Michelle Wie's Spring Class Schedule at Stanford: "Social Dances of North America III", "Beginning Improvising", and "Interpersonal Relations"....SWEEEET

Ah Fricking Ha !!!!  If you have been a BCC reader from back in the early days, you will recalll how I ripped on Michelle Wie and her imbecilic responses to countless interviewers - calling into question exactly how difficult the curriculum could be at Stanford if she could continue to make the deans list. If you have listened to, or read even ONE interview with Wie, none of this will surprise you...she's clearly as dense as she sounds...
Weeeeeel... as my Dad would say, "The Genie is out of the Jug".  As reported by Fox News yesterday,it seems that the AD at Stanford has assembled a " list of classes for athletes" like the "Big Queasy"... (Can't your hear the Church Lady..... "well isn't that special"...)


check excerpts from the story below...

Stanford University allegedly offered a list of easy classes to student-athletes, according to the Stanford Daily.

The college newspaper reports it was a closely guarded list only offered to Stanford athletes and not the rest of the student body.

"It's definitely not going to be a hard class if it's coming off that list," sophomore women's volleyball player Karissa Cook told the paper.

Some of the courses identified on the list were "Beginning Improvising," "Social Dances of North America III" and "Interpersonal Relations."

Stanford athletes have been known to ask for the list from the Athletic Academic Resource Center, despite the "courses of interest" list not being posted on its website. Advisers in other college departments tell the paper they didn't know such a list existed.

A spokesman for the athletics department claims the classes are no pushover.

"An objective evaluation of the courses included on the list reveals several courses that most students would consider to be academically rigorous," Austin Lee, director of academic services at the Athletic Academic Resource Center, told the Stanford Daily.

Some university professors say athletes are treated differently than your average student.

"(Stanford) accommodates athletes in the manner that they accommodate students with disabilities," professor Donald Barr told the paper.


(Say that one again ????  "Students with Disabilities" ???)

The list -- which had existed since at least 2001 -- was discontinued last week after student reporters began asking questions about it.

L   O    F   L.....

Ummmmm, I Forgotted

If you pay much attention to the LPGA, or even golf in general, you've probably read that Michelle Wie has an interview coming out in the March issue of Golf magazine (you can read it here at Golf.com). The byline of the article proclaims that she has "bounced back" and that "her future is brighter than ever" (it also has some kind of soft porn-ish shot of her lounging in a hammock ...)

In the course of the interview, in which the interviewer totally kisses her a$$ asks some really tough and probing questions, the topic of Wie's struggles in 2007 come up. In what we have come to recognize as typical "Wie-nial" fashion, she is unable to face the music and accept accountability for her,um, actions. However, apparently "Michelle 2.0" is now in tha' house, and her manner of addressing topics such as this is to say..... " I DON'T REMEMBER!".... I know this sounds completely unbelievable..so I have excerpted the most memorable sections for you below (interviewer's questions are in bold)....hang on kiddies, here we go

What was the lowest low point?

I don't remember.

What do you mean?

I don't remember a lot from that time [nervous laugh]. I think I've blocked it out.

You mean you don't dwell on it, or you literally don't remember?

I literally do not remember a lot of things from that time.

You mean entire tournaments?

Just in general. I don't remember a lot of things.

Because it was so traumatic?

Yeah, it was a lot more traumatic for me than people think.

Why? When was it most traumatic?

I can't remember. I literally can't. I don't remember. It all blurs together. The year [2007] feels like it was a really short time.

You said something at a press conference at the 2007 U.S. Women's Open that was very revealing. Do you remember that tournament?

Not really.

It was at Pine Needles [in North Carolina].

I don't remember where it was played.

At a press conference before the first round, you were asked if playing with an injured wrist was a smart move. You said, "Come on, this is the U.S. freaking Open." You shot 82 and ended up withdrawing. But the fact that you played showed heart.

Oh yeah, I do remember that. I was determined not to miss the U.S. Open for anything. Now that I look at that, it doesn't make sense, because there are gonna be so many more U.S. Opens. But at that time, everything felt so important, and I did not want to miss any of it. It was the U.S. freaking Open.

That May, you withdrew from the Ginn Tribute under controversial circumstances. Annika Sorenstam, the event's host, said you showed a "lack of respect and class." Have you ever spoken with her about it?

No.

Did you ever feel a need to?

I actually don't remember. What happened?

You were in danger of posting an 88 in the first round, which would have made you ineligible to play LPGA events for the rest of the year. You withdrew after 16 holes, citing your wrist injury. Two days later, you were seen hitting balls. Critics wondered if you used your wrist as an excuse so that you wouldn't have to submit a score.

I have no comment about that because I really don't remember.

None of it?

I kinda do, but I don't want to say anything false. I don't need to rehash that. I don't want to say anything false because I don't remember.

To be clear, you haven't spoken with Annika since then?

I don't think so, no. I think we're over it. We're past that.

In case you were not counting, she said "I don't remember ELEVEN TIMES!!!!

To make this even more hilarious, her supporters have pointed out how brilliant she is "because not just anyone can get into Stanford"... Well, I guess since she cant seem to remember anything as recently as two years ago, she is either gonna have to repeat a lot of classes, or maybe just admit that she is not NEARLY as smart as advertised. Maybe B.J. and Bo have to helicopter her because she FORGETS where the car is parked.

I know golf is struggling a little bit right now, and especially the LPGA - So I don't mean to try to blunt any momentum it has created - but this is just wrong. Is it too much for Michelle Wie to accept responsibility for her successes AND failures ?

Maybe this isn't all her fault though..maybe it's a genrational thing, and nobody is accountable for anything... Hope and Change, baby....that's what I'm caellin' it...

So, How Many 2009 Wishes Came True ?

Last year, exactly 365 days ago, I wrote a post which contained my "2009 Wishes for Golf". I could think of no more appropriate way to close out the year than to look back on a select few of these wishes and see how many came true..so without further adieu, I will turn this over to Bushwood's Magic Genie - aka "G-Money" (his replies follow in quotes):

(1) For the LPGA, I wished:

• Great performances by marquee players - " Sorry, maybe next time"
• Stability among the sponsors - - "No prob, among those who hung around" - Fail..
• A replacement for Carolyn Bivens - " SCORE !!! Wish granted..."

(2) For the PGA

• Sponsor stability - "Sorry, it's the economy stupid - and we gotta use the TARP funds to pay them bankers their bonuses".
• A quick recovery for Tiger - "Well he recovered all right...but a funny thing happened on the way out of the driveway"...
• Early wins for some of the players we wish were BCC members (Boo, AK,DLIII,Bubba,JB, IP,Shark, Rocco): "Complete strikeout"
• Solid performance at a major by Kenny Perry - "Almost,kimosabe...almost - #18 at August was just too cruel to KP"

(3) For Sergio, some humility and class: "How about a really crappy season and an injured claw at the very end ? Karma is a bitch, el nino...so get some manners or u will have a worse 2010"..

(4) For Michelle Wie, a focus on the LPGA, some solid results, and some space from the 'rents: "Well, you played better,won your first event, and did not seem to make references to the PGA tour - so thats a SCORE. It looked like you were getting some distance from the helicopter duo,but the moment you won,BJ practically ripped the trophy from your hands and did a lap around the 18th green. Two words of advice - patricide now"

(5) For the “twentysomething golf blogger” – a return trip to TGC Amateur Nationals- hope to see you there. "Wish granted - although we both played better, there's still room to get better"

(6)For Amber Prange : Early success in the Spring events - "Not so much early success came your way,but you played in an LPGA event AND got full playing privlieges on the Duramed Futures tour in 2010 - so I'd call that SCORE".

All in all, we should not be surprised or complain....because just like in golf, sometimes we got the break and our wish was granted, and other times we "lipped out". We have lots to be thankful for, and lots to look forward to in 2010. Happy New Year to all of the BCC members and readers !

What the USA's Solheim Cup Victory Should REALLY mean...

Wow - what a great victory for team USA this weekend in the Solheim Cup ! We saw great performances for both the Yanks and the Euros, and tons of support from the fans. And while most of the media thus far (less than 24 hours later) has been heaped upon a couple of topics, I see a number of noteworthy topics for you to consider.

- The 2009 Solheim Cup could not have come at a better time for the LPGA: With the LPGA sorely in need of some good,upbeat news, the Cup provided that in bushels. Whether it was the great individual stories (of which there are many), the heartwarming shows of teamwork, or the great individual competition, the LPGA was the REAL winner this weekend.

- Christina Kim is worth paying attention to: Christina Kim proved (again) to be the spark plug that the US sorely needed. Not only did she play well, she also was the catalyst of the REAL Spirit on the team. Although some people seemed to have whined about her behavior, me thinks they were the same folks who felt that Boo Weekly was out of line at last year's Ryder Cup. As someone who witnessed Boo first hand last year, I can rightfully tell those who dissed him, and anyone who bitched about CK's behavior to bugger off - we've had enough of the "stick up the arse" attitudes in golf. We are here to have fun, so get the feck used to it ! Hat's off to Christina for sparking up the crew, and to the crew for stepping up. (For the record, the dance she and Michelle Wie did after their match was fecking PRICELESS...)

- A great Solheim send off for Juli Inkster: Juli is a class act all the way, and nothing could have provided her a better SC send off (as a player anyway) than this. She played solidly all week, especially when she gutted out a halve in her last match. Look for her in 2011 as our Captain...she's ready and the players will unite behind her like no one else.

- A Real Breakthrough for Michelle Wie (Maybe,Possibly,Hopefully...): Already, the media hordes have descended upon her performance at Sugar Grove with the appetite of the biblical swarm of locusts - citing this as her asserting her coming dominance on the tour. Readers of Bushwood know that while I respect Michelle's raw talent, she still has a lot to prove. Her performance at the Cup this weekend was very strong - make no mistake about that. However, her difficulties with making putts down the stretch remained evident - and she must fix that before she will win on any tour. I'm going to make a prediction here - if Michelle Wie remains focused on the LPGA, ceases to ever speak again about competing with the men on the PGA tour, and respects the fact that she is STILL unproven; the she will have great success (both individually and as a future SC player) and the support she enjoyed from the crowd and her fellow players this week will continue. However, if she starts talking about the PGA again (or making other less than believable comments), she will lose the camaraderie she seemed to relish so much this week faster than Usain Bolt can steal your lunch. She desperately needs to understand that her teammates (and fans like me) are waiting for her to embrace the LPGA and respect them - rather than sending them the message "thanks - I like you a lot...until I get a better offer". Michelle, if you are listening, take this advice: (1) Forget about the PGA - it will only hurt the image that you are close to reparing, and this time, there won't be any forgiveness; (2) Keep Mom and Dad at arms length - you are a grown woman now, and are ready to make your own decisions, (3) Watch the replays from this week, and look at your face - you were HAPPY, your Teammates LIKED YOU, and your played well. Understand the value in that and focus on recapturing it - if you can do that, you will find that your detractors will fall by the wayside and your REAL fanbase (not those akin to fans of bearded lady freak shows at the circus) will grow.

Sugar Grove is one tough track - and these Chicks can PLAY: If I've heard one scratch (male) golfer say he could compete with the ladies of the LPGA,I've heard fifty. One look at the track they played this weekend should put those comments to rest - granted it was not 7,500 yards, but the pins were tough, the rough high, and not many places to safely bail out. ...and they were flat out hitting some great shots. Enough said..

Captain Daniel - A Wise Sage, or Drinker of the Kool-Aid - Wie Shall See...

On Sunday, Beth Daniel, Captain of the 2009 U.S. Solheim Cup team announced her team to the world. In addition to the players who qualified straight up, based on their performance over the last two seasons, she also was afforded two "Captain's Picks". Her first pick was probably no surprise - she selected Juli Inkster, who was ranked 16th on the list of qualifiers.

Her second pick,however, was one that was bound to raise some eyebrows and get the media revved up hotter than Ryan O'Neal breathing down his daughter's neck at a funeral. That's right, Beth took the big plunge and selected the heretofore underachieving Michelle Wie. For those of you who have read a couple of my posts, you recall that I am very pointed in my assessments of Michelle Wie - some may call me a "hater",but that's far from the truth. I am nothing more (or less) than a realist - I asses her on how she performs on the golf course, AND the remarks she makes before and after her performances.

Some folks are suggesting that Wie's selection to the Solheim Cup team was forced upon Daniel - that the recent difficulties of the ladies tour only highlight the need for the Captain to do something "marketable and newsworthy". Still others suggest that she was pressured to select Wie by sports behemoth (and Wie sponsor) Nike. Meanwhile, Wie supporters counter that Michelle was handicapped by having the results for automatic selection be based upon two years of results - and her results only reflect one year of preformances on the tour.

Bushwood's stance on Michelle Wie's selection, after considering all of the factors, is that Beth Daniel made a good choice. Wie has performed reasonably well in the events she has played in this year, and obviously wanted to be selected to play for the U.S. in the Solheim Cup. We congratulate Michelle on her selection to the team.

Now the real question - How will she hold up under the enormous pressure that is sure to follow ? Only time will tell for sure...

Oh Michelle, Just when I thought you were LEARNING...

If you have read BCC for very long, you know that I am straightforward in my assessments of players,equipment, and anything golf related. I've previously shared my disgust nausea disappointment with the media mania and constant unwarranted adoration that surrounds the perpetually underwhelming Michelle Wie. Her history of poor performances, fired caddies and agents, and never ending stream of excuses is enough to get someone to searching for the nearest straight razor.

HOWEVER, recently there seemed to be signs that she may ACTUALLY be getting better. To wit, her posts on "Twitter" showed a relatively normal side of her (albeit a bit nerdy,but I'm not gonna nit pick here)...and some players responses to/comments about her seemed to indicate that she is gaining some acceptance on the LPGA tour. After reading Shane B's glowing commentary on Michelle here (and the fact that she was displaying a little self deprecating sense of humor), I was about ready to admit that perhaps she had changed/grown up/rebooted and was perhaps "normalizing" a little bit.

How foolish of me....all it took was a camera,a microphone, and a post round interview on The Golf Channel after the McDonald's LPGA Championship to erase all hopes that she had "changed". After finishing a cool 14 strokes out of first place and not breaking 70in any round,one would think that her first comments would be to praise the winner (rookie Anna Nordqvist) and to talk about working harder to improve and perhaps win an event. WRONG !!!! Instead, we had the same ol' Michelle Wie...., making excuses, telling us that "the score really did not reflect how well she played", and that she really "played great" for the whole event. Um - let me be sure I'm right here - if you subtract the two eagles she made on iron shots (one an ace, the other a hole out on a par 4), her score would have been 3 over - good for a sterling 49th place. Before you call me a hater, stop just a moment - all I'm calling for is some REALISM. I she (ever) wins, I will be the first to give her her props - but until then, she is just another player on the LPGA tour striving for that first win, albeit one who is sorely in need of a dose of humility and reality.

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.

Michelle Wie melts down....and TGC cannot stop worshipping her

After 10 holes on Saturday, Michelle Wie held a 3 stroke lead in the SBC classic - that score buoyed by playing her 2nd round Friday well before the 40 mph winds and driving rain that confronted most of the field. She seemed headed for her first win since (I cannot believe this as I am typing it) 2003.

The announcers on TGC were practically wetting their pants with excitement. Every stroke she made was masterful, every decision ingenious, every step an advance for mankind. One of the announcers even rhapsodized about how "beautifully she placed the putter head behind the ball". Fortunately, I had not eaten all day, so there was nothing for me to throw up as I listened to this mass worship of all things Michelle. The on-air talent were practically enshrining her in the hall of fame as she walked off the 10th green.

Let's go to the videotape as the players head to #11:
Michelle: (looking down at her IPhone that is ringing) "Hello"
Voice from Iphone: "Hi Michelle, this is REALITY calling"
Michelle: "Hello Reality, you seem to show up at the worst times"
Reality:" "Yep, I guess I do."

Alas, once again, the gifted (former) child prodigy folded like a cardboard suit in a monsoon. Going into the 16th hole she TRAILED eventual champion Angela Stanford by two strokes - that's right folks...a FIVE STROKE swing in five holes. On 16, she had a 3 footer (yep, that's right, 3 feet) to get to within one stroke, and (you guessed it), she choked it left.

Off the tee at 17, clearly a driver hole, MW yipped a 3 wood into the shizzle - at this point, she is unraveling faster than a ball of yarn in a Kansas twister. A weak approach falls short of the dancefloor, into the bunker. After getting out of the bunker, and missing the par put, she trails by 3 going into 18 - 6 strokes in 7 holes. Nonetheless, the folks at TGC cannot stop yapping about MW - complete with a montage of her previous DQ's ,weak finishes, and withdrawls. After the tee shots at 18, they continued genuflecting at the shrine of MW....all while the WINNER is walking down the 18th fairway. This is f&^%*&# pathetic.

Wait - it gets WORSE. The First interview by TGC (nice work, Steph) is with, NOT THE WIINNER, but with MW. Finally, when we get to Angela's interview, the 2nd question is "what did you think about playing against MW" ? Just SHOOT me...it cannot get any worse than this. I finally just changed the channel (sorry advertisers, blame the IDIOTS at TGC for ignoring the winner,,,)

This complete meltdown possibly surpassed Van de Velde's at the Open Championship. Once again, the exalted one failed to close. I've said it before, and will continue to say it - until she actually WINS something, can the media please shut up and focus on the other players who have MORE talent AND WIN ! I really hate to sound so anti anyone - but there are so many other richly deserving players on the LPGA tour who get no mention whatsoever.

CONGRATS to Angela Stanford who showed skill,guts, and chutzpah in closing out like a CHAMP...

Well, maybe the Spendulus plan has a few coins in there for LPGA marketing for players who have shown the ability to close the deal....

Interesting footnote - winner Angela Stanford wore (almost) the exact same outfit as she did when she won the Ochoa event last year - so expect to see her in a lot of blue shirts on Sunday this year...

Interesting footnote #2: What pro golfer has won three of their last seven starts ? If you guessed Angela Stanford, you win the prize. Gee, doesn't it seem like some major media outlet would be talking about THAT ????

What's wrong with the Golf Channel ?

If you are like me, you feel the daily urge to tune into The Golf Channel - even when there is practically NOTHING happening in the world of golf. What with shows like the "The Big Break", "Masters Highlights", and "Lessons from the Pros", there seems to generally be something worth watching.

However - there is ONE thing about TGC that totally SUCKS. Other than some of the attractive (ok, so shoot me - I like the fairer sex....) on-air talent (Kelly, Stina, Stephanie (we miss you !!!), most of the guys are blowhards who are completely disconnected from their audience. They seem to feel like the majority of their audience is still looking for reasons to look down their noses at the "commoners" who have taken up their cherished game .

Here are only a few examples:

• "The Daily Daly Bash" - These guys who have never sniffed a Major (Brandel, John Hawkins, Brian) never miss a chance to rip on John Daly, always looking down their noses and harrumphing about how bad Daly is for golf. They are so out of touch with most of us, it is pathetic. Face it, guys - people LIKE John Daly a lot.... the reasons are unimportant, they like him, so shaddup and deal with it.
• "The Wie Worship Hour" - Same culprits, different affection. Even though she has NOT WON ANYTHING in more than 5 years, the talking heads are "certain" that MW will remake the LPGA and is "great for golf". Wake up call #2 - I've talked to about a hundred people about this topic - so far, the tide runs about 9 :1 against the witless, er, winless Hawaiian. That's right, men and women alike flat out DISLIKE the arrogant, privileged, classless, Nike tattooed, "future of the LPGA. Until she wins something, I am with the masses - enough about MW.
• "The Camillo Crush" - Ok, I admit he won two events at the end of last year in dramatic fashion...so did Vijay, but we dont hear the talking heads speaking breathlessly about Vijay. Admittedly, CV did show some real promise late in the year, but guys, enough of the man crush on Spiderman - If he wins, he get the kudos, otherwise leave the adoration to the Tiger Beat crowd...
• The American Bash - After the Ryder Cup domination by the USA this year, you would think TGC would have been all apple pie and ice cream, right ? Guess again - First they had to rip on Boo Weekly for charging up the crowd, then they had to bash Perry for not playing the majors, and it just continued from there. How about a little home country support guys ? I know Faldo is "one of you", but remember, it's Boo's fans who pay their cable bills faithfully each month...and that's how you get to keep your cush jobs.
  

I will stop there, but trust me, I could go on. Meanwhile, I am interested in your take - what is YOUR pet peeve about TGC ?

Putters - Looking for Love or Happily Hitched

Admit it, Putters are a lot like the opposite sex.... hard to live with the same one for long, but can't live without one for very long. Ok,Ok - I hear the howls out there ...maybe that is a bit harsh....but ya' gotta admit it's close to the truth.

I'd argue that most golfers fall into one of two camps:

(1) Looking for Love (e.g. Sergio, Vijay, Charley Hoffman, J.B. Holmes) : We switch putters like Daniel Chopra changes his hair color - which is several times each year. About every 4-6 weeks, our eyes start wandering, we find one that "looks" good, and we begin the flirtation process....you know, first its a little "lunch putting" at the local golf emporium, then it's the "extended lunch putt-a-thon" in the same venue, then on to scouring eBay for an "almost new" version, and finally....you take the plunge and dive headlong into what you are sure will be a long term commitment. All is fine until another "cutie" catches your eye, and the cycle starts anew.
(2) Happily Hitched : (e.g. Tiger, DL III, Paddy) We are still using the first (or maybe 2nd) putter we have ever had. If the house caught afire, we would grab the putter first, give it to the firemen, and run back in the house for ....all the other important stuff. Whenever we travel to play golf, the putter sits in the front seat ( or in first class), while the rest of the bag bumps along in the cargo hold. The only thing we look for on ebay is an EXACT duplicate of old faithful, just in case anything ever happens to "the putter that Moses learned with".

I will admit to being a poster boy for the "Looking for Love" set....if I bought every putter that has made my heart quicken, I would have more putters than Michelle Wie has excuses. My latest fave is a Ping Piper H (replete with flaming orange grip), which replaced a long and beautiful string of Scotty's. I'm rolling them good right now, so maybe she (her name is Angelina....) is the one.

So, after that confession, I gotta ask - which camp do you fall into ?