caddie races started, where the caddies of each of the golfers would race from the tee to the green at 16 after their golfers had hit their tee shots. Some golfers would routinely throw “swag” to some of the faithful in the stands as well, usually after either getting applauded for hitting the green or booed for missing the green off the tee.
It was certainly the liveliest of holes in all of golf. That’s before the PGA Tour got involved.
Last year, the Tour announced that caddie races were no longer permitted sighting a concern over the possibility of injury. Now, whether it’s because Tiger Woods is playing in the event for the first time since 2001, or because Roger Goodell took over Tim Finchem’s body, the Tour is striking again and now banning anything being thrown into the crowd.
This was the sign awaiting golfers this week that are participating in the Sony Open in Hawaii and as you can see it is not a popular one
The PGA Tour becoming like the no fun league. Trying to take the fun out of Phoenix Open. pic.twitter.com/tuWl7dAwsp
— Alex Miceli (@alexmiceli) January 13, 2015
I get the logic behind the caddie races but now this?!?
I didn’t realize that Rickie Fowler or Bubba Watson tossing a couple of hats to some fans on their way to the green could be so dangerous.
For those that might not be familiar with the party on 16, here are a few examples of just some of the things you might have seen in the past:
Seems like a lot of fun doesn’t it? Not only that but it is one of the most unique experiences in sports. And yet, the PGA Tour is doing away with it all, for this year at least.
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About Dan Hauser
As an avid golfer and sports enthusiast, Dan has had a passion for sports starting at a very young age. Dan’s other passion has always been writing. Since the time he could write, he has always enjoyed sharing information with people and telling stories through writing. In middle school he combined his two loves by joining the school newspaper in the sports department.
