US PGA Tour wants players to

be upbeat in public about Tour

The US PGA Tour top man wants EVERYONE, from players and agents to officials, to be upbeat in public about the 2009 US PGA Tour.
No negative statements, no negative publicity. It has all got to be POSITIVE.
That's one of the ways the US PGA Tour top brass feel they can combat how the economic slowdown is going to hit sponsors and potential sponsors.
Commissioner Tim Finchem has sent a five-minute video to all US PGA Tour players and their agents, asking them to focus on four areas during the current ecomonic slowdown: scheduling, sponsor appreciation, public comments and charitable involvement.
Finchem said in the video: "We're asking every player to add a tournament or two to their historical schedule to assist the tournaments that historically have weak fields. We have a lot of title sponsors this year that are up for renewal. We have to put our best foot forward in terms of presenting our competitions."
He also asked players to be visible in corporate hospitality areas and to communicate that to the leaders of Tour-sponsoring companies. He also asked players to avoid being publicly negative about the Tour.
"We want players to be upbeat and positive about what the PGA Tour is doing and where we're going," Finchem said. "We want you to be excited about the competitive opportunities that you have. And third, we want you to talk about PGA Tour properties when you describe what this year, 2009, is all about. Particularly the FedEx Cup."
The PGA Tour isn't immune to the economic slowdown worldwide. Several of its sponsors are financial institutions or car companies, which are having significant economic troubles. But the Tour remains confident.
"The PGA Tour has come through other recessions and tough times in as good a shape, if not better, than before," PGA Tour executive vice president Ty Votaw told Golf World Magazine in November. "The best companies know that, especially in bad times, they always have to market, sell and entertain customers"