OPINION: Are We Being Played by Brooks and Brooksy?

Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve written. I hope you’ve been well. I’ve been off my golf game completely and getting back on as I ramp up for making more long term adjustments in my life, sport, and health. 

When it comes to writing…well, to be completely honest, I didn’t feel there was a lot to write about. But week after week during this boredom cycle with the game I love I’ve been spoon-fed countless articles, videos, and more of two golfers seemingly not liking each other much.

And there’s a reason why I’m not buying it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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My childhood was mostly during the 1980’s. Not only did some of the most classic movies in history come into existence during this decade, but that ten-year period also introduced millions more to the biggest sports theater farce to ever come down the pike.

That farce was then known as the World Wrestling Federation, or WWF, nowadays known as the WWE.

Yes, these wrestlers were and still today are some of the most gifted in the world. I will never, ever discount athleticism or talent possessed by these folks, nor will I discount just how athletic Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau are.

What I’m talking about is the false drama, the fake storylines, and the comradery backstage that is totally faked into becoming faces and heels when they bust through the curtain and make their way to the squared circle. Again, these people are pretty decent at this craft. They’re not going to walk away with OSCAR anytime soon but they are good enough to sell the story.

My grandfather (Pop Pop) was “straight off the boat” after sailing into Ellis Island with his family in 1950. An immigrant from Ukraine, my family settled in Philadelphia. Over the years my Pop Pop watched a lot of professional wrestling and seemed to portray a belief that it was all for real.

Sadly, I lost my Pop Pop in 1983, just one year before the world went Hulkamania crazy. I’m sure we would’ve loved watching Saturday and Sunday morning wrestling shows on Channels 17, 29, and 48. But my Dad watched them with me and he told me right away that despite the athletic skill that this is all scripted, it’s all planned, and these guys are quite often very chummy when the camera is off.

That hit me, an impressionable 9-year old like a ton of bricks. Watching Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau these past several months, all I see is another made for TV and social media set up with my Dad telling me, “You know this is all fake, right?”

Now, do I think these two guys are sharing dinner and going out to the bar together once the round is done? Not a chance. I don’t for one second think these guys are each other’s biggest fans or like each other much.

What’s in front of the cameras and on social media for all to see? This feels more scripted than Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat coming back from a supposed crushed larynx to defeat Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage at Wrestlemania 3. I mean, did you ever see Ricky’s rehab video trying to learn how to properly talk again? There hadn’t been a better acting performance on film since Bogart in ‘Casablanca.’ 

Why do I feel this way? Because nothing about it feels real. All the jabs are overly simplistic, all of the on screen stuff feels forced, like the roll eyes as he passes. Bryson is offended or upset at the most minor nonsense to build some more drama, while Brooks hits back with one liners that are so cliche that a six-year old delivering a “yo mama” joke lands with more force. And all of this attention could be two guys in cahoots to get a big pay day.

As you’ve heard and I really came down on the PGA Tour about it being nothing more than a participation trophy of the dumbest variety, the Tour’s bonus structure for gaining more attention, social media play, and news clips content could be worth millions to a Tour player. Now, take two guys who don’t necessarily like each other who hear about this, get together and agree to exploit this for more attention and potential payout?

Well, folks. It feels like we have a Vince McMahon-esque storyline of two super strong big boppers teeing us up for a fake feud all in hopes of a big payout in the end. 

As the late golden voiced Motown singer Jimmy Ruffin once belted out, “I’ve passed this way before.” And neither Bryson or Brooksy are selling me on this being legit. 

Somebody please ring the bell as this match is scheduled for one fall with a 72-hole limit. I already know how this one ends, as do the two “combatants” making their way to the ring.

Cover Image via Instagram