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If Michelle Wie Was My Daughter
Thursday November 30, 2006 | 10:50:55 496 words, 7692 views
Let me preface this article with an old joke. A police officer in a patrol car signals a speeding car to pull over to the side of the road. There are two young males in the front seat. When the officer walks up to the car, the driver rolls down his window and disrespectfully asks, “What’s the problem?” The policeman grabs the smartass by his shirt, jerks him up, slaps him several times and shoves him back in his seat. The he walks around the car to the passenger side and taps on the window. The passenger rolls down his window and the officer grabs him by his shirt, jerks him up, slaps him several times and shoves him back in his seat. The passenger, mystified, asks, “What was that for?” The police officer says, “That’s for when you get down the road a few miles and tell this other idiot ‘Man, I WISH he would’ve tried doing that to me!’ “ The point I make here is that it is easy to say what you would do in a given situation. But one of the greatest lessons in life that I have learned is that nobody knows for sure what they will do until they are faced with the reality. The parents of Michelle Wie certainly have their hands full when guiding the career of their fabulously talented child and it appears that they do not always see things as clearly as an outsider would, as they are emotionally involved. Surely they love their daughter and do not wish to harm her future. Unfortunately for them, the outside counsel they have received is from people whose primary motivation is money and many missteps have been taken. If Michelle Wie was my daughter, this is what (I think) I would do for 2007: Up until now, the Wie camp has taken a dangerous & uncharted course and may have inflicted irreparable psychological damage on their prodigy by subjecting her to near humiliating beatings at the hands of male professionals. It is my hope that they change to a slightly more conventional route in 2007, play to young Michelle’s strengths and let her work her way up the ladder as far as her talent & mental strength will allow her to go. Bookmark/Search this post with:
Comments:
Comment from: patricia [Visitor]
 · http://www.thegolfgirl.blogspot.com
With all due respect, what makes you so sure that Michelle Wie is unhappy, or being harmed by what's happening to her? You surmise that her "camp" is is "subjecting her" to humiliating beatings by male professionals. How bout: she's not "being subjected" to anything, she herself is insisting on playing with the males, and is not humiliated at all by being defeated by them. She's a 17 year old girl. Why should she be humiliated by being defeated by the best adult male players in the world? She shouldn't and she's not. She's said it herself, she "learns from playing with the men and she's ready to put years and years into being a becoming a better competitor in men's events". Also, she doesn't need the women's events to build her confidence...she's got confidence in spades.
Men tend to like to see young girls in the victim role. It feeds their fragile egos. From what I can see Michelle is no victim. I see it as she's doing what SHE wants to do, the way SHE wants to do it, and personally, I hope she doesn't try for a more conventional route in 2007, and if she does, then I'll feel that she's probably being manipulated. 
11/30/06 @ 12:41
Comment from: SM [Visitor]
Shanks,
I'm 100 percent with you on this one.
11/30/06 @ 12:55
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
Shanks, why would Michelle petition the LET for membership when she could hold a LPGA exempt card with a waiver? Ms. Bivens is just waiting for Michelle to ask the question.
Michelle could still graduate with her high school class and attend college in the fall while meeting the LPGA 10 event minimum for a rookie. She gets to play two events outside of the tour and both could be men's events if she chooses. According to some sources Michelle will have enough credits to graduate at this semesters end. Paula and Morgan both left school early and took classes by mail to graduate with their class. Michelle should begin college with second semester status, based on the AP classes she took and her level of foreign language proficiency. She has many of her college freshman year core requirements completed before she walks in the door. Hey if it takes her five years to get a degree, who cares?
11/30/06 @ 12:55
Comment from: Brandon Tucker [Member]
· http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/brandon.tucker
Wie got nearly 1 million to play at Casio. I'd subject my daughter to that any day of the week.
I think we can assert she'll never be the great champion we thought, but she did get stinking rich really easily and is set for life. It's her path, not a noble one, but I don't blame her.
11/30/06 @ 12:56
Comment from: Bruce Stasch [Member]
· http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/golf-gear-news
Golf Girl,
I don't think us MEN think that Michelle is the victim. More like an idiot for continually putting herself in this position. Have you ever played team sports? Ever had your team lose repeatedly to better competition? Ever see the dejected look of the members of your team when they get throughly trounced? On a regular basis? Doesn't feel too good and isn't good for one's self image either. Losing to men repeatedly, is not a case of portraying a woman as a victim. It it more like a boxer getting beaten senseless. Isn't there a point of enough is enough? At this time, the only thing that Ms. Wie is proving is that she currently doesn't have a chance playing against the men unless she improves dramatically. If she continues down this same path, she's an idiot, not a victim.
11/30/06 @ 12:57
Comment from: InTheBunker [Visitor]
Patricia,
Professional sport is a ompetition to win; to pit the best participants in their respective sports against one another to decide the best of the best. As fans, we pay to see the best of the best in competition. The PGA Tour attempts to assemble the best by setting standards for participation--many aspiring golfers are competing for the priviledge to play on that stage in Q-School. You can slice it any way you want, MW does not belong on that stage, yet. She is a novelty act, a marketing tool at this. Sponsors have the right to dole exemptions, but the Tour has an obligation to provide the strongest field of competitors it can to keep the product legitimate. She's not qualified; if she thinks she is, it's time to prove it--earn playing priviledges. Also, I find your belief that a 17 yr old can be immune to the ridicule of an international spotlight incomprehensible. She's great talent, but she is human.
11/30/06 @ 13:15
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Patricia, I am of the opinion that a 16-17 year old boy OR girl doesn't know what's best for them, paticularly when it comes to their long term interest. Doesn't have a thing to do with female empowerment. Sometimes as a parent you have to tell your children 'no'. Following your line of reasoning, an 0-10 boxer will be a champion in another 5-10 fights because he learned soooo much while getting his beatings. As you already must know, golf imposes great strain on the psyche. And once damaged, it rarely - if ever - gets back to 100%.
Brandon, I'm not shocked at your money-grabbing viewpoint as you're still semi-young and likely a bachelor. I'd rather my child develop the opportunity to be great at wherever their talent lies, rather than be an answer to a pop trivia quiz.
11/30/06 @ 13:22
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Brandon Tucker said:
"I think we can assert she'll never be the great champion we thought" Brandon, how could anyone possibily assert that about someone who just turned 17. That is one of the most ridiculous comment made, about golf or about anything in general.
11/30/06 @ 13:27
Comment from: patricia [Visitor]
· http://www.thegolfgirl.blogspot.com
Bruce, again, I think you're seeing it from a paternalistic, male perspective. I don't think she feels at all like she's being "beaten senseless". You and most other men proabably would, but I don't think she does. As I said, I think she feels like she's learning... and persevering slowly, patiently, despite defeats and critisim, towards her long term goal...EGO INTACT! I know it's hard for guys to understand. I've seen guys play sports and generally their egos don't handle defeat well at all. It's just not the same for women. I've played competitive sports, lacrosse and tennis, and yes it feels great to win and lousy to lose, but it never, ever affected my self image. We all acknowledge that women are wired differently from men and that different values are culturally imposed on us right? So.... I may be totally wrong... Michelle may have a major emotional breakdown tomorrow and need all kinds of counseling. I hope not. But at the same time, I don't think you and others can be so sure that she's humiliated or manipulated...or that she's an idiot.
11/30/06 @ 13:29
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Shanks and friends,
The girl played some bad tournaments. Those tournaments were against men and women players. She simply had a dip in form and that's all. Enough of the dramatics already! She will be back to form soon enough, hopefully in time for the Sony and is likely to have another progression next season and do even better than she did in the 2006 season, which would be a big achievement.
11/30/06 @ 13:30
Comment from: Baby Blue Eyes [Visitor]
With the sponsorship money she is receiving, she or her camp will have to give up some of their freedom to choose. They will HAVE TO participate in high profile events to justify the money paid to her.
When you cut a deal, you have to live up to your end of the bargain. Even if she or her camp recognizes their mistakes right now, they are probably tied to the contracts they signed.
11/30/06 @ 13:33
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Patricia,
Your comments are very insulting towards males. I am a man, but I agree that she is not being humiliated. You are just using the example of a couple of idiot males and trying to say that means all males think that way. That is not the case. There are plenty of males who agree with what Michelle is doing. There is also plenty of females who agree with the males you were referring to. Just ask Nancy Lopez or Dottie Pepper. They are females yet they share the exact opinion that you try to apply to male views. If you want to attack people who say stupid things that is fine, but stop attacking the male people, because there are equal number of female idiots as well.
11/30/06 @ 13:34
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
"Up until now, the Wie camp has taken a dangerous & uncharted course and may have inflicted irreparable psychological damage."
Shanks all it did was make Michelle more determined to get her game back together after her season. While we are discussing her future she is practicing every day to correct her swing faults and regain her form. Practice is good therapy. It takes a short dry course for Michelle to have any hope of keeping up with the guys in a men's event or making a cut. She has no hope at all if she is playing from just her carry distance on a wet course. She ain't that long. Did anyone really expect her to make the cut at the 84 or Omega? I didn't, and the Casio was a possibility until it rained.
11/30/06 @ 13:37
Comment from: Ron Mon [Member]
The problem I have with the blog is that no new ideas are presented. This is the same stuff, over and over, that one person or another mentions. The focus is always on golf, with no real mention of her development as a person. Is it too late for that?
11/30/06 @ 13:49
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
One Putt, the reason Wie should not apply for LPGA membership is that she would be too restricted. She is an international star who IMHO could & should play in Europe and Asia, but almost exclusively against women. Assuming she wins at that level, only then I would consider stepping up participation against stiffer competition.
Ron Monster, you can write about Wie reading books and going to museums all you want. I'm of the opinion that she can become experienced in all that is good about life in her spare time. Even Tiger doesn't practice 16 hours a day.
11/30/06 @ 14:03
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
"Comment from: Ron Mon [Member]
The problem I have with the blog is that no new ideas are presented. This is the same stuff, over and over, that one person or another mentions. The focus is always on golf, with no real mention of her development as a person. Is it too late for that?" She seems like a pretty well adjusted kid to me Ron. Maybe it is the fans and writers that are out of whack? Michelle is just playing the game of golf and is not trying to rule the known World.
11/30/06 @ 14:04
Comment from: Baby Blue Eyes [Visitor]
The Wie-warriors are out in full force....
Where is Alex and Judge Smail to the rescue to put some senses into the advancing army of Wie?
11/30/06 @ 15:07
Comment from: Jade Green Eyes [Visitor]
Shank,
If Wie is my daugther, I will be home counting money, not writing blogs. God bless....
11/30/06 @ 15:31
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Baby Blue, don't get me wrong, I'm a realist and money's nice. But do you think, given the choice, that Michelle Wie would take greatness or riches? All I'm saying is don't put the cart before the horse.
11/30/06 @ 15:37
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Jade,
It is Shanks, not Shank. He Shanks quite a bit, hence the plural.
11/30/06 @ 15:40
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Ron Mon: "The focus is always on golf, with no real mention of her development as a person. Is it too late for that? "
Ron Mon, she is a great person, she is far more developed as a person that practically anyone of a simlilar age. You should not worry in that regard.
11/30/06 @ 15:41
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Ron Mon,
If you want to worry about anyone's development as a person, perhaps you should concentrate some of that energy into helping Chris Baldwin develop as a person. He could do with it.
11/30/06 @ 15:42
Comment from: Stanley [Visitor]
Comment from: Baby Blue Eyes [Visitor]
"The Wie-warriors are out in full force.... Where is Alex and Judge Smail to the rescue to put some senses into the advancing army of Wie?" Baby Blue Eyes, Alex and Judge Smail are busy listening to their Jojo cds and will join the blog discussion later.
11/30/06 @ 15:44
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
· http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
Stan the Man, thanks for the correction, even tho your reasoning is a bit off. Shanks is a nickname my Dad gave me, having nothing to do with golf at the time. However, there was a 2 month period about 20 years ago where I was struck with a case of the shanks. There's nothing quite like going through that. Can't even look your playing partners in the eye after a couple hosel-rockets.
11/30/06 @ 16:01
Comment from: Jade Green Eyes [Visitor]
Shanks,
Since you respond with civility, I will return the gesture. I do think that the Wies are putting capitalizing on the opportunities presented to her ahead of nurturing her talents.
11/30/06 @ 17:45
Comment from: John D [Visitor]
Totally WRONG, WRONG,WRONG.
Wie-Wee should be MADE to attend school, everyday, with other 17 year olds. Learn to be a kid. Do kid things. Not out trying to compete with the "MASTERS" of the game. Go to college, learn how to play the game and compete with other girls her own age. (Shucks, who knows, she might win a match or two). Then after she proves herself worthy to compete on the LPGA - Oh, I forgot she can't do that anymore, since claiming to be a pro. Too bad we can't go back in time and start over. Oh well, I guess she'll just have to learn to live her life as a LOOOOOOOSER!
11/30/06 @ 18:06
Comment from: Anthony Urquhart (PGA Punter) [Visitor]
· http://www.pgapunter.com
If I may say so, Shanks, I think you were being very generous to her parents.
11/30/06 @ 18:26
Comment from: Joe R [Visitor]
I like your comments and plan for 2007 for Michelle. I would question the home school part and let her enjoy Senior Year in High School. It may be the only normal thing she gets to do now.
Otherwise it is too logical and intelligent for many on this blog to appreciate. Unfortunately, I agree with one comment above, once she took the money she surrendered some degree of freedom of choice. Let's hope the sponsors will be a bit patient and let her follow a slower path that may let her develop her golf skills and actually be successful rather than burn out too soon.
11/30/06 @ 18:31
Comment from: Abraxas [Visitor]
She should continue school so that, unlike the author of this article, she'll learn the subjunctive mood in English. This will allow her to compose proper titles, such as "If Michelle Wie Were My Daughter".
11/30/06 @ 19:33
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
Comment from: Shanks [Member] · http://www.travelgolf.com/blogs/shanks
"One Putt, the reason Wie should not apply for LPGA membership is that she would be too restricted. She is an international star who IMHO could & should play in Europe and Asia, but almost exclusively against women. Assuming she wins at that level, only then I would consider stepping up participation against stiffer competition." Shanks playing on the LPGA is not a life sentence (unless you are hanging around for the retirement plan) and Michelle can change tours later if she gets her game up to a level where she can "qualify" for the men's tour. Nobody on the tour or those in blogland could question her presence in PGA events if she somehow made it thru Q school in the future. It is obvious that at this moment she is well able to hold her own against the best the LPGA has to offer and most likely in the near future she couldn't make a cut on the Nationwide much less the PGA Tour. The LPGA has enough co-sponsored events in Europe and Asia to give Michelle exposure.
12/01/06 @ 02:07
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
My, my, Patricia knows all the feminist platitudes, doesn't she?
Oh, woe is me! Oppressed I am by the patriarchy! You big, bad men, can't you see? You best clear the way for little Miss Wie! What's the matter, Pattie? Daddy was mean to you? Your first boyfriend who you thought you were in love with jilted you? Bubbles doesn't belong in the men's arena, PERIOD! And I have both the insight to know it and the intestinal fortitude to say it. As that Shakespearean character said, "Begone, vile wench!"
12/01/06 @ 04:36
Comment from: Dave Marrandette [Member]
Shanks, way to go! All ya hafta do is mention Wie and the world starts spinning on its axis again. Let's face it, all the blogging in the world will not change the approach that Mr. Wie has with his daughter. It's time for Dr. Phil.
12/01/06 @ 06:47
Comment from: Baby Blue Eyes [Visitor]
Stanley,
I am just glad they are not listening to the Prussian Blues CD. Judge Smails, Wow, did not realize you are a poet...I gotta tip my hat to you...
12/01/06 @ 07:59
Comment from: Mike [Visitor]
Maybe, Michelle Wie is just an only child, spoiled brat, who is doing what she wants to do and isn't listening to anyone but herself. For all we really know, her mother and father have gently tried to coax her in a different direction and she has just flatly refused to listen.
Secondly, Patricia states that we men only look at it from a paternalistc point of view. Well there's a big "Dah". You admitted yourself that were wired differently , but because it's paternalistic doesn't mean it's wrong as you so seem to hint. Take any 16 or 17 year old kid in America today and try to tell them what is right or wrong and they just tune you out. Add a kid that has millions of dollars to that, knowing that your talent hs made it all possible for not just yourself, but your parents to be rich, and you have a impossible monster on your hands. The human brain does not fully develop until age 25. From where I sit, Michelle, with her awesomes and cools is a couple years behind schedule.
12/01/06 @ 09:02
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
I actually agree with Ron Mon 100%. Her
development as a whole person does not seem to a major priority. Korea is a country which still has arranged marriages, creating the culture of "woman as commodity". The Wie family, although US citizens, identify as Koreans. What we see as exploitation of this young girl, they may see as making good use of their daughter. Truth doesn't make you an evil racist, commie flamers waiting to pounce. We may be aghast, but they have their ways and we have ours. Now...where's my Prussian Blue cd...?
12/01/06 @ 09:04
Comment from: Apollo [Visitor]
Who cares anymore what Michelle does? What good does it do for anyone to argue about what she or her family or her sponsors want to do? I just want to see good golf.
12/01/06 @ 09:24
Comment from: Apollo [Visitor]
Patricia wrote:
"As I said, I think she feels like she's learning... and persevering slowly, patiently, despite defeats and critisim, towards her long term goal..." Talk about delusional. The last time she played with the ladies at the Samsung Worold Championship, she placed 17th in a 20 player field. That's learning? Shanks article was dead on right and constructive and not at all biased against Michelle. Her supporters are not just getting increasingly delusional. They are getting quite paranoid, too. Could that be the effect on their psyches from Michelle constantly being a bottom dweller in her more recent tournaments against both males and females?
12/01/06 @ 09:40
Comment from: Fred [Visitor]
· http://bigmac945.homestead.com
Everyone has their own opinions but do not have the right to place labels on others or other’s statements. For example calling MW a Looooooser is a terrible thing to do. I feel some of you are just jealous her good fortune and feel she is not deserving . I am in total agreement with Patricia Give the kid a break, is it a big deal that she has set high goals? They are her goals not yours or anyone else’s goals. It is her right to try and achieve them in her own way. Come on now you nay Sayers, it is her dream and aspiration not yours. As for I see it she is in a win, win situation. When The Williams sisters of Tennis fame first started on the Professional tennis circuit, the nay Sayers were saying the same thing about how they should have begin their training, now millions of dollars later it seems they did just find. Sure some would say , they could have done better. If they did there would also be those that would criticize their efforts. As long as the big corporations and golfing venues owners decide they want Michelle Wie to participate, why not? If you don’t want to support her and her efforts, then don’t. The way I see it and by the look of her galleries you won’t be missed.
12/01/06 @ 10:42
Comment from: Ghet Rheel [Visitor]
Shanks - Michelle isn't being forced into a dimly lit basement sweat-shop to work 16-hour shifts. She's choosing to play the world's finest golf courses alongside the world's finest golfers. By the time she develops her A-game (at about age 24) she'll have gained a treasure trove of golfing knowledge. My hat is off to MW's parents for a first-rate job of parenting a fine young woman. With alcohol, meth, cocaine, heroin, etc. and etc. threatening teens in every community in America, jetting around the world to play golf with the pros (male or female) just doesn't raise my hackles. Yeah, if Michelle were my daughter I'd say go for it kiddo... and thank God you're staying out of trouble.
12/01/06 @ 12:35
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
Fred great post until you put "As for I see it she is in a win, win situation".
Fred you provided the Jackals with fresh kill. They are sniffing the air and each others butts trying to find the carcass.
12/01/06 @ 12:50
Comment from: Lamb and Lynx [Visitor]
Mucus, Korea might have arranged marriage ad consume puppies as meals, but I do not think they condone the kind of brother and sister union that produced you....
12/01/06 @ 13:18
Comment from: Giles [Visitor]
I attended the 2005 Walker Cup matches in the the Chicago area and met a former PGA
tour player. His present occupation is consulting young golfers/parents about turning pro. I ask him what criteria he used "mental toughness, shot creativity, short-long game balance etc." He told me he only used the young golfer won - lost record. Every young golfer has potential. Michelle Wie supporters want people to believe that potential is more important than demostrated ability.
12/01/06 @ 13:44
Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
Lamb and Lynx are jealous of my intellect
and musical prowess. Tell your mom to let you develop your own political opinions. And please, learn to sing in key!
12/01/06 @ 17:42
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
---Comment from: Booger [Visitor]
Lamb and Lynx are jealous of my intellect and musical prowess. Tell your mom to let you develop your own political opinions. And please, learn to sing in key!--- That must be it Komrade Booger, there really is no other logical explanation.
12/01/06 @ 17:59
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]
Very good, Abraxas!
12/01/06 @ 21:43
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]
I based my suggestions on what I believe would be best for Michelle Wie during only 2007. Makes sense to me that she should play against the best women all over entire world, given her international fame. So in addition to the LPGA, she would be well served to play the Euro & Japanese tours as well. Not to mention that would increase her chances of gaining the real confidence that only comes from winning.
12/01/06 @ 22:15
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
The last time I checked Shanks, the best women players in the World are playing on the LPGA Tour.
The LPGA co-sanctions events in both Europe and Asia. There are no millionaires on the money lists of the other ladies tours, unless they add in their LPGA earnings. Michelle was a chip and a putt from a chance of beating the best women golfers in the World at a LPGA Major, why play anywhere else? Without using the internet, can anyone except Ronnie tell me a tournament in Japan Paula Creamer won in 2005?
12/02/06 @ 03:55
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]
One-Putt, you are obviously American. No question, the best Euro & Asian players play on the LPGA Tour and the LPGA is the best Tour. Not even close. But the best players still in Europe and Asia play on THOSE tours. And Wie plays to a world wide audience. If she were to join the LPGA, she'd be limited to only the events that the LPGA co-sanctions, not to mention the limitation of 2 non-LPGA events. I wouldn't limit Wie to the LPGA's idea of how much she can play without them. That rule of theirs is ridiculous. I believe that she will want to remain a world traveler, much like Ernie Els for instance. And don't forget the commercial implications of her playing all over the world.
12/02/06 @ 07:50
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
The Wie Warriors constantly sound off about how much Bubbles' presence adds to the coffers of the tournament sponsors after her agents wangle her those freebies on the PGA and Euro tours.
But tell me, Wie-wee's, how much does she add to the gate on those tours on "moving day" (Saturday) and Sunday? Or have you all forgotten that she is in her hotel room by then or on her private jet musing about her sparkly watch? Please explain to us unenlightened ones just what she "learned" in her recent three outings against the men, (Omega, 84 Lumber, and Casio) when she shot about 50 over par and had her lunch handed to her.
12/02/06 @ 08:54
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
You're right Shanks I am an American and proud of it. That said, I didn't use my nationality as a a basis for my statements.
If we take for granted the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings mean something, how many of the top 30 female golfers hold LPGA cards? All but four Japanese ladies. The poll question of the day on the LPGA website is: "Which country will have the most players earn LPGA Tour cards for 2007? Right now South Korea leads with 68 percent. Shanks I'll agree that they might develop some of the best female golfers on the Euro and Asian tours, but most of the best strive to play on the LPGA tour. Yuri Fudoh the top JLPGA member listed in 13th place on the Rolex board appeared in five events outside of her tour, Kraft, McDonalds, U.S. Women's Open, Weetabix and Evian. Her best finish was a tie for 15th at the Kraft. Her worst was finishing 65th in the Evian. Gwladys Nocera who sits at number two on the LET money list (Laura Davies is number one) resides in 47th place on the Rolex rankings and finished in 113th place at LPGA Q school. The "BEST" female golfers in the World hold an LPGA card. The LET, Austrailian and Asian Tours are just slightly above the level of the LPGA Futures tour.
12/02/06 @ 13:28
Comment from: Oliver Sudden [Visitor]
Shanks, here's the beef :
The Wie's had a big problem, take millions of dollars now, while the taking is available or go the Tiger Woods root. Since no one knows exactly how good a junior golfer will ultimately be it is dicey to not strike while the iron is hot. The odds that a young player, no matter how good, will be the next Woods or Nicklaus is a very long shot. So I don't blame the Wie camp for cleaning up now BUT I feel very strongly they have destroyed Michelle as a golfer, very similar to Ty Tryon. Golf is as much between the ears as it is physical as anyone who has had the yips knows and while Michelle acts like these recent performances don't bother her we all know she has been devastated mentally. Especially because of all the hype and insane statements she made prodded by the media.
12/02/06 @ 21:23
Comment from: Oliver Sudden [Visitor]
I meant Tiger Woods ROUTE !
12/02/06 @ 22:09
Comment from: John Z [Visitor]
Shanks,
Your post expresses my opinion almost exactly. I don't post here very often because of all the insults and name-calling. But I am a 76 year-old father, grandfather, and now, great-grandfather who has been involved with the raising and nurturing of many children of both sexes. In addition, since my retirement, I've been a volunteer coach and mentor in several athletic leagues in my area. For these reasons, I am familiar with the actions of pushy parents who want to re-live their youths vicariously through their children. That it bad enough, but when the pressured child becomes a PROFESSIONAL at age sixteen and is used as the vehicle to riches for greedy parents and agents, the psychological harm to any kid, especially a teenage girl, can be devastating when unrealistic expectations cannot be met. Have any of the defenders of Michelle's parents ever read about the struggles of Dominique Moceanu and the many other girls gymnasts? Several had to be legally emancipated from overbearing parents. The same goes for McCauley Culkin and scores of other child actors. And, of course, the celebrated case of Leann Rimes, the teen Country and Western star, who went to court to free herself from her greedy parents. Michelle Wie's case has all the earmarks of these and literally hundreds of others. No child should have the onus of vastly improving the lives of her parents and agents as far as finance is involved. Those of her fans who think that her golf game has not been affected by her disasters in men's events and even in the Weetabix(6 over par) are deluding themselves. I'll be back here next year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, especially to Miss Wie.
12/03/06 @ 10:01
Comment from: Jeff Gibson [Visitor]
· http://www.gibsongolfacademy.net
Why would someone want to be a mediocre player on the PGA Tour, where the best she might do is make a cut?
The assumption here is that she is a work in progress. The truth is that girl's athletic development is about five years ahead of boys. 14 year old girls compete with adult women in many sports on a world stage. A 12 year old qualified for their Open Championship. There is no way a 17 year old boy can compete with adult men on a National level in any sport. Furthermore, one of the least talked about charactereistics of female tour players is that they generally do not improve once they arrive on tour. Annika is a glaring exception to this rule. Nancy Lopez was never better than her first year. The average age of a man thorugh tour school was about 32 years. The average age of a woman was about 22. What does this mean? Michele may never be better than she is now. She probably is maxed out. Furthermore, do not think of her as a 15 or 16 year old. Think of her as a 22 or 23 year old. It is like dog years. How can the LPGA condone her saying if she is good enough, she does not play with the girls? Her message is that only girls that cannot play with the men play on the LPGA Tour. That is horrible. I think there is a great chance that Michele could end of being one of the saddest stories of our lives. She is being asked to do something she cannot do. She is doomed to being unhappy.
12/03/06 @ 12:47
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Jeff,
Excellent post; your analysis is almost spot-on. However, before I expound upon that, I just want to mention a small area of disagreement. Seventeen-year-old boys not only can but have competed with the best men. Boris Becker won Wimbledon at seventeen, and I believe Michael Chang won the French Open at the same age (he could have even been sixteen). Girls do develop earlier than boys, but the gap is two years, not five. Girls enter puberty two years earlier on average. Now, Bubbles, though, is a different story. She matured EXTREMELY early; she looked like she was eighteen at age thirteen. This is why today, at seventeen, she doesn't look that much different. Now I'll gloat a bit. For the last few years I've stated that Bubbles would not ascend above the level she was on at age fourteen. I said that she could improve ON THAT LEVEL, but making a leap to a higher one was highly improbable. My reasoning had a basis in a firm grasp on reality. I understood that she was an early bloomer and, consequently, would not, could not, register the kind of improvement the average boy OR even girl would between sixteen and twenty-one. She had already tapped the upper reaches of her potential; she was a flower already in bloom. For exhibiting perspicacity I was chastised and mocked by the callow, naive Wiemen. In essence, they stated that it was preposterous to assert that someone so young (they claimed this even when she was sixteen) would not improve markedly over the subsequent years. Obviously, they have no grasp of the reality of different rates of maturity and cannot recognize a golf game that has reached maturity. And this misconception is what animated their predictions of greatness for Bubbles heretofore unseen in golf. Of course she was going to make a dent on the men's tour -- "If she's this good at __ [14, 15, 16 . . . take your pick], imagine how great she'll be in a few years. Those guys on the tour had better watch out!" As they say, common sense is very uncommon.
12/03/06 @ 15:31
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
I forgot to mention something. In making the statements I just did, I don't mean to imply that Bubbles won't have a great career on the LPGA Tour. It's probable that she'll have a good one and entirely possible that she'll tame her demons and putter and be the greatest ever. She may even make the occasional cut on the men's tour; as I've said, that means nothing. But you can forget about her ever being a factor on the PGA. No matter what your PC, feminist fantasies tell you, that will never happen.
12/03/06 @ 15:55
Comment from: patricia [Visitor]
· http://www.thegolfgirl.blogspot.com
I might venture to guess that it's the culturally imposed obligation to bear children that stunts many women's athletic aspirations prematurely - not a specific female physical shortcoming.
12/03/06 @ 16:26
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Judge Smails, If some of the Wie Warriors would do some investigation of the sport of thoroughbred racing, they might acquire some concept of the term "class."
If some anxious and delusional owner of a two-year old filly entered his charge in a stakes race for four year old colts and up, she would be beaten by about 30 lengths and finish dead last, similar to the results Bubbles has against the PGA tour. The difference is that while the PGA allows Bubbles to play in PGA events on sponsors" exemptions, no race track, track stewards, or racing commision would ever allow such an obvious mismatch to take place. Bubbles, as well as any female golfer no matter how accomplished, is hopelessly out-classed when matched against the men. In the same vein, if the owner of the filly realized by her consistently being trounced in her present class of competition that she was in over her head, he or she would doubtless move her down in class. That is the correct move for Bubbles. She has shown that she is out-classed by the men and should take her game to people in her own class:women.
12/03/06 @ 18:14
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Alex,
No doubt. Unfortunately, though, the powers-that-be are content to let the Bubbles run the only race she's been finishing high in: The race for money. Patricia, Sadly, you don't guess any better than you reason. Bearing offspring has nothing to do with it since virtually no female athletes have children during the period of life in question (16-25). Next theory.
12/03/06 @ 18:25
Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Good grief, Patricia, how PC can you get?
For all of recorded history, women have relished their role as the bearers of children, as well as the nurturers of those children. It was known as "maternal instinct" and was celebrated in literature, drama, and the rest of the arts. Now, to you demented feminists, it's a "culturally imposed obligation" That would be funny if it weren't so sad.
12/03/06 @ 18:30
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Alex,
Well put. It's as if these Feminazis believe that the patriarchy enacted a law stating that only women may become pregnant. Hey, I don't like men's culturally imposed problem of going bald. Where can I go for redress?
12/03/06 @ 18:42
Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]
One-Putt, you're preaching to the choir. I fully agree that the LPGA is the absolute best tour in the world for women, by far. What I am suggesting - playing a bunch of events in Europe and Asia in addition to her 8 LPGA events - has as much to do with instilling or restoring confidence as it does with marketing. I believe she could really benefit from some wins. As far as the marketing aspect of this, please, don't anyone call me a greedy make-believe parent either. The genie is already out of the bottle. I'm just suggesting to make the best of the situation as it is.
12/03/06 @ 21:50
Comment from: Judge Smails [Visitor]
Yeah, then Bubbles will have on her resume that she failed to win in Europe and Asia. What will that do to her confidence?
12/03/06 @ 22:28
Comment from: One-Putt [Visitor]
Shanks I expect to see Michelle petition for a waiver into the LPGA after her recent lack of success on the men's tour.
Maybe you noticed Shanks the LPGA is setting the stage for Michelle by posting her career BIO on their LPGA website (the only non-member so honored). I see this as Ms. Bivens and the LPGA tour extending their hand and all Michelle has to do is reach out and grab it. It will be interesting to see what comes out of the boardroom at LPGA headquarters by February at the SBS when the 2007 tour begins.
12/04/06 @ 03:23
Comment from: Shanks [Member] | ||||||
