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

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

[Redwood71]

"It is pretty easy to get in between a full swing close in, bringing the inevitable chunky beaver pelt if you haven't been playing in a while."

This is where the pros are stuck. If they are using and executing their course managment, they won't have this shot. They don't practice it, they don't need it. With their distance, they hit number two either on the green, or in the sand next to the green, because a sand shot they do practice and use. So they are willing to gamble with the sand on a second shot approach to a par 5. The amateurs like us still are not capable of hitting a bunker shot like they do. This is why they call it "the beach" rather than what we call it, "the cat box."

"I've actually started working on the old style pitch and run with the pitching wedge over the last couple of years. Hogan designed his PWs specifically to hit the old-style partial shot (just read that a while ago). I've got a friend who plays partial PWs really well, so I've been watching him."

"Partial PW'" That term scares the he** out of players like Woods and Els. Their PWs are set up for 135-40 yards. But, you notice that neither one likes to play the wind courses in Texas. Bombers do not land well in the wind. And watching a player like Daly hit those monsters he hits in the wind is a joke. With his lack of accuracy and the theory that bigger is better, he never knows where the darn thing is going to come down. Possible felony assault. The only major he won, The Brittish, he had to leave the driver in the bag in self defense. When he pulled it out in the wind, disaster.


"You sound like you played a bit in your day. You ever play any pressure golf?"

Depends on what you call pressure. Getting a chance to play with the pros any time is fun, but the pressure of making sure you don't screw up their game during the round is about all it is. Some of these guys are so "tight," you almost have to walk on eggshells not to disturb them. They wouldn't complain, but we understand their needs too. A lot of the pros don't like the pro/ams because it upsets their rhythm. But they know it is PR so they do their best. For them it is a business, for us it is a frustrating hobby. I've played a couple and had a ball, years ago.

"If so, how do you think she handled the pressure?"

I'm afraid I am going to get nasty here. I'm a firm believer that this whole thing was for money, and an effort to try play politics. Ms. Burke and her attack at the Masters was an ugly thing. The liberal media sucked it down like a vampire, and did way too much to try to make it an issue about women and men's golf. Kind of like the writing on a streaker's back that gets TV air time. I think Annika was put in there, and knew it, to try to squelch the attitude that had been built about women competing with men. And she was selected because she is the best woman player, possibly, of all time. By her beating anybody, which was expected, and not making the cut, also expected, it "gently," and diplomatically, watered down Burke's cause and quietly shoved her under the carpet. In the meantime, back at the ranch, it offered the amateur women the knowledge that their game is moderately competitive to the men, and solidifies the network games that mix women and men for shows so they will be watched and getting the sponsors their money's worth. Annika became a heroine and made a mint, both games were protected and advertised for sales, good for the game, good for both tours, good for the pocket book. Sorry, I still recognize it as a business like all other pro sports other than wrestling. Only we, you and I, play the game as a game. For them it is their livelyhood. And part of their job is sales. Let's face it, you wouldn't be buying the extra wedges if the pros hadn't introduced the idea, even though they don't use them like we do. It's not a put down, for us it is tool also. Just one for fun, not profit. This is why Tiger gets a half million in "show money" for a tourmnament. Because he SELLS.

Sad, isn't it. This is one of the reasons I appreciated the matches between Jack, Arnie, and either Gary, Lee, or Tom. They were for $5000, not $5,000,000. These guys had to win to survive, not just make the top ten to look good or the top grouping on the money list to keep a tour card.

[Ready4Freddy]

Woods, indeed. Missed cut at 9 over, 20 strokes behind the leader. Now I see why you thought he should have had AS' exemption into the Colonial! ;)

[NittanyLion]

You have continued to deny that from a marketing standpoint, Bank of America made a great decision and did quite well sponsoring the tournament.

Hmmm...consistently fails to address the issue, repeats same post three times, incorporates no facts into posts.

Yep, I'd say he's a troll Tom.