Brian Rolapp (right) with NBC announcer Dan Hicks
Tracy Wilcox, PGA Tour via Getty Images
The PGA Tour has not taken a stance on the USGA and R&A’s plans to update the testing conditions used for golf ball conformance under the Overall Distance Standard – commonly referred to as the ball rollback – in 2028, tour CEO Brian Rolapp said last Wednesday in advance of the Players Championship.
“I think this is clearly a complex issue,” he said. “From what I can tell, it comes down to two questions: Is distance a problem and should it be addressed? [That’s] question No. 1. Question No. 2, does the current rule being proposed accomplish that?
“I’ve spoken with players; I’ve spoken with obviously the governing bodies; I’ve spoken with golf ball manufacturers; I’ve spoken to fans; I’ve spoken to everybody. What’s clear to me, everybody has an opinion, and those opinions are clearly not consistent on both those questions.
“As far as our players, I know they’re hitting prototypes. I hear all different things from them. Some are impacted, some that expected to be impacted are not impacted. So as far as the PGA Tour is concerned, we have not taken a position. We have not made our mind up of where this is, and when we get comfortable with the rule and the data, at that point we’ll make a decision.” READ MORE
A bankruptcy court last Monday approved the bid of a family office tied to Jack Nicklaus to buy the brand and assets of the Nicklaus Cos. golf services business for $35.7 million.
The entity, 20 Majors LLC, will acquire licensing and commercialization of intellectual property of the Jack Nicklaus and Golden Bear brands for apparel, lifestyle products, and retail services, but the deal excludes golf course design, development, and real estate management, Bloomberg Law reported, citing court records.
Florida-based Nicklaus Cos. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November after Jack Nicklaus won a $50 million defamation judgment against the company, which was controlled by businessman Howard Milstein through bank entities. Nicklaus will waive about $57 million in claims against the company as part of the deal, the report said, citing court records. READ MORE
Tap-Ins
A judge declined last Wednesday to dismiss a federal lawsuit the D.C. Preservation League and two local golfers filed against the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service challenging purported plans to redevelop the municipal East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C. The Department of the Interior terminated the non-profit National Links Trust’s 50-year lease to operate East Potomac and two other daily-fee courses in Washington in December. READ MORE
“The Hawk,” a golf-themed comedy starring Will Ferrell as a washed-up tour pro chasing one last major title, will premiere on Netflix this summer. READ MORE
The PGA Tour last Tuesday launched PGA Tour Pass, a free fan membership program that offers benefits such as exclusive ticket offers, member-only sweepstakes, retail offers and exclusive content. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity
