My latest Sympatico column is up, largely based around Tiger Woods’ appearance in Nova Scotia for a Nike event, as opposed to coming for the Canadian Open (or any of a number of other events.) I think the time is ripe for the PGA Tour to mandate rules to get the stars out to lesser events, or risk sponsors disappearing at an alarming rate.
Here’s a taste:
Tiger Woods is coming to Canada
But not to Glen Abbey in Oakville in July for the RBC Canadian Open.
Instead he’ll be spending two days in rural Nova Scotia immediately following next month’s U.S. Open at Fox Harb’r, the palatial resort of Ron Joyce, one-time owner of Tim Hortons.
And no, the public won’t get anywhere near this one “ though I’m sure they’ll be able to see some of it on sports TV afterwards. Woods might even do a perfunctory interview, where he’ll offer up little of substance after being asked questions of little relevance. Instead he will participate in an event for clients of Nike Golf, one of his main sponsors, and a few dozen guests, some of which will pay a small fortune to play nine holes with the game’s greatest player. Much of the money will go to Woods’ foundation. But the optics, especially with the economies of Canada and the U.S. struggling, will be awkward.
A bestselling author and award-winning columnist, Robert Thompson has been writing about business and sports, and particularly golf, for almost two decades. His reporting and commentary on golf has appeared in 
hasn’t worked for the LPGA in retaining sponsors, but it’s a GREAT idea and necessary for the good of the game.