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FIDDLER’S FACTS: Money talks in pro golf
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS
As if we didn’t already know how the game is played, money talks and never was that more evident than this week’s merger of the Saudi Arabia government-backed LIV Golf and PGA Tour.
The merger allows the world’s best players to compete against one another for the 2024 season, but it comes with plenty of headaches.
The LIV Tour began two years with the Saudi Arabia Investment Fund paying golfers what amounts to a signing bonus in the tens of millions to play on its tour. Guys like Brooks Topeka, Dustin Johnson and legend Greg Norman promoted the LIV Tour while stars like Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods stayed loyal to the PGA.
The new tour, which includes the European World Tour, is sponsored by the Saudis to the tune of $2 billion. That’s not going over well with human rights groups around the globe.
The PGA stars, who decided not to join the LIV Tour, putting principles over money, are not happy nor are the multitude of lawyers working both sides of the legal entanglements.
Of course, the betting parlors and television ratings will enjoy the new merger, so will the fans and, eventually, so will the players, who will play for enormous purses.
The Canadian Open began June 8 at Oakdale in Toronto. Defending-champion Rory McIlroy won in 2019 and 2022 as there was no Open in 2020 and 2021. If McIlroy can get the merger out of his mind, he can make it three in a row. There are several Canadians with a legitimate shot at winning, including Corey Connors, Adam Svensson and MacKenzie Hughes – all winners on the PGA Tour this season. A Canadian-born player hasn’t won since 1914; we are long overdue.
Sad news
The passing of Morell’s Walter Bradley last weekend was a tough pill to swallow. Bradley, a close friend, had baseball in his blood and was a driving force behind Morell baseball for 60 years.
A dandy player – a little second sacker – Bradley played on numerous Maritime championship teams from the Charlottetown Legion to Morell intermediate A clubs. He kept the game alive, coaching and supporting baseball and every other sport needing help in Morell as a volunteer.
The hearse drove Bradley around the Morell baseball field for the last time on June 7 as a tribute to a great man and the last of three outstanding individuals who departed far too soon: Walter and his pals Mike Kelly and Alex (Axe) MacAulay.
All three, successful in life, sports and politics, were guided by the principle, “I will do what’s best for the province; not what’s best financially for me or my friends.”
What an outstanding trio they were!
To Walter’s wife, Janet, and sons, daughters and grandchildren, our condolences.
Memorial Cup
The Patrick Roy-coached Quebec Ramparts won the 2023 Memorial Cup convincingly – 5-0 win over Seattle – making our Quebec Major Junior Hockey League look great.
The Western Hockey League is the most overrated major junior league in the country.
Roy may be headed to the NHL, most likely with Colorado and his GM pal Joe Sakic.
Kinkora’s Dave Cameron of the Ottawa 67’s was named Canadian major junior coach of the year for 2023. The former Ottawa Senators head coach Ottawa Senators, Cameron has had a great career, is a great coach, a great guy and from a great family.
The NHL Stanley Cup championship features eighth-seeded Florida Panthers while the NBA Finals feature No. 8 seed Miami. How often have we heard, “Just get into the playoffs, anything can happen?”
After watching the NHL playoffs and the erratic and inconsistent officiating, maybe the NHL should hire our own Jamie Kennedy to upgrade their on-ice officials. Jamie, by far the greatest hockey referee ever in these parts, had a great feel for the game. Today’s guys could use his insights and advice.
Harness racing
… Live harness racing continues June 10 in Charlottetown at 6 p.m. The $3,800 feature in Race 11 includes speedster Twin B Tuffenuff from the Ron Matheson barn and handled by Gilles Barrieau. The tough class includes highly-regarded Roll Em, who broke last time out, as well as Ys Mathis, a recent 1:51.4 winner. Also in the field is fast Maritime-bred Rollwithhottytoddy, Matticulous GB, Truro speedster Batterup Hanover and Avatar J.
… A terrific card at Mohawk Raceway June 10 features the North American Cup eliminations. All four are $50,000 events for three-year-old pacers. P.E.I.-owned Stockade Seelster drew Post 2 in the softest division. That’s racing luck! Redwood Hanover, so impressive for trainer Anthony Beaton and James MacDonald in last week’s 1:49 win, drew Post 9 while Bob McIntosh’s Moment is Here drew Post 7 in a field that includes The Meadowlands’ top three-year-old, Voukefalas.
… There’s a $54,000 invitational with Allyway Hanover, Billy Clyde and speedster Linedrive Hanover, who beat Bulldog Hanover last year in the Juravinski Cup. This is his first start and I saw him train last week in Ontario. He can fly. There are two divisions of the Armbro Flight for $35,000 for three-year-old and older trotters and with Bella Bellini and Adare Castle plus three divisions of the Fan Hanover at $35,000.
… The race game said goodbye to Clyde River horseman Paul MacKinnon, who died last week. Paul was USTA representative for District 10, the Maritimes, from the late 1970s to 2000 when this region joined Standardbred Canada (Canadian Trotting Association). Paul trained and drove horses; his favorites were Golden Dianna and Skyglen Benson. Many horsemen got their driving licenses through Paul, including Mark and Anthony MacDonald. So sad.
Fred MacDonald’s column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at [email protected].
