AUTOGRAPHING IS BECOMING A WAR ZONE

     What I am about to expose is something that has been brewing for sometime and all that I am reporting and writing about are in the eyes of truly 2 novices and that of Golfers, their family and actions of the of many that were attending, organizing and viewing of the PNC FATHER/SON GOLF TOURNAMENT held this past weekend in Orlando.


    When a legend of a sport attends or participates in an event lately some of the worst its exhibited by a few that is visible to all and has reached a pinnacle that will and should say has begun to change the whole landscape of autographing. This golf tournament which is held at the beautiful RITZ CARLTON with its beautiful golf course is held annually and any further praise to the tournament stops there.  +JACK NICKLAUS probably the greatest golfer of our generation and to some the best ever was playing with his son in this family oriented event . There are other great golfers including +LEE TREVINO,  +HALE IRWIN,  +VIJAH SINGH,  +BERNARD LANGER,  NICK FALDO and +NICK PRICE to name a few but the professional graphers turn all their sights on Nichalaus. Some think that it is because of his age and legendary status but many of their concerns are how much they can sell the autograph for either privately or on EBAY.

     A 8x 10 goes for 100 to 125 dollars, 11 x 14 for 175 and a Masters flag can bring up to 500 dollars which was told to me by a autograph dealer. Though he signed randomly on Friday ,there was an area cordoned off as the autograph area. The reasoning is a start but the execution of handling was so poor that it was out of control.


     Most of the Marshalls, cadies, and family of the players shared their thoughts that these professional graphers who sell can be spotted a mile away with their dress as the first give away. Secondly by their behavior on the grounds which over the past few years is spiraling out of control. Though Jack had policeman around him as he was walking along the rope where apx 75 to 100 people were waiting and what was determined were 95% were dealers with waves of pushing causing at least one woman to be knocked over. It looked liked a frenzy of piranhas attacking their prey.The event director was present but nothing was corrected or even checked on the status of the young lady. These dealers even sent kids with items to get their items signed as Jack was picking out the undesirables. One dealer even had the audacity to ask a woman if she wanted to make some money to get an item signed. Ironically This person he asked was JACKS caddies wife though of course he did not know. Those who are the causal or non selling autograph seekers are becoming more disgusted as they are even being associated with this activity and was evident by another story collaborated by 2 people.


     Two woman entered with their tickets with 1 club each with hopes of having Jack sign to give a Christmas gifts and innocently were walking on the grounds when what was told later was the director approached them. He was curt to both of them and said the clubs can be used as a weapon. Really 2 young ladies that appeared to be singled out, but not giving up.   They even tried to explain that they had permission by the caddies wife of Jack , it fell on deaf ears and proceeded to escort them out on a golf cart and made no attempts to check out their story. They left and after returning out of principal spoke with this Director again and was going to talk to Scott and You guessed he never returned. So they spoke to a volunteer who saw that they were NO THREAT and allowed them in where they proceeded to the 18 th hole.With the help of Scott and Joe T of the golf channel was so nice and assisted in the process. Maybe it was the madness of the craziness of the autograph rush but when will the ORGANIZERS come to their senses. There is an easy way to control and prevent all the typecasting and the uncontrolled process of maintaining everyone to ensure a good experience for all. I planed to contact the respected parties that organize the event to share ideas and hopefully someone may listen. If not this will keep snowballing until no one will be able to ask for an autograph.