Give and Take: Sunday letters

U.S. Open coverage on Fox just horrible

Regarding the U.S. Open TV coverage, I believe Joe Buck is totally wrong to say that the traditional golf TV viewer can’t be chased away from Fox’s coverage. I’m in my 60s and have watched more golf on TV than I would like to admit, and I saw most of all four days. But if the deplorable coverage continues to the next U.S. Open, I will not watch any more than maybe the final back nine.

I don’t believe they need to “hip it up and bring it into the next decade” as Mr. Buck stated.

I have never seen such inept sports coverage in my life. I tuned in to watch golfers golf and instead I got Joe Buck trying to be funny, which he wasn’t, and Greg Norman trying to be professional, which he seemed to accomplish but added nothing. Plus player interviews with Holly Sonders that were as weak and poorly done as I have ever seen.

I watch golf not because it is hip. It really never has been and probably never will be. I watch to see how well professional golf is played and how competitive it can be on the final holes.

Joe Buck should stay with baseball coverage and leave golf to a less hip announcer with more of a golf background and a better sense of what the traditional golf fan really wants in their TV coverage.

Tom Johnson

Spokane Valley

Here’s a vote in favor of Fox coverage

I found the Fox coverage of the U.S. Open, although not smooth and polished, a refreshing and enjoyable change from the commercial and irrelevant shows put on by CBS and NBC.

Although the course was bizarre beyond belief, Greg Norman basically said that regardless of the par for any hole, all that matters is what you score on it, so stop complaining, everybody is in the same situation.

Granted the announcers were not the best but they were not the center of attention like Jim Nance or Johnny Miller, who apparently need to be on air more than the players.  It was a pleasure to watch the action instead of the announcers, which, I thought, was supposed to be the purpose of televising sports.

Not having every shot being associated with some sponsor lead-in was refreshing, as was not relating every situation to an upcoming show on their network. I applaud Fox’s efforts and would watch their coverage over the other networks every chance I get.

Tony Morris

Spokane

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