The Mayans Were Correct :(

The Mayans predicted that the world would come to an end in 2012 (although the Canadian musical trio Rush has music being rediscovered in 2112, so there’s a discrepancy there) and carnival workers believe that accidents come in threes. Take a look at the last fortnight of news in the golf world and a disturbing trifecta of circumstances suggests that this might be it for us.

First, the Royal & Ancient Golf Association and the Links Trust announced that alterations to the Old Course at St. Andrews would take place within hours, under the direction of purported non-golfer Martin Hawtree (he does have some design experience). Bypassing the usual practice of announcing the work ahead of schedule, the maneuver doubtless irked the Golf Gods, who are connected in some spiritual way to the Mayans.

Next, the R & A and the United States Golf Association announced a plan to ban anchored strokes from golf. No one has yet found any benefit to anchored driving, approach or sand shots, but for some reason, anchored putting caught the eye of these ruling bodies as a form of panacea. Never mind that it is more placebo than cure-all, the bodies decided to distract us from the real reason golf is out of control and cede to the wishes of traditionalists (most of whom can’t see nor play worth a lick) and ban a stroke that just doesn’t look like golf. Strike two.

Over the past 24 hours, two caddies at an Australian professional tournament (might have been the Open) were compelled to show off their pugilistic skills (or Mixed Martial Arts, I’m not certain) and engaged in fisticuffs on the practice tee at the host club. Even the Aussies, known to be brilliant brawlers, were not entirely amused. Word on the fairways is that sanctions are imminent.

So that’s it…our three strikes. Good-bye, world. It has been quite a run.