Jun
28
Where to play in Newport when not stalking Michelle Wie at U.S. Women's Open
Michelle Wie is playing in Newport, Rhode Island for the U.S. Women’s Open. Which means they’ll be a lot of people swarming the town’s charming - and highly commercialized - streets who think Wie is the GREATEST FEMALE GOLFER EVER. These are the same type of folks who only watch Olsen Twin movies and think every other actress is some kind of pretender.
In other words, these are either the very young, the very disturbed (think people Dateline NBC catches in one of their specials, or a teacher Oprah’s interviewing) or the very stupid.
If you’re in Newport, even to watch the Open, you might want to get away from these people for a while. One of the best ways is to actually go golfing. Few of these Wie Maniacs know anything about golf themselves. The last place you’ll ever find them is on a course swinging a club.
Newport isn’t a great golf town. But it does have some decent options. Newport National is an Arthur Hills design that’s heavy on the tall grasses and a little removed from the hustle of downtown. For the complete story on Newport’s golf scene, click this link.
I spent a little time last summer in Newport, felt the “openness” of U.S. Women’s Open host course Newport Country Club and observed the town’s Michelle Wie Buzz a year in advance.
I knew better than to return now when the crazies are gathering in mass. With Rhode Island being Rhode Island, they were actually worried about the attendance figures for the Women’s Open for a while. I hear they considered just busing in a few nearby mental wards to fill out the galleries.
Everyone would just think they were Michelle Wie fans anyways.
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20 comments
Comment from: putt4par [Visitor]
I really have to wonder if you believe any of the garbage you write, Chris!!
2006-06-29 @ 00:40
Comment from: Priscillawhite [Visitor]
..........and dont you think Chris, your commenting style gonna surely decrease the spectatorship at Newport. Atleast i ve dropped my idea just now.
2006-06-29 @ 02:43
Comment from: yyoo [Visitor]
Just curious. What does the restraining order say, Chris? How many feet are to stay away from Michelle?
2006-06-29 @ 03:15
Comment from: jayzee [Visitor]
There is a very good reason you should stay away from Newport during the Open. Someone might take offense to the hateful trash that you write and you might just be taken to task physically. Yes, you might write stupid copy, but at least you are smart (or cowardly) enough not to show up at the wrong venue.
2006-06-29 @ 03:52
Comment from: John D [Visitor]
The best reason to go to Newport is to actually see the other golfers. T.V. coverage will focus on "THE winless-Wonder". So, if you are tired of the hype, go to Newport - where you can watch who you want.
2006-06-29 @ 05:33
Comment from: Mike [Visitor]
Chris,
Apparently John D. is the only person, other than myself, who thinks that the Wie hype is exactly what it is! You people need to get a grip...the HYPE is there to get you to buy more NIKE shoes, made in sweat shops by young children by the way, Omega watches etc. SHEEESH
Apparently John D. is the only person, other than myself, who thinks that the Wie hype is exactly what it is! You people need to get a grip...the HYPE is there to get you to buy more NIKE shoes, made in sweat shops by young children by the way, Omega watches etc. SHEEESH
2006-06-29 @ 11:41
Comment from: Mike s [Visitor]
The premise that only teenagers and perverts enjoy watching Ms. Wie golf is insulting. You are a sorry excuse for a journalist.
Mike s
A excerpt from Ian Mcdonalds Fox sports column;
Ricky Barnes was the next big thing in golf, a musclehead college boy who spent his first career round at the Masters in the company of Tiger Woods, whom he pounded by seven strokes.
Michelle Wie beat him by one shot in a U.S. Open qualifier.
James Driscoll was a 23-year-old amateur when he raced up the Augusta National leaderboard with a 4-under 68 in his debut round.
Michelle Wie beat him by two shots in a U.S. Open qualifier.
Photo Gallery...
Wie's quest for qualifying
Len Mattiace lost a Masters playoff to Mike Weir that otherwise would've dressed him in a green jacket and put him in the elite circle of champions of the sport's most prestigious major.
Michelle Wie beat him by two shots in a U.S. Open qualifier.
Mark O'Meara won the British Open and the last Masters that saw Jack Nicklaus, the greatest of them all, make a breathless Sunday charge.
Michelle Wie finished one shot behind him in a U.S. Open qualifier.
So these people who are telling this sweet 16 to go beat the big girls first, they've got to be kidding, right? Wie recently outdrove and outputted and outlasted and outscored 81 men who were vying to make the Open field at Winged Foot, and you can look it up.
Mike s
A excerpt from Ian Mcdonalds Fox sports column;
Ricky Barnes was the next big thing in golf, a musclehead college boy who spent his first career round at the Masters in the company of Tiger Woods, whom he pounded by seven strokes.
Michelle Wie beat him by one shot in a U.S. Open qualifier.
James Driscoll was a 23-year-old amateur when he raced up the Augusta National leaderboard with a 4-under 68 in his debut round.
Michelle Wie beat him by two shots in a U.S. Open qualifier.
Photo Gallery...
Wie's quest for qualifying
Len Mattiace lost a Masters playoff to Mike Weir that otherwise would've dressed him in a green jacket and put him in the elite circle of champions of the sport's most prestigious major.
Michelle Wie beat him by two shots in a U.S. Open qualifier.
Mark O'Meara won the British Open and the last Masters that saw Jack Nicklaus, the greatest of them all, make a breathless Sunday charge.
Michelle Wie finished one shot behind him in a U.S. Open qualifier.
So these people who are telling this sweet 16 to go beat the big girls first, they've got to be kidding, right? Wie recently outdrove and outputted and outlasted and outscored 81 men who were vying to make the Open field at Winged Foot, and you can look it up.
2006-06-29 @ 13:44
Comment from: Dino [Visitor]
Hey Mike s - Do you know what you and I and Michelle Wie have in common?
We all didn't qualify for the US Open!
We all didn't qualify for the US Open!
2006-06-29 @ 14:38
Mike s, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but the enlistment quotas for the Wie Warriors have been met and exceeded for the foreseeable future. Your fawning and butt-kissing will be to no avail. And your quoting of meaningless jabber about who missed the cut by what margin are also shopworn. Maybe you should try trumpeting the virtue of the US soccer team.
2006-06-29 @ 20:22
Comment from: Jim COULTHARD [Visitor]
Alex--You of all people should know that quotas are illegal. We do, however, practice other forms of affirmative action at the Wie Warriors in the interests of promoting diversity. In an effort to include more Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel fans into the ranks of the Wie Warriors we have accepted GEORGE as a member based upon his claim that he is a Michelle Wie fan. However, your concern regarding the integrity of the Wie Warrior membership rolls is duly noted. AND GUESS WHAT? Since we may someday need legal help to protect against those who would say hurtful things--Your expression of conern on lthis matter hereby QUALIFIES YOU AS A WIE WARRIOR.
Mike and Alex you, along with George, are all welcome to the ranks of the Wie Warriors.
Mike and Alex you, along with George, are all welcome to the ranks of the Wie Warriors.
2006-06-29 @ 20:57
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Mikey,
Guess what? I can beat Tiger Woods by a shot on a given hole. Suzy Whaley also "beat" David Duval in that men's tournament in which she paid. I suppose, then, that she deserves to play on the PGA Tour, too.
Guess what? I can beat Tiger Woods by a shot on a given hole. Suzy Whaley also "beat" David Duval in that men's tournament in which she paid. I suppose, then, that she deserves to play on the PGA Tour, too.
2006-06-29 @ 21:23
Comment from: Jim COULTHARD [Visitor]
Judge Smails--There is no way you can beat Tiger Woods by a shot on any given hole. There is no one who can guarantee up front that he can beat Tiger by a shot on any hole Tiger names.
2006-06-30 @ 01:24
Judge Smails, I assume that you didn't get the memo. To paraphrase the old EF Hutton ad, "When Jim COULTHARD talks, Wie Warriors listen." On another thread, he is adamant in his opinion that Bubbles is Number Two in the world according to the venerable Rolex exit poll, or rather, rankings. This pronouncement, according to Jim C, is not to be questioned by the unenlightened. Similar to when no Soviet citizen would dare question Comrade Stalin's edict that all inventions from the printing press to the ICBM were the result of communist ingenuity. Insiders know that the Rolex committee has dropped consideration of such outdated things as victories in compiling their rankings. Just because Karrie and Lorena have a few recent victories and several seconds doesn't mean they should be ranked ahead of Bubbles. Now Rolex has adopted new and better criteria such as length of dangling earrings, number of sparkly watches, size and whiteness of capped teeth, and conspicuous consumption encouraged by doting stage fathers. Of course, Bubbles should be Number One, but those pesky 70+ wins by Annika keep getting in the way. However, word has been leaked from the Rolex camp that all Bubbles needs to take over the top spot is to finish ahead of Annika this week. If that happens, even a win by Lorena, Paula, Se Ri, or Karrie will not get any of them the top spot which will be the exclusive niche for the Lanky One.
2006-06-30 @ 07:45
Comment from: Howard [Visitor]
Mike S and Ian McDonald
Nice stats. With your view of things since the Saints beat Carolina by 3, and Carolina beat New England by 10 and New england beat Pittsburgh by 3 then the Saints are better than the Steelers and should be Super Bowl Champs.
Nice stats. With your view of things since the Saints beat Carolina by 3, and Carolina beat New England by 10 and New england beat Pittsburgh by 3 then the Saints are better than the Steelers and should be Super Bowl Champs.
2006-06-30 @ 09:51
Howard, I am sure that you noticed how Mike S left some pertinent facts out of his convoluted stats. Like the 14 year old high school freshman who qualified for the Open while Bubbles did not. Like the fact that she has never qualified for any medal play on any tour, relying solely on exemptions from fawning sponsors.
2006-06-30 @ 12:24
Comment from: John [Visitor]
Alex states:Like the fact that she has never qualified for any medal play on any tour, relying solely on exemptions from fawning sponsors.
but...On May 16, Wie finished first in a local qualifier for the men's U.S. Open. According to officials with the sponsoring United States Golf Association, Wie is the first woman to be a medalist in a local qualifier for the men's U.S. Open. Three weeks later, at the sectional qualifier, Wie finished 59th and did not advance. Yes she did not advance, but she did earn her way and if she had played in the local qualifier in Hawaii, she probably would have gone to Wingfoot.
but...On May 16, Wie finished first in a local qualifier for the men's U.S. Open. According to officials with the sponsoring United States Golf Association, Wie is the first woman to be a medalist in a local qualifier for the men's U.S. Open. Three weeks later, at the sectional qualifier, Wie finished 59th and did not advance. Yes she did not advance, but she did earn her way and if she had played in the local qualifier in Hawaii, she probably would have gone to Wingfoot.
2006-06-30 @ 23:43
Comment from: Norman [Visitor]
Alex said:
On another thread, Jim Coulthard is adamant in his opinion that Bubbles is Number Two in the world according to the venerable Rolex exit poll, or rather, rankings.
*************************
Yes, she is number 2, as calculated by the rankings, which are a fair system.
*****************************
Alex said:
Insiders know that the Rolex committee has dropped consideration of such outdated things as victories in compiling their rankings. Just because Karrie and Lorena have a few recent victories and several seconds doesn't mean they should be ranked ahead of Bubbles.
******************************
Actually Alex victories do count, but other placings count also. Here is a typical example of the way the rankings go:
1 24.00
2 14.40
3 9.60
4 7.20
5 5.76
6 4.80
7 4.32
8 3.84
9 3.60
10 3.36
11 3.12
12 2.88
13 2.64
14 2.40
15 2.28
16 2.16
17 2.04
18 1.92
19 1.80
20 1.68
As you should be able to tell, Alex, a win is great for someones ranking.
However other high finishes like top 5s mean alot too.
Lots of finishes of about 20th place do very little.
Michelle has lots of top 5's and that is why her ranking is so good.
Take the example of Padraig Harrington. He has been playing well all season, he has lots of finishes from 15th to 30th, but his ranking has been falling. In his last 4 events, he has had a 2nd place, and 2 fith places, and his ranking has jumped about 10 spots.
That is the value of high finishes Alex. Hope you enjoyed the lesson.
On another thread, Jim Coulthard is adamant in his opinion that Bubbles is Number Two in the world according to the venerable Rolex exit poll, or rather, rankings.
*************************
Yes, she is number 2, as calculated by the rankings, which are a fair system.
*****************************
Alex said:
Insiders know that the Rolex committee has dropped consideration of such outdated things as victories in compiling their rankings. Just because Karrie and Lorena have a few recent victories and several seconds doesn't mean they should be ranked ahead of Bubbles.
******************************
Actually Alex victories do count, but other placings count also. Here is a typical example of the way the rankings go:
1 24.00
2 14.40
3 9.60
4 7.20
5 5.76
6 4.80
7 4.32
8 3.84
9 3.60
10 3.36
11 3.12
12 2.88
13 2.64
14 2.40
15 2.28
16 2.16
17 2.04
18 1.92
19 1.80
20 1.68
As you should be able to tell, Alex, a win is great for someones ranking.
However other high finishes like top 5s mean alot too.
Lots of finishes of about 20th place do very little.
Michelle has lots of top 5's and that is why her ranking is so good.
Take the example of Padraig Harrington. He has been playing well all season, he has lots of finishes from 15th to 30th, but his ranking has been falling. In his last 4 events, he has had a 2nd place, and 2 fith places, and his ranking has jumped about 10 spots.
That is the value of high finishes Alex. Hope you enjoyed the lesson.
2006-07-01 @ 08:09
Comment from: Norman [Visitor]
Alex said:
Of course, Bubbles should be Number One, but those pesky 70+ wins by Annika keep getting in the way.
*******************************
Actually, most of them wins mean nothing in ranking terms. Only wins in the last 2 years make a difference, as do any performances in those last 2 years with particular emphasis on more recent tournaments.
**************************
Alex said:
However, word has been leaked from the Rolex camp that all Bubbles needs to take over the top spot is to finish ahead of Annika this week. If that happens, even a win by Lorena, Paula, Se Ri, or Karrie will not get any of them the top spot which will be the exclusive niche for the Lanky One.
***************************
Karrie has recently started playing very well, but rankings are done over a 2 year period. That is why she is ranked behind Michelle.
As for Lorena, she has had lots of high finishes and a couple of wins, but Michelle's average results are just better.
Of course, Bubbles should be Number One, but those pesky 70+ wins by Annika keep getting in the way.
*******************************
Actually, most of them wins mean nothing in ranking terms. Only wins in the last 2 years make a difference, as do any performances in those last 2 years with particular emphasis on more recent tournaments.
**************************
Alex said:
However, word has been leaked from the Rolex camp that all Bubbles needs to take over the top spot is to finish ahead of Annika this week. If that happens, even a win by Lorena, Paula, Se Ri, or Karrie will not get any of them the top spot which will be the exclusive niche for the Lanky One.
***************************
Karrie has recently started playing very well, but rankings are done over a 2 year period. That is why she is ranked behind Michelle.
As for Lorena, she has had lots of high finishes and a couple of wins, but Michelle's average results are just better.
2006-07-01 @ 08:15
Comment from: Joe Cool [Visitor]
The LPGA is now pushing "Miss Personality" Morgan Pressel...barffff!
2006-07-01 @ 10:54
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