PGA Tour Doldrums

Excuse me if I'm the only one that hasn't paid rapt attention to the latest PGA Tour offerings. I respectfully submit that I didn't catch a stroke of Brian Gay's 10 shot victory at the Verizon Heritage last weekend. The 10 shot cushion in my mind was either Mr. Gay catching lightning in a bottle, or a commentary on the weakness of the field. The upcoming Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Andres Romero defends, promises to be more of the same. To be fair, these "B" events present a great opportunity for a rising star to put the 1st notch on his win belt. Nick Watney won the New Orleans tournament in 2007 and he's certainly a bright light in the circle of new breed golfers. Boo Weekley's back to back at the Verizon put his mug and country style in front of a lens. All good. Still, not enough to get me to devour hours of couch time watching. I can't get too worked up viewing what's obviously a second rate professional sporting event. These matches are like Triple A baseball. Play well and gain an entrance on the stage of the majors and pseudo-majors where the big boys make their hay. Sort of like year round Q school.

The next round of must-sees starts with the Quail Hollow Championship, (formerly The Wachovia), on 4/30 - 5/3, followed by The Players Championship, 5/7 - 5/10. The Quail Hollow tourney typically attracts one of the strongest fields of the tour's "regular" events. Players evidently love the course and treatment they receive. Woods, Mickelson and entourage should take control of the remote in Average Golfer's living room. Playing or watching golf is a time consuming proposition. With the hint of spring finally in the air my attention is being turned from watching to playing. Sure, I can play a round on a Sunday morning and be firmly entrenched in my recliner for the final day's round on tour, but my modest Protestant leanings lay a serious guilt trip on me for seemingly wasting a day.

You make the call. Watch or play, but do something.

Average Golfer opinion poll..... Of Brian Gay's Verizon Heritage booty, which is goofier, the blazer or the trophy?






Til' next,