Should Long Island be banned from holding major golf tournaments?

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.

Hey Brian: I’m sure you saw the subplots at the Open involving Wyndham Clark. I know fans have their favorites and their least favorites. However, I have been watching since Jack’s ’62 Open win and have not ever seen anything of this magnitude, excluding the Ryder Cup. It would appear fans crossed the line. They did not draw his name out of a hat to target abuse. He does it to himself with his bad temper, obnoxious behavior in general. Yanks/Red Sox, Knicks playoffs, etc., have provided enough of a sample size to tell you that New York is not a place you want to alienate fans, no matter the event.

To Rick: Wyndham has acted up in the past, but he did not deserve the treatment he got from New York fans who too often try to make themselves the story. In fact, Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch, who lives in New York, said the PGA of America should pull the next major out of Long Island.

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To Mr. White: They started playing the song “Ohio” by the band CAAMP at each Buckeye football home game. It was one of the new things they rolled out recently to get the fans more “involved.” I respect and even enjoy the band, but it’s not a song that fits. It seems largely unnoticed by most when it comes on. Wisconsin has “Jump Around,” Penn State has “Sweet Caroline,” Michigan does “Mr. Brightside,” and if you go to these stadiums, 85%-plus of the fan base is loudly singing along.

My suggestion, albeit not perfect, is that they play “Ride” by Twenty One Pilots. I could very much see the majority of the stadium singing along to “takin my time on my riiiiiiiiiiddddddeeeee.” But hey, that’s just me. 

Any thoughts on this? Suggestions on your end? What do you think could fit? Music can unite so many, so I’d love to know your thoughts on the matter. 

To Eddie: I have no suggestions or comments, other than to laugh that, according to your list, Michigan picked a song played in pretty much every stadium, every game, everywhere.

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To Brian: Is the increasing number of transfers at Ohio State an aberration? Or is it a testament to a coach who has built a solid program with a launchpad to the NFL? Like biblical Job, Ryan Day has survived various trials. Look at the results: After hitting bottom, a national championship and a textbook win over his rival. Yes, welcome to the OSU football academy, refining “recruits” for future challenges. Too optimistic? Guaranteed wins? Oh no. Complacency is an enemy. Adversity is the proverbial teacher. And that’s life – from Woody on up. The progression today is a marvel for Buckeye Nation, an accomplishment few could match. It’s tomorrow – where college athletics is headed – that’s concerning.

To Larry: This is not an aberration. It’s the new world. Everyone is a free agent. The losers are high school players, whose recruitment is not as valued anymore by teams looking to bring in veterans year after year.

To Brian: Catcher Tucker Barnhart earned 10 times more money than Johnny Bench did playing baseball despite a much shorter and, let’s say, less decorated career. But that still doesn’t seem to be enough for players with talk that they will go on strike before next season. How much is enough to play a game instead of work? Baseball was my first love and the only professional sport I still follow, but when they go on strike, I’m out. College football became my passion, and that world has really been turned upside down. But when they unionize and go on strike, I’m done with them, too, and I guess I’ll have more time to read poetry.

To Dennis: May I suggest high school baseball? That’s real fun stuff. And no NIL yet that I know of..

To the editor: I am screaming, crying and carrying on because some of the best sporting events are now on Prime, and I am too cheap to pay for it. There. I said it. Every time I turn on my smart TV, another game has vanished behind a streaming paywall. Pretty soon, I’ll need six subscriptions, three passwords and my grandson on standby just to watch a Tuesday night football game.

In my day, you turned on the TV and adjusted the rabbit ears to watch a game. Now I need an IT person and my banker to tell me if I can afford it.

But this is not a sports crisis. It is a “me” crisis. The truth is, I just wanted to gripe. Please call the wambulance and tell them to bring extra tissues.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Should Long Island be banned from holding major golf tournaments?