Golf has grasped the nettle, so too should squash
Published: 26 Jun 2006 - 09:25 by Viper
Updated: 26 Sep 2008 - 08:52
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Golf and squash have much in common at the moment both are fading away, squash would do well to watch carefully what golf does to stem the bleeding.....
Quote:
There were 13 Australians in the top 100 before the Open, Adam Scott (6), Stuart Appleby (16), Ogilvy (17), Rod Pampling (23), Nick O'Hern (33), Robert Allenby (39), Richard Green (60), Mark Hensby (64), Peter Lonard (68), Steve Elkington (72), Aaron Baddeley (77), Andrew Buckle (88) and Craig Parry (94).
This strength overseas is not at all reflected in the Australian Tour. It has shrunk to three meaningful tournaments - the Masters, the PGA and the Open. Television ratings of local events are grim and sponsor-repelling, while Channel Nine had decided not to telecast yesterday's final round. Ratings for the US Masters at Augusta in April had been abysmal and the network was reluctant to give more ground in the morning ratings war.
However, Ogilvy's push for victory forced the network's hand. The decision does not hide the fact that golf is played by many but not all of them follow it. Locally, that has been put down to dull production and colourless players. Everywhere in the world the ratings numbers are softening up. Only Tiger Woods guarantees a television following in the very same way Norman drew viewers and sponsors to Australian titles. And American ones when he was at his peak.
Golf Australia is trying methodically to revive interest in this country's national title. It has appointed Paul McNamee to run the tournament, hoping that he can revive it the manner he breathed life and dollars into the Australian tennis Open. Not surprisingly, McNamee has grand plans. Late tee starts, bands and other entertainment, provocative television coverage.
Golf's problem is the opposite to that of tennis. The local Tour is a flop, the players among the finest in the world. Tennis has the men and women's Open at Melbourne Park, which is rated the most popular of the game's Grand Slam events. Yet Little Lleyton is the only male player ranked in the world 100, he is ninth after winning at Queen's, and is the one Australian player known to have returned a ball over the net in the past five years.
Golf is working diligently in other areas. Along with input from the Australian Sports Commission, it has moved to establish a high performance panel and refine a national talent pathway. Coaches will work locally and internationally with leading players, amateur and professional.
Ogilvy's win - Australians have been waiting patiently since Steve Elkington won the 1995 US PGA for another major victor - might have no more immediate effect on golf in this country than a burst of publicity that will evaporate in the soccer World Cup overkill.
But the US Open winner might just renew appeal in the community that lost interest the very moment Norman lost his. This time around it will not just be Norman's charisma that will turn curiosity into passion. The sport is finally repairing its divots. Tournaments are being overhauled, talent sought and, for the first time in many years, nurtured.
Golf was never going to get another Norman. But it has an Ogilvy, innovation and a new sense of direction. One might be as good as the other.
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From Viper - 31 Oct 2006 - 09:23
From rippa rit - 31 Oct 2006 - 08:05
Go for it.!
From Viper - 31 Oct 2006 - 07:28
Yes that is but 1 such event, a commercial one at that ( not that I would not pay to see such talent) how many of the countries squash players did that isolated event reach ?
Squash Australia should be regularly running such events in every state every year, it should be part of the deal when handing out AIS scholarships and other supports and not only the players but coaching displays should also be readily available.
I don't see either.....................
From rippa rit - 30 Oct 2006 - 20:47 - Updated: 30 Oct 2006 - 20:48
The best way to be appreciated is to go personally to the clubs, play with the members, coach the players and kids, talk about the rules, give a short demo....then move to the next club.
That is what I used to do once and it worked well, on the court 6/8 hours a day - flying in and being billeted to save costs......seems those days are gone.
At a price I am sure the players would do it...bearing in mind they live overseas for 9 months of the year. We are an isolated sparse country.
And, of course there is more, there always is all these stories.
From Viper - 30 Oct 2006 - 08:18
Perhaps, big money and even bigger ego's does strange things.
From where I sit I do not currently see our top players doing much here in Australia, yes we hear they are just flat out scratching a living as it is and have to be OS most of the time to do so, by given the support me, you and everyone else gives them through the likes of the AIS I think they should be contracted to do more to raise the profile and get to the kids.
When was the last such exhibition here in Australia ?
From rippa rit - 29 Oct 2006 - 21:15 - Updated: 29 Oct 2006 - 21:17
Just cannot help thinking how our top players would assist the younger players for FREE if they have this sort of money at their disposal to produce an ongoing income. Yep, I would definitely be out and about helping at that rate too.
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