Perspective from the 19th Hole is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write. I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf. The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie. And it is where you want to be on a golf course.
Regarding this blog headline, pounding sand is one thing Sergio Garcia is good at doing.
Except it has been during golf tournaments when his over-the-top conduct – including pounding sound – should have gotten him penalties, if not disqualifications.
Here’s a recitation of what Garcia did as left the PGA Tour several years ago that should leave him on the outside looking in:
- He was caught on camera, with sound, muttering, “I can’t wait to leave this tour.”
- He was caught spitting into a cup on a green at Doral.
- He was caught slamming his driver into a cooler at Augusta National at the Masters.
Reports are surfacing now that, as LIV golf goes through its death throes, none other than pro golfer Garcia may want to be back on the PGA Tour.
My reaction: Go pound sand, Sergio.
The truth is that he may head to the DP Tour first, which, of course, is up to DP Tour officials.
But the method by which he left the PGA Tour should mean that he faces major challenges to head back to a Tour he said he hates.
Unless Garcia agrees to make a profound, public apology for his juvenile actions, he should not be allowed back. And, if ever does come back, he should have to agree to at least to what another golfer Brooks Koepka accepted.
He returned to the PGA Tour through what was called a special “returning member program” that imposed significant financial and competitive restrictions, including a $5 million charitable contribution, forfeiting eligibility for certain bonus payments, and restrictions on receiving PGA Tour equity grants.
That approach may not be open to other potential returning golfers.
And, for me, a fan of the PGA Tour, Garcia should go pound sand and the death of LIV is good news.
