2025 PGA TOUR Schedule Released

[jdl]

On 8/17/2024 at 8:50 AM, CDLgolf said:

Why is it so important that the PGA tour finishes the season before football starts ? Sr tour, lpga, and Korn ferry all play well into the fall season. And most avid golfers I know play and talk about golf through the fall or all year long if weather permits. And I/we still watched fall golf even when football is in season.

This has been discussed over and over, the TV broadcasters are the ones writing the checks and they don't want to compete with their other products (football) that get much higher ratings.

 

And you're incorrect anyway, the PGA Tour season doesn't finish, the fall series starts up next month so there ya go....

[FriedEgg]

On 8/15/2024 at 7:47 AM, jdl said:

Yeah I kind of lost track of where that is going. Was supposed to be a rotation between Boston and NYC, then it went elsewhere. Is there any kind of set rotation now?

 

Should be in Chicago area or midwest

 

 

On 8/15/2024 at 9:50 AM, svlido said:

Good to see the northeast getting some events.  I'm a Midwesterner so I'd like to see more around Chicago, but the northeast has way too many quality courses to not have a full swing during the season.

 

agree - think its a shame the Tour can't seem to find a sponsor for an annual visit to Chicago area

[billyspan]

On 8/17/2024 at 1:54 PM, Hawkeye77 said:

Except for Mexico, strong from start to The Player’s. 

I liked the "old" Mexican Open during the "silly season" before the PGA Tour took it over (essentially all editions prior to 2001).

 

Plenty of classic-ish courses (very private, high-end clubs) in the big cities.  

 

Now it seems as we are stuck at resort courses on the coast with no local fans. 

 

Watch out Canadian Open...this can happen to you too.  I'm not very excited about the TPC course in Toronto either.  So many classic options in Canada!

Edited August 20, 2024 by billyspan
clarity

[Mr.Cleeks]

Couple thoughts:
Why are they going to Caves Valley again? Just a horrible venue all around.

The Mexico Open needs to return to Chapultepec. That place was awesome, quirky in a good way and always had a good finish.

Finally the tour needs to can the Byron Nelson.

[svlido]

8 hours ago, FriedEgg said:

 

Should be in Chicago area or midwest

 

 

 

agree - think its a shame the Tour can't seem to find a sponsor for an annual visit to Chicago area

 

I wish they would do a 3 week Euro swing too.  Irish, Scottish and The Open.  Give us the links fix 3 out of 4 weeks.

[dcfas]

We get some majors from time to time up here in my neck of the woods (upstate, eastern NY), but this schedule has little in the way of tour stops for me to actually attend. Back in the day I used to go to the BC Open at En-Joie in Endicott, NY (then at Turning Stone in Verona, NY) and the Northern Trust at TPC Boston. Closest tour stops at present are in Connecticut or Toronto. Maybe Philly.

 

Guess I could always move.

[Noles]

13 hours ago, stinger_gc said:

Couple thoughts:
Why are they going to Caves Valley again? Just a horrible venue all around.

The Mexico Open needs to return to Chapultepec. That place was awesome, quirky in a good way and always had a good finish.

Finally the tour needs to can the Byron Nelson.

I went last time it was at Caves and I thought it was a great spot.  The course is fantastic and getting around the course was fairly easy.

[Mr.Cleeks]

11 hours ago, svlido said:

 

I wish they would do a 3 week Euro swing too.  Irish, Scottish and The Open.  Give us the links fix 3 out of 4 weeks.

Yes! Have a links swing in the summer and make JDC an opposite field event. 

[svlido]

1 hour ago, stinger_gc said:

Yes! Have a links swing in the summer and make JDC an opposite field event. 

 

Just pay them too.  I wouldn't mind seeing a sponsor kick in money for the overall top 10 of a links swing but do it cumulative score, so you have to play in all three to be eligible.  

[billyspan]

15 hours ago, stinger_gc said:

Couple thoughts:
Why are they going to Caves Valley again? Just a horrible venue all around.

The Mexico Open needs to return to Chapultepec. That place was awesome, quirky in a good way and always had a good finish.

Finally the tour needs to can the Byron Nelson.

The Tilly course (East) at Baltimore CC is GREAT.  Should go there vs Caves Valley.  $$$

 

A lot of good golf around Baltimore.  Most, are just too short and cannot be lengthened for Tour players unfortunately.

[svlido]

5 minutes ago, billyspan said:

The Tilly course (East) at Baltimore CC is GREAT.  Should go there vs Caves Valley.  $$$

 

A lot of good golf around Baltimore.  Most, are just too short and cannot be lengthened for Tour players unfortunately.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing a northeast swing as part of the fall series.  They can get those courses running fast with the cool dry air in September and early October.  You won't get all the big names but at least we can see some great courses.

[Mr.Cleeks]

1 hour ago, svlido said:

 

Just pay them too.  I wouldn't mind seeing a sponsor kick in money for the overall top 10 of a links swing but do it cumulative score, so you have to play in all three to be eligible.  

That would be cool. Have a west coast swing, Florida swing, Links swing and an Asia Swing. The top 10 cumulative score wise divide a purse of $10 million and the winner gets 500 FEC points as well. 

[Mr.Cleeks]

16 minutes ago, billyspan said:

The Tilly course (East) at Baltimore CC is GREAT.  Should go there vs Caves Valley.  $$$

 

A lot of good golf around Baltimore.  Most, are just too short and cannot be lengthened for Tour players unfortunately.

It looks sick. I’m actually excited about Castle Pines. They’ll probably tear it up but visually it looks cool

[svlido]

10 minutes ago, stinger_gc said:

That would be cool. Have a west coast swing, Florida swing, Links swing and an Asia Swing. The top 10 cumulative score wise divide a purse of $10 million and the winner gets 500 FEC points as well. 

 

Asia swing wouldn't work because of the time difference.  Limited fields in a links swing could still get some viewers because you could push the finish back to get it on at a reasonable time in the US, but the Zozo proves every year that Asia doesn't work for PGA Tour golf.

[billyspan]

13 minutes ago, svlido said:

 

I wouldn't mind seeing a northeast swing as part of the fall series.  They can get those courses running fast with the cool dry air in September and early October.  You won't get all the big names but at least we can see some great courses.

Love your idea...there used to be somewhat of a "Northeast Swing" on Tour starting post the US Open heading into the Canadian Open, Western Open, and split up by the British Open.  Now we just have have the Travelers in Connecticut (formerly the Greater Hartford Open).

 

There were events in Philadelphia, Westchester (New York), The Eastern Open (Maryland), The New England Classic (Massachusetts) and B.C. Open (New York)...until not that long ago.

 

I think more "Swings" are good for marketing purposes.  Schedule seems too short post the Masters.  We have the potential for good tournaments in what we have in the Fall...but post-playoff PGA Tour golf seems like an afterthought. 

 

[billyspan]

4 minutes ago, svlido said:

 

Asia swing wouldn't work because of the time difference.  Limited fields in a links swing could still get some viewers because you could push the finish back to get it on at a reasonable time in the US, but the Zozo proves every year that Asia doesn't work for PGA Tour golf.

You are probably right.  If all that matters is USA TV numbers...right now that is most important for $$$.  

Interestingly, the European Tour is co-sanctioning the Genesis Championship in South Korea the same week as the Zozo Championship.  Seems odd as Genesis sponsors Los Angeles and Scottish Opens...  Wouldn't be surprised if this event is on the PGA Tour calendar for 2025 making a mini Asia swing.

[svlido]

1 minute ago, billyspan said:

You are probably right.  If all that matters is USA TV numbers...right now that is most important for $$$.  

Interestingly, the European Tour is co-sanctioning the Genesis Championship in South Korea the same week as the Zozo Championship.  Seems odd as Genesis sponsors Los Angeles and Scottish Opens...  Wouldn't be surprised if this event is on the PGA Tour calendar for 2025 making a mini Asia swing.

 

I would hate it personally.  I literally have PGA Tour Live on every second they're on the air because it's always on in my office, so I watch a ton of golf.  I think the Zozo usually finishes at like 4AM by me so I see the results before I see the golf and I just don't care about watching at that point.

 

Two weeks in a row without live golf to watch would suck for me.

[bcjim]

4 hours ago, Noles said:

I went last time it was at Caves and I thought it was a great spot.  The course is fantastic and getting around the course was fairly easy.

Also, good leaderboard and a playoff between Cantlay and BD. 

[Mr.Cleeks]

2 hours ago, svlido said:

 

Asia swing wouldn't work because of the time difference.  Limited fields in a links swing could still get some viewers because you could push the finish back to get it on at a reasonable time in the US, but the Zozo proves every year that Asia doesn't work for PGA Tour golf.

True. Also the zozo sat night finish is always competing with CFB

[Dutch1008]

I don't remember if it was NLU or The Fried Egg but in a recent podcast they talked about how much of a let down the PGAT schedule release is. The NBA and especially the NFL make a pretty big deal about their releases. And rightly so. Fans are interested to find out what non-conference teams they'll be hosting. Who's playing on Thanksgiving or XMas. What are the matchups for Thu night, Sun night, Mon night? 

 

It's interesting because it changes and there is new information being released. The PGAT has no such variability and almost everything they release is already known. Weeks may shift here or there but it's mostly static with only Philly Cricket Club something new this year. It's just a big nothing burger. 

 

While I understand the benefit of returning to the same places, I think the tour could use some flexibility. Specifically, I think the tour should keep the Fed Ex playoffs flexible. The majority of the calendar is going to be static, same courses at the same time. Changes will only happen when a sponsor bows out or a course becomes obsolete or simply wants out. I'm fine w/ little change to the regular season. Its important to have consistent partners. But the playoffs could be the outlier. Treat them like the majors and build your own rota. 

 

Mix it up! I'm far more excited to watch the BMW this year then I was watching TPC Southwind again. Despite the fact that the 1st playoff is more meaningful as it includes the top 50/elevated event carrot. It really just comes down to seeing Castle Pines for the 1st time in 10 years vs revisiting TPC Southwind. Typically, I wouldn't be all that excited about Eastlake but I am keen on seeing the redesign. 

 

A PGAT schedule release where nobody knows where the last 3 events will be played would generate excitement and conversation. It's low hanging fruit.    

[dffjunior]

I can't stand the majors rotation.  There are dozens of great courses out there that have never hosted a major and would make or great viewing yet we're stuck with the same 4-5 courses WAY too often.  I can't stand #2 and didn't even watch the US Open this year.

[Mr.Cleeks]

10 minutes ago, dffjunior said:

I can't stand the majors rotation.  There are dozens of great courses out there that have never hosted a major and would make or great viewing yet we're stuck with the same 4-5 courses WAY too often.  I can't stand #2 and didn't even watch the US Open this year.

What a crappy take. The USGA/PGA of America care about maximizing revenue 

[Dutch1008]

42 minutes ago, dffjunior said:

I can't stand #2 and didn't even watch the US Open this year.

 

You missed the single best tournament of the year. 

[Dutch1008]

24 minutes ago, Mr.Cleeks said:

The USGA/PGA of America care about maximizing revenue 

 

How are they maximizing revenue? 

 

The TV contract is pre-negotiated so the venue isn't driving anything associated with the broadcast. If they were purely maximizing on site revenue, every major would take place in NY, LA, CHI, and SF. 

 

If you're truly maximizing revenue, Bethpage Black is the anchor site. 

[Mr.Cleeks]

4 minutes ago, Dutch1008 said:

 

How are they maximizing revenue? 

 

The TV contract is pre-negotiated so the venue isn't driving anything associated with the broadcast. If they were purely maximizing on site revenue, every major would take place in NY, LA, CHI, and SF. 

 

If you're truly maximizing revenue, Bethpage Black is the anchor site. 

The more ticket sales, the more merchandise people buy. They want to make money at the end of the day 

[Dutch1008]

On 8/23/2024 at 2:25 PM, Mr.Cleeks said:

The more ticket sales, the more merchandise people buy. They want to make money at the end of the day 

 

I get that part. However, if that were true, why would you have an anchor site 100 miles away from a midsized MSA? Why have people trek to the end of Long Island to Shinnecock when you could hit the population center more efficiently at Liberty National? Why would you let LACC limit ticket sales? 

[svlido]

On 8/23/2024 at 4:20 PM, Dutch1008 said:

 

How are they maximizing revenue? 

 

The TV contract is pre-negotiated so the venue isn't driving anything associated with the broadcast. If they were purely maximizing on site revenue, every major would take place in NY, LA, CHI, and SF. 

 

If you're truly maximizing revenue, Bethpage Black is the anchor site. 

 

Sponsors hate rotating venues so they have to do a little dance.  You have a fundamental misunderstanding of how golf tournament revenue is produced.  The sponsors you see on TV are almost always attached to onsite sponsorships so the venue does drive TV revenue.

 

You also need to take into account infrastructure.  I'm not a Pinehurst fan but it really is a good place to host a large event.  It's close enough to a big city for travel and lodging, but far enough away to have parking and room for 50K fans.  

 

I've been to tournaments at Medinah, Olympia Fields, and Erin Hills relatively recently and all three of those places are a nightmare for spectators. 

 

I know a lot more people watch on TV than go to the course, but there is a lot that goes into picking host sites.

[Titleist99]

54 minutes ago, svlido said:

 

Sponsors hate rotating venues so they have to do a little dance.  You have a fundamental misunderstanding of how golf tournament revenue is produced.  The sponsors you see on TV are almost always attached to onsite sponsorships so the venue does drive TV revenue.

 

You also need to take into account infrastructure.  I'm not a Pinehurst fan but it really is a good place to host a large event.  It's close enough to a big city for travel and lodging, but far enough away to have parking and room for 50K fans.  

 

I've been to tournaments at Medinah, Olympia Fields, and Erin Hills relatively recently and all three of those places are a nightmare for spectators. 

 

I know a lot more people watch on TV than go to the course, but there is a lot that goes into picking host sites.

"I know a lot more people watch on TV than go to the course, but there is a lot that goes into picking host sites."

 

In addition, some sponsors are keen on their charitable dollars going to certain communities and causes.......Like St. Jude, etc....

[svlido]

22 minutes ago, Titleist99 said:

"I know a lot more people watch on TV than go to the course, but there is a lot that goes into picking host sites."

 

In addition, some sponsors are keen on their charitable dollars going to certain communities and causes.......Like St. Jude, etc....

 

They also like to invest in areas they have an interest in.  People don't consider that the PGA Tour is competing against other sports for sponsor dollars.  FedEx could just as easily invest in the Grizzlies if the PGA Tour didn't want to put a tournament in Memphis.

[Titleist99]

6 minutes ago, svlido said:

 

They also like to invest in areas they have an interest in.  People don't consider that the PGA Tour is competing against other sports for sponsor dollars.  FedEx could just as easily invest in the Grizzlies if the PGA Tour didn't want to put a tournament in Memphis.

100%....