Conference 7.286::golf

    
    Good topic.
    
    	What REALLY irritated me most  was when Gil Morgan was really
    struggling... 
    
    	Gil is the only player to reach double figures in a US Open
    tourny. The ONLY one. There's a very great chance he may always be
    the only one. Yesterday as his play continued to spiral into 
    plus figures... Brett showed his real class.
    
    	saying roughly, " Maybe Dr Morgan should have stayed in medicine".
    
    	He's a pinhead.
    
    	Walta

	I agree with you about Musberger.  Last year I felt that McKay was
	getting too old.  This year I felt McKay was doing a good job &
	dreaded when Brent came on.  Several times I had to hit the mute
	button on the remote because I couldn't stand it any longer.

>	And has anyone heard of a 'baffler club'?  He seemed to be talking
>	about Andy Dillard's 7 wood...

	There's a brand of clubs with rails on the bottom that are called
	bafflers.  The short fairway woods are popular for getting out
	of the rough.

Larry

    
    	The Sat show started with Jim Mckay going around the course with
    	a young boy - about 12 or so.  Jim showed him spots where great
    	things happened and he talked about his 20 something US Opens and
    	how the young boy would see many in his lifetime.
    
    	Then they come on live and Brent says something to Jim about him
    	and his "grandson"!!  Jim says "it's not my grandson, it's some
    	kid we found out there".
    
    	Talk about out of touch with the show !!!!  The lead-on piece and
    	he didn't know squat about it !!?!?!?
    
    	Sheesh
    
    

    You hit the nail on the head. Musburger is not for golf. He made double
    bogey with CBS and he's on his way to a DQ with ABC. The only guy worth
    a rat's butt is Peter Aliss. 
    
    Rossie and Musburger should be playing checkers under a nice shade tree. 
    When the A Team makes Jim "Old shakey hands" McKay look good it's a bad 
    day for TV golf. At least Peter Aliss has played golf and stays current
    on the players and their ability. How many times in the years of TV
    golf have you heard Rossie say something like this: The player has just
    hit off the fairway and in trouble behind a tree. Rossie says " He's
    got no shot. He'll have to hit out sideways and get the ball back in
    play." Just then the player and his caddie look over the options and
    take 6 iron under the first tree around the second tree and knock it on
    the front edge. You have got to give the players more credit for their
    talent.
    
    My other pet peave with ABC are the SkyCam Blimp shots. You can't cover
    golf from 7000 feet or from the top of a crane. The aerial shots are
    great but when a player is putting and he gets in the way of the hole,
    you can reposition the blimp or move the crane fast enough to change
    angles. This happened quite a few times this weekend. 
    
    If any of you subscribe to Golf Digest, there is an opportunity to make
    comments on the coverage of golf on TV. A questionaire is there to take
    your shot at TV golf. Mine was mailed the day I got it along with a
    letter attached. 
    
    Arghhhhh!!!
    
    Ken 

    If Brent could play that course without losing more than 1 dozen golf
    balls/and break 150 I would give him $100, not that he needs it!!  ABC
    pays him more than 10K per hour for his professional comentary!!!  Talk
    about the "peter principle"!
    
    mike

    
    	re: .4 - yikes, I totally disagree with you.  I _HATE_ Peter
    	Allis and the other British guy.  Everything is "brilliant,
    	marvelous, etc..." and he never shuts up!!  Way too many
    	words, esp. needless, overdone adjectives.
    
    	Also, those crane shots are great, esp. from behind at a slight
    	angle.  You see the whole trajectory - not just a ball in the
    	sky.
    
    	Whatever floats your boat, I guess...
    
    	Tom
    

     Sure wish they could resurrect Henry Longhurst...
    
    --Jack

    BRENT WHO???
         
        THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT OF HIS WORK A THE OPEN. NOW
     I UNDERSTAND WHY CBS GAVE HIM THE AX. THE WAY HE WAS TALKING    
     ABOUT HOW TOUGH THE COURSE WAS PLAYING WAS HUMORUS. I'LL
     BET HE'S NEVER EVEN PLAYED THE COUSRE. THE ONLY COURSE HE'S
     EVER PLAYED IS THE ONE WITH THE WINDMILL.  PLEASE ABC, NOT
     NEXT YEAR!

    Lets not forget the Norman comment he made either. Musb. says something
    like: I guess after seeing the conditions at PB, Greg Norman is probably
    glad he's not here playing.
    
    What an unprofessional comment. It just goes to show you Brent has
    never competed. I only hope that a CBS announcer mentions that the
    commentary is so tough he is sure Brent is glad he is not here covering
    the Masters or the Super Bowl or the Final Four.
    
    Ken

    My favorite Brentism was after Sluman rolled a 15 foot birdie putt 5
    feet past the hole.  They switched to some other golfer and Brent
    gives the update "Sluman just 'tapped' in for par".  
    
    Dan

     
    I believe the week before Brent was doing a Senior event. The one that
    J.C. had a bad time coming in and lost. Well I think it was Peter Allis
    who made a comment about the 13th hole that it was a diffecult hole but
    these a professional players and they should be able to play it without 
    all the complaining. Well Brent says " Well thats easy for you to say
    sitting up here in an air conditioned booth". Can you imagine the
    total ass this guy is to say something like that to a man like peter
    allis.

    Well, unfortunately I missed the open, I was in the woods camping, but
    my .02 cents worth, I met Brent before, and he is a real "Richard".
    
    My favorite golf narrators are Gary McCord and Ken Venturi, and Pat
    summerall.  I hate Ben Wright.
    
    bob
    

Re: .9

>    Lets not forget the Norman comment he made either. Musb. says something
>    like: I guess after seeing the conditions at PB, Greg Norman is probably
>    glad he's not here playing.

	I was stunned to hear him say that, it showed total lack of any
	understanding of what the pros feel.  Hell, I've never met one
	myself but just going to a tournament or listening to them on
	TV you can figure this much out.

	I was also really impressed by

	o "Isn't it sad to see one of the former greats who just doesn't
	  have it any more."  He said this on Friday about Jack Nicklaus!
	  I'm paraphrasing, but that's the gist of it.  Steve Melnyk proceeded
	  to blast him and recite the litany of Jack's US Open successes.
	  I guess Brent forgot/didn't know that Jack would be in the booth
	  with him on Saturday!

	o "You have to admire the gutty performance of Mark Sluman".

	o "The lone cypress." <10 second pause> "Just sit out there for
	  an afternoon, you will love it."

	By Sunday PM I think ABC woke up.  Jim McKay was anchoring and
	Brent was reduced to interviewing the players after their rounds.

	Golf Digest (or one of those) had an article on Brent a while
	back.  I didn't read it but apparently he's taking up the game.
	They had a picture of him swinging... blech.  It appears to be
	at (or near) impact, and he seems to be up on the toes of both feet.
	For all you Brent-haters it's a must-see :-)

Mike
	

    
    >	Golf Digest (or one of those) had an article on Brent a while
    >	back.  I didn't read it but apparently he's taking up the game.
    >	They had a picture of him swinging... blech.  It appears to be
    >	at (or near) impact, and he seems to be up on the toes of both feet.
    >	For all you Brent-haters it's a must-see :-)
    
    It basically said the he royally embarrased himself, golf and CBS at
    the Masters with comment that showed a more severe lack on knowledge
    than he has now. Comments like asking Jack if he could move his tee
    time in case his back felt better latter in the day.
    
    The article also went on to say that he is trying to improve, he has
    taken up the game (I believe a 16 handicap or so) and has been reading
    books on golf as fast as he can get them. If its true, at least he
    is making the effort to improve, but still has along way to go.
    
    --Bob
    

    Re: .14 - "Playin' ain't talkin'..." Whether he's a good player or a
    beater doesn't guarantee that Musburger will EVER really understand
    golf. 
    
    --Jack

    WOW did this note stir up some comments ! My dislike toward Brent goes
    back to the early 70's while in college in Chicago. Brent was "breaking 
    in" doing Bears football and was as arrogent then as he is now - only
    he was younger.
    
    When I hear him now I instantly hit the mute button - what a disgrace
    to golf, the pros and television.

    Regardless of Brent's handicap, I feel that it is his ignorance that
    hurts him most.
    
    Does Brent step in the line of his playing partners putts?  Hmmmm?
    
    bob
    

    When are they going to wake up and make Gary McCord the lead
    commentator for all televised golf shows. Knowledge and humor makes it
    interesting.  He cracked me up when someone hit a fat shot and he said
    "he hit a Roseann Barr!"  Who cares if he hits some nerves sometimes.
    
    mike

Re: -.1

>    When are they going to wake up and make Gary McCord the lead
>    commentator for all televised golf shows. Knowledge and humor makes it
>    interesting.  

I like McCord but I think having him be the lead commentator would drive me 
insane!  Especially for anything that really mattered like the US Open.  It's 
tough being a comedian.  Does he have enough material for a 4 hour routine?
You are right about knowledge & humor.  That's why Johnny Miller is a good 
commentator.

Larry

    I'm almost positive I heard BM (kinda appropriate initials) refer to
    some long grass off the edge of the green in the Senior Players Tourney
    as "egg plant" instead of "ice plant"...

    It sure was enjoyable watching the Buick open this weekend, with Pat,
    Ken, and even Ben Wright.  Golf is much more enjoyable when you have
    people that know the game, commentating it.  
    
    After reading all the replies about Brent, I sure am glad I was in
    the woods the weekend of the open, and not watching it.
    
    Oh well, fairways and greens!
    
    bob
    

    It was interesting to see how Pat Summerall could take 6-8 weeks off
    and hit the ground running like he was never away. I didn't sense any
    rust in his delivery at all.
    
    I hope he stays off the sauce and out of the Betty Ford Clinic. Golf
    needs him. 
    
    Ken

    Lets all call ABC or write ABC and ask that the Cheeseburger be
    replaced.  He is a too rare for me!!!

Agreed...Musberger makes me PUKE!

I'll take McCord, Miller, Venturi, Summerall, NICKLAUS, ANYTIME...

In general though, I don't usually like the coverage of golf in the US anyway.  
Have you ever seen a BBC telecast?  All action!  They don't play this game of
"So Bob, is it a 8 or 9 iron for Jack here...Now let's see that swing again...
Didn't he do the same thing back on number 11?"   Hey, I don't mind 'em showing
the leaders on the back 9, but the viewers miss a HELL of a lot of golf when the 
networks show ONLY the last 2 groups for 15 holes.  

As much as I like CBS coverage of The Masters', I've missed some great golf by
folks 4 shots out on the last day.  I wish they'd spend less time with the mental
masterbation and more time on the game.  Hey, I like the tid-bits on things like
"Kite's new move...sitting back on his heels before he starts his swing"  But
come on...how many times do we need to see one of these guys talk to his caddie 
before hitting a shot...Or...for God's sake...walking up a fairway!  Granted,
it's GREAT to see the big boys and leaders walk up 18,...but 13????

BTW, we should send the previous comments on Brent to ABC...maybe they'd let him
cover water polo or something...

djl

    
      Then again, 99% of my family and friends think I'm a weed for
    watching golf on TV.  They equate it to watching grass grow or 
    watching paint dry.  At 3.0-4.0 ratings, we should be happy that
    there is *any* golf on television at all.
    
    -rick

    Step aside Brent. Your replacement is on his way!!
    
    I have put Brent down a notch to the #2 spot and moved Peter Kostis
    into the #1 WalMart World Ranking as the worst announcer in golf.
    
    After watching the PGA this past week, I am convinced Peter is the
    worst. HE NEVER SHUTS UP. The endless chattering while a player is
    getting ready to play a shot is annoying. I thought Bob Murphy was a
    motor-mouth. Peter makes Bob look like a mime.
    
    Ken
    
    [fine print]
    The WalMart world rankings are the un-official ratings of TV
    evangilists and golf commentators. Points are scored based on
    performance over the past two years. Majors for commentators and
    Healings for evangilists are weighed more heavily.
    
     

>    I have put Brent down a notch to the #2 spot and moved Peter Kostis
>    into the #1 WalMart World Ranking as the worst announcer in golf.

	Your memory fades too fast...Brent is still in a league of his
	own...By the way, did anyone catch the interview with Daly on
	Saturday.  He really slammed Brent Mussberger in that one about
	not getting his facts straight...At the end the announcers said
	something like, "There you have it.  A candid interview with John
	Daly.  We at CBS don't agree with everything he said."

     Didn't see the interview w/Daly - wish I had more info. Guess by "we
    here at CBS," Mushmouth meant himself, but was trying to make it sound
    like the whole network disagreed w/Daly to back his opinion up. Here's
    my "editorial" view of Mushmouth - Hey Brent, buy a dress ! What a wimp
    - do you have any 8 X 10 glossies of Phil Donahue ?" This guy has been
    a moron too long for anyone else to even be considered in the same
    class (woops. I forgot Vin Scully...).
    
     I don't care if an announcer is terrific, or even good, but at least
    be a stand-up guy...
    
    --Jack
    
     

	Daly's interview made me come around to his camp for the first time.

	He's completely open.  How many pros would admit "I'd had a few beers"
	like he did when describing the airline incident?

	The guy really does play golf for the fans.  I'm sure that will
	change, but I admire his attitude.  (By that I mean, he'll start
	hitting 2 iron on narrow holes, like everyone else.)

	And of course, by bashing Brent, John Daly has endeared himself
	to me, possibly forever :-)

Mike

    I completely forgot the Daly interview. He also won my vote for being
    candid, slamming Buick, and the Mushroomburger. He also slammed Beamon
    and the tour guys for siding with Continental before checking the whole
    story.
    
    He does need a new hairstylist. 
    
    FWIW Daly bought a house at Castle Pines. Will he contend in this weeks
    International Stableford format?
    
    Ken 

>    I completely forgot the Daly interview. He also won my vote for being
>    candid, slamming Buick, and the Mushroomburger. He also slammed Beamon
>    and the tour guys for siding with Continental before checking the whole
>    story.

      What was said in the Daly interview?  A synopsis would do.

      Dale

    I will rely on those with better memories to chime in but...
    
    Daly in response to questions about some events in his life, especially
    those following his PGA win last year described some of the media as
    having less than a total grasp of their facts.  He proceeded to relate
    his perspective of the events including the airplane/alcohol event. 
    His comments about Brent were very specif to Musberger saying that DAly
    had trashed a hotel room in Jamaica at the World Championship.  Daly
    said "First of all he stayed in a house in Jamaica, secondly he trashed
    a hotel room in South Africa many years back, admitted that he had
    fought many a war with Jack Daniels and lost and that if the media had
    spent as much time checking facts as they had spent on making him a
    sopa apera star, he would have had a better year and the media would be
    better off as well.  He specifically slammed Musberger "I think he's
    the worst golf announcer in the business".  His story on the
    Contintental incident was also revealing, but I will let someone else
    expound on that.
    
    He did say that he is not ready to hit 4-5 irns off of the tees like he
    would have had to at Bellerive to be in contention.  He is satisfied
    right now with "gripping and ripping" and if it lands where he can have
    a good second shot, he may have a chance.  If not, he is not mentally
    (or financially) ready to tone his game down to meet the course.  OK
    with me...in fact that is why I like him.  Candid, plays the game his
    way and will accept what happens.  He is only 23(24?) and prior to
    those four days last year had not really been prepared to be a
    celebrity.  He met with and dealt with jealousy, envy, the press of
    media, endorsements, personl issues and then some golf.  Even when he
    tries to practice it makes the papers.  How many Nick Price stories
    have you read lately, what did he eat, where did he sleep.  How about
    some Gene Sauer stories or Jeff Sluman anecdotes.  Tough life even with
    the money.  He may grow into it magnanimously or he may be a lot like
    Lanny Wadkins was until he turned 40.
    
    SCD