PGA Tour Considering Drug Testing Policy

[Bag Chatter]

<p><img width="104" height="125" align="right" src="http://www.golfwrx.com/BagChatter/wp-content/uploads/PGA_TourLogo.JPG" alt="PGA Tour" /><strong>Roughly a year ago, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem stated that the PGA Tour had no need for a drug testing policy. Finchem seemed very <a href="http://www.pga.com/news/tours/pga-tour/drug082306.cfm">comfortable in his reasoning</a> - that a problem was not perceived to exist and if there were allegations against a specific player, they would be dealt with on a player to Commissioner basis. However, times appear to be changing. At a press conference at this week's Travelers Championship, Finchem stated changes were being made to rules that would lead to <a href="http://www.pga.com/news/tours/pga-tour/drug062007.cfm">drug testing in the future</a>. </strong></p>

<p>"It's unfortunate that these realities are with us, but they are, and we have to deal with them, and I think it's important that golf deal with them collectively," said Finchem. Yet this new policy hardly seems proactive considering the government required testing of all athletes in Europe and the LPGA which has already instituted thier drug testing policy they will <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2662865">enforce in 2008</a>.</p>

<p>Stories about performance enhancing drugs and sports have become fixtures in the news. The blind eye baseball showed towards drug testing was thrust into the public spotlight as many of the sport's icons have been implicated in the use of performance enhancing drugs. Once thought the cure-all for home run hitters, quite a few pitchers have also begun testing positive recently, which shattered the stereotype of finesse positions being unaffected and even hindered by performance pharmaceuticals. In this day and age, it was rather naive for the PGA Tour to believe they are immune to this problem. In the past ten years, the redefinition as the modern golfer as an athelete has progressed in leaps and bounds. Golfers everywhere are realizing the importance of strength and conditioning to improving their performance and are taking advantage of every opportunity presented to improve their abilities and performance. Although golf is singular in its code of ethics and self officiating, people have found ways to cheat in the past and will find ways to do so in the future. The steps the PGA Tour is making will ensure that golf does not recieve the same black marks against its reputation baseball has endured.</p>

<p>As a welcome change of pace, many players seem to be on board with the testing policy, some even asking why a plan hasn't been in place previously. When asked about the possibility of testing last year, Tiger Woods said, "I don't know when we could get that implemented. Tomorrow would be fine with me." This week's defending champion, J. J. Henry was asked about the issue during his press conference. He added, "What the Commissioner does, whatever they decide to do, I obviously will be behind, but I'd like to think there's none of that going on out here, to be honest with you." Greg Norman also commented on the issue, "If the rules aren't there, you can't blame the players. If it is happening, and I'm not saying it is, even if one player is doing it, it's one too many."</p>

<p>Yet, not all players seem to be on board with the idea. Much of the dissent on the testing policy appears to have more to do with the make-up of the PGA Tour Policy Board which is made up of nine players who decide on policies for the memberships. Mark Brooks was one who disagreed with the testing policy, "Basically, in (the PGA Tour) you've got 200-plus independent contractors and those who are on the PGA Tour Policy Board are not all elected, and well, there's a problem," Brooks said. "Should we or should we not? Whatever. But it's not just a matter of Tiger (Woods') opinion or someone else's opinion or whether we should or shouldn't. I'm not a lawyer, obviously not by any stretch. But my guess is that we'll have some serious legal issues if we get into that field."</p>

<p>Regardless of the various wishes of players, it appears that the wheels are well in motion towards developing a firm testing policy. Joe Durant, a member of the Tour's Policy Board said, "It'll happen, being on the board, we've already discussed it. It's just getting it correct. We just have to make sure it's done right the first time so we don't have to keep amending it, but it will happen." While this is a controversial subject, a simple glance at the drug fueled stories found in today's sports news seems to put things back in perspective as to just how important a stable testing policy will be to maintaining the image of the PGA Tour in the future.</p>

 

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