In the highly acclaimed play, “Fiddler on the Roof,” Tevye the milkman (picture above) played by Zero Mostel cries out, … “Tradition! Tradition! “ In the presence of danger? How do we keep our balance?” he decries, TRADITION!!

Tradition came to my mind this morning as I was watching the British Open golf tournament. Exciting stuff. For so many reasons. What I was most captured by was that this was the 150th celebration of this wonderful spectacle. Back and forth. The leaders exchanged first place. Drama. So much to win. So much to lose. So much at stake for these great players.

The Open is inarguably the most well known, coveted win in the sport of golf. Tradition … tradition… tradition. Steeped in history. Exemplary of the values and depth of character the game has stood for. For over one hundred and fifty years.

I recognize there are many differing opinions about the emergence of LIV, the new tour founded by Greg Norman. LIV offers huge sums of money to some of the PGA’s most prestigious players. And some less well known who may have reached their prime. But to me the contrast between these two opportunities is striking.

Let me make my point. What would our world be without history? We recall it. We live it. Our lives today are in many ways defined by those who have gone on before us. History isn’t something we erase, take for granted. Simply move on from. If we were to, we might slip and slide through life without the wisdom and learnings history bestows on us.

Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones … and countless others have created values, exemplified behaviors that have been passed on the artists of the game today. The Masters, The US Open, The PGA Tournament all have built an arc of history never to be duplicated. Traditions rooted in the core of this outstanding game. The Professional Golf Association has been the governing body since 1929. In many ways I think the history of the game of golf is as important as playing the game today.

(What if we forgot Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill? You get my point.)

Phil Michelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryce DeChambeau. Others too. Players who have chosen to join the newly formed LIV Tour. Funded by The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. Fueling immense sums of money to attract the players above. With more to follow. History? None. Tradition? None. New model to “Change the landscape, grow the game of golf around the world.”

Years ago Greg Norman, LIV’s founder, tried to build a new World Tour rivaling the PGA. He was rebuffed. He’s a vengeful guy. I have had three personal encounters with Norman. He is not a good guy. Believe me.

The PGA has its own issues for sure. The tension between LIV and the PGA is intense. The PGA has things it needs to clean up. But frankly I’ve been surprised how many I’ve talked to about LIV have supported it. “They’re independent contractors. Why not take the money?”

Well, I guess this boils down to personal values. Money seems to trump history, tradition with many of us. We are all entitled to our opinion. But I’m struck by the dismissive attitude here. History, legacy, loyalty… don’t seem to make the cut when some of us turn one way or the other.

Rory McElroy might have said it best. “Anything done primarily for money usually doesn’t end well.”

All this says to me, I hope this isn’t just another slice, indication of the erosion of our society that sets priorities that previously would have been rejected.

Whether it be the political climate, the lack of respect for human life or the gradual decline in commitment to spiritual faith. It feels like are slipping away, losing the very values that historically have created who we are today.

Would love to hear from you. Do you concur or disagree with my premise  here?

Let’s see where LIV goes. I just hope this isn’t the “canary in the coal mine” of not so good things to come.