Is the Skins Game Dead?
And organizers aren't sure whether the Skins Game will return. Is the Skins Game dead? And if it is, does anyone care?
IMG blamed the economy, saying that Skins Game sponsor LG, a Korean electronics company, decided against renewing its contract. IMG's golf division head, Mark Steinberg, told The Associated Press: "We did another pass through the market place and couldn't find a title sponsor."
In recent years, Stephen Ames has made multiple appearances in the Skins Game, and Brett Wetterich even made the 4-person field. You can't build excitement for an event on that foundation.
The Skins Game was once - long ago - must-see golf TV. When the competition debuted in 1983, it was an event. The format had never been seen on television before, and the golfers ... wow: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Tom Watson.
Great golfers, a new-to-many format, a purse that seemed huge in its time, and even intrigue: One of the early years was marked by controversy when Watson accused Player of cheating. The ratings were huge.
So it was probably inevitable it'd be all downhill from there. And it has been, although the Skins Game did create some exciting scenes over the years. But Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson haven't played in years, and Fred Funk putting on a skirt is good for only so much mileage.
The AP report notes that IMG says it will work hard to find a new title sponsor and bring back the Skins Game in 2010. The TV ratings have fallen far in recent years, but if they are still better than the alternatives - and since the Skins Game airs on the Thanksgiving weekend, they might be - then the tournament may well find a way to continue.
But it's a tired format, and I won't miss it if this really is the end of the line for the Skins Game.
Comments
Yep, I’d miss it. It’s the only tournament where the TV audience gets to see all the shots, from driver to holing the putt. I don’t know how many times I have turned off a tournament ‘cuz I got tired of seeing guy’s putting. That’s the majority of what you see, dudes on the green. The only guy that gets all his shots shown is Tiger. They should just put a camera on his caddy’s head… even when he’s not in contention… it’s Tiger T.V.-
Never was a real skins game….Pros never put up their own money like we do!
Let’s see who really has the guts with their own $$$ on the line!
What kind of pressure is there when you lose nothing by playing?
I’ll bet most guys would refuse to play.
I do see Bill’s point, and apparently they refuse to play if they are not guaranteed to win also… this appears to be the problem with the skins game. The top players won’t play if they might get skunked and not get paid.