Summer may seem a very distant thought right now (particularly if you're sitting in the rainy cold weather in the Northeast this week), American Express has just announced that Women's Golf will no longer be celebrated in one week, but in the entire Month of June.
This year Women's Golf Week was such a record-breaking hit (and because we not only broke out our clubs for the special events but also our purses) we now get four straight weeks packed with beneficial activities & events geared to improve our game and status on the green.
Thanks AmEx!
Showing posts with label fairway front-page. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fairway front-page. Show all posts
Monday, November 19, 2007
Women Get an Entire Month!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
A Celebrity Event!
This weekend the American Century Championship will take place up at Lake Tahoe. The competition is made up of various entertainment stars, whether actors or athletes (but mostly athletes).
One upsetting point is the appalling lack of female participants this year. When I looked at the list of players initially I though it must be a boys-only event! Kudos to Brandi Chastain (US Women's Soccer Pro, famous for her sports bra display at the Women's World Cup in '99) the only female on the roster of nearly 80 people. She has played golf for years and spent lots of time on the course with teammates Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy. Today Brandi will be teeing off at the 10thEdgewood.
Monday, July 9, 2007
A Fairway Spectator
Yesterday I was lucky enough to make it to my first pro golf tournament, the AT&T National at Congressional.
I absolutely adored it! What an amazing sporting event golf is. Nothing else lets you walk the "field" with the pros and stand inches away as they play. Just being a spectator is a sport in it's own too. Navigating your way with course map in hand, hiking several miles throughout the day, and strategically planning in order to see all your favorites up close & at a good hole.
The morning was spent checking out some warm-ups on the driving range & putting green. Then relocating to the 10th hole - with a nice water hazard - until some of the leaders began tearing up the course.
My hometown friends and I decided to set-up right near the 8th green for Kresge & Davis. We held our position next to the green (+ a great view of the 9th tee) for Kim, Rose, Woods, and Furyk - four I wanted to see in action. Next we high-tailed it past 18, as Vijay finished, and finally parked ourselves along 17 until Choi & Appleby had passed.
Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post crafted a wonderful article after interviewing Tiger. I've attached some highlights from it below, so "Read more" and check it out. It really left me with a nice feeling, being from the Washington area.
Some personal highlights were:
- Choi's amazing birdie out of the bunker on 17.
- Tiger light-heartedly engaging the fans at the putting green as he struggled a bit with the warm up. Sort of a 'what can ya do?' shrug & smile. Can't get too upset over a difficult warm-up, being no. 1 in the world, on the final day hosting a wonderful event, with a beautiful family at home ...
- Finding humor in certain 'styles' on the course:
favorites being Charley Hoffman who somewhat resembled Garth from "Wayne's World" and Anthony Kim, with the big belt-buckle & slight thug-strut that made me wonder if someday we'll hear 50-Cent's "I'm A Hustler" playing as he approaches the next hole. - The little kids!
It is the cutest thing, whether yelling "Tiger!" or running along with
their dad after he just won the tournament. My favorite though was when the trophy ceremony was about to start. I'd decided to head for the shuttle and beat the rush. While heading up towards the clubhouse a very frustrated Stuart Appleby raced by, cutting up through the shrubs to the building, and you hear this little 3 year old (un-coached by mom or dad) recognize him & innocently say, "Hey, Mister Appleby!" There's no way you could stay agitated after hearing that!
I'm already excited to attend another tournament!! I'm now planning to venture up to New York for the HSBC Women's World Match later this month!
Copyright 2007 The Washington Post
All Rights Reserved
http://www.washingtonpost.com
The Washington Post
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Strippers on Course??
This wildly unusual incident caught my attention last week. A teenage guy took notice when he spotted some half naked women on the local golf course. He pulled out a video recording devise (I'm guessing a cell phone) and captured the jaw-dropping sight: breasts & lap dances.
Apparently golf was not the main event at this charity tournament at the Cherry Valley Golf Course in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. Strippers were a primary feature too! All of this was easily visible from the surrounding residential roads.
It's so absurd one almost has to laugh in shock, Are you serious? How on earth did this come about??
C.R. Fannys Gentleman's Club was sponsoring the event.
Ohhh boys. What were you thinking??
Although, police don't quite know what to do about the incident.
Oddly enough, this past weekend there was a similar presence at a fund-raiser for the Democratic Party of Lucas County Ohio!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Sam Alexis Woods - Future Golferette?
Elin Nordegren Woods, wife of Tiger Woods, gave birth to baby Sam Alexis Woods back on June 18th, the morning after the men's US Open (talk about the best father's day gift ever). Tiger recently opted to stay home from the Buick Open to spend time with his wife and new daughter. The family recently released official photos of the new arrival.
I wonder if she'll pick up golf in two years like her father did ...
The Next Generation of Hot Golfers
The tween girl golfer is set to be the next hot phenomena in golf. These youngsters are oozing with so much talent already that I'm beyond eager to see what the game of women's golf will be like in 10 years!
Floridian Alexis Thompson recently brought some attention to this powerhouse generation of golferettes but she is not alone. In last year's under-12 competition identical twins, Lisa and Leona Maguire of Ireland, placed 1st and 3rd, while Ms. Thompson finished 4th. Identical twins! Talk about good sibling rivalry & potential female drama on the course. Match that with the inevitable level of talent & skill, five years down the road women's golf will certainly be one of the most watched sports on television.
A Weekend for the Women
The US Women's Open this year was jam packed with excitement and incident. The competition finished in gentle sunny weather with an ecstatic, long awaited win by Cristie Kerr (and her magic putter from Korea). I couldn't be happier about the outcome. The idea of karma comes to mind regarding this win for Kerr. It was the 10th victory for the bubbly 29 year old, in her 10th year with the LPGA!
[Photo: Cristie Kerr celebrates victory with husband Erik Stevens - CHRIS KEANE / REUTERS]
One can recall her touching victory at the Canadian Women's Open last year, where a fan gave Cristie a special coin he'd held with him as his wife defeated breast cancer. She went on to play magnificently and accredited her win to that very significant quarter. Cristie's a true philanthropist, having started the Birdies for Breast Cancer organization in 2003. She ties her two passions by personally donating $50 for every birdie she makes and hosting many golf related events. As a result of her direct involvement with the effort she was honored with the LPGA Komen Award last year. I can't think of a better person to be the star of women's golf!
There were many of bumps along the way at this year's Open in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Thunderstorms interrupted the third round and marked the end of 12 year old Alexis Thompson's record breaking debut at the Open. Annika and Michelle were both held back by their prior injuries, while the other leaders of this year's Open, including Lorena Ochoa, just couldn't grasp hold of the lead. You gotta love golf ... nothing is ever predictable.
Check out the complete scores.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Fairway Clash over Feminism & Golf
I originally started this post back on May 26th but with all the resurfacing buzz about the issue of “equal treatment” of women on golf courses, particularly in the UK [read: the serious side or the op-ed piece], I’ve been motivated to finish this …
Late last night I was heading south on 95, returning home for the weekend. In an attempt to stay focused I decided to search for some 'talk' radio. The static hiss of the AM offerings was not cutting it, so I ended up listening to the CSPAN station on FM.
A prerecorded lecture by Martha Burk, at the National Press Club was just beginning. Certain tid-bits from the introduction told me I was not going to agree with most of what this woman would be saying, but I like to be aware of exactly what I don't agree with.
One issue in particular stood out. Martha Burk vs. Augusta National Golf Club.
In leading the fight against Augusta's men's-only policy, Burk has gone so far as to accuse corporate executives with Augusta memberships of being discriminatory employers! This spring Morgan Stanley paid out $46 million in a similar lawsuit.
Don't you enjoy spending time with your gal pals sans-men, Martha? What about the LPGA? I say Tiger tries to play an LPGA tournament. There are plenty of golf lessons designed for girls only, I’m certain there aren’t any boy-only unless offered at Augusta. Let the boys have their club, what is the problem or the intrigue? We have the right to go out and start some women-exclusive golf clubs. There's a resent plan to make an entire floor at the Marriott hotel women-only; I don't have an issue with that and I bet men don’t either ... until people like Martha Burk enter the picture.
It'd be one thing if every golf course was male-only, but that isn't the case at all. Being the graduate of all-girls school, where a single sex environment may allow some to excel more. Maybe that’s part of the men’s-only purpose. We're females, does Martha neglect to acknowledge the power we hold ... which might be distracting to some men in their pursuits of competition or relaxation?
A lot of the recent coverage has focused on the apparently flawed strategy to create equality at the club. Now the problem isn’t about women being allowed in. The issue is how we’re treated at the facility after some have fought our way in. Resentment maybe? ‘You girls want to be members of our club? Sure, we’ll let you in … just see how much you enjoy it.’ I'm more bothered by this problem though than an entire men's-only facility. If you're going to let us in, let us in. If you want to have some men's-only hours or lounges, then make some women's-only one's also. I do also automatically apply economic principles to this sticky situation. When the demand for fabulous women's facilities increases and there is a substantial profit to be made off the female golf base, then places will truly cater to our needs and tastes. You can't successfully force a market to do what you want. You want to see some legitimate changes? Keep bringing those clubs and pocketbooks to the golf course ladies.
Apparently I’m not alone since groups like Women Against Martha Burk spouted up. Thoughts anyone?
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Some Healthy Competition
Annika will be actively re-joining the playing field at the Ginn Tribute in South Carolina, beginning on May 31st. Hosting the event, Annika will finally get the chance to even the score with Lorena Ochoa. The juicy details of the respectful rivalry were covered in a recent Reuters article.
Coincidentally, fellow injured LPGA star, Michelle Wie will also be making her return to the golf course at the Ginn Tribute.
I can't wait for the fight for #1 to really heat up!
Friday, May 4, 2007
True Life: I'm the No. 1 Golferette in the WORLD!
According to WorldGolf.com the new leading lady in golf, Lorena Ochoa, will be the focus of a future documentary. For the last year her cousin Jonathan Ochoa and his friend Christopher Vitiello have been following the LPGA Player of the Year with camera in hand.
Conveniently catching her journey to the top, the 24 year old duo will wrap up filming at the Women's British Open. What timing?!
Keep an eye out for it in 2008.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Ladies Leading the Way in Japan
The business aspect of golf has revealed that women are the stars of the sport in Japan.
An article in the UK's Telegraph explains that Ricoh Global, a digital office solutions company based in Japan ($17 Billion/year), will be sponsoring the Women's British Open. The Open will be played at the St. Andrews Links Open Course this year, which is a monumental "first" as it's the first time pro-golferettes will grace those greens.
The Chief Marketing Officer at Ricoh says they picked the women's competition because,
The Women's British Open will be August 2 - 5 this summer, in Scotland.
Monday, April 23, 2007
A Mexican Takeover
Congratulations to Lorena Ochoa, who finally won the power-struggle for the number one spot in women's golf today. It was only a matter of time with Annika Sorenstam off the golf course due to an injury. The 25 year old Mexican golferette was thrilled with her arrival at first place. The icing on the cake was that she got to enjoy being the best player in the world at home, preparing for the Corona Championship.
(Getty Images/David Cannon)
Reuters captured the leading lady's winning words, 
Why Women Turn to Golf
Journalist Paul Lin, with the WSJ, shot a video piece briefly investigating why more women are playing golf these days and how the industry is catering to them.
Lin visited Sterling Farms Golf Course in Stamford, Connecticut to talk with Head Golf Pro Angela Aulenti. Angela explained some of the factors drawing ladies to the game,
Paul Lin narrated,
Angela continued, saying,
Angela definitely covered two big reasons why More Women Embrace Golf.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Two Premier Ladies Out of Commission
As the New York Times announced, yesterday Annika Sorenstam joined fellow leading lady Michelle Wie in acquiring a new type of handicap, the incapacitating injury.
Michelle was forced to drop out of competitive play this February due to an injured wrist (she fell while jogging). Then Annika withdrew from a tournament yesterday, with a ruptured disk, leaving her out of commission for at least one month.
On Annika,
On Michelle,
Golf columnist Damon Hack concludes,
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