Like a lot of golf fans out there I like the idea of playing for greatness, not JUST gravy. This is not an indictment on Brian Gay. Like many saps out there I get misty eyed when they hand out the four major trophies, especially the Claret Jug. Of course, those that cannot and are avid armchair commentators seldom realize that these supreme gentleman athletes play for reasons more important than glory...namely family. I admire the sacrifices so many make to play at the highest levels, but you also have to admire the courage it takes to do what you think is right by your family and career, even if armchair commentators take exception! One of my favorite golf stories is the way Bruce Lietzke did it his way. I too wish I could treat this infernal activity as merely a game!
I know I haven't been posting on here long and I want it to be clear that I am not on here stirring for the sake of it.
That said, the last post frankly is rubbish. Brian Gay according to the following source click has earned almost $8 million from tournaments alone - I've no idea how much sponsorship must have made him but could we safely guess half as much again?
To suggest he is out there grafting for his family is a crock in my opinion. The only way to get remembered is by winning majors. Ask Monty how many of his European money list titles he'd swap for just one major. At least Monty played in every single major he could.
What's next, avoiding certain courses because of windy or rainy conditions?
Kenny Perry wins the Memorial & says is not playing the US Open because he doesn't like Torrey Pines and his strategy was to play where he thinks he can win to assure a Ryder Cup position. So he's a bum too because he picks his tournaments? This game is a business too...Brian has captured his 1st win this year and hopes to win again but you've got to decide in advance where your best chances are for doing that...seems clear cut to me.
Kenny Perry wins the Memorial & says is not playing the US Open because he doesn't like Torrey Pines and his strategy was to play where he thinks he can win to assure a Ryder Cup position. So he's a bum too because he picks his tournaments? This game is a business too...Brian has captured his 1st win this year and hopes to win again but you've got to decide in advance where your best chances are for doing that...seems clear cut to me.
A bum?
Your words not mine, but yes, someone ducking a tournament when they are enjoying an Indian Summer in their career seems strange to me.
Perry (and BG) will have quite a few years on the swing on their porch once they've stopped taking the pension provided by the seniors tour - during those evenings do you think they'll be happy they ducked out of those majors or perhaps will they get misty eyed and nostalgic not to mention regretful that they gave up a chance to play one of the biggest tournaments in the world?
how do you place a dollar sign on time with your family????
i dont know how much m oney brian gay has won.......and i have no
clue as to his sponsors.......what i do know is this....BRIAN GAY.....does not back off.......not from wind...or rain....or sunny days
i have been to approximately 15 tournaments.......i am privledged to know some of the players personally...
its not all glory.......and decisions are made which suits player and family best.....
if BG wants a week off........he takes it........i am not here to argue
but lets add it up
us open.........................1 million to winner
british open...................1 million to winner
masters..........................1 million to winner
pga..................................1 million to winner
ofcourse i made up price...but close
AND
time with family
priceless
I'm not arguing that time with your family is important, of course not. However, BG and everyone else knew exactly when (and where) the US Open would be being played this time last year, if not before! If you're stated aim is to be one of the best players in the world, to be a major champion and to beat the worlds best when they are playing their best then you have to tee it up in the majors and you plan for that accordingly.
As I said, I'm not stirring here and I totally respect BG, however, if I was good enough to win on the PGA Tour, you can be sure I'd be teeing it up in the US Open - regardless of the length.
I'm not arguing that time with your family is important, of course not. However, BG and everyone else knew exactly when (and where) the US Open would be being played this time last year, if not before! If you're stated aim is to be one of the best players in the world, to be a major champion and to beat the worlds best when they are playing their best then you have to tee it up in the majors and you plan for that accordingly.
As I said, I'm not stirring here and I totally respect BG, however, if I was good enough to win on the PGA Tour, you can be sure I'd be teeing it up in the US Open - regardless of the length.
I know I haven't been posting on here long and I want it to be clear that I am not on here stirring for the sake of it.
That said, the last post frankly is rubbish. Brian Gay according to the following source click has earned almost $8 million from tournaments alone - I've no idea how much sponsorship must have made him but could we safely guess half as much again?
To suggest he is out there grafting for his family is a crock in my opinion. The only way to get remembered is by winning majors. Ask Monty how many of his European money list titles he'd swap for just one major. At least Monty played in every single major he could.
What's next, avoiding certain courses because of windy or rainy conditions?
I understand why you think as you do. My point was not clear enough. I made the Lietzke comparison because I have read that he would put the sticks up during the summer months (missing the US Open often) because it allowed him to fully participate in his children's lives. I was not referencing monetary considerations. A little league game, or a fishing trip ranked very high on his to do list (as well as classic cars!) The journeyman lifestyle (even with all the perks of a tour player) is no picnic. I have been told by those that know that it can reak havoc with a good family life.
For the record Monty has gone on record as saying he would not trade his eight orders of merit for any one major. Why? Who cares, it is a retarded hypothetical!
It is easy to think of these sportsmen as public domain, afterall they are in the business of entertaining us, right? I would love for Brian to tee it up at Torrey Pines, and would love it even more if he played to his potential there. With every swing I know I am watching a triple barrel hit! He is a pro, and he has good reasons...no doubt Those viewing the hoisting of the US Open trophy with misty eyes from easy chairs seldom think in practical terms...and probably do not give a crap about the person himself (only the entertainment value itself) I am sure somebody somewhere is pissed off that Tiger only tees it up 17 times a year, afterall 17 tournaments would have been a frenetic year for Nicklaus!
I think it was Scott Hoch who used to get it in the neck for not playing the British Open. They are all private contractors in a free world.
One of my favorite golf stories is the way Bruce Lietzke did it his way. I too wish I could treat this infernal activity as merely a game! 
Hybrid Mode
