Here’s betting that plenty of people involved with the LPGA and USGA were relieved to see the fat chick blow up like a firecracker on 4th of July’s eve in the U.S. Women’s Open playoff.
Of course, none of them can actually say that. Just like no one can actually say that Pat Hurst, the rolling jello of the fairways, is beyond hefty or big boned. TravelGolf.com blogger Willy K. Liberal detailed the extent to which the mainstream media went to avoid using the word fat.
Because it’s funny to brand guys like John Daly and Charles Barkley double wides, to rip Phil Mickelson for his supposed man boobs. But the minute you call a female athlete fat that’s crossing the line into cruel. This view holds some merit too. It speaks to the double standards men and women are held to in terms of physical fitness.
It cannot hide the fact that Pat Hurst is fat though. Nearly Maury Povich Show-intervention large. With her big untucked shirt billowing in the Rhode Island breeze, Hurst made King of Queens comedian Kevin James look well put together.
The powers that be in women’s golf couldn’t miss that. Just like they knew the millions watching on TV wouldn’t miss it. The LPGA and USGA had to cringe at the thought of Hurst getting shown raising the U.S. Open trophy again and again in clips on ESPNEWS. The LPGA and women’s golf in general could not stand a woman who could double for Johnny Sac’s wife serving as the symbol of the sport.
Annika Sorenstam saved women’s golf with her playoff dominance. That’s very sad. But all true.
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Jason Scott Deegan:
The Accidental Golfer:
Katharine Dyson:
Kiel Christianson:
You point about the double standard is spot-on, though. Men are fair game for most any kind of taunting nowadays, while women possess that PC immunity.
Having said that, one of the reasons I was rooting for Hurst was that she was fat (I know that sounds strange). Now, I'm not trying to justify myself because I'm lean and mean, but doesn't anyone tire of this modern cult of the body? There's inordinate emphasis on the physical, with everyone wanted to be ripped, chiseled and rock hard. And personally, I find it shallow and tiresome. I like the fact that there are some golfers on the scene who are built for comfort, not speed.
I'd like to see people place more emphasis on beautifying their interior and less on the exterior. We've reached a point where people's souls are rotting and no one cares as long as the wrapper is pretty.
And I agree that more people should place the health of their inner being (souls as you put it) before their exterior shell. Although, keeping both in good shape at the same time is what we should all strive for.
Given a glimpse of your "kindler & gentler" nature, I don't know why you "rag" on Michelle so much? It's not her fault that the media has blown everything she does out of proportion. And maybe the Wie Warriors are partially responsible too with the constant hype of her abilities but their just fans who love her. Even Tiger had his rabid fans (media too) before winning his first major at the age of 20.
Michelle seems to be a very nice person and even though she has not won yet, you must agree that she is an exceptional golfer (man or woman and at any age).
Pat left everything she had on the golf course Sunday and just couldn't keep pace with Annika on Monday.
Well, I'll have to shave a little more if I want to earn that title. Really, though, I think that the Greek statue routine is getting quite old. I actually respect someone more if he's secure enough to have a roll around his waist.
As I indicated, with my fast metabolism weight has never been a problem for me. However, not everyone is the same. A woman close to me can't lose weight no matter what she does, and she eats practically nothing (I know this FIRST hand).
More importantly, though, the real problem isn't people's physical condition but the attitude implicit in your comments.
You say that such people are a burden on society. Well, my friend, that's not a problem of a free land, that's a problem of socialism. In other words, the problem isn't that some people chose to smoke, drink too much and overeat, the problem is that we've quite stupidly crafted a socialist system wherein other people are held responsible for the consequences of those decisions.
It's very dangerous to entertain the notion that people's rights need to be limited so as to prevent them from "burdening society," which is often the implication when people espouse your belief. It's a recipe for creeping tyranny: make government (of course, it's just us acting collectively) responsible for the people, observe that many people are acting in ways that we deem irresponsible, note that these people are a "burden" on government, then remove their authority over their lives to some degree and give it to the government. After all, he who pays the piper calls the tune. With authority comes responsibility and with responsibility comes authority, as a writer once said. This is why it's so dangerous to make government responsible for the welfare of the people.
By the way, homosexuals "burden" society far more than the obese. You should take a gander at their health and mortality statistics.
Self respect dictates it. How can she look at herself on TV and not be embarassed? I feel embarassed for her.
She looks like a 500 lb baby elephant
hacking at the ball and it gets worse when you compare her with Michelle who looks so elegant and sleek.
You're right Chris the USGA and the LPGA are grateful for Annika's win
Jennifer Lo
The context of my post was that Judge Smails, a strong critic of Michelle in past blog entries, now showing a softer side and how this reconciles with his past writings on her.
Could be you were the only one to not see the nexis?
Ahhsoo, If someone starts a blog about the effects of golf on the lower lumbar regions in Indonesian aborigines, how long do you think it will take you or some other Wie Warrior to introduce Bubbles into the mix? Enough, already!
2006-07-05 @ 09:20
Waaaaaaaa!!!
I'm sure you'll diss anything said about MW anyway so get over it.
Besides, I figured I just had to comment so that you and JS would have something to do besides re-line your dentures.
Oh, btw, there was a short bus driver that got on the Greyhound cruiser and said he was looking for you. Said it was the second time you missed your ride back to the group home..
Been missing your meds lately? I do believe CB has missed his meds a time or 3 also.
Cheers, Alex. Like Arnie, I'll be back.
There really is nothing to reconcile because there is no contradiction between these positions. Hurst's physical state and Bubbles' actions and comportment are very different things.
By the way, softness and hardness are two sides of the same coin; they balance each other out. And I'm a man who wears innumerable hats.