Saudi golf a reality, a black-eye for pro golf

[jebartle]

PGA will suspend players participating. Greg Norman the organizer of SAUDI League. Saudi recently had mass execution of 81 people who participated in Anti-government protests, many reasons for players to not participate in this league but it's all about the money, $255 million to be exact for 8 events, 4 will be in US.

[Keefelane66]

Good! Morals over money or money over morals?

[blueash]

The brutality of the Saudi royal family is well known. They are responsible for not just the 81 executions of political opponents this week but also, of course, the slaughter and cutting up of an American journalist Jamal Khashoggi. And war crimes in Yemen that are little different from those of Putin in Ukraine.

There were UN attempts to censure the Saudis but our government vetoed those attempts. There were resolutions passed in our own Congress but those were vetoed as well.

Our country has sadly been willing to support horrible people too often. Sometimes such alliances are needed to combat a greater evil such as helping Stalin against Hitler. Other times, like our support of the Saud family, we do it for economic reasons, OIL OIL OIL, and turn a blind eye to brutality.

Of course you can weakly support the Saudis to keep the oil flowing, or you can love them.

I have sent an email to three of the courses which are hosting the Saudi tournaments in the US. I didn't bother with the fourth. If you want to let them know that you don't approve of their choice of money over morality, google can help with contact information.

July 1-3: Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club – Portland
July 29-31: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sept 2-4: The International – Boston
Sept 16-18: Rich Harvest Farms – Chicago

[collie1228]

Phil Mickelson, greedy hypocritical "professional" golfer. Net worth reported at $420 Million. And he sells his reputation for $100M to the Saudis. Geesh.

[bimmertl]

Saudi's "sportwashing" isn't confined to golf. The WWE held a major match there in February and plans on more through 2027.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2022 to Be Held from Saudi Arabia on February 19 | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10024135-wwe-elimination-chamber-2022-to-be-held-from-saudi-arabia-on-february-19)

In addition Saudi money is behind a takeover of the premier soccer league team Newcastle United.

What is sportswashing? Definition of the sports term amid Newcastle United takeover | NationalWorld (https://www.nationalworld.com/sport/football/what-is-sportswashing-definition-of-the-sports-term-amid-newcastle-united-takeover-3414209)

[Keefelane66]

GOLF IS BEGINNING TO STINk MORE AND MORE. I wonder how many people will show up at the tournaments. I rather follow the crowds around Disney

[PugMom]

i read the people executed were isis members, & that kashoogi was an op of the muslim brotherhood

[jdulej]

i read the people executed were isis members, & that kashoogi was an op of the muslim brotherhood

Handy labels to quiet criticism.

[Keefelane66]

i read the people executed were isis members, & that kashoogi was an op of the muslim brotherhood
There is a big difference between criminal executions and an assassination and bodily dismemberment Comrade.

[blueash]

i read the people executed were isis members, & that kashoogi was an op of the muslim brotherhood

Oh please please please provide a link to your excellent sources. Explain how, even it were true that Kashoogi were "an op of the muslim brotherhood" that the luring of him into an embassy where he was killed, cut up into pieces and those pieces disposed of in an unknown manner. Is how the world is supposed to work?

Is it possible that some people in the middle east who are not Sunni might find that the Sunni leaders of Saudi Arabia worth trying to oppose in their ongoing religious wars and suppression of non-Sunni voices? And that the Sunni leaders would accuse anyone who opposed them of being members of Isis.

I guess that makes me an Isis member in their eyes

[jdulej]

Oh please please please provide a link to your excellent sources. Explain how, even it were true that Kashoogi were "an op of the muslim brotherhood" that the luring of him into an embassy where he was killed, cut up into pieces and those pieces disposed of in an unknown manner. Is how the world is supposed to work?

Is it possible that some people in the middle east who are not Sunni might find that the Sunni leaders of Saudi Arabia worth trying to oppose in their ongoing religious wars and suppression of non-Sunni voices? And that the Sunni leaders would accuse anyone who opposed them of being members of Isis.

I guess that makes me an Isis member in their eyes

"If you don't agree with me, you're one of the bad guys" Where have heard that over and over?

[BrianL99]

The brutality of the Saudi royal family is well known.


Sept 2-4: The International – Boston


The International is a 45 Hole Facility in Bolton, MA ... not even close to Boston. I think they're saying "Boston", to tweek Jay Monahan the PGA Tour Commissioner, who's from Boston (actually, Winchester, but he played out of Belmont CC).

I used to manage The International and it was recently sold to Escalante Golf (who also own Black Diamond, which would be a way better site). One the Professionals at The International was very close to Greg Norman, so I suspect that's part of the reason they were able to target IGC.

I don't see it happening, for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which, Bolton is a very wealthy community, with a new contingent of the "woke". They'll go bonkers, when the Arabs show up in their robes! I can't wait for the fallout.

[Rainger99]

Every day, the United States gets more than 500,000 barrels of oil from Saudi Arabia.

Should we ban golfers from taking Saudi money while we give the Saudis money for their oil?

[blueash]

The International is a 45 Hole Facility in Bolton, MA ... not even close to Boston.

From the website of the course

"GOLF
EXPERIENCE THE GOLD STANDARD OF THE GAME
Welcome to the finest pure-golf experience in Greater Boston"

Apparently they think they are close enough to Boston to use it as a defining location

[thevillages2013]

PGA will suspend players participating. Greg Norman the organizer of SAUDI League. Saudi recently had mass execution of 81 people who participated in Anti-government protests, many reasons for players to not participate in this league but it's all about the money, $255 million to be exact for 8 events, 4 will be in US.

Sure hope you boycotted the China Olympics if you are worried about supporting countries who commit crimes against anti government protesters

[shelley77]

Oh please please please provide a link to your excellent sources. Explain how, even it were true that Kashoogi were "an op of the muslim brotherhood" that the luring of him into an embassy where he was killed, cut up into pieces and those pieces disposed of in an unknown manner. Is how the world is supposed to work?

Is it possible that some people in the middle east who are not Sunni might find that the Sunni leaders of Saudi Arabia worth trying to oppose in their ongoing religious wars and suppression of non-Sunni voices? And that the Sunni leaders would accuse anyone who opposed them of being members of Isis.

I guess that makes me an Isis member in their eyes
I guess you'd better stop buying anything made in China then. Between the slave labor and organ transplants, they're worse than the Saudis. No worries though, we'll start buying oil from Iran. They're good solid religious folk.

[jdulej]

I guess you'd better stop buying anything made in China then. Between the slave labor and organ transplants, they're worse than the Saudis. No worries though, we'll start buying oil from Iran. They're good solid religious folk.

So, the suggestion is that since one cannot make the world perfect, don't bother trying - just join the party?

[BrianL99]

From the website of the course

"GOLF
EXPERIENCE THE GOLD STANDARD OF THE GAME
Welcome to the finest pure-golf experience in Greater Boston"

Apparently they think they are close enough to Boston to use it as a defining location

Yep, that's how they've been marketing it.

It's an hour & 10 minutes minimum from Boston. With traffic, it's usually closer to 90 minutes.

2 major selling points for this being one of their scheduled sites ... close to Monahan's home and the relationship with Norman. The course doesn't lend itself to a professional tournament. As the name implies, the Oaks course is cut out of the woods, with no spectator areas.

[Hape2Bhr]

Yep, that's how they've been marketing it.

It's an hour & 10 minutes minimum from Boston. With traffic, it's usually closer to 90 minutes.

2 major selling points for this being one of their scheduled sites ... close to Monahan's home and the relationship with Norman. The course doesn't lend itself to a professional tournament. As the name implies, the Oaks course is cut out of the woods, with no spectator areas.

3. And it's the beginning of apple picking season. :mmmm:

[Ken D.]

From the website of the course

"GOLF
EXPERIENCE THE GOLD STANDARD OF THE GAME
Welcome to the finest pure-golf experience in Greater Boston"

Apparently they think they are close enough to Boston to use it as a defining location
Think NY Jets, NY Giants….where do they play?

[USA2170]

i read the people executed were isis members, & that kashoogi was an op of the muslim brotherhood

100%....Correct...They follow their LAW to the letter...

[Vermilion Villager]

100%....Correct...They follow their LAW to the letter...

So maybe you should move there......

[Vermilion Villager]

Another reason for us to be energy independent (like we were a few years ago). Drill here, now. Continue the Keystone Pipeline.
It's statements like this that demonstrate just how little people know about oil.
The Saudi Ghawar field is a conventional reservoir, while the west Texas Permian and Alberta's Athabasca oil sands are unconventional shale formations. Extracting oil from shale formations is significantly more expensive than pulling it out of conventional oil reservoirs like they have in the Middle East. This has always been the case! The only way it becomes profitable to drill here is if the price of oil per barrel increases. I know that's not what you want to hear but that is the truth.
If you really want to reduce the dependence on Middle East oil the only and I repeat ONLY way you're going to do that is to require less of it. Again that's not what you wanna hear.....but that is the truth. Less Than 2 Percent of Permian Basin Commercial at $30 Oil (https://www.forbes.com/sites/arthurberman/2015/12/18/less-than-2-percent-of-permian-basin-commercial-at-30-oil/?sh=5f895bb64f87)

[CMKKS]

We were never energy independent. Large percentage imported from Canada and those "murderers and rapists."

[Luggage]

what I find amazing is you believe your morals are better than their morals . That's why so may countries hate America. We have had slaves, abortions, pedofiles etc , support some dictators and overthrow others.


PGA will suspend players participating. Greg Norman the organizer of SAUDI League. Saudi recently had mass execution of 81 people who participated in Anti-government protests, many reasons for players to not participate in this league but it's all about the money, $255 million to be exact for 8 events, 4 will be in US.

[jebartle]

what I find amazing is you believe your morals are better than their morals . That's why so may countries hate America. We have had slaves, abortions, pedofiles etc , support some dictators and overthrow others.

Since this was directed to me, I've never killed a journalist and chopped him into pieces, never killed anyone, and I've never questioned anyone's morals and I've tried my best to be a good decent American, and btw, I'm glad I live in America.

[Sedwards45]

Another reason for us to be energy independent (like we were a few years ago). Drill here, now. Continue the Keystone Pipeline.
Keystone Pipeline is just what it says, pipeline! It is Canada’s tar sand oil to be PIPED over America’s heartland farms to Gulf coast refineries. After being refined, the oil was to be exported to EUROPEAN countries. It was never going to replenish US oil SUPPLY. It is not an oil field where you drill for oil. Research to see what tar sand oil does to the land if there is a major leak. Farmers would suffer devastating damage to their farm land and/or ranch with livestock. We need to encourage big oil companies to drill on their 9000 oil sites already leased. They do not want to drill. They want tight supplies so the price if barrel of oil remains high. Old supply and demand scenario. Oil companies are making high profits, $1.5 Billion in 2021. They did not reduce price at pump for suppliers. They had stock buybacks to increase their investors returns! All of us need to realize that oil companies and drug companies are not here to give taxpayers relief. They are in business to make money for stockholders! You and I give oil companies subsidies to just be screwed over when these companies make billions in profit. Barrel of oil cost high of $147 in 2008 but gas at pump averaged $3.52 gal for regular gas. TODAY barrel of oil cost $108 but gas at pump average $4.42 gal for regular gas TODAY. WHY THE DIFFERENCE? Oil companies are raking in profits! All of this information can be googled or researched in Bloomberg, The Economist, Business Insider and other various business articles.

[golfing eagles]

Keystone Pipeline is just what it says, pipeline! It is Canada’s tar sand oil to be PIPED over America’s heartland farms to Gulf coast refineries. After being refined, the oil was to be exported to EUROPEAN countries. It was never going to replenish US oil SUPPLY. It is not an oil field where you drill for oil. Research to see what tar sand oil does to the land if there is a major leak. Farmers would suffer devastating damage to their farm land and/or ranch with livestock. We need to encourage big oil companies to drill on their 9000 oil sites already leased. They do not want to drill. They want tight supplies so the price if barrel of oil remains high. Old supply and demand scenario. Oil companies are making high profits, $1.5 Billion in 2021. They did not reduce price at pump for suppliers. They had stock buybacks to increase their investors returns! All of us need to realize that oil companies and drug companies are not here to give taxpayers relief. They are in business to make money for stockholders! You and I give oil companies subsidies to just be screwed over when these companies make billions in profit. Barrel of oil cost high of $147 in 2008 but gas at pump averaged $3.52 gal for regular gas. TODAY barrel of oil cost $108 but gas at pump average $4.42 gal for regular gas TODAY. WHY THE DIFFERENCE? Oil companies are raking in profits! All of this information can be googled or researched in Bloomberg, The Economist, Business Insider and other various business articles.

Let's see: A barrel (42 gal) of crude is $108=$2.57/gallon and you think the difference between that and gas at $4.42 is all profit?????? OMG. How about cost of transporting to refineries, refining it and transporting it to the gas station? And don't forget the tax, which is the main cost differences between states---note California at over $5.00/gal. Since you are convinced the "big oil companies" are somehow raking in the "profits", why not just go out and buy Exxon/Mobil stock?----get rich with them? Rotsa ruck on that one:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Escape Artist]

What about Dubai? Long a golf mecca, if you forgive the pun. And Emirates, the airline for the UAE, has long been involved in Premier League soccer as sponsors, and now a company from the UAE have a stake in Manchester City. The UAE is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia, and their laws are pretty barbaric as well.

[thevillages2013]

Since this was directed to me, I've never killed a journalist and chopped him into pieces, never killed anyone, and I've never questioned anyone's morals and I've tried my best to be a good decent American, and btw, I'm glad I live in America.

Support the China Olympics? That was a question too

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The International is a 45 Hole Facility in Bolton, MA ... not even close to Boston. I think they're saying "Boston", to tweek Jay Monahan the PGA Tour Commissioner, who's from Boston (actually, Winchester, but he played out of Belmont CC).

I used to manage The International and it was recently sold to Escalante Golf (who also own Black Diamond, which would be a way better site). One the Professionals at The International was very close to Greg Norman, so I suspect that's part of the reason they were able to target IGC.

I don't see it happening, for a myriad of reasons, not the least of which, Bolton is a very wealthy community, with a new contingent of the "woke". They'll go bonkers, when the Arabs show up in their robes! I can't wait for the fallout.

I thought that Jay Monahan was a member at Brae Burn.

The International was originally built to hold a tour event. It was built by a guy named Suprenant and was originally called Runaway Brook. Cables were buried in the ground in order to be able to hook up television cameras. Almost every tee has a drinking fountain. This was a big deal back in the 60s. It was way ahead of it's time.

It is the longest or second longest course int he US. (There are two courses that keep vying for the title by adding a few yards here and there.) Unfortunately, it's length should prove no problem to today's top professional golfers. It's really what they should be playing.

It's been a while since I played there but if I recall the original course is somewhere around 8,400 yards. It was supposed to be a par 77 but I understand that that has now been reduced to 72. I've played several tournaments there and played it from the tips just once in order to say that I did it. I think I shot around 85 or so. Many of the holes were par fives so they were no problem but the par threes were 240 plus yards. In the 70s and 80s those were almost impossible. Some holes had mandatory carries over water that I just couldn't reach.

Another interesting note is that the fifth green is the largest single green in the world. It's over 100 yards from front to back and three levels.

A former head professional there, Bill Eznicki, had several of us go out to that green and bet that we couldn't putt the ball off the back of the green. I couldn't come close. I think that a pro name Paul Barkhouse did it that day.

I would love to see a PGA tour event there. The problem is it's location. As Brian says, it is nowhere near Boston. It is out in the middle of nowhere. The PGA Tour has stopped going to places like that because of the lack of good hotels and restaurants. Every venue these days is near a big city.

As Brian says it is now a 45 hole facility. I remember when the second 18 was being built. Unfortunately, I never got to play it.

[PugMom]

Oh please please please provide a link to your excellent sources. Explain how, even it were true that Kashoogi were "an op of the muslim brotherhood" that the luring of him into an embassy where he was killed, cut up into pieces and those pieces disposed of in an unknown manner. Is how the world is supposed to work?

Is it possible that some people in the middle east who are not Sunni might find that the Sunni leaders of Saudi Arabia worth trying to oppose in their ongoing religious wars and suppression of non-Sunni voices? And that the Sunni leaders would accuse anyone who opposed them of being members of Isis.

I guess that makes me an Isis member in their eyes

you can google the subject & see a whole bunch of stories come up, from varying sources, domestic & international. i didn't mean to upset anybody, it was just a statement :popcorn:

[BrianL99]

I thought that Jay Monahan was a member at Brae Burn.

The International was originally built to hold a tour event. It was built by a guy named Suprenant and was originally called Runaway Brook. Cables were buried in the ground in order to be able to hook up television cameras. Almost every tee has a drinking fountain. This was a big deal back in the 60s. It was way ahead of it's time.

It is the longest or second longest course int he US. (There are two courses that keep vying for the title by adding a few yards here and there.) Unfortunately, it's length should prove no problem to today's top professional golfers. It's really what they should be playing.

It's been a while since I played there but if I recall the original course is somewhere around 8,400 yards. It was supposed to be a par 77 but I understand that that has now been reduced to 72. I've played several tournaments there and played it from the tips just once in order to say that I did it. I think I shot around 85 or so. Many of the holes were par fives so they were no problem but the par threes were 240 plus yards. In the 70s and 80s those were almost impossible. Some holes had mandatory carries over water that I just couldn't reach.

Another interesting note is that the fifth green is the largest single green in the world. It's over 100 yards from front to back and three levels.

A former head professional there, Bill Eznicki, had several of us go out to that green and bet that we couldn't putt the ball off the back of the green. I couldn't come close. I think that a pro name Paul Barkhouse did it that day.

I would love to see a PGA tour event there. The problem is it's location. As Brian says, it is nowhere near Boston. It is out in the middle of nowhere. The PGA Tour has stopped going to places like that because of the lack of good hotels and restaurants. Every venue these days is near a big city.

As Brian says it is now a 45 hole facility. I remember when the second 18 was being built. Unfortunately, I never got to play it.

You obviously know a bit about the facility.

Bert built the course, because he was denied membership at Worcester Country Club, because he was Jewish. He hired Geoffrey Cornish (big mistake) and told him to built the biggest, longest course in the world. Cornish did the original design & some modifications. Subsequently, Trent Jones, Sr. re-worked a couple of holes, as did Brian Silva. At last tally, it was 8325 from the Tiger Tees. Highest Slope the USGA has ever rated at 172. The "Max" USGA Slope was 155, so that's what it was pegged at. Rating was 80.2 if I remember correctly. The 5th Green is over 28,000 square feet and that hole plays 705 from the Tiger Tees.

I know about as much as anyone about the history, I've been around the club since the late 70's and I don't know anything about the "buried cables". I can tell you, that the Greenskeeper in those days, Ron Milenski, was hot to get the PGA Championship and was close, until the members started complaining and ITT said they weren't interested. This was probably early 80's. Arnie Palmer mentioned in an article a couple of years ago (2017) he'd love to see the Tour guys playing IGC from the back, in a PGA Championship.

Escalante Golf, who bought it last year, has closed down the 9 Hole public course, so it's back to 36 holes. The Oaks Course (Fazio design) has been renovated (without input from Fazio I'm told) and will be the supposed venue for the Saudi tournament if it happens.

Paul Barkhouse was a character and the Pro at Vesper CC. Bill Eznicki (who passed away 3 years ago) was a great guy. He's the only man to play in a Stanley Cup Finals & the U.S. Open. He held the record for quite a while from the Tiger Tees, at 78. Kirk Hanefeld broke his record about 12 years ago, I believe. You're right, it's now Par 73, it was Par 77.

As for putting the 5th Green. I took Bobby Clampett out to play one day. Pin was front center. He lipped out from the back of the Green. Best putt I've ever seen on that hole, from someone who didn't know the Green. On the 7th Hole, playing 275 ... Clampett drove it over the green and from a 40% slope to a downhill pin, holed it for a 2. Best golf shot I've ever seen. I hit Wedge to the front of the Tee box, hit 5 Iron on, made 4.

I don't know Jay, but have met his dad a bunch of times (Winchester CC). Jay could have been at Brae Burn ... his dad mentioned he was in "Belmont", but he may have meant he lived in Belmont and very well could have been a member at Brae Burn.

As for Bert Suprenant ... he "lost" the golf course in a mix up when he sold Suprenant Wire & Cable to ITT.

[kkingston57]

You obviously know a bit about the facility.

Bert built the course, because he was denied membership at Worcester Country Club, because he was Jewish. He hired Geoffrey Cornish (big mistake) and told him to built the biggest, longest course in the world. Cornish did the original design & some modifications. Subsequently, Trent Jones, Sr. re-worked a couple of holes, as did Brian Silva. At last tally, it was 8325 from the Tiger Tees. Highest Slope the USGA has ever rated at 172. The "Max" USGA Slope was 155, so that's what it was pegged at. Rating was 80.2 if I remember correctly. The 5th Green is over 28,000 square feet and that hole plays 705 from the Tiger Tees.

I know about as much as anyone about the history, I've been around the club since the late 70's and I don't know anything about the "buried cables". I can tell you, that the Greenskeeper in those days, Ron Milenski, was hot to get the PGA Championship and was close, until the members started complaining and ITT said they weren't interested. This was probably early 80's. Arnie Palmer mentioned in an article a couple of years ago (2017) he'd love to see the Tour guys playing IGC from the back, in a PGA Championship.

Escalante Golf, who bought it last year, has closed down the 9 Hole public course, so it's back to 36 holes. The Oaks Course (Fazio design) has been renovated (without input from Fazio I'm told) and will be the supposed venue for the Saudi tournament if it happens.

Paul Barkhouse was a character and the Pro at Vesper CC. Bill Eznicki (who passed away 3 years ago) was a great guy. He's the only man to play in a Stanley Cup Finals & the U.S. Open. He held the record for quite a while from the Tiger Tees, at 78. Kirk Hanefeld broke his record about 12 years ago, I believe. You're right, it's now Par 73, it was Par 77.

As for putting the 5th Green. I took Bobby Clampett out to play one day. Pin was front center. He lipped out from the back of the Green. Best putt I've ever seen on that hole, from someone who didn't know the Green. On the 7th Hole, playing 275 ... Clampett drove it over the green and from a 40% slope to a downhill pin, holed it for a 2. Best golf shot I've ever seen. I hit Wedge to the front of the Tee box, hit 5 Iron on, made 4.

I don't know Jay, but have met his dad a bunch of times (Winchester CC). Jay could have been at Brae Burn ... his dad mentioned he was in "Belmont", but he may have meant he lived in Belmont and very well could have been a member at Brae Burn.

As for Bert Suprenant ... he "lost" the golf course in a mix up when he sold Suprenant Wire & Cable to ITT.

Sounds like a 5+ hour round of golf with good golfers.

[karostay]

Money Money Money

No longer about the sport Matter of fact any sport

[DonH57]

Money Money Money

No longer about the sport Matter of fact any sport

Reminds me of the movie Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius when the reporter played by Malcolm McDowell said, " Money's gonna ruin sports".

[jebartle]

Support the China Olympics? That was a question too

Pandemic took care of that question

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Yep, that's how they've been marketing it.

It's an hour & 10 minutes minimum from Boston. With traffic, it's usually closer to 90 minutes.

2 major selling points for this being one of their scheduled sites ... close to Monahan's home and the relationship with Norman. The course doesn't lend itself to a professional tournament. As the name implies, the Oaks course is cut out of the woods, with no spectator areas.kinda like Monday Night patriot games when they show pictures of Boston always including the State House , we love it in Boston , but it drives them crazy in Foxboro where the stadium actually is

[Badger 2006]

Phil Mickelson, greedy hypocritical "professional" golfer. Net worth reported at $420 Million. And he sells his reputation for $100M to the Saudis. Geesh.

You must deduct Phil’s gambling losses from the $420 mil. Reportedly there may not be much remaining???

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Yep, that's how they've been marketing it.

It's an hour & 10 minutes minimum from Boston. With traffic, it's usually closer to 90 minutes.

2 major selling points for this being one of their scheduled sites ... close to Monahan's home and the relationship with Norman. The course doesn't lend itself to a professional tournament. As the name implies, the Oaks course is cut out of the woods, with no spectator areas.

If I’m not mistaken, the original course was designed specifically for big time tournament golf.
I’ve played the course several times and once from the back tees just to say that I did it.
I also won the NEPGA Gross Championship there and played in the Pro Member a few times.
Wasn’t it Suprenant’s original vision to host a PGA tour event?

You’re right. Hiring Geoffrey Cornish was a big mistake that a lot of people made.
I was involved in a golf course development project in New Hampshire in the 80s. I interviewed several golf course architects and Brian Silva was one. Brian was an associate of Cornish at that time. When I expressed my concerns about Cornish designs Brian told me that a lot of their work at the time was reworking Cornish’s original work.
The reason Geoff got so much work was because he came in with low bids and got the job done on time and under budget.
It just so happened that he designed terrible golf holes.

[Burgy]

PGA will suspend players participating. Greg Norman the organizer of SAUDI League. Saudi recently had mass execution of 81 people who participated in Anti-government protests, many reasons for players to not participate in this league but it's all about the money, $255 million to be exact for 8 events, 4 will be in US.
If you do well in a few of these tournaments you can retire with less competition than PGA tournaments. It will be an interesting couple of years. It is difficult to figure why Michelson is doing it unless his gambling debt is also huge.

[MartinSE]

It is difficult to figure why Michelson is doing it unless his gambling debt is also huge.

He says he wants to get the PGA to make some changes, and believes the competition will encourage them to do it.

I have NO idea if that is true, I am just repeating what I heard him say in an interview.