Hall of Fame debate arises on cue
Morning Read and Mike Purkey sure know how to generate interest and fill the “Inbox” during a time when no golf is being played: open the great World Golf Hall of Fame debate (“These 5 champions merit looks for World Golf Hall of Fame,” April 22).
Halls of fame should be preserved for only the great, not the very good nor the also-rans, regardless of how many times they also ran, or the unlucky timing of when they were welcomed into the world. Sixteen PGA Tour victories, including one major championship, isn’t great, regardless of how many times Tom Weiskopf was runner-up. Sorry, but Weiskopf is out. Compared to Mark O’Meara (two majors among 16 Tour wins), Weiskopf is close. But I don’t think O’Meara should be in either, based on one great year. Very good, not great.
Padraig Harrington’s three majors separate him from the very good, even though it was the result of being the best player for just 13 months. Somehow that third major means something more. Paddy is in.
The loveable everyman Lee Westwood should be in on the strength of 25 European Tour victories and 10 Ryder Cups. I’d love to see him win a major, but I think he’s in. No U.S./PGA Tour bias here.
I’ll leave the discussion on the old-timers to someone who knows more than I do. That leaves things pretty open.
Never thought I’d say this: I’d love to hear a golf announcer utter “…a moment ago…” again soon.
Gregg Cook
Mechanicsburg, Pa.
A thumbs up for the ‘go-to’ handshake
Regarding Dan O’Neill’s commentary on the fate of the handshake (“Coming to grips with an outdated golf tradition,” April 21): That was fun to read.
I do think the “firm handshake” lesson from Dad already was going the way of the dodo bird for our youngest golfers. But, we baby boomers will miss it, as it was our go-to routine to bond, build trust (with the appropriate length of handshake and eye contact) and maintain comfort in our hellos and goodbyes.
Love the bowing idea.
Rich Jepsen
Alameda, Calif.
A nod to ‘The King’
Another idea to replace the handshake: Arnold Palmer’s thumbs-up gesture (“Coming to grips with an outdated golf tradition,” April 21).
Whatever we gravitate toward, I think the handshake is done, at least for me.
Jerry Tucker
Stuart, Fla.
(Tucker, a PGA of America member and longtime club professional, is a golf instructor in southeast Florida.)
Basic training, courtesy of an old Marine
I enjoyed Dan O’Neill’s column on the golf handshake (“Coming to grips with an outdated golf tradition,” April 21).
Two things: If you keep your forefinger extended when you shake hands, it will be nearly impossible for the other person to crush your hand (an old Marine Corps trick).
I don’t like placing the finger against the nose as a gesture to your opponents or fellow competitors. If it was a bad loss, it would be hard to resist flinging snot at them.
Ted Mina
Catonsville, Md.
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