I think this is a great news for Golf and Sport in general.. Can you imagine women playing in Men's major wow

June 5th is the real test that will separate the men from boys (or is that men from girls)
If she passes then, that will be a REAL big deal.

As people have been saying, LPGA is missing out on opportunities to cash in on Wie. Increase the exemptions from 6 to 9 or so. I certainly would like to see her play more in general. What's the big deal with 6 ? The excuse was that they didn't want youngsters to get burned out with too much competition, but Wie is already taking on competition left and right all over the globe.

The first woman (girl) to make it through the US "Men's" Open local qualifier and win it outright too! You got that right, David... WOW

Keeping my fingers crossed for her to make through the sectional. Imagine the hype, crowds, worldwide TV audience, etc. if she's paired with Tiger & Phil for the first 2 days!!!

It's actually 8 but she has already qualified for the Evain masters (2nd place finish I think,I beleive she was all alone in 2nd place there. May be wrong tho)in France which is an LPGA tour event and also the (T3)British womens open, also an LPGA event, so that makes up her 8 exemptions.

Hahaha, AhhSoo, that'd never happen... well, then again, strange things have been happening.

Jen when you said "If Wie makes it through sectionals, she'll be playing in two US Opens within two weeks of each other" I was thinkig that if she just makes it through the first 18 holes and qualifies to go to the second 18, that'd be great. But to be amongst the 30 qualifiers would be phenominal. *Dang, Baldy would bust a gut on that. Think of all the crow he'd have to eat, lol*
As for the big sparkly thing, have you noticed that it has been missing in her last few pix? She took it off cause it was bothering her arm when she was playing.
Not only that but it seems to me that not much has been distracting the young lady lately.
That girl is dead serious about her run at the US (mens?) Open

I hear that they draw straws (or something like that) for the pairings on the first 2 days at the US Open but the gods only need to smile on her twice more for the 2 to happen. One can dream.

All I know is, that if these 2 things happen, then sports fans worldwide will go "ape s--t".

And while we're dreaming... say the gods decided to smile 3 times on Michelle in June and she ends up in the top 8 at the US Open. Guess what, she gets an automatic invitation to the 2007 Masters at Augusta. Time to stop dreaming as this is getting too ridiculous even for a Wie Warrior, eh Baldie?

Wow! Who would have thought: not just the first woman to make it through the US Open local qualifier, but also the first to win it outright - is a 16 year schoolgirl competing only between school semesters.

You've really come a long way....

Michelle is just "chipping away" at her dreams one at a time.

I'm glad Michelle will tee it up at the Omega Masters. There is really only one golfer in the field she needs to beat, the dress wearing Frenchman Jean Van de Velde who put forth such an outstanding performance at the 99 British Open.

She really needs to humble this blowhard.

The US Men's Open uses USGA course standards and typically scores near par are good. Does anyone know what things have been done to the New Jersey course to make it meet USGA standards?

MW's drive on the 17th seemed to have been her only real nightmare shot. The description of MW hitting back toward the tee to get out of trouble and then hitting the green close to the pin sounded like pretty good "course management." Can't wait to see the video.

It's a stretch, Ahhsoo, but suddenly I want to think about the 2007 Master's, too.

It's a great achievement, but don't get too excited yet, guys - chances are, she won't make it into the tournament.

Another question: why is it that Michelle is never forced to qualify for any women's tournaments? Why is she always the exception to the rule? I'm sure in getting an automatic exemption, some hard-working woman is getting knocked out the tournament field.

Looking forward to seeing how Michelle gets on in the next stage. When does she play in the sectional qualifying?

Finally Michelle will get enough tournament rounds in to establish a rythym this season. She has been handicapped by having long breaks between events and now her plate if full. She is the second hottest ticket in golf today.

AGE 10:
Shoots 9-under-par 64 at Olomana from 5,400 yards.
At 10 years, 9 months, 24 days, is youngest to qualify for USGA amateur event (U.S. Women's Public Links), loses in first round.

AGE 11:
Becomes youngest to win Jennie K. Invitational (by nine shots) and Hawai'i State Women's Stroke Play (by two). Also becomes first woman to qualify for match play at the 93rd Manoa Cup, loses in first round.

AGE 12:
Shoots 83 with 10 penalty strokes — in rain and 30-plus mph winds — in Takefuji Classic at Waikoloa Beach to become youngest to Monday qualify for LPGA event. Misses cut.
Wins first-round Manoa Cup match, then loses to Del-Marc Fujita in second round on second extra hole.
At U.S. Women's Public Links, becomes youngest semifinalist in history of USGA-run amateur tournaments. Wins State Open Women's Division by 13 shots over LPGA pro Cindy Rarick.

AGE 13:
Shoots 1-over 73 to tie for 47th at Sony Open qualifying, beating 49 men.
Ties for ninth at Kraft Nabisco Championship, an LPGA major.
Youngest to make cut at LPGA event, the Kraft Nabisco Championship (third-round 66 equals low amateur score for LPGA major).
Youngest in 108-year history of U.S. Golf Association to win an adult USGA event, the 2003 Women's Amateur Public Links Championship.
Youngest to make cut at U.S. Women's Open (2003).
Youngest to win Hawaii State Open Women's Division.

AGE 14:
Youngest to play in PGA Tour event, the 2004 Sony Open in Hawai'i.
First female to shoot in the 60s in a PGA Tour event (2-under-par 68 in 2004 Sony Open in Hawaii).
Youngest U.S. Curtis Cup player (2004), wins both singles matches.
Youngest to win Laureus World Sports Academy Award (Newcomer of the Year).

AGE 15:
First amateur to compete in LPGA Championship (finishes second to Annika Sorenstam)
First female to qualify for adult male U.S. Golf Association championship, the U.S. Amateur Public Links (defeats three men and reaches quarterfinals).
Turns pro

AGE 16 Professional Golfer:
Second female to make the cut in a men's PGA sanctioned event and the first in 61 years.
FIRST female to enter the United States Open Championship and progress to the sectional level.

The resume keeps growing.

David, Michelle is scheduled for sectional qualifying on June 5th & 6th at the Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, NJ.

Just found out that if she qualifies for the US Open, she cannot be paired with Tiger. Tiger (2005 British Open Champion), Michael Campbell (2005 US Open Champion) and the reigning US Amateur Champion will be paired for the 1st 2 days.

David, Michelle gets exemptions from qualifying for women's tournaments because she is in the top 30 for current winnings (16th in earnings for only 2 LPGA tournaments entered) AND just happens to be ranked 2nd in the LPGA/Rolex world rankings.

Comment from: AhhSoo [Visitor]
David, Michelle is scheduled for sectional qualifying on June 5th & 6th at the Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, NJ.

Just found out that if she qualifies for the US Open, she cannot be paired with Tiger. Tiger (2005 British Open Champion), Michael Campbell (2005 US Open Champion) and the reigning US Amateur Champion will be paired for the 1st 2 days.

David, Michelle gets exemptions from qualifying for women's tournaments because she is in the top 30 for current winnings (16th in earnings for only 2 LPGA tournaments entered) AND just happens to be ranked 2nd in the LPGA/Rolex world rankings.

It didn't hurt that she took a second and third at two LPGA Majors last year or her five top five finishes.

There was no way the USGA would keep the second best female golfer and the first best playing in Men's events on the Planet out of the US Women's Open.

Hey Jennifer are you adding chapters to your book as we blog here?

Some observations
* the LPGA has been completely silent on MW, as it she doesn;t exist.
* I am reminded of a PGA player (Greg Norman? or Nick Price?) who said at a time in wihch PGA players were sick of fielding questions about Tiger that the PGA tour should thank Tiger each and every day for the gigantic purses on the tour that have come from the media circus that is Tiger. Deja Vu all over again...Before too long, the LPGA will be plastering MW's name everywhere to catch all that extra revenue...

* My guess is that MW will not have as proportional an effect on the LPGA as might be indicated by being competitive on the pGA. The LPGA courses have litle rough, wide fairways and gigantic flat-ish greens. FOr the same reason that Tiger rarely goes low in lower-tier events, MW will not have a chance to showcase her talents in most LPGA events...Here is hoping that more LPGA events get played on PGA style layouts...to separate the women from the girls...

* I wonder if what we are seeing here is akin to what the Negro Leagues felt with the success of Jackie Robinson. I mean, once JR crossed that line, the sun started to set on the existence of the Negro Leagues...if the LPGA doesn't respond intelligently they will suffer...

* I have been severely disappointed in the reaction of alpha males, inclusing some on the PGA and European pGA tour. Come guys, be MEN!! If you cannot beat MW then salute the girl for a job well done. All this whinging and protection of turf is embarassing. Gutless.

* The reaction by LPGA players has been equally enbarassing. Cristie Kerr's comments that she would only play a PGAtour event for charity is a joke. The jealously is almost made-for-TV!!! MEOW!!! MEOW!!

* More than anyone else, BJ Wie should be the diggest concern of MW. Whether he has the sense to retrest into the shadows of supportive Dad is my biggest concern.

* Final comment: the jealously and whinging coming from the brainless northeastern sports commentators is laughable. The girl is freakin' 16 years old...a girl...and her record thus far BLOWS doors on what Tiger accomplished at the same age. Un-freakin-believable.. RIght on!!

I have followed her game since she was 10 years old. Each step has been more impressive thatn the previous. Here is hoping for a successful sectional 36 hole performance!! WIll be AMAZING to watch her beat a lot of guys at Winged Foot...and watch the reaction on some faces...MAN!!

No doubt her odds are slim for MW to make it through the sectionals. 550 players advanced from local qualifying. Another 200 professionals who are already exempt from local qualifying will join those 550. These 200 players are highly ranked professionals from Europe and the PGA who are not exempt in he US Open.
Out of the 750 players, only 85 qualify I believe.
In short any aspiring player must have the two best rounds of one's life to qualify. Par will not cut it; most likely those qualifying scores will be 5 under or better. I estimate there may be 20 spots for grab at New Jersey out of about 130 competitors.

If Michelle makes it, that would be one of the most amazing feat for a female golfer to ever have done. Her odds? I would say 5%. I would not bet the farm.

No doubt it will be tough, but something like 9200 applicants applied. MW is in the final 750. Pretty darn incredible. The score is not the issue. Turtle Bay was playing windy and tough. Weather will be a factor. So will the rough. she is probably like Tiger--course cannot be too easty or the playing conditions too difficult. Tiger is mediocre in both cases. I doubt MW can go low for 36 holes. But if the course is tough enough, then she should be able to put in two good rounds.

My guess she will be at the cut line +/- 3 strokes.

Pete wrote:
"* I wonder if what we are seeing here is akin to what the Negro Leagues felt with the success of Jackie Robinson. I mean, once JR crossed that line, the sun started to set on the existence of the Negro Leagues...if the LPGA doesn't respond intelligently they will suffer..."

=================

Lord, Pete, let's not get (more) carried away. Read here for my thoughts on the Jackie Robinson analogy.

If there is one thing the LPGA needs to do is to encourage women to play with the men at least at some level like the hooters or nationwide tour. Even LPGA golf veterans lack the creativity and touch that the men on tour have. I recall seeing Miguel Angel Jimenez at this Masters this year, and was amazed by his creativity around the greens. Same can be said about Goosen, Olazabal, etc. If the women in the LPGA could have a 1/4 of the creativity that the men have; I would watch more LPGA golf. No wonder MW likes playing agains the men; it is much more fun!

Waaooo Wie!
Good job on the qualifier!
I agree Kerr's comment is laughable. She said she wouldn't play the PGA for the wrong reason. I wonder what she meant by that.
I have to give her credit though on how important charity is for her. I hope more people would donate time and money.

Here I found a first person account of the qualifier.
http://www.mylpga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1013

Actually, given all the hysteria around her, Michelle Wie SHOULD qualify for the men's US Open. After all, she'd only be beating club pros and non-touring pros and aging has-beens to get the slot. Based on her ability and publicity, these should be minor speed bumps. Of course, she probably won't be able to compete effectively on a US Open layout, but that's irrelevant. She seems to relish the trailblazer status, even if it means she'll shoot 78-80 at Winged Foot.

Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
Hey Jennifer are you adding chapters to your book as we blog here?
05/16/06 @ 06:44

I'sd bet on that, One-putt. And between you and Pete, you have both summed MW up pretty well.I haven't read Marks take on the JR part but will get to it.
As for Todd, you just keep believing what you want. If memory serves, you were of the opinion that she most likely wouldn't get through the regionals either. As O-P syas, Michelle just keeps chipping away at her dreams. In spite f your negativity, Todd, even you must admit she is doing amazingly well for a 16 year old and a -FEMALE... lol. Well, if you are honest you will but I have my doubts about you.

Oh, and thank you Jennifer, for that kind mention in the article.

I don't understand that last comment of Todd's. Most golfers would give almost anything just to be able to play in the US Open and shoot whatever. Why should Wie be any different? Look at old Tom Kite, still willing to go through qualifying - and he's a past champion!

Ok, I went and read your article o JR.
Dang good article and some pretty obvious truths there.

I still think MW is going to open up a lot of venues to younger girls, women and minorities through her efforts. The gender issue seems to be a very touchy issue. Just go read some of the forums and blogs that are online.

This forum (http://www.thegolfchannel.com/discuss )is full of hard nosed donkeys with an attitude toward race and gender although most claim otherwise.
Read some of the comments from hidebound misogynists who make outrageous statements and claim to the Wie warriors as Baldy calls us.
Mostly I just defend anyone ( male or female) the right to be included in any sport or venue if you can qualify and the rules are followed.
Of course there are some issues that are really complex and hard to judge but I never said I was perfect. I just hate unjustifiable attacks based on age, gender or race.

Even though i am caucasion ( well, lets just say it, I am a wasp) I have been discriminated against so I know how that feels and I don't like it. Experience is a great teacher. Walking in the other person mocassins for a while teaches you some pretty hard truths.
So, go Michelle, follow that dream in spite of the Baldwins and the Toddcommish and the Alexs in life. They really don't count for much in the grand scheme of things.

Mark,
You clearly did not read my posting. Instead, you saw Jackie Robinson and MW in the same sentence and went, "Oh no, not again..."

Now read carefully, son. I am questioning the reaction of the LPGA to MW. Now run with me for a second...if MW were to have success on the PGA (run with me, OK...I am speaking in hypotheticals here!!), then where would it leave the LPGA? Why watch? Who cares if these "girls can rock?" I would be watching the wunderkind go up against the best ion the world, wouldn't you??

So now to the JR analogy. Soon after JR broke the colorline, Black Americans themselves lost interest in the Negro Leagues!! So I ask, would PGA success of MW and a those who are likely to follow (i.e. other athletic girls who have been groomed as well as she has) pose the same challenge to the LPGA as the sucesses of Jackie, Larry Doby and the other early Black MLB players did to the Negro Leagues???

Don;t be so quick to jump to the completely and totally erroneous interpretation of my post as you did. You must have failed reading comprehension! :)

I am not "comparing" MW to JR in the magnitude of their accomplishments. Not at all. What JR did under his circumstances was akin to Atlas bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders....hence his premature death.

No, all I am talking about is her poential affect on the commercial viability of the LPGA versus the commerical viability of the Negro Leagues post-JR.


My feeling that she poses great risk to the LPGA. But from great risk comes increased reward. But to get such a reward, the LPGA needs to step up to the plate. Their reaction has been pitiful and speaks volumes about their ambivalence to her phenomenon...and the disparaging comments coming from the players??? Well, it reminds me of what came out of the mouth of David Ogrin in 96 and Fuzze Zoeller in 97 (after the Masters)...these comments went beyond irritation...

'The MW SHOULD qualify easily to the US Open argument because she already has played the PGA' is totally missing the point of what Michelle is about. MW is the case of the total underdog almost like Casey Martin or a 1/2 crippled golfer. She is a woman, and therefore won't have the musculature as a male pga golfer. Maybe Todd Commish should revisit anatomy class? MW's objective is to break barriers, maximize her talents, and see how far will her determination take her. It is not about winning Men's golf trophies, nor being classified among the elite top ten male golfers, etc. It is a situation of testing her skills to see how much she can grasp from those elite golfers.
She will never be an elite PGA golfer, and hundreds if not thousands of PGA, or former PGA players never have been a top 10 PGA golfer either. So, there is nothing to be ashamed of. There have been hundreds of PGA players in the PGA who haven't won a single tournament in the PGA despite of so many years of being a member. Does that mean that they were useless, and were wasting their time? No, they did it because they loved to do it, and because they yearned to improve their game everyday so that they could hopefully reach that top if somehow they can figure everything out. The journey is just as important as the destination. Don't focus on the destination, focus on the journey. Those are the words of MW's parents to Michelle, and they have a point. Meanwhile enjoy the ride of watching MW, because this most likely will be a once in a lifetime situation.

Actually, Pete, I was just looking for an excuse to show people that column I wrote. So, guilty as charged. From here on, however, in addition to all my other duties, I will carefully read each and every one of the dozens of comments posted on these blogs each day. And then I'll weigh in with a more informed opinion.

Oh, who am I kidding, I'll keep just scanning them for the word "vagina."

One more on the analogy...here is another one that may be more acceptable to Mark: the move from single sex universities to coed institutions. Only two generations ago, a large number of brilliant women in the country went to elite women's colleges, suhch as the "Seven Sisters" colleges in the northeast.

Then under growing pressure, the Ivy leagues and other male only schools around the country went co-ed. All of a sudden young women could attend Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Princeton, etc. I would argue that the effect on the Secen Sisters has been dramatic. What is left is shell of what once was. And these colleges have gone on to be somewhat politically self-selective, less interested in science and policy subjects, and heavily weighted toward gender studies...At the same time, the Ivies get the creame d' la creme.

We have in effect a two-tiered system, a major and minor league. No one can credibly argue that by the early 1950s, the Negro Leagues turned into something like a farm league for the Majors rather than as a viable competitive league, as the AFL was to the NFL.

We all agree that MW is a phenom. However, many LPGA players are, dare I say, "soft." Before any one gets offended, look at the LPTA in tennis. Martina Navratiolva, Steffi, and the Williams sisters completely trasnformed to game from genteel, cute, and elegant to one of power and athleticism. Chris Evert was the last of her kind. IMHO, there is no doubt that Michelle, as incredible as she is, is the first of many to come. Tall, technically perfect and somewhat athletic. Bigger and stronger atheletes are sure to follow.

And so if MW and those to come all have decent shots at making Monday qualifiers at the PGA, will the commerical and institutional viability of the LPGA remain unshaken.

THe Negro Leagues did not survive what followed JR. The Seven Sisters did survive co-ed integration but became inferior in many ways. And one other...Black Colleges, with the exception of one or two, have been devastated by integration.

This type of challenge to the LPGA will not be trivial as sponsors look to follow Michelle.

Mark,
LOL!! I love a good sense of humour...

Another unspoken reason for MW is of sourse her sex appeal...borderline illegal given her age...but undeniably under the surface.

I recall that when Anna Kournikova turned 18, there was a noticeable sigh of relief on just sportswriter/commentator. I don;t think the LPGA really knows what to do here. Although to their credit, they are marketing the likes of Natalie Gulbis quite well...

Next few years, everything MW will be a great lens through which to view sports business, gender and sexuality...

Just a question. Are there any rules from preventing a male player from entering an LPGA event?

Comment from: Mark Nessmith, Executive Editor [Visitor] · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/mark.nessmith
Actually, Pete, I was just looking for an excuse to show people that column I wrote. ```

Oh, who am I kidding, I'll keep just scanning them for the word "vagina."

You sly dog, lol

Comment from: Ron [Visitor]
Just a question. Are there any rules from preventing a male player from entering an LPGA event?
05/16/06 @ 14:26

Yes. The rules for entry into the LPGA are that you must be born a female.

oh, and that goes for their tournaments as well.

oops, i can only post every 120 seconds, rofl. sorry about that.

"Comment from: Shanks [Member] · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
I don't understand that last comment of Todd's. Most golfers would give almost anything just to be able to play in the US Open and shoot whatever. Why should Wie be any different? Look at old Tom Kite, still willing to go through qualifying - and he's a past champion!"

Shanks I think everyone underestimates Michelle at one time or another. There are folks who think she is "just" trying to make a cut and play in a men's tournament. I'm sure Michelle has a different opinion inside when she tees it up with the men; she wants to win the whole damn thing.

Monday in Hawaii Michelle tamed a difficult course under windy conditions to defeat everyone who showed up to qualify that day. Shooting even par (according to some who witnessed the event) was like shooting a 65 under normal conditions.

Number 17 was a hole where in the past Michelle would have let the match get away from her, but not now. When she decided to fight and reverse the ball back onto the fairway she showed a professional maturity to her play. The next shot a mid-iron to six feet and the saving of par was the defining moment in the match for her.

I never underestimate this young lady.

I see that the LPGA is still in denial, lol.

1. Creamer defends Sybase Classic presented by Lincoln Mercury
2. Webb toasts second win at Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill; Seven-stroke victory sets tournament records for lowest score and largest margin of victory
3. 2006 Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill tournament summary
4. 2006 LPGA Statistical Leaders
5. 2006 ADT Official Money List
6. Duramed Futures Tour - Pipeline to the LPGA Tour
7. This week - Sybase Classic presented by Lincoln Mercury, Wykagyl Country Club, New Rochelle, N.Y., $1,300,000, May 18-21, 2006
8. Next week - LPGA Corning Classic, Corning Country Club, Corning, N.Y., $1,200,000, May 25-28, 2006
9. LPGA News and Notes

No mention of another Milestone for women golfers with MW's win.

I for one would love to see her win a couple of tournaments in the LPGA this year, just to rub their collective noses in what they are ignoring.
It would be fun to be a fly on the wall in the locker room of the LPGA biddies and hear what they all really think, lol

It would be fun for us old farts, but remember that MW is only 16. She is a kid. She is a golfer. Given that her parents seem somewhat clueless (recall the incident with BJ & Ammacapanna and other reports that BJ is a nuisance/distraction to other players), I do worry that her skin is not thick enough to handle the nastiness that will continue to present itself until she has 5-10 more years under her belt and dozens of wins and several LPGA majors. Jealously and her vulnerability make for nasty bedfellows.

Despite being "hadnled" by the best, my guess is that IMG and others will be well behind the 8 ball. Chances are that intra-locker room politics will rear its ugly head to blindside MW. In the next couple years, it seems almost inevitable that an incident or two will cause her to get visibly shaken. Just imagine her getting on the wrong side of a Dottie Pepper!!

It would be fun for us old farts, but remember that MW is only 16. She is a kid. She is a golfer. Given that her parents seem somewhat clueless (recall the incident with BJ & Ammacapanne and other reports that BJ is a nuisance/distraction to other players), I do worry that her skin is not thick enough to handle the nastiness that will continue to present itself until she has 5-10 more years under her belt and dozens of wins and several LPGA majors. Jealously and her vulnerability make for nasty bedfellows.

Despite being "handled" by the best, my guess is that IMG and others will be well behind the 8 ball. Chances are that intra-locker room politics will rear its ugly head to blindside MW. In the next couple years, it seems almost inevitable that an incident or two will cause her to get visibly shaken. Just imagine her getting on the wrong side of a Dottie Pepper!!

Sorry for my horrible typing...

You mean she isn't on Peppers bad side now?
Lord, when was the last time that woman said something nice about MW without qualifying it with a zinger or a needling little put down.
And as long as Morgan is Pepper and Lopez's pet, MW can do nothing right.

Congratulations to Michelle Wie! Congratulations for beating forty crappy never will be's from Hawaii, arguably the weakest of all the local qualifier sites. Congratulations for unleashing a whole new wave of Wie lunatics who are no looking at potential pairings, and even talking about a top 8 finish and admission into the Masters. I'm not sure what's scarier, the fact that people think she will actually make it through the sectional in New Jersey, let alone finish in the top 8 or that you people have access to computers and can use them to contact the "real world". Let me calmly explain what this all means. Michelle will not make it to the U.S. Open (men's) and she will not play in the Master's and she will never be a factor on the PGA tour or any other men's tour for that matter, sure she may make a few cuts, but that's it. Michelle Wie is an incredible golfer, a winless golfer, but still incredible. I give her full credit for opening the doors she has and I would never try to take that away from her. Winning local qualifiers is great as is making a cut on the Asian Tour, but lets slow down a bit on the hyperbole for just a minute and remember that she has a long way to go still before we deem her a golf god.

Guys (and gals),
if you want to know more about the specifics on MW's sectionals, this is the wrap up story of the 2004 sectionals held at the same place: Canoe Brooks country club in New Jersey. In summary, 139 compete for 22 spots. It should be pretty much the same this year.



http://www.usopen.com/2004/press/canoe-sectional.html

Ford, you guys never go away, do you??...

* there are no crappy qualifiers. Scoring is irrelevant as the conditions and courses vary.

* Pairings?? Huh? It is stroke play, friend.

* What IS scary is her upside. She is still only 16 with very little experience on tough courses and with tough greens. With experience, except to see her at Sectionals each and every year. To think otherwise is ludicrous.

* Can she play in the Master's? Well, very few men actually do. Really a non-issue as it is the dream of playing in the Master's that motivates. If she does not or never wins a PGA tour event, she can hardly be deemed a "failure." If so, they should start calling all PGA non-winenrs a failure.

* Can she be a "factor" on any men's tour? What do mean by "factor?" She has already held her own against the likes of KJ Choi and Adam Scott, two pretty studly PGA players. She is 16...She can contend. In many ways the PGA tour may be easier. Why? the red carpet treatment will be there. the NW tour is a much tougher grind and lifestyle.

* "...make a few cuts and that's it..." LOL!! You are funny. To do so means by definition that she is PGA material. Who on God's green earth says that she HAS to win the Master's to prove she belongs? What moronic sentiments.

* No posting I have ever seen deems her a golfing god. She is an amazing phenomemnon to be celebrated by both sexes and all races; she is the best talent in women's golf since perhaps The Babe (now whether she realizes that talent remains to seen...OF COURSE); her credentials at 16 are the best the world of gold HAS EVER SEEN, male or female; she in an inspiration to half the planet--a girl kicking loads of male butt; she is technically beuatiful to watch; she will reach Tigeresque proportions in terms of her marketing appeal (like finding Google at $10/share and knowing its potential); Her track record thus far is amazing for a 16 year old--performance in USGA, LPGA, and Men's events...the wins will come, put look at all the top 10s in tough tournaments and look at those sub 70 rounds at age 14/15...remarkable; she is modest, attractive and smart--the ideal role model for this morally corrupt and hopelessly clueless generation of kids; she is ticking off loads of grumpy dinosaurs like yourself and prissy women like MP who think the world shold revolve around their definition of golf; she is a global inspiration.

A "God?" Please. Someone to watch and enjoy, absolutely.

Once again, the parallels between MW threads and discussions of a young Tiger Woods are uncanny. So much pent up bitterness...

Face it, the world of golf is no longer fat, chain smoking white dudes with feel. It is global, multiracial and all about atheticism and science. And while you stew over yet another aspect of culture gone "awry," I will enjoy my own memories of watching a young Tiger shoot an amazing 63-64 on the weekend at Pebble in 1997 and looking at the throngs that followed him. MW will and should get the same treatment.

BTW, of the four local qualifiers ahead of MW in 2005, one made it to the Open and one was sectional alternate.

Clearly it will be tough, but she controls her own destiny...and needs only one good day...

Great Post Pete (on your reply to Ford)...Intelligence wins out in the end. Well done.

Ford, how do you see that Michelle will generate the high score against par and shoot herself out of the sectional or out of the Open?

Must be you believe she can't drive her tee shot to a reasonable part of the fairway? or

Must be you believe she can't hit her irons to some reasonable part of the green? or

Must be you believe she can't putt worth a damn?

All the above?

Do you believe Michelle will repeat what she did in the Sony Round 1 because the weather will be the same as Day 1.

I think she will repeat what she did in the Sony Round 2 because the weather will be the same as Day 2.

I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Aww, and here I was expecting a warm and fuzzy from you.
If you don't like what you see, wait a while and it'll get worse.
We actually get some wierdos that argree with you.

"Chances are that intra-locker room politics will rear its ugly head to blindside MW"- I think that's why the Wie's decided to go global rather than be at the mercy of the LPGA. She is now loved in Korea and Japan. Next up may be China and Southeast Asia. Also, the fact that Michelle is determined to go to college should act as a buffer, because basically the strategy in my view seems to not put all of one's eggs in one basket. There is always a back up plan: Michelle can go part time or full time to College. She can continue to play some men's PGA tour tournaments depending on her progress; or she back track and play lower profile tournaments (Asia tour, Korean Tour, etc.)
I think attending college will help her mature greatly as an individual, and be able to handle the bickering, and jealousy that it inevitably will come. I can already sense a lot of jealousy and resentment by the media and players for her endorsements. Once again, I am sure a college education will allow her to handle these petty issues smoothly.

Whether or not Wie makes it to Winged Foot and whether or not she shoots poorly if she does make it, Wie will treat it all the same way--as a learning experience.

Wie knows she's not expected to qualify, but I bet she thinks she has a good chance (to think otherwise would be foolish). And if she makes it and shoots two rounds in the 80s, then so what? She'll be back to try again next year, another year older, wiser, and experienced.

Found on Road Dead, that is a Golf Goddess in Michelle's case not a Golf God you neophyte.

I think Michelle answered her LPGA critics during the 60 Minutes interview. "I'm used to people saying things about me that don't know me, I'm in high school after all." That was directed at Dottie, Cristie, Paula, Nancy and the rest of the LPGA crowd who are still acting like they are in high school. I don't think they like Koreans very much.

When Michelle was confronted by Morgan's U.S. Women's Open qualifying comments she simply said, "She has the right to her opinion and has the right to say whatever she feels."

I gather that was her way of saying "opinions are like A-holes Morgan and everyone has one".

I don't think Michelle really gives a hoot what these gals think about her and the same goes for the men. She will just let her game do the talking.

Her theme song should be Sinatra's "My Way".

Guys and gals, Make note of this because this is the last time I will say it. The US Open is not now, nor never has been the US "Men's" Open. There is no stipulation now, nor has there ever been that entrants be men, which is obvious since Miss Wie has competed in in the qualifiers at least twice. On the other hand, the US Women's Open states specifically that entrants must have been born female and be of the female gender at the time of entry. About twenty years ago, there was actually a court case on that very subject in which the differences between males and females were thoroughly delineated in scientific language in fine detail.

I think all players(PGA, LPGA, European, Asian) who against Wie's path are palin jealous. Most complained Michelle took a sponsor spot and that hurt a underachieved player. To me, they don't have any common sense and knowlege on professional sports. All these tours are running on money. They are not amature and charity events. Everytime they open their mounths against Wie or Sponsors, they shamefully showing their intelligence.

For One-Putt

you said
AGE 16 Professional Golfer:
Second female to make the cut in a men's PGA sanctioned event and the first in 61 years.
FIRST female to enter the United States Open Championship and progress to the sectional level.
THis is not correct. Se RI Pak made the cut in a Korean mens tournament 2 years ago. ALso it is not a PGA event.

YOu all are totally crazy with this. MW shot the highest score of any qualifier location on a rather easy course. She will not get past the next round in any event. But Congrats on another achievement for a 16 year old boy or girl.

FOr someone to compare this to Jackie RObinson is ridiculous and shows that person knows nothing of racial discrimination. MW has been given special treatment all along the way.

I fully expect Michelle Wie to progress through the Open qualifying, likely making it through sectional and regional qualifying. Right now, she's like the golf equivalent of a AAA ballplayer, capable of competing effectively at the lower levels (qualifiers, non-touring pros, club pros) and possibly catching fire and competing at the higher levels (making a cut in a PGA event), but not likely to challenge the leaders at the highest level. To all those who think she will, remember that while she is progressing and improving, that the MEN are improving too, and that bar to compete against the PGA will get higher and higher, even as her skills improve.

Michelle might be playing regularly in PGA one day -- at least for a couple years. But being the best on the world would be long long shot. But I think he has a chance to crack to top ten, maybe 10 yrs from now. Because I don't see any new boys similar to Phil and Tigar. Nobody would be dominating in PGA like Tigar and Phil a decade later. So, chances for eveybody is good.

mrsmallrain, After reading your post, I have a suggestion. Change your handle to "Mrs. Malaprop." My apologies to Richard Sheridan.-:)

The one thing that is perfectly obvious throughout the last 2 years especially is that the LPGA and the old (and younger) mustached ladies resist change like crazy.

Just listening to the local chat on the driving range and the putting practice spot, I get the idea that there are a lot of young females that are enthusiastic about the idea of being able to challenge both the LPGA and the PGA. I really believe, just from hearing these comments, that the LPGA should really pull their collective heads out of the sand and recognize that the younger generation ( minus the Morgan Pressel minority group) are more interested in pushing the envelope of ability than being a big cheese in a small cheese factory like the LPGA.

It seems that the Alexs of the world are outdated and outnumbered by those youngester willing to push farther,faster and younger than ever before. Now realistcally, not many of them can or will follow MW or go as far but that won't stop them from trying.

The genie is out of the bottle and there is no way of putting it back. Either accept it or get ready to move aside because it shows no signs of stopping for the doddering flower sniffing group.sniffing

for alex, the added `sniffing' was a mistype.Just to spike your guns on that, lol

Pete you write extremely well and many of your points are good ones. A couple of notes: Making a cut once every so often does not mean you are PGA material, in fact it means that you are Q-School material, because thats where you would be heading. Making a cut( which as you know she has yet to do) is impressive should she do it, but it is not in and of itself contending. Michelle Wie is many years if not a lifetime away from ever being a factor( threat to win) on the PGA Tour. Now this is not a put down, just my opinion, one which I believe is near fact, but still just an opinion. We agree that Michelle is a singular talent capable of great things in her golfing career, what we disagree on is to what level she has already ascended to and what amount of hyperbole and praise she is due. Your statements that she has done well against the likes of Adam Scott and K.J. Choi are more ignorant than anything I could have possibly said. Missing a cut and besting another player who is having a nightmarish weekend does not constitute holding their own. In the case of K.J. Choi and the SK Telecom open maybe you turned off your tv a little early. K.J. shot 7 under on the final day of the rain shortened event to easily finish ahead of Ms. Wie. I know a dozen amateurs that could beat Michelle given a few tries, does this make them her equal or even in the same league as her, of course not. You argument about bigger stronger, more athletic women is an interesting one. One which assumes that the growth of males is stagnant. Michelle Wie with all her height and length has no physical advantage over the top males and is at a severe strength disadvantage to every male on tour. Yes, taller, stronger women are coming, but they are coming from a long way back and guess what, men with an already decisive sdvantage physically are getting bigger and stronger as well. I am 6'2 and have a fairly strong golf game(carry a 6 handicap), my son is 10 years old and is rapidly closing in on his mom at 5'9 on his way to 6'6 according to the doctors. He hits the ball a ton, carries the ball 220 with a driver. There are hundreds even thousands of little boys like him growing up thinking golf is cool and just waiting to squash any girl that gets in is way on the golf course, basketball court, or even football field if this wave of genetic supergirls is coming as you say it is. Michelle should be congratulated for her accomplishments to date and her talent is indeed remarkable. We just differ on where that talent will lead her. I say it will not lead her to success on the PGA tour and as you rightly mentioned that does not make her a failure. On a final note, you must have mistaken my realism for bitterness. I am not bitter nor am I jealous of Michelle Wie. I have a beautiful wife, two wonderful, healthy young boys, I live in a gated golf community, surrounded by family and friends and I look like a movie star. One final note Michelle Wie is not attractive, there I said it, her mouth is too small for her face and her man hands and feet make her walk and look a little like a teenage sasquatch. How do you like them apples?

Thanks for the bio Fix Or Repair Daily, but who really gives a Rat's A** what you have to say or think Mr. Egomaniac? Be careful your ears don't get scraped off on the door jambs as you walk thru, as the swelling may never go away.

we all talk about others' repression on women. but only a few like to give women an equal opportunity. some even enjoy bashing women. yes. we are not equal and will never be sexually, physically, mentally, or you name it. but giving equal opportunities is the most important and all we could do. why are hiding "secrets" from others? you know they are easy to decipher. why are not giving equal opportunities to others? you know, they can definitly do better. oh, my random stupid thoughts as i had a bad day. :)

There is something nauseating about the post by "Ford". Why do we need to know how your wife and kids look? Why do you feel the need to describe your personal life in order to comment on Wie?

Hollywood Ford,
At 14 and 15 (which is AMAZING, male or female), she missed PGA cuts by one stroke. That means she beat roughly 25-40% the field each time. If I had the time, I would go through those tournaments and list the number of PGA players she finished ahead of...most of whom were NOT having "nightmarish" days...Even with Choi shooting a 65 in the 3rd round...that was more a great round by Choi than any knock on Wie. Goodness...what does the girl have to do, shoot 59-59 on the weekend at the Master's??

* Whether she can be a factor on the weekend remians to be seen...but so far (really the only perspective relevant here) is that she is more capable than any other 16/7 year-old male/female on the planet to have such a claim...according to your (il)logic, no child alive has a chance to ever play on the PGA tour and that within ten years there will be no PGA tour!! She is the most promising young player in the world, male or female. Within two years, she will have the length, touch and experience on the greens to hold her own regularly against PGA players. 99.99% of her supporters think that anything beyond that would be wonderful but forsting on the cake. Yet you and others base your arguments on the need for her to be a multiple-winner to be a PGA success!!?! Man, thank goodness you did not raise an athlete or serve as a coach. "Hey, kid, you will NEVER make it...I don't care if you are ALL-American or could beat top PGA players on any given round...you are overrated and undeserving..." LOL!! Nonsensical tripe. She is a G-I-R-L...who NOBODY who have thought would ever be able to break 80 from the PGA tips. Face it, when Laura Davies shot 82 an a European event, just about every od fart thought, "Good girl...but see? you don;t belong here." Well, a 16 year old girl, a "frail" Asian girl at that, has broken 70 twice already at at 14 and 15 years of age. Damn. if that is not the most wonderful story in golf since Casey Martin.

* I cannot speak for the fanatics out there. FOr those that think she WILL win the Master's, well, that is a bot far fetched, as it would be for ANYONE. But damn, let the kid enjoy her dreams! It has done wonder for her so far. Were you ever an athlete or artist with dreams?

* She beats men all the time...men with loads of experience on the PGA and NW tours. Similarly, men beat her regularly. Both illustrate my point. She can hold her own. And in a couple of years when she is more physically mature, she will be hold her own more consistently.

* Your growth of males argument is nonsensical. Compared with PGA tour players, it is MW's growth that will reduce the physical disadvantage she currently has. That was my point.

* THere are thousands of strong boys who can crush the ball 330+ ALREADY...what they lack is touch, putting, control, consistency...

* You fail to understand...Men have been in competition with each other in sports forever. THere are few "soft" records out there. LIttle room for large leaps in the most competitive sports. Track, swimming, golf, baseball, etc. The improvements are incremental. 100m dash men's world record falls in increments of .01seconds. With the same equipment and same age, Tiger does not hit the ball much farther than Jack did. But with girls and women, we are witnessing improvements by leaps and bounds. Far more soft records. MW is being groomed as would a male prodigy. That is why she is light years ahead of her female competition at the same age. And as a special talent she can hold her own against many top PGA players.

* Of course, if there were 20 "supergirls" playing against 20 superboys, I would think that the boys have an advantange, albeit a slight one. Golf is more than power, hence the scores of PGA players whoa re under 5'10" who have done extremely well on the PGA tour. But, yes there will be an advantage to males on physicality. But I tell you this, if the girls are groomed as MW has been, the teaching will more than neutralize the inherent power advantage of men. that is why we call it golf. But my point here is that the old image of male versus female golfer is being replaced with one that is more "fair," male golfer verus atheltic female golfer...and with a smaller gap between them.

* Golf is funky. But here is the deal. If MW played for Stanford (her dream college and Tiger's alma Mater) and if she played on the men's team, she would hold her own and win likely iwn a couple of titles. This scenario was unthinkable even 10 years ago, where the "Ladies" were more likely to be girly-girls (with a few exceptions like Inkster and Sheehan who are tough) playing from short tees and playing far easier courses. With Wie, the golfing worls has a glimpse of what "can" be: "women" playing from the tips as athletes and playing on tough courses. That alone will be an amazing development.

* BTW I am happily married with two girls and a newborn son with no "interest" in MW but with a desire to see her get a fair shake (and her due) from a world that I know is filled with countless old boys networks who protect their intersts in a decided unmanly way. If your boys get beat out by a girl for a spot on the boy's golf team, then so be it. Hopefully, they and you won't whinge, but instead work on their game and earn their place...much like MW's has deserved the attention she has received...

Now enjoy that gated community of yours and get your index down so you can apply for a future Open qualifier!!! Cheers...

wow, some long posts.

Pete, that was a darned interesting post with soe very good points.
If I gathered up all the similar oints I have made in the past, I couldn't have matched your articulation of the subject.

Thanks foa great post and keep reading these blogs and correcting us as we yap at each othter.

We just need to counter the NNON as one poster called them.

NNON= Nattering Nabobs of Negativity. I thought it was rather descriptive, lol

What in the hell has happened to spelling and punctuation on this thread? Maybe mrsmallrain has brought some sort of contagious dysfunction to this board.

Ford, As you can see, it didn't take the Wie nuts very long before they unleashed personal attacks and insults on you after you had the temerity to find something amiss with Bubbles. You may as well have questioned the virtue of their mothers. After reading these posts by the Wie cultists, I am beginning to understand how those poor souls drank the Koolaid and went to their deaths at Jonestown.

Joe,

Clarifying the issue you raised earlier: The SK Telecom Classic was indeed not a PGA [of America sanctioned event. It was, however, a PGA sanctioned event in that it was sanctioned by the Asian Tour, one of the six member PGA Tours comprising the International Federation of PGA Tours.

Technically, the term PGA with no further qualifier refers to the Professional Golfers Association founded in 1901 in England. The American PGA is officially "The Professional Golfer's Association of America".

For more information, see the Wikipedia article on
International Federation of PGA Tours

Here is an interesting article from the NJ Star-Ledger.

It appears that there is a small panic at the Canoe Brook club over how to handle the potential crowds...their normal crowd at a qualifier is 500. Their "record gallery" is 200. They suspect they may get a few more than that when Michelle shows up.

The club manager says that the PGA will have to handle the crowd contol end, the PGA says Canoe Brook is used to crowds.

Everyone better get on the same page fast, as crowd control issues normally are planned for over a 90 day plus planning horizon and they only have three weeks;-)

The press pass requests alone will exceed their largest gallery John. If crowd control and security are not adequate it could cause Michelle to withdraw from the event. Her advance security team will decide.

Canoe Brook just found out they are hosting a Superbowl in three weeks and it looks like they don't have a clue on how to do it.

Hey Alex! I hope you can find a parking spot at Canoe Brook I know Michelle's biggest fan would not miss this event.

Now who owns the Television rights to broadcast the USGA Sectionals?

Talk about a windfall for the USGA.

I commend the USGA, especially David Fay because he understands what is behind Michelle Wie's ambitions, why she is so popular and what is needed to be done so that golf fans, the golf organization, and Michelle all benefit. In fact, he visited Michelle and her parents in 2004 right after the women's open to discuss some ways to smoothe things out.
I see the upcoming sectionals going smoothly without a hitch, especially since the usga already noticed the large crowds at last year's pub links where she advanced to the round of 16.

One-Putt, since Bubbles is the architect of her own career and has been since she turned thirteen, since she has the business acumen to handle the finances of her far-reaching empire, and since she has mastered the arts of diplomacy and public speaking, was it necessary for her to hire her advance security team and strategically place them? Or did she risk delegating such a critical task to her agents and handlers, the ones that she and she alone hired three years ago?

Alex,
With celebrity, comes secret admirers who can then become potential stalkers. Simple as that. If I were a parent, that would be my no.1 concern. I would be scared of an incident like that of what happened to Monica Seles where she was stabbed in a tournament.

Pete you are a real gentleman. While others on this site have blasted my last post as arrogant, ignorant, or just an outright lie you, sir stuck to the facts. As I said before you make some excellent points and have encouraged me to take a less defensive or harsh stance towards Michelle Wie's accomplishments and career path. I have nothing against Michelle, in fact I wish her the very best and acknowledge that what she is doing is indeed groundbreaking stuff. I just feel that her coranation as the "future of golf" has come a little too easily and a little too quickly. In other words for all her accomplishments there have been more near misses and dissapointments. As for her impact on the game and on young women that is undeniable and she should be commended for, up to this point proving to be a strong role model and ambassador of the game. There are some things that I still believe to be true about Michelle; she should have won by now on the LPGA; she has not yet conquered her nerves come crunch time; she will not be a threat to win or a factor on the PGA Tour; her mouth is alarmingly small, especially when she's not smiling. I'm just kidding, commenting on her physical appearence was childish and mean spirited and for that I apologize to anyone I may have offended. As far as the comments about my life, my family and my appearence they were made to combat the common cry of Wie fans that anyone who does not think she is the best thing since sliced bread is just bitter or jealous. I make no apologies for having a wonderful family, financial security and dimples. Pete I have a great deal of respect for your opinions and the careful and thoughtful way that you present them. I would much rather be having this discussion at the local pub over a pint, Cheers! Just for the record, I'm actually a very modest individual, if I do say so myself.

some said what Wies are doing is publicity stunt. even if critics were right, they still lose the arguments. hey, Wie won no matter how you look at the issue. 1.she won tens of millions by doing publicity stunt. 2.she got many chances to play in many tournament without winning 3.more importantly, she is proving the critics wrong by playing well in all cornors of the globe