AUGUSTA, Ga. – On Monday afternoon at Augusta National, officials announced a new initiative to grow the game via a junior skills competition and nothing else.
While the news conference featured two of the four primary participants in the ongoing debate over the proposed ban on anchoring, both made it clear there was no imminent news to report in what has become the most polarizing issue in golf.
“That issue is pending before our executive committee and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time,” said USGA president Glen Nager,
The media masses received a similar sidestep from PGA of America president Ted Bishop. “Glen and I were happy we could come here this week and kind of take the week off in regard to anchoring,” he said.
Along with the R&A, the USGA proposed the ban on anchoring last year and a final decision is expected later this spring, while Bishop – along with PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem – publically voiced his opposition to the proposal during a 90-day comment period earlier this year.
Finchem and R&A chief executive Peter Dawson did not attend Monday’s news conference.