Lorena Ochoa not only secured numero uno rank in women's golf, but a hefty check for $1 million - the largest prize ever awarded in women's golf.
Lorena appropriately broke the bank at "The Donald's" course, Trump International in California this weekend.
Oddly enough, her key financial asset really lies in that No. 1 ranking - a vital requirement if she wants to push Annika aside for some more lucrative endorsement deals.
[PS: She totally coordinated her shirt with The Fairway Flapper ...]
Showing posts with label girls on course. Show all posts
Showing posts with label girls on course. Show all posts
Monday, November 19, 2007
Million Dollar Baby
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wonderful Tool for Rookie-Women
One of my other extracurricular-activities brought me to the site Meetup.com. I immediately looked for a local golf “Meetup” and it’s a wonderful asset!
There are several other rookie-golferettes in the group who pro-actively suggest group outings to improve our game together. Many got turned onto golf by a man in their life, which is great, but some girls (like myself) would feel much more comfortable venturing on the course with a group of fellow new-girls rather than heading straight out with the husband and his buddies.
In my biased outlook on the sport, golf is typically considered a guys’ sport – and stereotypically guys play much more often.
If one were to poll people in their 20’s I’d predict more males than females play the sport, and play 18-holes more often.
So for some reason this notion subconsciously makes me assume if they play more than me, they must be really good! The feminist, perfectionist in me almost doesn’t want to pair up with the guys until my game is stellar. How stubborn and misinformed of me!
Maybe I’m alone in this, but either way I suggest every girl head to Meetup.com and look for her local golf group or create one. It’s a wonderful way to round up a bunch of golferettes to organize a fun outing with.
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.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Brilliant Store Just for the Fairway Female!
If you're looking for some one-stop golf shopping, free of frustration, you have to visit this store!
Catherine Cole of Long Island put a good hunch to work when she started Forward Tee Golf last month. Fed up with the lack of quality service and supply while shopping for golf equipment she decided to open her own store. 
One mildly entertaining example (only because it's so blatantly sad & we can all relate) was when she was looking for a new putter ...
"So I'm in this store and I'm trying out a putter on the putting green and a guy that works there comes up to me and says, 'Can I help you?' "
Cole said she was in the market for a new putter and thought she would receive some expertise in picking out one that fit just right.
Instead, this:
"He picks a putter off the rack, hands it to me, and says, 'You'll like this one, it's pink,'"
It is tragic how the only way to find a worthwhile selection is online. How on earth are you supposed to locate the appropriate items online?? Whether shoes or a new 460 driver ... you just have to test everything out before identifying what works for you.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Cut That Putter!
This past weekend I was lucky enough to take a Dave Pelz 1-Day Golf Clinic, out at Wyncote Country Club in the Philadelphia-Wilmington area. The day focused on short-game skills. I initially had some reservations about participating since my short game has been not so hot lately (wait, isn't that what clinics are for?).
I hopped in the car early Saturday morning and headed out into the rolling green hills of historic Southeastern Pennsylvania. Surrounded by lovely vineyards and crisp summer air I was no longer upset that the clinic was an hour outside the city. After arriving at Wyncote I found myself seated amongst a group of professional-aged men. As I sat feeling groggy (I play better without any caffeine in my system) I listened to the discussion of courses and the latest golf tools technology has to offer ... in addition to numbers like 1, 3 and 10, which were the handicaps of my fellow students. Several others arrived, including two women and the lesson began.
The instructors were David LiCalsi and Anne Sparks and we spent the morning working on wedge shots, greenside chipping and bunker shots. I was happy to start off with the wedge shots, as the set-up, form and swing my lessons instilled in me was very applicable. After seeing fantastic results and being able to control the ball in a short range, I had my head on straight for the rest of the day! Working out of the bunker and greenside I actually appreciated the fact that my swing is new and mailable. Some of the veteran players had more difficulty adjusting their swing and set-up due to fixed habits and perceptions. Now I can't wait to get out on the course and find my ball in a sand trap next to the green!
After lunch we focused on putting. This session was really an eye opener but in a more technical way. First of all, most people's putters are way too long (I need to cut 4" off mine). The other putting skill presented was green reading. Dave Pelz is a man of science and to accurately understand a successful put based on the apex, science was referenced. The two instructors put on a little experiment to prove that one cannot sink a putt by simply aiming for the height of the apex! Mind-blowing ... some might even call it heresy!
The clinic taught me something else: golf is like a faith. There are many different ways of thinking and theories of swing/set-up, like there are many different religions. Many of these methods and beliefs contradict each other, but they all serve the same goal: better performance on the golf course.
I definitely recommend it to anyone willing to spend the money. Especially if you're a rookie. Better to form good habits early!
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.
Oscar Winner Takes Her Clubs to the Open
This weekend actress Sally Field was the US Women's Open to gain support for women's health issues but also to advance in the sport herself. The AP took notice of this celebrity on course, as the lucky lady had her first lesson on one of the practice holes at Pine Needles! 
Sally also pointed out one of the greatest things about golf, "People walk around and enjoy God, God's gifts, the trees, so I think I've always thought I should have that in my life." I must agree. It's an amazing thing to take a break from life as an adult in the corporate world, spending nearly every hour indoors. At your desk, in the car, at the gym, at a restaurant for dinner or in a bar for happy hour. The chance to spend a relaxing four hours outside, in the most picturesque of natural settings is the greatest thing!
Sally Field's tip for sticking with the game as a rookie golferette: "She said she keeps a set of golf clubs in her bedroom to remind her of her goals."
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Snagging a Savvy Swing
Since I was set on getting serious about the game I decided to start from scratch and invest in a proper swing. This spring I've been taking great lessons at the Every Body Golf School, in Oakton, Virginia.
My instructor Noel Jablonski truly adapts the instruction to fit the individual. Noel uses a variety of methods to effectively communicate the proper form, rhythm and ease required for a solid consistent swing. A Class-A member of the LPGA, she has been featured on Golf for Women's list of top instructors. The Washington Post also detailed her training program in From Zero to Tee in Ten Days.
If anyone is looking for some quality lessons in the Washington area Noel will successfully make you swing like a pro! ... Someone actually recognized my swing at a driving range in Pennsylvania!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Reminder: *Women's Golf Week * June 2 - 9
Hopefully everyone is enjoying some quality time with their clubs this weekend!
I just wanted to remind all the ladies about Women's Golf Week, taking place June 2nd - 9th. Sponsored by American Express and presented by Golf For Women magazine; golf courses across the country will be hosting lessons, seminars, social events and fashion shows to give women an opportunity to really get on course. LPGA.com put out a thorough article about the upcoming event.
Check out the website to find your nearest participating golf club, and its schedule of events.
My local spots:
Washington DC: East Potomac Park Golf Course (aka Hains Point)Definitely take advantage of this amazing resource!
--- also in Fairfax, Herndon, Reston & Leesburg VA and Silver Spring MD.
Philadelphia PA: Greater Philadelphia EWGA Chapter - hosting at various locations
--- also in Upper Darby (at McCall CC), Lansdale, Berwyn & Norristown PA.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Golf + Yoga = Improvement
Up in Canada, golf pro Jody Jackson has developed a innovative training program called Fusion for Golf, which uses yoga and pilates to improve a golferette's game.
Lessons ($430) take place at the Cordova Bay Golf Club (www.CordovaBayGolf.com) and Victoria Pilates Fitness Integration (VictoriaPilates.org).
Pilates is held on Tuesdays and Yoga on Thursdays.
Golferettes on NBC
This morning I turned on TODAY to catch Cameron Diaz swinging a golf club! Moments later I saw teaser for NBC's Ellen DeGeneres Show, mentioning that Elsie McLean, the 102 year old who landed a hole-in-one, will be featured in a segment today.
NBC TODAY
David shows Cameron Diaz his backswing
May 9: TODAY's David Gregory gives the "Shrek" actress a golf lesson on the Plaza. Did she get a hole in one?
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Wednesday, May 9
Ellen plans on taking her very first steps today since injuring her back! And, 102-year-old golfer Elsie McLean's dream finally came true last month when after 70 years of golfing, she finally snared her first hole in one! Now, Elsie is here to share the story of triumph that landed her in the record books as the oldest person - woman or man - to accomplish this feat.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Driving Women's Golf - English-Style
The English Golf Union unveiled a new initiative to help the English Ladies Golf Association get more women and girls on the golf course. One of the first steps taken was developing a brochure, Women & Girls Golf, which encourages and assists golf clubs to draw more ladies to the green and make a habit of the game.
This campaign is part of the EGU's vision to "Grow the Game."
Friday, May 4, 2007
Lela Designs for the Glamorous Golferette
Canadian based Lela Designs makes some amazingly sophisticated golf-wear for ladies. The brand was started by three savvy females, Tina Hofer, Perry Sharma and Margarita Angelatos, with the mission of making "functional, fresh and fashionable apparel."
The trio have managed to cover just about every base in making their product GREAT! They are environmentally friendly and the clothes are even made from organic materials. A portion of the profits go to The Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), which works to fight AIDs in rural Africa by educating women.
Lela Designs made it onto the runway this spring at Fashion Week in British Columbia.
Very cute! I'm loving the "sugar-daddy" vibe to their photo shoots, how very country-club-scandalous!
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Like Fine Wine, Female Golfers Just Get Better with Age
I suppose the golferette gods just weren't satisfied with one record breaking hole-in-one from 102 year old Elsie McLean this April. On April 27th two amateur women sunk consecutive holes-in-one at the Moor Allerton Golf Club in northern England. Appropriately, Reuters instantly picked up the story.
June Wiener (75) and Sue Baskind (61) both beat the million-to-one odds on the 152-yard hole. June pointed out,
The feat was rightfully celebrated with some whiskey at the clubhouse.
Absolutely amazing!!! Makes me a bit more relaxed about my 23 year old rookie status.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
New 'Women-Friendly' Category When Ranking Courses
The Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA) recently developed a plan to highlight the golf courses that are friendly to women. The details were announced in a press release, so hopefully courses will strive to get on the good-list.
First of all, the course must be a part of the EWGA Network to be eligible for the designation. The determining factors of female-friendliness fall under two categories, Playability of the Course and Customer Service.
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.
May Giveaway ... Free Lessons!
As FitSugar reported last Thursday, PlayGolfAmerica.com will be hosting free 10-minute lessons with PGA professionals nationwide this May. All you need to do is visit the PGA Free Lesson Month page to locate a teacher near you and sign up. So any fellow rookie golfer girls, grab those clubs and take this opportunity to gain a bit more confidence on the golf course.
Two other upcoming female-friendly events include
Women's Golf Week (June 2-9)
and Take Your Daughter to the Course Week (July 9-15).
Friday, April 20, 2007
Corporate Golfing
The idea of corporate golf is a solid one. It was even featured as part of a challenge on Season 4 of NBC's The Apprentice.
Today, Fortune Magazine online received a question from a business woman, raising to the executive ranks: "Must I play golf to get ahead?"
According to expert Hilary Bruggen, the answer is YES. Although the article states,
There are lots of tools available out there that specifically target the business golf outing. My
personal favorite, Eye Candy Caddies ... are you serious? They even have a site dedicated to corporate events! I did major in marketing, so I must give them kudos for identifying a "unique need" out there and being very one-of-a-kind.
The (evidently) typically male-based excursion can be advantageous to the working woman. Washington DC (at times crass) gossip blogger Wonkette addressed a question about finding a way to network with the big-shot Lobbyists, her answer was GOLF.
I definitely think corporate ladies should pick up their golf clubs and head to the fairway. The woman who posed the "problem" to Fortune columnist Anne Fischer sounded a bit fearful or anxious about hittin' balls with the boys, and I fully understand where she is coming from. Golf has tended to be such a male-based sport, I find my rookie-self feeling a mix of anxiety and pride when I arrive at the driving range or golf course. All the more reason for every woman to get out there and do her thing, athletic or not - its not like you're heading onto the football field.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
"Annika Academy"
Not quite hot off the press at this point but in case you haven't been paying attention, lady golfer Annika Sorenstam opened her own golf school in Florida yesterday. Could The Annika Academy be her way of fighting back against the recent speculation of her slipping off the No. 1 pedestal? Doubtful, since her new position on "the bench," as Ochoa threatens to overthrow, only came about a few days ago.
Doug Ferguson with the AP picked up this golfer girl story,
He also managed to nab us an update on the Swede's injury,
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