Reform in NCAA

There are no need for reform with the NCAA and sports.  Players should not receive money for anything, and the thought that these players think they should receive money is ridiculous.  People think that they should be paid because this might be categorized as "labor", and this thought is just stupid.  Playing a sport is no where near labor, we watch sports for entertainment for a reason.  You don't see us watching construction works on the TV because that is actual labor.  A sport is nothing like anyother job, it's a game.  It's a form of entertainment for the both the viewer and the player.  I do believe though that student atheletes shouldnt pay for anything, thing like food, housing, and other necessities.  But other then that I don't not think college atheletes should e paid.  Think about it, if you give a 18,19,20 year old kid money for playing their sport, you don't know what they could do with that money.  And the more money they receive the more they become unpredictable.  NCAA should not pay their atheletes money since these atheletes are amateurs in their sport.

Amateur Golfers

An Amateur golfer is define as, "one who plays golf for the challenge  it presents, not as a professional or for financial gain."  Rule 3 of the Rules of Amateur Status prohibits an amateur golfer from accepting prize money.  Those who choose to take the money forfeit his/her amateur status.  That's why you never see college players take any prize money.  They can play in tournaments where prize money is available but they have to waive their right to take the money so they don't get in trouble with both the NCAA and the USGA.  That's why you see some college players in some Major tournaments with an (a), next to their name to let everyone know they are an amateur.  There was a story back in 2011 where a Freshman in high school won a charity putting contest for $5,000 and did not accept the money.  And people might be thinking this kid is crazy but he did this so he wouldn't mess up his amateur status.  He refused the money and still kept his amateur status.
I believe this is how all sports should be played.  Golf does a very good job distinguishing between amateurs and professionals.  It's simple once you accept any form of money for play golf, you are a professional not an amateur.  Although amateurs in golf who are playing in tour events, may receive finical aid for the expenses for that tournament like transportation, food, housing, etc. 
The Rules also allow an amateur golfer to receive financial support directly from anyone for an individual competition where the expenses are $300 or less.  Once the amount exceeds $300 dollars, he/she may still receive finical support from sources other than family members but it has to be approved by and paid through the golfer’s state or local golf association.  But amateurs may not under any circumstances receive money for playing golf.  I believe these rules are fair and do a good job with separating the amateurs and professionals.







http://www.usga.org/rules/amateur_status/amateur-status/




http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/golf/teen-golfer-garrett-sauls-wins-putting-contest-turns-down-5000-prize-to-avoid-risking-amateur-status/2011/06/01/AGD2WXWH_story.html
 

16th Hole at The Waste Management Phoenix Open

The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale is one of the most iconic and loudest holes in all of golf.  With stadium like stands all around the hole it creates a different feeling for golfers and the fans too.  This hole alone has grown bigger and bigger every year.  But for the past two years the PGA tour has establish new rules that limits how much fans can interact with players and how much players can interact with fans.  Other then the last 3 seasons the 16th hole had players and even caddies entertained fans.  Players would toss balls, hats, and even start throwing some footballs since the Super Bowl was on the same Sunday as The Waste Management.  Caddies however would participate in caddie races where each of the opponents caddies would race to the green with golf backs on their backs.  Three years ago, the tour discontinued caddie races for the safety of the caddies.   The PGA Tour also put out a notice to players and caddies stating that, for fan safety reasons, players and caddies are prohibited from throwing, kicking, or otherwise propelling items into the crowd on the 16th hole.  They felt that fans could have been harmed by the things that were thrown in the crowd.  This past year, a golfer named Ryan Palmer, would throw balls with 10$ bills wrapped around them so that the fan could enjoy a "drink on him."  Even thought the PGA Tour did not approve of this he still did it.  Here's the truth, The Waste Management Phoenix Open loved the caddie races and loved having players interact with fans on the 16th hole, throwing hats, T-shirts, candy or whatever into the crowd. It's part of what makes the hole the greatest show on grass.








http://espn.go.com/golf/blog/_/name/golf/id/12162851/pga-tour-taking-fun-waste-management-phoenix-open-16th-hole-golf

Fans

Throughout the history of golf fans have been watching the sport with great enthusiasm and interest.  Fans have been showing the same etiquette and respect as player have. Golf fans do have certain rights or duties while watching their favorite player hit the ball 300 yards down the middle of the fairway.  The game of golf has been about respect, etiquette, and enjoyment.  Players have to show respect to the course and their opponents.  They also have to show a good attitude for the fans so they can be a good role model and a person to look up to.  These fans have to show the same attitude back to the players so they do not disturbed them while they are playing.  Fans have to be quite while players are preparing to hit a shot.  This let's the players play their games.

As this game has evolve and has attracted a much younger crowd , they have became alitte louder one could say. With these new younger players winning on tour it creates a new type of energy throughout the golf world.  After every shot you hear someone yells "GET IT THE HOLE" or "BABABOOIE".  And in the 2013 U.S. Open Championship you heard someone scream "King of the North" whenever Justin Rose hit a shot.  So it's safe to say that the game has gotten a lot louder and the 16th hole at The Waste Mangement is an example of that. That hole has turned into a stadium. It is the loudest hole in golf, which I think it is great. It creates a feel like football and basketball where the fans give the players energy and help boost their games.  Now a days, players love that stuff as the younger generation of players are all about energy and using the fans excitement to their advantage.










http://espn.go.com/golf/blog/_/name/golf/id/12162851/pga-tour-taking-fun-waste-management-phoenix-open-16th-hole-golf

David Feherty

David Feherty works for CBS Sports as an on-course reporter and golf analyst. Feherty is a contributor to Golf Magazine and has his own column in the back of the magazine called Sidespin.  David is a very entertaining sports announcer and also has his own TV show called Feherty.  Feherty's job as a sports announcer is to follow a group in a tournament call their every shot.  He tells you what club, how far, what kind of lie they have, and why kind of shot they should play.  He makes watching golf very entertaining because of his quick witted jokes and his foreign punch lines.  Feherty makes the game easier to understand also because he explains what is going on and clarifies things that might be confusing to the everyday amateur.  His talk show, Feherty, is a show that every golf knows about and is a every golfers dream to be on.  The show originally debuted in June 2011 as the most-watched original series in Golf Channel history. Feherty received an Emmy nomination in 2014 for “Outstanding Sports Personality”. Feherty has gone one-on-one with celebrities across golf, sports and entertainment, including former President Bill Clinton, basketball Hall-of-Famers Bill Russell and Charles Barkley, actors Don Cheadle and Samuel L. Jackson, and golfers Tom Watson and Greg Norman and many more.  He creates a different perspective in golf with getting to sit down and talk about these players.  His personality makes it easier for golfers to talk to him about anything.  His show gives the audience an insight on previous tournament victories/play, personal issues, how they practice and train, to what is their favorite thing to do other then golf. Feherty’s success extends beyond broadcasting. He has authored six books, with several making the New York Times “Best Sellers List.”  Thanks to his sharp wit and clever jokes, he has become golf’s most irrepressible personality and a viewer favorite.
















http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Feherty
http://www.golfchannel.com/about/bio/david-feherty/

Media in Golf

With Rory Mcilory on the rise and Tiger on the fall, there are questions that are raised if golf is on the up or the down?  Many would say that golf is declining because of Tiger's fall from beginning the best to be ranked in the mid 50s in the world.  And this would be true, many credit Tiger's dominance for the construction for new golf course and country clubs.  Many of these course are now shutdown or don't make very much money at all because of the decrease in popularity but there has been a spike in recent years as new young players have stood out on tour.  These include Rory Mcilory, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Keegan Bradley and many others.  Even though they aren't a Tiger Woods, they still are helping the game get more popular.
Media in golf is very important in the growth of the game.  As many players are on social media and this helps grow the game.  29% of German golfers use social media to follow golf.  More people get there information on golf from social media then from TV, newspaper, or internet sources.  Even though some of the Golf Channel shows have increased ratings like, morning drive, the golf fix, and the school of golf, more people still get their information from social media.  The broadcasters for golf are NBC, CBS, and the Golf Channel.  Also ESPN covers the British Open but that is the only tournament they cover.  TV ratings have decreased because of factors like playoffs to win tournaments.  In the past two years there has not been many playoffs and these playoffs help TV ratings.  Even though TV ratings are down, the audience in golf have increased about 7 to 8 percent.  I believe this is because of increase of young players contending for tournaments.  Players that are now 21-25 are at the top of the leaders boards consistently.  Ratings might show a decrease in interest but I believe the game is becoming bigger and more popular in a way.










http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/finchem-tv-ratings-down-total-audience/

Should Golfer's be Considered Role Models?

Golf is a game that teaches young kids good judgment, honesty, and good etiquette.  I believe golfers should be look at as role models because golfers aren't usually that crazy where they are getting thrown in jail or getting caught doing drugs.  They are usually guys who don't really mess up.  Even though there are those stories like the ones of Tiger Woods, John Daley, or Dustin Johnson where the player does mess up, but they usually bounce back.  These players should be good role models because it will help grow the guy and make kids get more active in the sport.  Golfers show good character and class when they play and I believe this rubs off on young kids.  With these golfers becoming role models it will help teach kids many things like to , manage your emotions, practice personal responsibility, and help prepare for business.  Golf is a very frustrating sport and getting frustrated is the downfall to most peoples games, so you have to control these emotions.  Even though this is one of the hardest things to do but once you accomplish it, it helps it a lot of situations. Golf also helps with business as much business is talk about over a round of golf.  This sport gives kids an opportunity to learn about personal responsibility.  Golf you have to be responsible for you and your stuff, also for your actions.  Golfers own it to the fans and to the Tour for being good role models as they already posses good character and respect for the game which helps teach young kids life lesson and how to act properly.









http://blog.thefirsttee.org/2013/10/07/10-reasons-young-people-play-golf/