Earlier this week, the PGA Tour announced a major overhaul to its schedule with additional changes to how its will be compensating the players going forward.

One of the biggest changes announced is a new policy that will designate 20 players each year as “top golfers.”

These chosen golfers will be eligible to play in 12 “elevated” events offering dramatically increased purses, and the select group will be determined by a newly defined “Player Impact Program” that will likely take into account a player’s popularity (as well as their performance).

Without a doubt, the move is a reaction to the new LIV Golf Tour and recent efforts to lure away multiple PGA stars for large sums of cash.

The PGA Tour definitely needed to do something to curb the rash of defectors to the LIV Tour, and I give them a lot of credit for moving quickly.

With that said, there are a couple of items I hope don’t cause the PGA Tour any long-term harm.

One concern is how the 20 “top golfers” will actually be determined each year.

The PGA Tour was careful to say that popularity would be one of the factors, which is quite a departure from golf’s 100-year history rewarding performance alone.

I’m hoping the emphasis on performance remains the top priority when assembling this list.

Another issue I see is the perception that the PGA Tour is only making changes because it has been forced into a corner. That’s not how a top-notch organization should be operating.

The Tour may have had little choice at this point, but I’m hopeful the PGA Tour gets back to being the leader in this industry and gets away from being so reactionary.

Laurel Highlands Cup

Summit Country Club was recently invited to participate in this year’s Laurel Highlands Invitational, and the Cresson-area club took advantage of the opportunity by capturing the team trophy in this prestigious event.

Last weekend’s competition pitted teams from Windber, Oakbrook, Somerset, Northwinds and Summit in a three-day tournament that included six golfers from each club.

When all scores were totaled after Sunday’s final round, the Summit team of Artie Fink Jr., Quintin Dziabo, Derek Fink, Shaun Lepore, Derek McAlkich and Brian Giesler posted the winning score of 675.

Battle by the River

This past weekend also witnessed one of the most exciting team events in our area.

The “Battle by the River” is a fierce competition between neighboring rivals, Down River and Bedford Elks.

Format for the event includes a first-day competition of best-ball, alternate-shot and scramble, followed on Sunday by individual match play.

After a close start on Sunday, Down River dominated the finale on their way to a 21-9 victory. (Note: plans are underway for a similar competition between Down River and Bedford Springs set for some time in October).

60 years ago

During the fourth week of August 1962, Hollidaysburg’s Scott Stultz captured the championship trophy in Blairmont’s prestigious Invitational tournament.

During the event’s championship finale, Stultz finished regulation play in a tie with Maryland’s Nelson Bell.

Play would extend for seven additional playoff holes before Stultz finally prevailed. It was Stultz’ third consecutive victory in the Blaimont event.

Ken Love covers local golf for the Mirror. He can be reached at GLTR777@atlanticbb.net.

From left: Derek McAlkich, Quintin Dziabo, Brian Giesler, Derek Fink, Artie Fink Jr and Shaun Lepore captured the Laurel Highlands Cup.