Golf

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

As Open coverage shows, Canadian fans get shaft

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 07/21/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

THERE'S no other way to say it: TSN's golf coverage has gone in the Dumpster.

The network isn't solely responsible. In the new world of today's PGA Tour television contract, it's been shut out of many events it used to air via rights purchase from U.S. networks.

But last weekend's coverage of the Open Championship from St. Andrews only illustrated how Canadian golf fans are getting the short end of the stick.

Stuck with simulcasting ESPN's coverage of the British, Canadians had little other choice but to watch a painful force-feed of Tiger Woods and American highlights.

With only three U.S. players in the top 13, none in the top six and absolutely none challenging for the Claret Jug, it was a nightmare to begin with for ESPN.

That didn't stop the network from stretching every American angle it could find and, in spots, ignoring the heart of the championship.

And worse for Canadian viewers, the Royal and Ancient, in granting certain territorial and broadcast rights, shut Canadians out of the Internet streaming content it was offering on its website, just like the Masters did in April.

-- -- --

This week's RBC Canadian Open is another move in a great direction by Golf Canada.

Though it's a squeeze putting a PGA Tour event on St. George's Golf and Country Club inside Toronto's city limits, the venue is sure to be a big hit with PGA Tour players.

-- -- --

Speaking of the Open, there are eight players who played last week's Players Cup at Pine Ridge who have made the field at St. George's.

Players Cup winner Aaron Goldberg earned an exemption, as did Brock Mackenzie, Will Wilcox, Adam Hadwin, Rob Grube and Jim Rutledge from the Canadian Tour's money list.

Then Lucas Lee earned an exemption from four-spot Monday qualifying, and in a stunning reversal of form, B.C.'s Jeff Puska won a four-man playoff after his two-under 70 to take the final Monday exemption after a poor week (76-77) at Pine Ridge.

Aces

Nicolaas den Ouden: July 18, John Blumberg, 7th hole, 116 yards, pitching wedge.

Justin Hamonic: July 17, Southwood, 13th hole, 120 yards, pitching wedge.

Rob Bell: July 15, Harbour View, 6th hole, 136 yards, 9-iron.

Bruce Silverman: July 12, Glendale, 14th hole, 125 yards, 8-iron.

Grant Konyk: July 12, Kildonan Park, 18th hole, 201 yards, driver.

Roger Blackman-Shaw: July 10, Granite Hills, 12th hole, 154 yards, 7-iron.

Cameron Ftoma: July 10, Lake of the Sandhills, 7th hole, 155 yards, 8-iron.

Colin Lane: July 10, Granite Hills, 17th hole, 132 yards, 9-iron.

Dwight Gibson: July 10, Pine Ridge, 14th hole, 177 yards, 5-iron.

Matt Huston: July 10, Shooters, 7th hole, 110 yards, pitching wedge.

Michelle Norberg: July 10, 9th hole, 170 yards, 3-wood.

Claude Bedard: July 9, Transcona, 14th hole, 152 yards, 6-iron.

Ron McMorris: July 9, Kingswood, 3rd hole, 138 yards, 9-iron.

Walt Tataryn: July 9, St. Boniface, 5th hole, 163 yards, 5-iron.

Ken Robins: July 8, Links at the Lake, 14th hole, 129 yards, 8-iron.

Jim Semenchuk: July 8, Shooters, 14th hole, 124 yards, 8-iron.

Howard Nerman: July 8, Wildewood, 3rd hole, 146 yards, 5-iron.

Matthew Schmidt: July 7, Pine Ridge, 14th hole, 170 yards, 3-hybrid.

Bryan Ritsema: July 7, Pine Ridge, 7th hole, 140 yards, pitching wedge.

Sandra Pawluk: July 7, Heritage Lockport, 3rd hole, 754 yards, pitching wedge.

Russ Lelliott: July 7, Harbour View, 5th hole, 81 yards, 9-iron.

Jacinthe Mireault: July 7, Falcon Lake, 17th hole, 143 yards, Club NA.

Maurice Desaulniers: July 7, Oakwood, 6th hole, 160 yards, 5-iron.

Johanne Robichaud: July 6, Harbour View, 3rd hole, 94 yards, 7-iron.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 21, 2010 C4

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