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Will The Masters Finally Loosen Up?
10/11/2007 07:45:13 / like playing 36 holes
Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club announced today that the Thursday and Friday rounds of the 2008 Masters Tournament will be televised on ESPN. At first glance it's not such a big deal. ESPN broadcasts a lot of golf, and they do a pretty good job. But...The Masters? Famous for its uptight, high-fallutin, buttoned-down, tight-lipped, iron-fisted rules of what broadcasters can say, or show. Silly rules like what to call the fans (Patrons) and the rough is no longer the rough (it's the Second Cut). Oh, and there will be no mention of Prize Money! You can ask Gary McCord what the punishment is for breaking the rules. He mentioned "bikini-wax" and "body bags" back in 1994 and he hasn't seen Augusta National since.
Billy and his entourage that run Augusta National really need to loosen up. They are so living in the 1950's. Don't get me wrong. I very much appreciate the tradition and history of this great game. But the guys in the green jackets are too much. So, maybe the move to ESPN for the early rounds is a sign that the Masters is ready to loosen up. "We think our new worldwide initiative is important," Payne said. "The
other major golf organizations have rightly identified a need to
accelerate the growth of golf throughout the world. We will utilize the
goodwill of the Masters and our other resources in support of these
bodies and programs. We are pleased that CBS, ESPN and our present
television sponsors, AT&T, ExxonMobil and IBM, as well as these new
international partners and our international broadcasters will help us
with this program that will have a particular focus on young people." Well, "loosen up" may be a bit strong, but at least they're focused on the right things. Growing the game and the kids. What do you think? Is this a turning point for the Masters, or is ESPN just going to sell out to Da Man? Let me know what you think.
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