Now that the 2010 women’s golf season is winding down and QSchool qualifiers are starting up I would like to take some ‘me’ time and throw out an observation for discussion.  Why is it that the ‘developmental tour for the LPGA – the Duramed FUTURES Tour- does not offer the players an opportunity to eek out a meager living?

Trust me, I understand that this is a tour designed to give talented young women a chance to make it to the big time and the ‘big bucks’ but where is it written that the purses have to be so small that only the winners can seemingly cover expenses?  Do you realize how many women have to quit on their dream of playing professional golf because they can’t afford the costs in trying to do so?

Folks, I am not talking about multi-million dollar purses.  My head isn’t in the sand when it comes to what is happening with our economy and the struggles with sponsorship either.  I know it’s tough out there.  Does that mean we should stay resigned to less than attractive income opportunities for these young women – the future of golf?

The Tour is at a crossroads right now.  Duramed’s sponsorship will not continue past 2010.  The task is to find a new sponsor and to try to build on what has been a solid foundation.  Let’s don’t be complacent with they way it has been.  It’s time to up the ante and move the goal line so more young women and girls may aspire to reach their dream and not go bankrupt or hungry in the process.

My question really is this….Is there a logical reason for keeping the purses as low as they are going forward or is someone at the top keeping the tour in a chokehold?  Have quality personnel left the tour in total frustration because every new idea and suggestion offered up to improve the status of the tour and its players been squashed?  Who is minding the store these days?

Now more than ever this tour needs to be reviewed and possibly revamped.  If this is the ‘farm’ team of the LPGA, I for one would like to see it get a chance to grow and thrive before it is put out to pasture.  No one needs to get rich playing at this level but where’s the harm in making a decent living?

Thanks so much for visiting Ladies on the Tee at www.sherrytabb.com.  This article represents my personal views and I encourage and invite you to chime in with yours!

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Last summer, a women’s tournament was played at a popular metro Detroit west side course.  As the foursomes began to arrive at the 10^th tee, they found it stacked four groups deep with men who had been allowed to cut in at the turn. When the women complained to the starter, he said, “You women play too fast. You were supposed to make the turn in 2 and ½ hours, not 2! If you slowed down, you’d play better!”

True story.

Women play too fast. Women play too slow. Men don’t hit it as long as they think they do. Men hate to play golf with women. Women are better putters and chippers. They’re rules ghouls. Men swing too hard. Women swing like powder puf fs. Women shouldn’t play in men’s events. Men shouldn’t play in women’s events. Men cheat.

The battle of the sexes is alive and kicking on the links.

What male golfer has not set out for the first tee, seen a group of women in front of him and let out a labored sigh? With visions of a dreadfully slow round ahead, some are tempted to ask to play through even before the first tee shot flies. But is that fair?

Not according to statistics, which provide no evidence that either gender can claim to be the kings or queens of speed on the links; however, according to course rangers, women are much more likely to cooperate when asked to speed up play, because they know they’ll be blamed for slow play.

Men have misconceptions about women’s golf games and overestimate how far women can hit the ball. Actually, the average woman drives the ball 130-150 yards and can carry a fairway shot about 80 yards. Yet, with the advent of Forward Tees (formerly the Ladies Tee) devised by architects who, by the way, still don’t have it quite right, there is some unwritten axiom that rounds played from these tees are not truly considered a ‘serious’ golf course by men. Why men have a problem with this is a great mystery. And why they think that a woman who can hit the ball a bit should move back to the 6600-yard course or longer is an even greater puzzle.

Let’s pose these questions to the fellows:

• Would you enjoy playing a course that required one, two, or three 3-woods to reach almost every green?

• If you were playing scramble or partner golf with John Daly would you insist he back up to the tees behind you?

• In a scramble, would you insist your woman teammate play on your standard tees instead of the Forward Tees?

Correct (and sane) answers:

• No, but most women have to play that way;

• Absolutely not – you’d play the same tees. No wimps here.

• No way. Do I look crazy?

In order to survive unscathed when playing with the opposite sex, here are five things a man should never say to a woman:

1) You really didn’t win the long drive contest since you hit from the Ladies Tee.

2) It doesn’t matter how far you are from the green. You’ll just hit 3-wood anyway.

3) I’ll drive the cart. I want to make it back to the 19^th hole alive!

4) Wow! You can break 100? You must be a good short game player.

5) Why don’t you play it from the back tees and play a real golf course?

And here are six things a woman should never say to a man unless she’s got game and has chutzpah to match:

1) Let’s play for something – even up. No strokes.

2) I’ll play from whatever tees you boys are playing from.

3) You really shouldn’t play individual stroke play. A scramble suits you much better.

4) Here you go – why don’t you use some of my pink Flying Lady golf balls since you’ve lost all of yours?

5) You swing like a girl.

6) Can we play through?

By Janina Parrott Jacobs, Golf Media Specialist and so much more…

Janina raises some great questions and responses for us at Ladies on the Tee , The Voice of Women’s Golf at www.sherrytabb.com.  Sound off here with your own answers. Thanks for stopping by and spending time with us.

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That’s two in a  row for anyone who is counting ( like….the entire US golf population that follows women’s golf!!).   CPR has breathed new life into women’s golf in the US.  In this case CPR means, Cristie – Paula – Resuscitation!!

After this weekend’s US Women’s Open win by Paula Creamer, the US women’s golf platform is looking bright and hopeful.  Cristie Kerr just won the 2nd major of the season, the LPGA Championship by a mere 12 strokes and captured the #1 ranking in women’s golf a couple of weeks ago.  When was the last time Americans have won back-to-back majors on the LPGA Tour?  Heck for that matter, when

was the last time a US player was ranked number 1???

In addition to these seasoned veterans (OK, I know Paula is only 23 but she is now considered a vet) the youth movement looks good.  Alexis (Lexi) Thompson, a 15-year old who recently turned professional, not only made the cut but finished in the top 10.

There were more American players at the top of the leaderboard than we have seen in quite a while even though some fell back on the last day.  At one point 6 of the top 10 positions at the Open were held by US talent.  Brittany Lang made a charge to the top of the leaderboard only to falter on the back nine.  She still finished tied for 5th.  Christina Kim made her way to a tie for 8th after losing last week’s Jamie Farr LPGA event in a 4 –way playoff.

Others in the hunt were Stacy Lewis, Natalie Gulbis and Wendy Ward tied for 14th placed.  Overall 10 of the top 20 spots were won by our home-grown women.  Crisite Kerr, albeit disappointed with her performances, finished at #17.  Kristy McPherson and Angela Stanford came in T19.

The golf world has been pinning their hopes on Michelle Wie to revitalize golf here in this country but based on the recent turn of events and the fact that Wie did not make the cut, I think there are many players that can individually or collectively propel women’s golf back to where it needs to be.

Golf is truly and international sport and I am happy about that but at the same time, like many others, I want to see more events played here on US soil and that will only happen if we have players from the US battling it out at the top throughout the rest of this season and beyond.

Personally, I think we are moving in the right direction.  Well done, ladies!!

Thanks again for visiting with us at Ladies on the Tee at www.sherrytabb.com.  You are invited to leave your comments below.

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Times have changed drastically since the 70’s and 80’s, however, and women golfers now have the luxury of being able to enjoy a variety of clothing options;

some of which is every bit as functional as it is good-looking, appealing and sexy. Indeed it seems that women’s golf clothing has changed for the better, and it appears obvious to all that the industry is going to stay this way.

But these changes didn’t happen overnight by any means. In fact, some of the largest names in the world of sports, including Nike and Adidas, have all played important roles in setting new trends and developing new golf outfits made specifically for women. These companies are working directly with sports professionals and top designers in order to produce golf clothing for the modern woman of golf.

But the sports industry’s top names can’t take all the credit for advancing fashion in the world of women’s golf. In fact, some of the sport’s top female players, such as Grace Park, Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie can all take credit for the current state of women’s fashion in the game of golf. This accomplishment makes these players not only leaders in the game itself, but innovators and even pioneers of the game.

Another influence in today is the growing amount of televised golf, particularly women’s golf. As more and more tournaments are being shown on television, more fans are now exposed to the world of women’s golf than ever before; and many find it quite exciting, competitive and entertaining.

The final influence on golf clothing for the modern woman golfer is the Internet. Because it is so easy for fans of Annika Sorenstam or Grace Park to find the exact clothing online that they wear during their games, clothing designers and companies have capitalized by offering endorsement deals to the top players in women’s golf today. Such endorsement deals usually come in the form of large monetary awards and free clothing for the player – the only thing that is required on their part is to wear the clothing, play to the best of their abilities and speak highly of the brand.

Thanks for visiting Ladies on the Tee at www.sherrytabb.com.  Please leave your fashionable comments below…

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The shop has golf balls, golf clubs, clothing, golf-related books, accessories, GPS range finders and other ‘stuff’.  The shop is open to the general public and the prices are GREAT!!

Spread the word and shop ‘til you drop…you’ll be glad you did.  Remember you always play better when you know you got a deal!

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Voice of Women’s Golf is Launching May 1!!

IT’S COMING…..IT’S REALLY COMING!!!

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It was a sad week for the LPGA as yet another top player decides to pursue the next chapter in her life. Lorena Ochoa is only 28 years and had not yet played her 10th season on the LPGA!! Why at such a young age? Why so soon…before she reaches the normal required tenure of 10 years on the Tour to be eligible for the LPGA Hall of Fame?  This is ‘on the heels’ of Annika’s departure a couple of years ago. (Has it really been that long??)

Golf is not the only sport that has seen some the top players opt out early?  Tennis lost Clijsters, Henin and Hingis to pre-mature exits.  The good news for tennis is that both Clijsters and Henin came back seemingly at the top of their games.  Will golf be so lucky?

Unfortunately, not in the case of Sorenstam.  She has started her family and continues to state that she is more content and happy doing what she is currently doing both personally and professionally.  It’s not like she has forsaken professional golf.  She is still very active with the LPGA in an advisory role and is very much involved in her Academy and her other business pursuits.  Now she does it the way SHE wants to do it and not on the demands of the practice and training schedule she had to maintain to stay competitive.  Plus, her beautiful daughter, Ava, gives her a totally different purpose.

What about Ochoa?  She did not close the door entirely on playing professionally in the future.  She alluded to playing in Guadalajara every year at the event she hosts.  Will that be enough for her fans and for her own competitive fire?  Time will tell but like Annika, Lorena now has family priorities that are replacing her golf goals.  She has 3 step-children by way of her recent marriage plus she keeps it no secret that she will eventually want to start her own family.  Family has always been and will always be one of Lorena’s most sacred tenets.

The primary difference that I see is that Annika had achieved so much more in her golf career and retired at an older age.  Will Lorena be haunted by the fact that even though she says ”she has achieved every goal she set for herself in golf”, she may lose out on the chance of ‘earning’ her way into the hall of Fame with all of the necessary requirements of points (which she has) and tenure (which she is lacking)?  Granted there are “veterans’ rights that will probably allow that to happen but that doesn’t quite seem the same.

My feeling is that she is entitled to her decision and that fans of women’s golf everywhere are indeed saddened by the prospect of not seeing her compete regularly yet excited for her personally and respectful of her right to choose her own future.  My hope is that she will un-retire like her tennis counterparts and play out the full 10 years on Tour- selfish on my part.  Either way I wish her nothing but the best and thank her immensely for all that she has done for women’s golf and all that she will continue to do via her Foundation.  Adiós y buena suerte!

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Interview with Sherry Tabb from Scot Duke on Vimeo.

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The LPGA’s first major of the season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship (formerly the Dinah Shore, for us old-timers) will kick-off tomorrow in Rancho Mirage, CA at the Mission Hills Country Club.  The good news is that play is going to be televised all four days on The Golf Channel.  The bad news is the coverage is every evening for the East Coast except for the final round on Easter Sunday which will be televised in the afternoon.

Why is that bad news?  Well,

for the first 2 days it’s not a big deal except that we will find out via the internet who is leading before we even turn on the tube.  The real issue is the Saturday round, i.e. ‘moving day’ will be going head-to-head with the NCAA Final Four in some markets.  Maybe this is just an issue with me (even though my preferred team was knocked out in an earlier round) but it seems like there is so little women’s golf televised and now when the 1st Major of the year is coming round, I have to stay in to watch it because no sports bar is going to let women’s golf preempt men’s basketball.

As a fan of both sports, I hate that the televised scheduling for KNC golf conflicts with the semifinals of NCAA basketball.  We need to get women’s golf back on regular programming and out of cable so it is offered during the ‘normal’ golf tv times (i.e. between 1-6pm ET).  Also to only allot 2 hours of coverage each of the days except for the final round (3hours) is beyond pitiful.  This is a MAJOR folks.  Let’s give it its due and respect the excellence of play these women bring to the course.  If we want the game to grow, we have to help current and future fans, have better access to it.

No matter how things shake out in the future, you can bet my TV will be set on Sunday for the final round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship.  There is no argument with my brothers on this one…I am hosting Easter dinner.  My house, my rules!! Game on.

Wonder who will be jumping into Poppy’s Pond this year?  Any picks on this year’s ‘Lady of the Lake’?

For paring information go to: http://www.kncgolf.com/2010pairings.html

Thanks for visiting Ladies on the Tee at www.sherrytabb.com.  Hope all of your picks win for men’s and women’s basketball and for golf.  Enjoy the upcoming holiday if it is one you celebrate!!

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Featuring the ‘best of the best’ in women’s golf for all ages and skill levels!

To be notified when VOWG is launching, click on the widget above and register for updates.

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