Graeme McDowell hopes high for European golf as the economic recession subsides
The signs of economic recovery are more than imminent as the “Great Depression” finally recedes, the reigning US Open champion, Northern Irishman, Graeme McDowell is hopeful of the revival of the sport in Europe.
The economic down turn, which began in the year 2008 and caused many of the world economies to bear the burnt of failing industrial growth and rising inflation, also had a lasting impact on the sport. Golf, often regarded as the rich man’s sport, was heavily
hit by the economic decline as the sprawling golf courses in the US as well as in Europe were closed or sold out for lucrative real estate deals.
McDowell, currently ranked fifth in the world, has been an eloquent supporter of European golf. The Irishman spoke his heart just before the BMW PGA Championship, about the encouraging signs of recovery and hoped it would be a good omen for the sport.
“We are in a position to hopefully go out and … bring events back like the European Open, English Open, events in Germany, the big strong events we’ve lost in the last few years,” said McDowell. “We are in such a strong position now … we (the players) remain
very supportive of the tour and I think we are all in a position to do what we can to make sure we get those big events back.”
The recession had a domino effect on the major economies in the world. The events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were severely jolted as Dubai came back from the brink of Sovereign default and was bailed out by its neighboring state Abu Dhabi. The Race to Dubai
and Dubai World Championship survived only to see their purses reduced phenomenally.
The conditions in Europe are still in the doldrums as some of the countries are still under huge debts and are constantly being downgraded for their poor credit ratings. Greece and Spain have just managed to remain afloat in the current crisis. Spain’s recent
failure to qualify as the host venue for the 2018 Ryders Cup might cause the Spaniards to slash many of European Tour events in Spain.
Conditions in the United States took the turn for the worst as the country saw its previously thriving courses either sold out by the owners or auctioned by the banks after filing for bankruptcy. US has the largest number of golf courses in the world and
the maintenance and membership costs went out of bound for the common people, rendering many of the courses as hoodlums' neighbourhood. The clubs reduced membership’s fees, offered attractive weekend packages to lure new members in attempt to escape Chapter
11 bankruptcy.
McDowell is not only hopeful of the European Tour coming back to a full throttle, but is also aiming to introduce a new event in Northern Ireland, keeping in view the upsurge of Irish golf with himself and compatriot Rory Mcilroy.
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