PGA Pork

Any follower of this blog knows how much I love pork stories. I also, however, like golf. What do the two have in common, you ask? Unfortunately, more than you might think. I was sad to read at Doug Petch's blog that the last pork laden excuse for a spending bill which was passed in Washington had some top cut white meat to dish out for the PGA. And the sneaks didn't even mention them by name.

In a section of the bill intended to limit corporations' use of deferred compensation plans, an exemption is included for any plan �established or maintained by an organization incorporated on July 2, 1974.� That organization would be the PGA Tour Inc.

Sounds good for them, right? Well, you don't know the half of it - The PGA pension plan is tied to performance. Golfweek magazine reported in 2001 that a 26-year-old player who began his career that year, plays 17 seasons without winning a tournament, and ranks No. 75 would get a retirement nest egg of nearly $43 million.

Thanks for letting us know, Doug... even if I am getting a severe headache now.