Ann's Column: Money and Morality, It’s Just Not About Golf
Opinion
If you are looking for respect, how do you get it? Most of us respect those who work hard, treat others “as they would themselves.” Tenacity, kindness, ability, and achievement help earn respect. We know that some think they can buy respect. Evidently, that’s what Saudi Arabia is doing with the formation of the new golf series LIV. It seems they want the world to see them in a better light. After all, 15 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11 were Saudi. It is a country that oppresses women, kills journalists. Its human rights reputation is dismal worldwide. Is LIV just a diversion? Are they trying to buy respect?
Money does talk with this new LIV Golf Series. Just to sign up, lefty Phil Mickelson received 200 million dollars! Others who have signed on to LIV have received 150 million each! Their first tournament was in England last week, and the winner made 4 million. Everyone who played made money. The caddies were treated too. Many are calling these big bucks “blood money.” Families of 9/11 victims are vigorously protesting American golfers who have joined LIV. Australian Greg Norman justifies his LIV leadership by saying, “Every country has dirt.” Some who have joined say they are doing it for their families. Others argue what kind of message does it send to your daughters, to your soul”? Many seem to think the golfers of LIV are selling out human rights for dollars. Tiger Woods was offered millions just to join. For someone who has so many physical problems that would be a huge cushion, but his answer was a resounding, “NO.”
The Professional Golf Association (PGA) is opposed and will not allow LIV golfers to play in PGA tournaments. Only time will tell if punishing those who play elsewhere is smart. The PGA is making golfers choose between the two. Those who choose their freedom from PGA rules and choose big money also choose to support dollars from a country whose people do not have freedom to choose; many see those golfers as choosing aristocracy over democracy. Will this rivalry bring pettiness and poor sportsmanship or could it actually help the sport of golf? Perhaps the PGA will bend a little, treat new and young members better; offer more support and reward to the caddies and to those who play but don’t play well enough to contend for money the last two days of a tournament.
Will this feud show us that golf is now totally about money, about control or will there be some positive concessions made to keep the legacy of the old Scottish game, of a game that put our North Carolina Sandhills on the map? Who can predict the outcome of this rivalry? Will the PGA become the Minor League and LIV the Majors? Will LIV last a couple of years and then fade? Will money win? Compromise seems necessary, but we recognize that compromise and concessions are in extremely short supply these days.
