I'll take that bet, especially if Stanford lets her take the same path the "prestigous" Punahau school has let her take, i.e. missing class whenever she wants and still giving her A's.

I'll take the bet too. Though I'm not at all desperate, I'll be the housewife as I probably wouldn't qualify for bricklayer and definitely wouldn't for golfer. Anyway, Michelle's surprised us before, right? I say she'll get her degree ...in Marketing. After all, it's a subject she seems quite comfortable with.

Patricia,

You say that Bubbles surprised "us" before.

She never surprised me about anything as far as her golf game goes.

In what way did she surprise you?

Golf was a priority for Tiger and everyone assumes golf should be the number one priority in Michelle's life.

For the next seven or eight years she may continue to be a "freelance" golfer, while she completes all of her studies (graduate/post graduate). After that who knows, golf may never be the most important thing in her life and it will still be just a game to her. If she does decide to play golf full time after college she will still be a young woman.

Nike and Sony did not hire Michelle just to play professional golf or her contracts would have been written that way. Turn Pro or else.

correction: Turn Tour Pro or else.

One-Putt,

About a year ago, you had a decidedly different take on the direction of Bubbles' career than you have today.

A year ago, you and several other Wie Warriors were of the certain opinion that Bubbles only needed a little more seasoning and she would be ready to seriously compete on the PGA tour. She would gain considerably in arm, wrist, and hand strength. With her high-priced golf tutors and her wealth of natural ability, she was a can't-miss commodity.

Now, O-P, I realize that you have a lot emotionally invested in Bubbles, but when you rationalize her failure by saying that golf might not be very important to her, excuse me if I am inclined to snicker just a bit.

Did you say that Bubbles MIGHT take golf more seriously in SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS? Good grief, O-P, by then she might have three or four kids and competitive golf may be for her a distant memory.

Tim, I will take that bet. I will bet one florida lottery quick pick (or a comparable thereof) that she does make it to junior.

Ford, It looks like I will need your address soon to settle the bet we had (though it is not lost yet!) I still have hope and I have enjoyed watching her this year. Heres to a hell of a 2007 for Ms Wie!!

One-Putt, I have to agree with Alex here. You've sure changed your tune.

I guess failure will do that, huh?

In the golfing world there are only a select few who can win a PGA event and I have never stated Michelle would win on the PGA tour. Making a cut is not the same as winning the whole thing.

I was disappointed she could not make a cut at the Deere and withdrew, yet I knew she would finish in back of the pack at the 84 or Omega. The Casio was a possibility before the rains came and cut off Michelle to her carry distance. She hit a lot of fairways at the Casio but had long irons left into the green. It is hard to hold a green with a long iron.

Michelle is long for a girl, but not long enough to keep up with the men on a 7,000 plus yard PGA setup course or in foul conditions.

Failure Tim? Michelle will only fail if she stops trying. So to quote her, "Get Over It".

She's surprised me by holding on to her optimism. By being confident enough to say things like "Get Over It" to the Alex-types who suggest that she just "be good and go play with the girls." And yeah, she might or might not decide to make golf a the major force in her life. Unlike for most of the population, that's just one of many options she has. Lucky Girl.

Alex and Tim,
The Wie fans made claims about what Michelle would do, on the pga tour, and those claims are still there.

However you are getting ahead of yourselves.

Most pga tour winners don't win before their late 20s.
Why do you expect Michelle to win before that?
It shows that you actually have some huge confidence in her game, if you are suggesting such things.

The majority of Michelle's fans would set a reaslistic target as for her to gain a pga tour card by 23-27 years of age. That's a realistic view.

You are just getting way ahead of yourself in what you think players should have achieved by certain ages, and that shows your lack of knowledge about golf.

PGA Tour card at 23-27 as a realistic
goal? Whatever you smoke has got to be
illegal. She'll be lucky to be exempt
on the LPGA tour at that time.

Tim,

Now Stanley has upped the age for Bubbles to secure her PGA tour card to 27, outdoing Ghet Rheel by three years.

And Stanley, you asked "why do I expect Bubbles to win(on the PGA tour before that, her late 20's).

My answer is that I absolutely do not expect Bubbles to ever win on the PGA tour or to ever get a PGA tour card by ANY conventional means.

Patricia,

In other words, you EXPECTED Bubbles to lose her optimism and confidence.

I'll go you one better. I think she has lost her optimism and confidence.

She can whistle past the cemetery all she wants with remarks like "My game is getting really close" and "I think I'm playing really well."

When she is shooting 14, 15, 17 over par for TWO ROUNDS, all the hubris in the world can't hide how shaky her golf game has become.

Come on, Patricia, make a prediction on whether or not Bubbles will make the cut at the Sony. It's practically her home course, it's comparatively short and flat, and, according to your pal One-Putt, Bubbles will be refreshed abd relaxed since she received the news that she got accepted to the college of her choice. What say you, Patricia?

I say she makes it. Totally. For the reasons you outlined, and because she's now in Orlando working very methodically on her game.

I'm looking forward to watching her. Yeah, can't wait.

***Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Did you say that Bubbles MIGHT take golf more seriously in SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS? Good grief, O-P, by then she might have three or four kids and competitive golf may be for her a distant memory.***

Alex just how old do you think Michelle is? In seven or eight years she will be as old as Natalie or Lorena are now.

I was glad you stated in another of your posts that golf is less important than an education Alex. I think young men and women in the world of sports cheat themselves by passing up the chance to expand their universe. The lure of pro sports is strong with fame and money pulling them in. Michelle just picked a different route when she turned pro. As long as she is a fulltime student, nobody will expect her to join any tour and she can continue to drive old men like yourself stark raving mad by playing in men's events.

To tell you the truth Alex I believe Michelle likes the idea of studying and attending classes as much or more than playing golf. When Nike and Sony recruited Michelle I'm sure they were surprised when the Wie's told them Michelle's education would come first before she played golf full time.

Obviously their contracts were structured to take into account Michelle Wie the student. Both contracts run for five years or to the fall of 2010. This tells me Nike and Sony both like the idea of Michelle Wie the student. Golf is a very small segment of the market compared to the college student market around the world.

The suits are salivating on the possibilities created by Michelle Wie the Stanford student. Finally they have a sports fugure on the inside with the name recognition to hawk their products. A college peer with worldwide media coverage who doesn't need to abide by NCAA rules.

It is a masterful stroke of marketing savvy on both Nike and Sony's part. Hell yeah they want Michelle Wie to attend Stanford and finish college.

One-Putt,

You've convinced me.

Maybe it's time to move this blog to the "Who's who in American Colleges" website. After all, golf is only a passing fancy for Bubbles.

With the new attitude you Wie Warriors have adopted, it won't be necessary for you to conjure up any new excuses.

You'll always have the big one: Bubbles has a higher calling than the mundane pursuit of golf. She never took golf seriously and neither did BJ, Bo, Nike, or Sony.

One thing still puzzles me. If Bubbles new goal is the pursuit of higher education, why is she spending her Christmas vacation, according to the news releases and Wie Warrior Patricia, practicing diligently her golf swing with Leadbelly 5,000, miles from her home?

Patricia,

Your reply wasn't exactly definite.

Makes what totally?

For the reasons I outlined? Say what?

If you have time, please clarify. Thank you.

O-P,

I'm astounded at your depth of knowledge on the structure of Wie's endorsement deals, Nike and Sony's intent/strategy to market the college segment to recoup their investment and the inner workings of MW's mind.

Your talents are far too superior to indulge us simple minded folks.

Actually, I meant she makes the cut this time. Not necessarily gets way up on the leader board - she's got ample time for that. By reasons you outlined, I meant the course and time of year.

O-P,

And, I don't believe for a minute the Wie's insisted education would come first; they wanted to know HOW MUCH $$$$ first and foremost.

This 'path' is a money grab--no fault there at all. Why else does a 16 yr old turn professional? The only outstanding question is will her performance as a golf professional ever match the hype.

InTheBunker,

Bubbles performance on the golf course will never match the hype she has received. How could it?

But I'm sure that you've noticed, it doesn't seem to matter to One-Putt, Patricia, or the rest of the Wie-wee's if she even approaches the hype. At times,they say that they don't even care if she plays or not.

It's a safe bet that in a few short years, most of her devoted fans will have given up on Bubbles, forgotten all about her, and will have glommed onto some other and newer creation of the advertising moguls.

Patricia,

You must not have looked at the entry list for the Sony.

When you find time, peruse the entries and then tell us which seventy of the 140+ golfers entered she will beat out to make the cut.

A very wise man once coined the adage that the best indication of an occurence taking place, is if that occurence has happened at least once before.

And Bubbles is further away from making a PGA cut than she has ever been.

***Comment from: InTheBunker [Visitor]
O-P,

I'm astounded at your depth of knowledge on the structure of Wie's endorsement deals, Nike and Sony's intent/strategy to market the college segment to recoup their investment and the inner workings of MW's mind.

Your talents are far too superior to indulge us simple minded folks.***

Elementary my dear Stuck InTheHazard, elementary.

Michelle and BJ have both spoken about Michelle applying to Stanford since she was ten years old. Did she follow thru after BJ signed her contracts?

I did not observe Nike and Sony walk out on the deal after Michelle applied to Stanford last summer or after she was accepted?

Are there more college students worldwide or golfers?

Did Sony recently announce a marketing strategy based on young sports stars (including Michelle Wie) targeted at young consumers?

Does Nike have plans on the table to diversify into other lines of apparel aimed at young men and women?

Will Michelle Wie (Professional Golfer) be required to follow NCAA rules concerning player relationships with commercial companies?

A Blind Man could see this one coming.

***Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
One-Putt,

You've convinced me.

Maybe it's time to move this blog to the "Who's who in American Colleges" website. After all, golf is only a passing fancy for Bubbles.

With the new attitude you Wie Warriors have adopted, it won't be necessary for you to conjure up any new excuses.

You'll always have the big one: Bubbles has a higher calling than the mundane pursuit of golf. She never took golf seriously and neither did BJ, Bo, Nike, or Sony.

One thing still puzzles me. If Bubbles new goal is the pursuit of higher education, why is she spending her Christmas vacation, according to the news releases and Wie Warrior Patricia, practicing diligently her golf swing with Leadbelly 5,000, miles from her home?***

Michelle still has some goals further down on her priority list she would like to accomplish.

Christmas in Orlando playing golf sounds like a good vacation to me Alex.

Not quite the same as the White Christmas forecast for Chicago, but Christmas just the same.

One-Putt,

Bubbles lives(or at least used to live) in Hawaii.


Why should she need a vacation?

From whom should she need a vacation?

Hawaii is where people GO on vacation

One-Putt,

I've got to admit it, you're far and away the most inventive of the Wie-wee's.

Your best yet is the one about Bubbles wanting to apply to Stanford when she was TEN YEARS OLD!

And she has reached one of her greatest goals by being ACCEPTED to college. That's a goal? My wife and I and all five of our children were accepted to the colleges and graduate schools of our choice, but none of us ever looked upon mere acceptance as a goal. GRADUATION was the goal.

Another good one is that Bubbles, at age seventeen, still has some other goals to reach, although they are further down the list.

O-P, have you ever thought of a career in writing? Maybe children's books and/or science fiction?

Alex I would just like to refer you to a Honolulu Advertiser article from August 1, 2000 titled:

"Following in Tiger's Tracks"

Here is another article from the AP Alex:

"12-year-old wunderkind following in Tiger's tracks"

By Doug Ferguson
Associated Press

"That's when she got interested, when Tiger was on top," B.J. Wie said of his only child. "Tiger has the greatest impact on her. She tries to imitate what Tiger is doing."

Pictures of Woods at various points in his swing cover her bedroom walls. She even wants to go to Stanford.

Beyond that, who knows?"

Alex you might be surprised just how consistent Michelle's goals are for the past six years.

One-Putt,

I have an eleven year old grandson who is very patriotic, so much so that he wants to be a submarine commander.

There is nothing wrong with his having that aspiration, it's very admirable.

Last year at this time he wanted to be a jet fighter pilot.

Will any of his desires ever come to fruition? No one can say for sure, but it is a good bet that somewhere along the line, he'll have to moderate his dreams a tad.

Bubbles may have a wish to follow in "Tiger's tracks."

Will she actually make her tracks fit Tiger's? Not in a million years. I know it and you know it.

Maybe Santa will bring Bubbles some sort of a win in 2007.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

"Comment from: Alex [Visitor]
Will she actually make her tracks fit Tiger's? Not in a million years. I know it and you know it.

Maybe Santa will bring Bubbles some sort of a win in 2007.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

Your right Alex, but I can't think of a better role model than "El Tiger", he is one class act.

Enjoy the holidays with your grandkids Alex.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

I wish all a merry and blessed Christmas as well.

Each night I say a prayer for the young men and women in harms way protecting freedom for us all.

I believe in my heart it was the prayers being said for me (and my own) that kept me safe while serving.

I invite you to join me in the Spirit of Christmas by honoring the living Heroes serving in modern times and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom during your Holiday prayers.

I echo the thought; My prayers and thoughts to all our military serving both here and especially overseas. A good year and a God bless you to all.
Merry Christmas from Florida


Mike

p.s. Tim, Is it a bet? You didn't reply to my earlier post. Just wondering....

Mike

Tim,

I'll take a piece of this action. Any Odds? How about 10-1? I'll put up $10 and you put up $100? Or is this more of your BS? I'm printing and keeping a copy of this article and will contact you in 3 years, if you are still writing.

You said she will drop out way before she is graduated. This implies, if you are telling the truth about going to college, that you bellieve she will graduate at some later date after dropping out. Michelle Wie has no more financial incentive to finish college at Stanford than Brooke Shields did at Princeton--but I expect that at some point in the future when she has the time that she will finish up a degree at Stanford.

Jim C,

Once again you've shown your talent as a master of backwoods logic.

Somehow you've managed to read into Tim's blog some things that simply are not there.

I read and re-read Tim's piece, and the only statement he makes is that Bubbles will not enter her junior year at Stanford.

He says nothing about her being graduated sometime in the distant future. He implies nothing.

The title of his blog is "Michelle Wie will never be a junior at Stanford." Period.

Florida Mike -- you're on.

VDBW -- talk about b.s. YWhy are you trying to get odds, if you're so confident? If you're so cocky, why don't you give ME 10-1 odds?

Are you a used car salesman by any chance?

Allright Tim, It's a bet. Mike....