Even Treatment for Ryder Cup

When next week’s event was canceled because of the terrorist attacks, many said the Ryder Cup would never be the same. On Wednesday, they were proved right.

The PGA of America announced that the Ryder Cup will now be played in even-numbered years, beginning with the delayed 34th edition of the matches in 2002. Next year’s event is scheduled for Sept.

27-29 at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield, England, nearly one year to the day after it was supposed to be held at the same venue.

The decision is an unprecedented shift in golf, which often prides itself on its unflinching devotion to history and tradition. Since its inception in 1927, the Ryder Cup has been played in odd-numbered years (except for 1939-45 because of World War II), but there seemed to be little choice in the matter.

The next Ryder Cup in the U.S. will be in 2004 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

“[It] appears to be the most logical solution given the situation we are dealing with,” said Jim Awtrey, the PGA of America’s chief executive officer.

Also affected is the Presidents Cup, a similar biennial match-play event, which will occupy the Ryder Cup’s regular spot in odd-numbered years. The fifth Presidents Cup is now scheduled for November 2003, in South Africa.

“[It’s] the most effective response to the need to adjust our schedules in light of the recent tragedies,” PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said.

Such cooperation between two of the sport’s heavyweight governing bodies, not to mention the European interests, is highly unusual in the normal business of the sport, where preserving and protecting self interest is often the recognized standard of conduct.

It’s a Sale

Remember the starter’s box at St. Andrews that was sold in an on-line auction?

John Hagen, a Beverly Hills real estate developer, had the winning bid of 59,000 pounds sterling (about $92,000) and the old shed will be disassembled, shipped and rebuilt at a new course at La Quinta.

Hagen represented Country Club of the Desert, a 900-acre development with three courses in the works. The starter’s box will be reconstructed between the first tee and 18th green on a course designed by Pete Dye and opening in November.

Hagen said the first part of the fee for the sale of the historic shed was transferred Wednesday.

“What we’ve done is acquire one of the most highly recognized icons in sports,” he said. “What a history lesson.”

The Legal Brief

News item: Lawsuit over David Duval’s endorsements, involving Titleist and Nike, is settled in mediation.

Reaction: From now on, he’s going to use whatever he can find at Nevada Bob’s.

A New Wrinkle

News item: Skin-care product maker Randall International signs licensing deal to market a line of products under the Jack Nicklaus name.

Reaction: Yeah, marketing a skin-care product under the “Golden Bear” name probably isn’t that great an idea.

Tiger Update

Tiger Woods re-signed his endorsement contract with video game biggie EA Sports last week and while the five-year deal probably doesn’t compare to the dollar amounts he gets with heavyweights Nike, American Express and Buick, it does include one interesting facet. He gets a percentage of the sales of his games.

Last year, the Woods’ titles sold more than one million units, and at an average price of $50, that’s $50 million. Figure sales are the same this year. It’s logical to assume that his yearly guarantee is 5% of the gross, or $2.5 million, plus 5% of any sales exceeding the previous year’s total.

There’s money in those controllers.

Age Spots

News item: The PGA Tour’s self-promotional “These Guys Are Good” campaign continues with spots featuring Duval, Sergio Garcia, David Toms, Brad Faxon and Chris DiMarco.

Reaction: We’re waiting for the Ty Tryon, Bryce Molder, Charles Howell III, David Gossett, Aaron Baddeley spot, called “You’ve Got To Be Kid-ding.”

It’s Got Name

News item: Hewlett-Packard announces plan to take over Compaq, the title sponsor of the men’s pro event in New Orleans.

Reaction: Thus creating the PGA Tour’s Hewlett-Packard Compaq New Orleans Cajun Classic. If this thing got any longer, it would take 90 holes to play it.

Birdies, Bogeys, Pars

The Jim Murray Memorial tournament will be played Oct. 15 at Toluca Lake Golf Club. The event benefits the Murray Foundation, which provides college journalism scholarships. Details: 310 476-8948.

Carlos Palomino, Dr. Sammy Lee, Marlin McKeever and Andy Carey are among the 36 celebrities who will play in the Orange County Bar Foundation celebrity tournament Oct. 3 at Strawberry Farms in Irvine. The event benefits the Shortstop Program, a juvenile crime diversion program. Details: 760 632-7770.

Its charity tournament canceled because of last Tuesday’s events, Moore & Associates still donated $6,000 to the Optimist Homes & Family Services through donated entry fees and sponsors’ contributions.