From halfway around the world, it’s very difficult to monitor what’s happening in the world of golf, or at least those parts of it that interest me. But from logging on half a day earlier, or is it later, than you in the U.S., I’ve been able to keep track of a few things. And as I’m sitting in the spectacular Anantara Resort in Phuket, Thailand, sadly waiting to check out (and head north to Chiang Mai, near the Burmese border), I’ll extend my time of pleasure by doing a bit of pontificating. Or is it rabble-rousing?

First, the LPGA. I know Mike Whan. Or more accurately, I knew him from his days at Wilson Golf and then TaylorMade. My recollections are of a very bright, capable, and good guy. We won’t know for a while if the LPGA made the right choice, but Mike strikes me as someone who will sincerely give his all to make the right things happen. And as for those people who wonder why the ladies keep drafting “marketing people” to head their organization, I have two questions: First, what other kind of person would you suggest? An accountant? A politician? A lawyer? And second, what do you think marketing is? It’s selling across many different boundaries and areas of interest, which is exactly what the LPGA needs, sales to sponsors, countries, players, courses, networks, and so on. Mike’s wide range of experience in golf and package goods seems to me a good fit. Again, we’ll have to see but I am initially impressed by the LPGA’s choice and pleased they found him.

Second, my modest proposal. I’ve already mentioned this to a few people with ties to the Pebble Beach resort and if I’m screwing things up by airing it to the world (the world? My audience? Hah!), so be it. You tell me if you think the following is a good idea, pass it on to your friends, and let’s see if we can actually get a response from someone on Monterey Peninsula.

As I understand it, Pebble is suffering like everyone else in this economy. Rounds are down, and you actually can book a tee time almost immediately. I don’t remember what the green fee is these days (upwards of $425?), but I’m sure they’d like to ring up more of them. My idea should not only bring in some people who’ve never had the pleasure of a round at Pebble but is designed to bring back many who have already been and at that price can’t find a good reason to return. Maybe this is it.

Let the real world play Pebble under U.S. Open conditions. Starting immediately after the AT&T is done and the amateurs are gone—I wouldn’t do this to the likes of Charles Schwab, Ray Romano, and Clint (although Jack Lemmon would have loved it!)—the grounds crew should grow the rough to Open length, tighten the fairways to Open width, and speed up the greens as much as they can. Then give every amateur willing to plunk down the green fee (and maybe add a “maintenance surcharge”) the opportunity to play Pebble almost the way the pros will in a few months.

Whether you like it or not, Golf Digest’s Open challenge with Justin Timberlake, Michael Jordan, Tony Romo, and one “real” golfer is smart marketing (yes, there’s that word again). All golfers want to know how they’d fare on a U.S. Open course. They can get on Bethpage Black or Torrey, of course, but never at anything like Open conditions. Since Pebble isn’t full now anyway and the Open is there soon, I think this is the perfect way to generate some buzz, frustrate some golfers (is it possible that rounds would be slower? At Pebble? I doubt it. And so what, you know what you’re getting into), and get people thinking about the Open.

I’m sure there are many reasons this is undoable. So what? Isn’t it worth the effort?

Your thoughts?

Okay, gotta pack