by E Gule
Just because someone can drive a golf ball 350yards at age 15 does not mean that they should be allowed to have special privileges. What kind of message does that send to anyone? Just like there are age limits for driving a car, and things that require some degree of maturity, there should be age limits on the top tier of competitive golf.
The NBA is starting to respond to the message it has sent to society, by imposing an age limit. Perhaps the NBA is trying to recover some the respect it lost by its practice using up the commodity of amazing talent, at any age, at any cost, just to make some short-term profits.
I played junior golf and competed on the junior level (locally and nationally). There was and is plenty of competition for youth. Some of these young people are capable well beyond their years, but that does not mean they have reached a level of maturity that matches their skills! For every 1,000 young people that have excelled beyond their peers, there may be 1 or 2 who really have the desire, ability and maturity that make a person a true talent.
I can remember the names of individuals who were extraordinary at the time of their youth. Some of these, made it into golf at higher levels but most didn’t. It also is important to note that SOME of these extraordinary talents are the result of being “pushed” by a compulsive and overzealous parent. These parents live vicariously through their children and see these children as extensions of themselves. These parents don’t see their children as individuals. They see them as vehicles to their own validation of success. More than one of these kids quit the sport the minute the parent stepped away from them or some cases died.
With no age limits to the top professional sports ranks we then send the message that society is willing to use up these youth as we live vicariously through these kids ourselves. We say will pay you to thrill us, and when we have used you up we will spit you out. That’s tough enough for adults to handle much less children.
(Pre-Response for Smart-a_ _ _ _!)
Oh well, maybe it’s because I’m bitter and have to deal with the realities of life, and hate others who are rich and successful who live in fantasy worlds. Yep, that’s it!

by AkamaiOkole
What is amazing is your and Chris Baldwins amazing desire to crap on any golfer who has a bad round. For example, this story about Morgan Pressels "meltdown" in the first round. Wow. I have to write a story about this!! Yeah -- 3 days later, we read that she comes in SECOND in the entire tournament and might have won it if not for Kim's miracle shot.
And what about Chris Baldwin's "choke" label which stuck after Wie's so called Meltdown in the USOpen. Meltdown huh. She melted down into a tie with Annika. Oh, and what has she down since then? Missed a cut on the BIG PGA tour by 2 strokes, got to the quarterfinals of the APL (essentially a tie for 5th), then came in 2nd and 3rd in the next two tournament. Not bad for a 15 year old. Yeah, what a choker -- obviously not ready for prime time.
When will you guys learn that golf is not a sport that you can shoot LIGHT OUT every single round. In the past 6 months EVERY SINGLE GOLFER including Annika, Tiger, Vijay, Phil, Retief, Ernie, has had a bad round. So quit jumping on the "oh my god she's too young to handle" bandwagon after just one or two bad round. Why don't you look at how consistent these golfers are over a whole tournament or series of tournaments before passing such summary judgement.
After all, I don't think you're a crappy writer and call for you to get another day job just because every once in a while you blow it big time...
:)
Peace

by jeff
What if I said to you as a writer you couldn't write anything in certain publications untill you were a certain age. Give me a break. If your good enough to play then let them play. The real issue is the parents and how they raise there kids. Simple as that

by FRED SELTMAN
DOUG::
ABOUT TIME SOMEONE STOOD UP AND SAID IT.
TIME FOR AGE LIMITS AND I AGREE WITH EVRYTHING YOU SAID. OPEN OR NOT GIVE THE "KIDS" A CHANCE TO GROW UP AND MATURE. IF GOLF IS NOW LIKE ANY OTHER SPORT (DO ANYTHING AT ANY TIME FOR MONEY) THEN I FEEL SORRY FOR THE GAME.
THANKS FOR A GREAT ARTICLE DOUG.
FRED SELTMAN
(GOLF COACH AND CLUB MAKER)

by John Phillips
You may be right, an age limit for PGA/LPGA pros might be a good thing. Ty Tryon would have had more experience, and Paula Creamer would have had plenty of time for her high school graduation. What does that have to do with Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel, et.al.? They are amateurs and as long as The Open is 'open' they have a right to play if their game is up to it.

by J Ludlow
This is a bizare article you have written today Doug. You seem to have confused America the continent with the US of A.
As for the LPGA allowing girls that are too young to play in theit tournaments what does this have to do with the US Open run by the United States Golf Association.
The United States Golf Association is a non-profit organization set up to oversee golf and it's rules in the US of A. It runs many amature tournaments and the opens are the only ones that allow commercial golfers to play.
The LPGA (and PGA) are commercial companies that provide entertainment for profit just like MGM or Universal Pictures.

by brian
The beauty of the US Open is that it is an Open, meaning anyone who has the game can come down and take a stab at the best in the world. I'm not sure that Tour is the right place for teenagers, but at the Open anything is fair game....it part of what makes that the best tournament of the year.
I also think that the LPGA women should be a bit embarassed that these amateur kids came in at 5 over and still managed a tie for 2nd....

by Walter Smith
I'm sure at the age of 17 you would have turned down a $200,000 salary to write for Sports Illustrated. Tell us you would have said "no thanks" and headed off to the local college for that great "experience". Sounds like you have a tinge of jealousy beause you didn't become rich at an early age. I say let them play no matter the age if they can perform. Since two amateurs finished in the top three, why would they not belong? College isn't the only answer to making a fortune, right Bill Gates? As far as bad behavior on the golf course, we only have to look as far as Tiger Woods and his emotional caddy. Sorry, you missed this by a mile.

by D. Smith
Some good points, Walter.
But perhaps "making a fortune" isn't the only answer.

by Nick Aramino
The more intriguing question is what state is the women's game in when 2 amateurs finish tied for second and a 15-year-old is tied for the lead after the third round? And, a woman,who had one top ten finish in 33 events,wins? Where were all the best players? Anika having a poor showing once in a blue moon is understandable; but where were all the other "top" players? Or aren't there any?