It doesn’t matter who’s behind the mic, it’s time to take off the “kid gloves.”
Disc golf’s now a bonafide professional sport – our commentators can’t forget it.
Along with Lucas, I’m one of the few people who thinks Ian Anderson & Co. do a great job most tournaments. Here’s the problem, though: The Disc Golf Network’s (DGN) announcers have a personal relationship with the majority of the MPO and FPO fields – check out this lineup:
- Nate Doss
- Terry Miller
- Ian Anderson
- Brian Earhart
- Philo Brathwaite
* Note: Yes, I’ve left out a few names, but bulleted lists can only be so long – sorry.
Heck, during post-produced coverage of Silver Series events, Nathan Queen – who’s actively defending a Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship – hops in the booth and gives his two cents about the golfers he’s competing against, many of whom are close friends and training partners …
I get it: It’s REALLY hard to speak openly and honestly of those peoples’ poor play …
Still have no earthly idea what I’m talking about?
Back by popular demand, check out this gosh-awful putt from Eveliina Salonen on the third hole of the final round at the Music City Open this past weekend – it’ll blow your freaking mind:
Obviously, the putt’s lousy enough, but did you happen to catch what Holly Finley said of Salonen’s “effort” on that wayward putt? Just in case you missed it, I’ve got your back:
“Little misfire from Eveliina – happens to the best of us.”
Eh …
Does it, though?
Believe me when I say this: I’m an amateur disc golfer – like, really an amateur disc golfer. I’ll pick the time and place: Left-handed, Eveliina would still whoop my butt up and down 18 holes. But even while being beaten to a bloody pulp, I’m hitting that putt 100 times out of 100 …
And again, I blow major chunks.
It’s because of Salonen’s greatness, however, that DGN commentators can’t let moments like this pass by without vocalizing what literally EVERY viewer on the planet is thinking – that’s how you connect with an audience. For better or worse, it’s their job to state what’s happening …
Not walk on eggshells for their buddies’ benefit.
Please note that I’m not advocating for any kind of “bullying from the booth,” so to speak. It doesn’t matter the sport – there’s no room for that. As such, here’s what Finley could’ve said:
- “Eveliina can’t miss those kinds of putts – it’s inexcusable at this level.”
- “That kind of putting is unbefitting of the sixth-best FPO player in the world.
- “Until Eveliina gets her mental game back, she stands no chance against the best.”
This isn’t a Finley thing. Or an Eveliina thing. This happens all the time – it needs fixing.
In the DGN booth, you can’t be a fan, friend or cheerleader – call each round objectively.
Nuff said.
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