Caddies blast R&A over guest passes
THE Open caddies have complained about being treated as second- class citizens by the R&A because they have to pay for guest passes on to the course for family and friends.
The bagmen, who have moaned in the past about the Open facilities and meal allowances, are upset the R&A don’t follow the example of the European and US Tours in giving them regular tickets for partners.
Mike Donaghy, caddie for Jamie Donaldson who was two under par after the first round, said: ‘ The way we’re treated here is nothing short of a disgrace. The R&A are sipping their gin and tonics in the clubhouse and we’re having to pay full price to get our wives in. The other golf organisations give us proper respect, but that’s never been the case at The Open.’
Dave Clark, who carries Vijay Singh’s clubs, said: ‘ There’s still a stigma around caddies. We’re regarded as the lowest of the low. Surely we shouldn’t have to rely on the players to help us out with passes all the time.’
R&A chief executive Peter Dawson countered: ‘Our pass policy is generous and caddies have a fantastic time here.’
Adding to the tension is the R&A commissioning Strokesaver to produce hole-by-hole yardage guidebooks, which cost £7, rather than allow an extra opening for former caddies Graeme Heinrich and Dion Stevens, who compete for yardage-guide business on the European Tour. Dawson said: ‘ There was an issue, but the Strokesaver product has been very well received.’
MICKELSON is so sponsorship conscious he still talks to Bob Diamond, former boss of his major backers Barclays, since the rate-rigging scandal that led to his departure. Mickelson is also one of the few golfers to wear a watch — Rolex in his case — while competing. All Rolex-sponsored sports stars have it in their contract to put on their watch for the trophy presentation, as Roger Federer did at Wimbledon. PETER ALLISS, the BBC’S dinosaur 81- year- old commentator whose one-year rolling contract rolls on and on, had contravened Corporation rules over product-endorsement mentions before noon on the first day of The Open. After Tiger Woods missed a putt, Alliss ( right) said, ‘ He should have gone to Specsavers,’ which is in breach of commercial regulations. A BBC spokeswoman said: ‘Peter did not realise the implications of it being perceived as a product endorsement when he made the remark. He was made aware of this immediately.’ (Apologies to reader Ralph Brough who asked for The Open to pass with no Sports Agenda pops at Alliss.)
is significant unrest among FA blazers about the lack of consultation over the board decision to pay £12,000 a year to directors instead of a small attendance allowance — an increase of around 300 per cent. The angry FA councillors want the pay hike suspended until a proper debate has taken place. Respected councillor Jack Pearce said in a letter of complaint to FA chairman David Bernstein, circulated to all stakeholders, that the timing ‘could not be more inappropriate’ in the current economic climate.