A quick point about last week’s post. As you might imagine, the responses to my discussion about “Where are the women?” came from both sides of the fence. I did, however learn something extremely interesting. As most of you probably know, when the Tour Players split from the PGA of America, a decision was made to allow the Tour Players to be members of the PGA. It seems the same is not true of the LPGA. LPGA members are NOT members of the PGA. Not sure of the reasons behind this, but one thing is true… Why should great members of the LPGA Teaching staff not be members of the PGA? Why should we ask these women to pay two sets of dues and more importantly, have to go through the processes of being a PGA member? I am trying to learn the politics of this matter and will keep you in the loop.
Proving people wrong –
Since 1994 she had won a tournament every year until 2007. Her neck injury, according to people, “in the know” was much worse than disclosed. She was already recognized as, “one of”, if not the greatest women player of all time. For the first time, it seemed her personal life was beginning to take a front seat to her game. There were so many reasons for Annika to slip into mediocrity. Except, it’s Annika. Lesson one for the week – Always strive to be the best.
Any of you remember Kobe’s first season with the Lakers? He took a last shot in a playoff game, it missed the rim completely. The greatness did not come in missing the shot. The greatness came in his desire to take that shot. His greatness came in every off-season after that shot. Not many guys want the ball in the last seconds of a game, especially not many 18 year olds. More importantly, Koby has spent each off-season working to get better. Imagine that, the best player in the game (whether you like him or not) spending his vacation getting better. That’s Koby…That’s Annika.
There is a choice to being the best. Annika has made it and it showed on Sunday.
The Best never give up –
Want your children to understand that concept. Show them Tiger Woods in Round 1 of the Match Play. Didn’t TIVO it… call me, I got it. Woods struggled with his game. It started from shot one… a ball he hit out of bounds. Nothing seemed to work. For 13 holes, Tiger Woods looked like any other golfer on the Tour. The difference came after an unplayable lie from his tee shot on that 13th hole. To be more specific, it came after Tiger took his drop and it landed in the worst possible spot. Tiger took one extra swing, at his golf bag, and from that moment until he shook JB Holmes hand, Woods played, well, like Tiger. He went from 3 down to moving to Round 2.
I think the hardest thing to do in a round of golf is find a swing that has disappeared. There are very few that can handle that problem. See Ernie Els. That 3 year plan made need a little more time.
There is a quality in the best. It is called, “never quit.” 19 times, Jack Nicklaus finished 2nd in majors. How many times could he have called it a day? What we saw yesterday from Tiger was absolute greatness. 3 down with 5 to play and he had just hit a drive to an unplayable position. How much would you like to see Tigers nervous system; Tigers brain waves as he moved to the 14th tee box... Birdie 14; Birdie 15; Birdie 16; Eagle 17, five under in 4 holes.
“I just kept saying I could win in regulation,” said Woods, who had a back-nine score of 6-under-par 30 despite a bogey. “That’s what I’ve always done, even if I’m 2-down with three to go ro 3-down with five to go or whatever it may be.
"I've been in that situation a lot of times. I always say I can win in regulation. It doesn't mean that you do, but you have to believe that you can. And today was one of those lucky times where everything just happened to turn my way at the right time."
How many actually say that to themselves… lesson two – the best never quit.
Why Wie –
Lesson three – at what point should the media report on the news rather than try to create it. For the last 4 days, those of us that watch The Golf Channel (God forbid, ESPN or Fox should actually discuss golf) have had to deal with another on-slot of Michele Wie promotion.
From :30 second promotional mentions about the tournament this weekend to some sort of story in just about every show. Every 5 minutes another picture of Michele… another story. If I am Carolyn Bivens, the LPGA Commissioner, I am doing everything possible to get the LPGA on The Golf Channel.
See, if there was ever a week for The Golf Channel to help one of its biggest clients, the LPGA, it was this one. Instead of sticking us with more promotion about a non-playing, non-winning, non-member of the LPGA (it is very important for me to say that I like Michele Wie and still think there is greatness in her. My anger is not directed at Michele but at the one place I can go to learn about golf), I want to give you what they should have been doing. Maybe it’s just me, but I am truly sick of hearing about someone that has not done anything.
I can give you so many better stories. Stories that in the long run might actually assist in making the LPGA stronger. Stories that might actually excite the viewer to watch the next tournament rather than hearing about the “same old thing.” Here are just a few.
How about promoting Angela Park. A young lady, that like Tiger, never gave up. After being assessed a two-shot penalty for slow play, she came back and was in the hunt.
How about Russy Gulyanamatta or Memoko Udeda. Two young ladies that fought to hang with Annika. Great young women who should be talked about.
How about Kelli Kuehne. Leading after the first round she shots 79 in the second. But instead of quitting; instead of walking through her third round, she proceeds to shot the low round of the day.
You might think me crazy discussing this, but before you do, watch the LPGA this weekend. There are great stories that need to be shown and told and promoted.
