Dave Reardon: Mark Rolfing says golf war with Saudi league could hurt game

If you don’t play golf or follow it very closely, you might think that the escalation of the war between the PGA and LIV Golf is not your concern. Maybe from his perspective it’s just rich guys fighting other rich guys for big money in sports.

But there could definitely be a trickle down effect.

Golf is by far the most philanthropic of the major professional sports, according to Mark Rolfing, the veteran television reporter, analyst and former professional golfer who has lived in Maui for more than 40 years.

“It really is an amazing vehicle when it comes to generating dollars for charity,” Rolfing said in a telephone interview Tuesday from Boston, where he is preparing to work on the US Open this week, which, under the auspices of the USGA, will allow players who have registered with LIV and been banned from playing in PGA events.

“The PGA has raised $3 billion in charitable contributions in its lifetime. If you take the NBA, the NFL, the MLB and the NHL combined, the total is not even half.

Friends of Hawaii Charities announced a record raising of $1.3 million last year through the 2021 Sony Open in Hawaii.

The money goes to more than 100 of the state’s nonprofit organizations. They include the Institute for Human Services, specifically to fund their meal program for the homeless.

So on one side you have charity and on the other side you have big guaranteed money for players who don’t have to worry about slicing to get paid, and that money comes from the funds of one country, Saudi Arabia, with a bad reputation. for serious human rights violations.

If LIV Golf’s deep pockets successfully attract more big-name players like Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, it could eventually cost PGA sponsors.

“It will really affect us in Hawaii if this continues,” Rolfing said. “We are not going to see Dustin Johnson again. We will never see Bryson DeChambeau again. At what point does a sponsor say, ‘Hey, it’s not worth it?

Rolfing said he has yet to see any hint of philanthropy from LIV Golf, describing the defectors as “greedy” and what is happening as a “hostile takeover” attempt.

He’s especially disappointed in Mickelson, who used to be perceived as a regular guy who was on the short list of the best golfers in the world. And just last year he gave the sport a goosebumps moment when he won his sixth major, his second PGA Championship, at age 51.

Rolfing said he shared a special moment with Mickelson at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, where only previous year’s PGA winners are invited. It was the first appearance in Hawaii for the 45-time Tour winner in two decades.

“I can’t believe the change since January. I talked to him for 20 minutes, and the joy he was bringing to everyone, including himself, was great. Great for Phil, great for Maui. And here we are and all of that has basically gone down the drain.”

Rolfing said he doesn’t understand if Mickelson’s motivation is really helping the future of golf, as he has claimed, or his own checkbook, since he signed with LIV for a reported $200 million guaranteed.

Rolfing doesn’t mince words about what some say gives players “free agency” and will help “grow the game.”

He sees it more as a virus that could destroy the current structure that includes youth golf support, feeder tours and the Champions Tour for players aged 50 and over.

“I think all of that could take a big hit,” Rolfing said. “The PGA offers places to play for newcomers and those who are leaving. I don’t see the Saudis wanting to do that. The argument that it would make the game grow is nonsense. I don’t see any evidence of that.”

The PGA responded to the defections by suspending all 17 Tour players who played in LIV’s debut in London instead of the PGA Canadian Open last week.

“The ultimate hammer will be the Masters,” Rolfing said. “Augusta National can do what they want. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them disallow (LIV players). I would like them to announce it now, because of the impact it could have, but since the Masters is not for another nine months, they probably won’t.”

Some of the 17 who left are big names, but they are past their prime as competitors, cashing in on their fame while they still can.

“For the most part they are players who are finished,” Rolfing said.

Younger stars like Rory McIlroy, Tony Finau and Justin Thomas, who finished first to third in the Canadian, are staying the course.

But no one knows what the future holds.

“Basically, the PGA Tour is under siege,” Rolfing said.

It’s not just the players. Experienced tournament organizers and broadcast staff have been drawn to LIV Golf.

Did they give Rolfing, one of the game’s leading veteran streaming voices, a chance?

“(There was a) vague approach, but they never offered anything officially,” Rolfing said. “They knew better.”