Freed by Somali Pirates, LPGA Excitedly Returns Home

OK, they were not exactly being held hostage, but it sure seems like it....

The LPGA returns stateside to the mainland (finally) this week for the J. Golf Phoenix International. Played at the newly renovated Papago Golf Course, Lorena Ochoa returns to defend her title. This event will enjoy some great TV exposure as well, with play being televised on The Golf Channel Thursday - Sunday evenings (yeah, I know it's not LIVE coverage, but let's not get too greedy, ok ?). The super strong field includes Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer, Erica Blasberg, Michelle Wie, Angela Stanford, Pat Hurst, Natalie Gulbis,Leta Lindley, and a host of other LPGA stars.

Along with the veterans, 10 rookies are in the field, nine of whom have their eyes set on becoming a Rolex First-Time Winner. Rookie Jiyai Shin won the HSBC Women's Champions earlier this year in Singapore - her fourth overall LPGA Tour victory - but first as an official member of the LPGA Tour.

The event pays a total purse of $1.5mm, and drew over 159,000 spectators in 2008.

Oh, and if you make it to the event be sure to pay close attention to Erica Blasberg's caddie (wincing under the weight of her bag) - he is none other than our buddy Shane B (aka stylist to the stars). If you see him, give him some water and a cookie .... I think he will need it ! (for those of you watching on TV, online donations can be made at www.sendshaneacookie.net)

My prediction - Cristie Kerr wins by two over Lorena and Angela Stanford.

10 Golf Wishes for 2009

My (Golf Related) Wishes for 2009

So my last post contained my personal golf resolutions / wishes for 2009 – but no mention of anyone else. In the spirit of fairness and goodwill, here are 10 wishes for the rest of the golf world in 2009:

(1) For the LPGA (you know I am a big fan):
-I wish you great performances from some of your marquee players early on (Paula, Morgan, Lorena, Cristie,Natalie, etc) , as well as some breakthrough wins by some newbies (Anna Rawson, Stacy Lewis, Erica Blasberg,etc... – sorry Michelle, you get your own special wish later).
- I also wish you many new fans
- Stability among your sponsors.
- Oh, and I hope you find someone to replace Carolyn B – she SUCKS - totally does not get it…
(2) For the PGA:
-Stability in the sponsorship arena.
-Maybe try reigning in the purses so the best players NEED to play more often – I mean they are PLAYING GOLF for chrissakes
-A quick recovery for Tiger
-Early wins for the most compelling stories / personalities on tour
i. Boo Weekly – hint to media: ever hear the term “crazy like a fox”? He is working you like a pro, guys….
ii. Anthony Kim – used to be a hater, now I love the guy. He is the real deal
iii. Davis Love III – I know he wears Polo like a second skin, but he made a great comeback in ’08, and he will be our RC Captain soon, so lets give him some love
iv. Bubba Watson – Time for the “long one” to break through
v. JB Holmes – bc he was just STONE COLD at Valhalla
vi. Ian Poulter – ditto JB comment above. Get over the hair, the pink clothes, and the prissy walk – he can flat out get it done
vii. Greg Norman – I’m rooting hard for a comeback from the Shark
viii. Kenny Perry (at a major) – Just to shut up the talking heads on TV who dogged him for skipping majors in 08 to focus on the Ryder Cup ( hey guys on TGG, we did WIN the RC with some great performances from KP,right????)
ix. Rocco - To prove that Torrey was not a fluke
x. Phil – At the US Open (so the aforementioned Talking Heads will STFU about Winged Foot)
(3) For Sergio (who gets his own special wish)– Some humility and class. Sorry dude, I can’t wish for you to win as long as you act like a spoiled, “entitled”, ingrate. Your smile is great, and fools a lot of people – but until you learn to lose with same grace as you win, I will root for anyone but you. (Sorry Golf Girl – I know you like him….).
(4) For Michelle Wie (same as Sergio...her own wish)
-That you play consistently, play hard, don’t whine, and compete fairly on the LPGA tour. If you do that, and actually are competitive, then I may believe you are for real.
-That you IGNORE the PGA tour. You cannot, and never will,be able to, compete with these guys. Your delusions that you could EVER compete with them will keep you from achieving your potential. BTW – I watched Brittany Lincicome BLOW IT PAST you when you were supposed to be in your prime – so get over it …the PGA game is NOT about distance - its about SCORING (another hint - so is the LPGA,)
- That you fire your parents as coaches and advisors. BJ - Dude, get a life...you know golf like I know "nucular bombs"...
(5) For Tim Finchem – Some wisdom..Careful dude, you are about 18 months away from being in the Carolyn B sitch….
(6) For the Golf Girl – a round at “Farmore” and all the golf fashion that you can handle
(7) For the “twentysomething golf blogger” – a return trip to TGC Amateur Nationals- hope to see you there.
(8) For Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey – a bunch of early wins on the Nationwide tour, entry into plenty of PGA events, and the return of your PGA Tour Card
(9)For Amber Prange and Irene Cho – Early success in the Spring events….the future of women's golf needs more players like you.
(10)For Titleist and Callaway – That you kiss and make up regarding the freaking ProV1 patents – come on guys, don’t mess up the game, we already have enough challenges… (dudes at Callaway – you make some good stuff, but Titleist will ALWAYS rule the ball market – deal with it)

LPGA - Why do I like it ???

I willingly confess - I really like the LPGA. That's right - I am a true blue , hard core, keep up with the scores, watch the Solheim Cup, LPGA fan. I've had many of my golf buddies and acquaintances ( and probably lots of others) make fun of me for this, but I cannot help it - I REALLY enjoy watching the game.

Why, you may ask....well, here are a few reasons:

(1) All the players are very fan friendly - autographs, photos, conversations, you name it - they are ALL happy to have fans there cheering for them.
(2) Admit it or not, guys, they play a game a WHOLE lot more like mine and yours that the "big boys" do. If you don't believe me, check out some of these stats:

• Average Driving Distance for the Top 40: 261 yards
• Average Distance for the Courses Played: 6,400 - 6,700 yards
• On the Par 5's , when they "go for it", club they usually hit: 3 wood, 5 wood, or Hybrid ( no 8 irons here)
• They miss a few greens, so they scramble to make par, usually hitting shots from the same places we do ( not 4" high rough, or from behind the clubhouse)
  
• They play on courses that you or I can generally play - see www.rtjgolf.com/courses/capitol_hill/

(3) They hit their clubs a very similar distance to many (most ????) of us - a 7 iron from 150 - 165, a 3 wood from 200 - 235, a PW from 115, etc.
(4) They are really GOOD players

I think all of these add up to one really logical conclusion - many (most) of us can really learn something from watching the ladies of the LPGA play...and that, is something worth paying attention to.

Now, before I get called out for being oblivious to the obvious, YES there is some serious eye candy out there too (Paula, Natalie,Erica, etc - tip of the hat to ya'....)- and that is another great attribute of the tour - just one that I don't want to really focus on in this post.

Anyway, if you are an LPGA fan - let me hear about it - what do you like about the tour ? And if you are not - give it another shot after reading this - maybe you will have a different perspective.