Annika's big adventure: Larry Elder sets record straight on PGA, LPGA gender policies, Sorenstam..

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Thursday, May 29, 2003 | Larry Elder

[headsonpikes]

Don't keelhaul the innocent; I'll confess.

I ate the strawberries.

[an amused spectator]

I ate the strawberries.

I don't know if it's an untaken screen name, but "Queeg" seems like a good nickname for our little fact-challenged pal pi9. ;-)

[NittanyLion]

Not surprising. This guy is evidently too intellectually lazy to source his "facts". I'm beginning to believe this presidio9 is actually Jayson Blair.

[discostu]

And the ratings are significant. That's better than my beloved Stanley Cup generally does, even on broadcast (game 7 Colorado-New Jersey in 2001 got a 1.2, this year will be even worse).

[discostu]

How uncouth.

[Redwood71]

You're finally getting around to me? My Lord, thanks. Your getting around to me has just settled my ulcer that has been acting up ever since I have been waiting for your effort back to this timid fool that, apparently, has no logical thought or intelligence.

If you really want to know what this "event" was about, here's your answer. And I don't have to quote sports writers, it is business:

Sörenstam Displays Poise
May 27, 2003GolfWeb Wire

Annika Sörenstam was just like 37 other players who teed it up at the Bank of America Colonial and left without making a dime.
Ultimately, she'll earn more than the $900,000 that Kenny Perry got for winning.
The decision to test herself against the men, and the poise with which Sörenstam handled the intense spotlight, should translate into marketing opportunities that few women athletes have ever seen.
"She came right out of central casting in terms of her ability to connect with everyday Americans," said David Carter, principal of Los Angeles-based Sports Business Group.
"If a company is looking for a spokeswoman as disarming as she is, with great credibility and her level of achievement, she has everything."
Talks already are under way for an endorsement deal with Bank of America, the title sponsor of the Texas event that helped pave the way for Sörenstam to become the first woman in 58 years to play on the PGA TOUR.
A major deal with a soft drink company might not be far behind.
Just hours after Sörenstam missed the cut by four strokes, her agent at IMG was trying to gauge how much of an impact she made, and what the future holds.
Annika Sörenstam was the first woman in 58 years to play on the PGA TOUR. (Getty Images)
"It's exponential. I don't know how you measure it," said Mark Steinberg, who is also the agent for Tiger Woods. "She is far more marketable than she was four months ago, and she's far more marketable now than she was 72 hours ago.
"She would have been marketable regardless of what she would have done on the golf course, but the exponential number is because of the way she handled herself."
When the economy started to sour, no one felt the repercussions like LPGA Tour players, many of whom couldn't even get a logo on their golf bags.
Sörenstam already had a large collection of sponsors.
She has been with Callaway Golf for 10 years, and the current deal is said to be worth at least $1 million when incentives kick in.
Callaway spokesman Larry Dorman said one study found that Sörenstam set a record for logo exposure at the Bank of America Colonial, not surprising since USA Network showed every hole she played.
"It was huge for us," Dorman said. "We'll see if that somehow translates into increased sales, but one thing that is undeniable is that it raised Annika's profile far beyond what it ever was before. And because of our association, it raises our profile, as well."
Callaway has her signed through the end of 2004, "but I'm sure talks about a renewal will begin long before the expiration of that deal," Dorman said.
Sörenstam also is in the third year of a deal with Mercedes-Benz, whose logo appears on her shirt.
"In this situation, she resonated across age groups and genders," said Michelle Cervantez, vice president of marketing for Mercedes. "A lot of that goes back to Annika and her personality. She's so endearing that you want her to do well. And the other piece of that is she trains so hard. She looks to excel at everything."
Sörenstam also has endorsement deals with Cutter & Buck clothing, Oakley sunglasses, Microsoft and Kraft, which she signed earlier this year. She also signed with Golf magazine, and became the first woman in 26 years to make its cover in the May edition.
Steinberg even considered a book deal when Sörenstam made it known in January that she wanted to test herself on the PGA TOUR.
"If we really want to capitalize on this, and we had a book coming out a couple of weeks from now, it would be a best seller," Steinberg said.
While some thought the Bank of America Colonial was simply a publicity stunt, Carter says the fact IMG did not go over the top in promoting her PGA TOUR experience is one of many reasons Sörenstam will be so appealing to advertisers.
By the end of the week, it wasn't just a gimmick.
Sörenstam tied for 96th among the 111 players who finished two rounds and she missed the cut by four shots.
Still, her opening round of 1-over 71 under extreme pressure legitimized her spot in the field, and it wasn't until a three-putt bogey on the 12th hole Friday that it was clear she would not make it to the weekend.
"She didn't have to make the cut, but it helped her to not be so far out of the mix," said Carter, who recently published a book called, On the Ball: What You Can Learn about Business from America's Sports Leaders.
"For people buying a product that she's selling, that was a believable, authentic performance," Carter said. "And that's what this boils down to. Was it a creation of the media, or was it authentic?"
Sörenstam will be inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame and the World Golf Hall of Fame at the end of the year. She has dropped hints that retirement is not far off, citing the desire to pour everything into being a chef or starting a family.
Her appeal might last longer than she plays. Sörenstam will be associated with the best of athletes, and their desire to set goals and push to achieve them.
"It says so much about her personality, and her willingness to try things," Cervantez said. "Whether she pursues things outside of golf, she'll still be able to connect with people."
There also will be a short-term payoff. Sörenstam was getting about $50,000 for corporate outings, an amount that one industry insider said will double because of what transpired at the Bank of America Colonial.
"She just put herself in an echelon that very few others have been," Steinberg said. "The only name that comes to mind is Serena (Williams). But the last four months, and particularly the last four days, Annika put herself on the map."
And that could translate into several trips to the bank.
©The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
_________________________________________________________

Whether or not she displayed a good effort is noteworthy, because she did. She shot two excellent rounds on a course not set up for a woman's skills, but she had proven herself the best woman golfer, I believe ever, before this.

But this had nothing to do with the game and was nothing more than a pub stunt which didn't accomplish anything but what the AP wrote in this article. And the efforts of the players and hosts kind words about her accomplishments in this tour event were a poor attempt to deflect what really happened. The best woman player in the world, stepped into a men's tournament, and got beat in a game she can't play when she was prepared to try. The men's game is different. And it was only for the "dough!" And that is what golf, like most major sports, has turned into. MONEY!

So, trying to define the reason she got beat on the course, matters little. She didn't lose, she won. Just not on the course.

[NittanyLion]

Sure that's a significant increase statistically.

You just said it wasn't. I'm glad to see you're beginning to come around to my way of thinking.

But it is still an infinitessimal figure when you consider the audience that BofA is looking for.

I wasn't aware Bank of America has publicly disclosed the level they're seeking. In fact, I'd guess if BOA wanted a 30 share they'd choose to advertise during the Superbowl instead of Colonial (of course they'd pay a lot more $$$).

Fact facts: BOA paid to sponsor the Colonial and expected their money would generate a return based upon historical publicity (which I'll call x). Instead they got a significantly higher level than x due to Sorenstam's participation. Therefore, BOA's return was higher-than-expected.

[NittanyLion]

And the ratings are significant. That's better than my beloved Stanley Cup generally does, even on broadcast (game 7 Colorado-New Jersey in 2001 got a 1.2, this year will be even worse).

BTW, I'm beginning to wonder whether the Ducks will score at all this series. I hate NJ (Flyers fan here) but what I'd hate even more is seeing a team from Anaheim win the Stanley Cup. It just wouldn't be right (any more than, say, the Panthers)...

[presidio9]

OK, I see your point that this was always a publicity stunt. More people know her name today because of it. But in terms of sport, she got beat. Bad. And beacuse she didn't make the cut, she got paid nothing.

[discostu]

This is actually very similar to 'Lanche-Panthers ('96 I think). You have two very similar teams in style and method, only one is more talented than the other and more experienced with the style of play (in this case the Devils basically invented this style of play the year they beat the Wings). I only hope we get a triple OT 1-0 game like then (BTW that game is part of the 12 hour Roy retrospective ESPN Classic starting at 6PM eastern... I've got tapes prepped and ready). I'm sure the Ducks will score, and should even pull a win but at this juncture I have to say the series belongs to the Devils. I'm pulling for the Ducks for one reason: selling two championship teams in 12 months would go down in history as one of the dumbest sports business moves ever.

Semi-interesting sidenote: the only other time Beezer had a legit shot at getting his name on the Cup he was backing up Brodeur, that would be the aforemention 1.2 rating game where Roy decided Ray Bourque deserved it more than Beezer (who quietly announced his retirement on his way off the ice). I always had a softspot in my heart for the Beez, in any other era he'd have been known as one of the best goalies in the league, but because of when he played he wasn't even top 5 and never got the recognition he deserved.

[an amused spectator]

You're finally getting around to me? My Lord, thanks. Your getting around to me has just settled my ulcer that has been acting up ever since I have been waiting for your effort back to this timid fool that, apparently, has no logical thought or intelligence.

Come on, now - I never accused you of having no logical thought or intelligence, and you're certainly not timid. This post of yours is actually quite good, and very insightful.

I was merely disagreeing with your assessment of the weaknesses in Sorenstam's game earlier. (Playing from the tips created a real problem with her course strategy and the creating of hazzards, traps, and OB set up to separate the pros from the duffers, changed her game at least five strokes a round.) I feel that her short game was a terrible problem - it resembled mine!

=============================

Whether or not she displayed a good effort is noteworthy, because she did. She shot two excellent rounds on a course not set up for a woman's skills, but she had proven herself the best woman golfer, I believe ever, before this.

But this had nothing to do with the game and was nothing more than a pub stunt which didn't accomplish anything but what the AP wrote in this article. And the efforts of the players and hosts kind words about her accomplishments in this tour event were a poor attempt to deflect what really happened. The best woman player in the world, stepped into a men's tournament, and got beat in a game she can't play when she was prepared to try. The men's game is different. And it was only for the "dough!" And that is what golf, like most major sports, has turned into. MONEY!

So, trying to define the reason she got beat on the course, matters little. She didn't lose, she won. Just not on the course.

=============================

I find it hard to disagree with the points in the remainder of your post. You state a well-reasoned opinion without resorting to gratuitously denigrating Sorenstam or making up "facts" to fit your opinion.

Thanks for the excellent return commentary - it's what Free Republic is all about. :-)

[TomB]

Tom, this guy must be a Michigan grad. ;-)

Either there or Michigan State.

You know what they say:

If you can't go to college, go to state!

Whoops, er, sorry Nit. Never mind.

;-)

[TomB]

I did not see any non-emotion based facts presented.

Simply because a statement is shouted doesn't make it true. Simply because one wishes with all their heart that x is y, doesn't make it so.

The majority of my trouble with presidio9 centers on my assertion previous to her playing, that this would be a marketing success for Bank of America. Presidio, as well as a few others, felt otherwise.

Well, now that the tourney is done, and the numbers are coming in, it is plain to see that B of A did very well indeed. As proof, I pointed out on this thread the ratings increase that USA Network (and CBS) saw, along with information from a marketing analysis company. Obviously, that should have been the end of discussion. However, presidio, without ANY facts to back him up, declared all the numbers I posted invented. And he continues to claim B of A did not see any benefit from Sorenstam's appearance.

Now, honestly, after looking at that other thread, how could you support anything he says?

[NittanyLion]

If you can't go to college, go to state!

Easy... BTW, we'll be happy to welcome you guys into the BigTen, seeing how the BigEast's demise is imminent.

[TomB]

Easy... BTW, we'll be happy to welcome you guys into the BigTen, seeing how the BigEast's demise is imminent.

OUCH! That is getting ugly, isn't it?

Once again I get screwed by Donna Shalayla.....

..umm....let me put that another way....

Once again Donna Shalayla makes a nuisance of herself.

I'm wondering what ND is planning to do.

[TomB]

Easy... BTW, we'll be happy to welcome you guys into the BigTen, seeing how the BigEast's demise is imminent.

I'm wondering what ND is planning to do.

As luck would have it, a story appeared in the South Bend Times today with this information:

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a source within the athletic department indicated that Notre Dame plans to pursue one of three avenues for the future of its athletic programs.

Notre Dame will first look to remain a member of the Big East and align with the remaining football/basketball schools -- Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Virginia Tech and West Virginia -- even though it may require an agreement to play a partial schedule of conference football games.

The league would then add three schools through expansion.

Notre Dame also will ponder the possibility of becoming a member of the ACC, but only with the promise that it could play a limited number of conference football games.

The last option is a last resort -- join the Big Ten, something the school considered in 1999 before an official invitation was rejected.

[NittanyLion]

The last option is a last resort -- join the Big Ten, something the school considered in 1999 before an official invitation was rejected.

Hopefully that's what it'll come to. I'd love to see the BigTen split into two 6-team divisions...

That's where the big money lies, too.

[capitan_refugio]

The name of the game on the Pro Tour is setting up birdie putts. For many pros (mostly long hitters off of the tee), par 4's are their bread and butter. If you can place your long drive in a good spot and set up an easy wedge into the green, you are going to be a winner. I heard Tom Weiskopf once say the most important shot in golf is the one after the tee shot.

If you are not a long (280 yds+) hitter, on many par 4's you'll be hitting five iron or longer into the green. You can't consistantly place shots that way. That's why women will never be able to compete on the men's tour.

Another thing that was overlooked about Colonial was that, even though it was a "short" course, Annika would have had to play 72 holes if she had made the cut. Most women's tour events are 54 holes. I would have been very interested if she could have played the Sunday round well. We will never know.

[capitan_refugio]

It wasn't an invented quote. It was a paraphrase and it was essentially correct. Annika said she won't be back because she can't play at a competative level on the men's tour. What's wrong with that?

[presidio9]

Yep. The commentators kept talking about how she "ran out of gas." But the men didn't "run out of gas." Why is that an excuse? Stamina is part of the sport.