Question:
The PGA Championship is run by the PGA of America, not the PGA Tour. These are 2 seperate and distinct organizations. PGA members are the guys and gals you see in the proshops, teaching lessons, etc. PGA Tour members are the guys(only guys) you see on the Nike and PGA Tour. Women touring pros belong to the LGPA, which is another seperate and distinct organization from the PGA and PGA Tour organizations. Good Golf Dan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Masters, like the other three majors, are **not** PGA TOUR events, and therefore, don’t fall under the concerns voiced by these players. Well, I thought that the PGA championship *was* a PGA event… unless PGA is there intended to have a different meaning (I was astonished when I tried http://www.pga-championship.com/ !) 
Marcello [snip] Randy
Response:
Marcello, The PGA Championship is a PGA event. But it is not a PGA Tour event. Simple, isn’t it? Good Golf Dan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Masters, like the other three majors, are **not** PGA TOUR events, and therefore, don’t fall under the concerns voiced by these players. Well, I thought that the PGA championship *was* a PGA event… unless PGA is there intended to have a different meaning (I was astonished when I tried http://www.pga-championship.com/ !) Marcello [snip] Randy
Response:
Marcello, The PGA Championship is a PGA event. But it is not a PGA Tour event. Simple, isn’t it? Good Golf Dan
The difference is in the fact that the PGA Tour is comprised of players actually on the "tour" whereas ALL professional golfers, touring pros, club pros, pros at ranges, et al, MAY be members of the PGA. — "How Can You Not Like A Game Where It’s Okay To Get Teed Off, Tote A Six-Iron, Shoot Birdies, and If You’re Under Par It’s A Great Day!" (from "Frank & Ernest" by Bob Thaves — used with permission)
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Masters, like the other three majors, are **not** PGA TOUR events, and therefore, don’t fall under the concerns voiced by these players. Well, I thought that the PGA championship *was* a PGA event… unless PGA is there intended to have a different meaning (I was astonished when I tried http://www.pga-championship.com/ !) Marcello [snip] Randy
The PGA Tour and the PGA of America are two distinct organizations. The PGA of America runs the PGA championship. HTH. — –dph. (preferred email: dhayes AT iname DOT com)
Response:
The Masters, like the other three majors, are **not** PGA TOUR events, and therefore, don’t fall under the concerns voiced by these players.
Well, I thought that the PGA championship *was* a PGA event… unless PGA is there intended to have a different meaning (I was astonished when I tried http://www.pga-championship.com/ !) Marcello [snip] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Randy
Response:
The PGA championship is the championship of the PGA, not the PGA TOUR. Rob.
Response:
"R&B" wrote … The Masters, like the other three majors, are **not** PGA TOUR events, and therefore, don’t fall under the concerns voiced by these players. Well, I thought that the PGA championship *was* a PGA event… unless PGA is there intended to have a different meaning
Marcello, You’re confusing the PGA with the PGA TOUR. They’re not the same organizations. The PGA TOUR is an autonomous organization which is not affiliated with the PGA of America, the organization which puts on the PGA Championship. Randy
Response:
I think this is an excellent topic to throw out for debate. Will there be enough support from the pros once they learn the issues?
It’s hard to estimate the interest among the pros. Those who struggle with cuts and the bubble at the end of the year would be most likely to listen. If I recall correctly, it’s pros like Larry Rinker who are leading the effort. They have the most to gain. Certainly if golf’s stars should earn the moneys given to the top stars of other sports, the prize money would nee to be increased significantly.
Unlike other professional sports, I can more easily withdraw my support from professional golf and still enjoy the sport myself. I would probably boycott tournaments and TV if the association were legimatized. I haven’t spent any money on baseball since the owners and players dispute ended in a strike. Both sides are too greedy for me. Bob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – David
Response:
I think this is an excellent topic to throw out for debate. I only know a few cursory things so far, but it appears to be dividing the tour professionals. One of the fundamental arguments the proponents of the association support (not surprisingly) has to do with money. The argument is as follows: the major sports (MLB, NBA, NFL,…) pay the atheletes approximately 50%-60% of the total revenue. For the PGA Tour, the association estimates that the players receive about 10%-15% of the total revenues. The claim is that Tour professionals should be paid on a par (relative to revenues) with other professional athletes. One of the things they are asking for is the revenue numbers for the Tour so they can quantify their position. Is this a valid argument? Curtis Strange noted that since Tour professionals are paid based on current performance rather than salary, they should be happy with whatever prize money is being offered. It certainly looks to me like the beginning of a owner-player standoff that we have seen in *every* sport. Can you imagine a Masters that half the players boycott? Someone would certainly have to sit up and pay attention. Will there be enough support from the pros once they learn the issues? Certainly if golf’s stars should earn the moneys given to the top stars of other sports, the prize money would nee to be increased significantly. David
Response:
[snipped dialogue on player's association] Can you imagine a Masters that half the players boycott? Someone would certainly have to sit up and pay attention.
Unlikely THAT would ever happen, even if the players do form an association. The Masters, like the other three majors, are **not** PGA TOUR events, and therefore, don’t fall under the concerns voiced by these players. Certainly if golf’s stars should earn the moneys given to the top stars of other sports, the prize money would nee to be increased significantly.
The prize money is already being increased significantly. Next year, the new TV deal kicks in, and prize moneys are going to triple. These guys are going to find out what baseball players now know — there’s not alot of empathy among fans for athletes who earn six- or seven-figure incomes and get to play a game for a living. I know the players feel they have some legitimate issues, but let’s face it — the players who sell the tickets at the gate, the Tigers, the Duvals, the Elses, the Loves, et. al, are not the ones who feel like they’re being shortchanged. The second- and third-tier level pros are the ones who are most likely to raise these issues loudest. And as much as it pains me to say it, they can be easily replaced by the Notah Begay’s and Doug Dunakey’s (Messrs. 59, both) of the NIKE TOUR. Randy Randy
Response:
Is this a valid argument? Curtis Strange noted that since Tour professionals are paid based on current performance rather than salary, they should be happy with whatever prize money is being offered. It certainly looks to me like the beginning of a owner-player standoff that we have seen in *every* sport.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the PGA Tour is non-profit, is it not? Isn’t the PGA Tour an association of players? Rob.