I want to start this week by saying,
“I told you so!” I also want to say, “Ok, I know, you don’t care!” And, no matter how eloquent I am about this topic, you say, “It doesn’t matter; we are not going to watch.” So what am I talking about? It’s the LPGA of course!
While all the pun dents sit around trying to “figure-out” who is the real number two or who is the real chaser of Tiger Woods, we actually have some competition on the Women’s side.
Like me, last Saturday night, many of you watched Memphis vs. Tennessee. Normally, this is not a game most of us would give a damn about. Sure, like the LPGA, there is a small, vocal group that watches any college basketball game. But for the average fan, it takes something extra-ordinary to get us to watch a college basketball game on a Saturday night. So, one vs. two, especially one vs. two that have never been there before, captured our excitement.
Now, if I can just get any of you to understand that this where we are with the LPGA. And it’s better than that... not only do we have a one vs. two, we have a one vs. two vs. three vs. four vs. five. And the absolute best part of this competition is that there is an American in the group. The one thing we have been praying for on the PGA Tour is upon us... it’s just on the other side of the fence.
Annika begins the year announcing, “I am back.” Paula Creamer wins the second event of the year. And now, this morning, Lorena Ochoa begins her 2008 season at the top of the leaderboard with 6 birdies and zero bogeys. Add to this the Asian women at the top of every leaderboard and last year's sensation, Suzann Petersen in the wings, and you have the making of golf’s premiere tour.
Ok, I’ve said it... I know that it won’t mean anything to you and it will never change your attitude about watching the women, but darnit, I am going to keep trying!
Speaking of trying... I have a suggestion. Yesterday, Michele Wie was given another sponsors exemption. Since I cannot seem to get anyone to listen, I am going to take a different tact. The following paragraph is for Tournament Directors only. (I’m just teasing, you can read it.)
“Ladies and Gentleman, you are doing a disservice to Michele Wie. I understand your belief that Ms. Wie might increase attendance at your event, but I want to explain that you are not helping this talented young lady. If each of you will take just one-year off, not invite Michele to any event that she does not qualify for, I guarantee she will become a much better player and will absolutely increase the size of your audience by leaps and bounds. How? I hear you saying. Here’s the deal. With no sponsor’s exemptions, two things will happen to Michele. One, she will have to find other places to play. I.E. The Futures Tour. Playing on that level will assist in improving her game and give here a much better opportunity to win. Hell, if she does not win on the Futures Tour, then you would not have wanted her to begin with. (And I promise, The Golf Channel will still find a way to report on her and keep her name in the news.) Two, as long as you continue to give her exemptions, she will never get to the level of “uncomfortable” that she must in order to reach her goal of the “Greatest golfer ever.”
I know none of you will listen to me about this either (see first story), but I know what I am talking about. Think about your kids. If you give them everything, they have nothing to strive for. Another last place finish... I really do not want to start calling Michele "The Female John Daly."
Congratulations to Commissioner Tim.
It just goes to show that there are some incredibly powerful, incredibly rich bosses who will turn the other cheek. For about 15 years, Commissioner Tim and Greg Norman have been the Hatfield’s and the McCoy’s. These two guys just do not see eye-to-eye on many things.
But, when it came time to replace Gary Player as Captain of the European Presidents Cup Team, the PGA Tour Commissioner lowered his guard and appointed Greg Norman. I understand the pick. I understand the need to give the post to Norman, but due to the fact that Greg barely knows any player under 30, he will need a couple of very talented Vice-Captains to manage the operations. Not too different from Jeff Sluman’s job with Nicklaus. I assume a guy that can make a million just getting up in the morning will gather a management team that will allow Greg to do what Greg does best. Be out front.
And while I believe that Nick Price should have been the next Captain, I am really proud of Tim Finchem for raising the “White Flag.”
One last thought...
Tiger Woods is great. I know, silly comment. But I really mean it. Last Sunday morning on my radio show I raised the question, "Would you rather play golf or watch Tiger Woods?"I raised the question for a purely personal reason. There have only been three times in my “sports life” that watching someone would actually keep me from playing. I would rather play golf anytime than watch; when I was younger, I would rather play basketball than watch it.
In the first part of my life, it was Sandy Koufax. When Koufax pitched, I would drive my dad crazy about taking me to the game. (No TV back then.) Watching Koufax was watching perfection.
After Koufax, it took awhile to get me off the diamond or the court. Then the Lakers signed a young man by the name of Magic Johnson. Magic was poetry. His very first game, he threw a pass to Kareem, who made a “skyhook” to win on the last shot. Earvin went crazy. He jumped into Kareem’s arms. Kareem was shocked. After the game he took Magic aside and explained, “Magic, we have 81 more of these, you cannot get that crazy after a win.” Thank God Magic never believed that. His poetry continued every single night.
Earvin went away and I went back to the courts and the golf courses. Along came Tiger Woods. What can I say that has not been said? Every time a tour player enters an event, they WANT to win. Every time Tiger enters a tournament, he EXPECTS to win. That is what makes it so fun to watch.
