Interesting story from AP’s Doug Ferguson on the lack of FedEx Cup signs at Bay Hill and apparently the same will occur at Jack’s Memorial. However, the Canadian Open won’t be so lucky and Bill Paul, the event’s tournament director, finds the double standard interesting:
If the lack of title sponsor gets Nicklaus and Palmer off the hook, keep an eye on the Canadian Open. The third-oldest national championship in golf currently has no title sponsor, yet it still is burdened with FedEx Cup logos.
“We’d have that discussion with them,” tournament director Bill Paul said. “Right now, it’s not that much of an issue with me.”
Paul said he’s disturbed by what he considers different rules for different tournaments. It really hit home last year at the Memorial during a meeting with tournament directors, when he admired the clean look at Muirfield Village.
“It hit me on the last day,” he said. “The only PGA Tour logo I’ve seen all week is on the fitness trailer. So I asked the question, didn’t get an answer and just smiled. My only take is that Mr. Nicklaus and Mr. Palmer have different rules. I know all Mr. Palmer and Mr. Nicklaus have done for the game. But I don’t think it’s right.”
I guess Bill is just coming to the realization that a tournament without a sponsor — even a prestigious national open — doesn’t get the respect awarded to Arnold and Jack.
In other FedEx news, the PGA Tour released a photo and press release of newly appointed [photopress:norb.jpg,full,alignright] Norb Gambuzza Named VP-Business Development today. Do you think the photo, which I didn’t alter, was meant to represent a co-branding initiative by utilizing FedEx colour schemes?
I decided to do a “Google Image Search” on the name “Norb Gambuzza”, the ONLY picture that came up was (NBC’s?) Bryant Gumble!!??