This being Christmas Eve, Colin Montgomerie has jumped the gun and
already unwrapped a pretty sweet gift early, that being induction into
the World Golf Hall of Fame instead of the lump of coal that many would
give him.
Although I’ve never interviewed Monty one on one, I’ve fired
questions to him during news conferences and found him to be engaging
and witty, not the frumpy grump some have described from their own
experiences.
Many fans also don’t like him, particularly those on this side of the
Atlantic, where they came up with unflattering nicknames that needn’t
be mentioned for reasons of good form.
That type of response to Montgomerie isn’t isolated to the new world.
On a trip to Scotland a few years back, I visited a pub in Troon where
the locals weren’t exactly kind to a lad who had spent so much time
playing at the renowned and nearby Royal Troon.
Those are the ones who will protest Monty’s selection for the Hall of
Fame, which belies the theory that hall of fame induction is a
popularity contest, which came up when Fred Couples was selected earlier
this year.
Freddie had the hair, the easy-going personality and the Boom Boom
power to draw in fans of both genders and there’s something to be said
for popularity in drawing eyes to the game.
On the golf course, Couples had 15 PGA Tour wins, including a major
at the 1992 Masters and two Players Championships, and five
international victories, not to mention eight wins on the Champions
Tour, including this year’s Senior Open Championship.
Couples’ 15 overall wins is an admirable total, but not enough to
warrant Hall of Fame selection in the minds of critics. The same goes
for his one major, even if he did win a couple at Sawgrass.
In volume, Monty lowered the boom on Boom Boom, winning 31 European
Tour titles, taking that circuit’s Order of Merit in seven consecutive
years and eight overall, and 40 international events.
Montgomerie had an incredible Ryder Cup record that included eight
consecutive events in which he went undefeated in singles. Continuing
that success as a captain, he was at the helm for Europe’s 2010 victory
at Celtic Manor.
Those are highlights from a magnificent career, but the points of
contention about his induction for many are that he never won on the PGA
Tour and never won a major. That last one, in particular, is a real
sticking point for many.
Then again, do you deny Dan Marino a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame even though he never won the Super Bowl?
Argue the point all you want about team sport vs. an individual game
such as golf, but should an otherwise outstanding career not be
recognized? If Luke Donald or Lee Westwood finish their careers without a
major, would you deny them solely for that reason?
Some people think so and Montgomerie got in on the International
ballot with 51% of the votes in a weird system that usually requires 65%
of the votes. If nobody gets 65%, a player with the most votes, as long
as it’s more than 50%, is selected.
Couples also squeaked in at 51%, so neither received a ringing
endorsement, which has left their selections open to criticism and will
continue to do so for future inductees.
Couples’ nomination has opened the door for players with as many or
more wins and majors, but majors may not even be an issue anymore now
that Monty is going in.
That may stick in the craws of many, but these are precedents and the
table has been set for the future. You can’t go back, once a new
standard is set.
FESTIVE CHIP SHOTS
If it’s the World Golf Hall of Fame, is it really necessary to have
an international ballot? Shouldn’t a player be inducted based on merit
instead of where he or she is from, whether American or otherwise? The
existence of this category gives the impression that those born outside
the United States are outsiders. It seems strange with the global nature
of the game these days ... Montgomerie isn’t the only Scot going into
the hall of fame as former European Tour secretary and executive
director Ken Schofield was named in the lifetime achievement category.
Two-time British Open champion and course designer Willie Park Jr., and
1964 U.S. Open champ Ken Venturi, who went on to a successful
broadcasting career, will also be inducted ... Toronto’s Albin Choi and
Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., have been named Golf Canada’s outstanding
male and female amateur golfers, based on the 2012 National Order of
Merit. Kevin Kwon of Pitt Meadows, B.C., and Brooke Henderson of Smiths
Falls, Ont., finished atop the CN Future Links junior boys and junior
girls Orders of Merit, respectively ... Former NCAA champion James Lepp
of Abbotsford, B.C., says he feels invigorated about competitive golf
after making it to the final of the Golf Channel’s Big Break Greenbrier,
where he lost a close match to finish as runner-up. Lepp isn’t sure
when he would return to competition. For one thing, he runs a golf
business, Kikkor Golf, which he started when golf didn’t seem fun
anymore ... Former Nationwide Tour player Brennan Webb of Bracebridge,
Ont., has accepted an assistant coaching position with Georgia Tech.
