235 replies to this topic

[esketores]

The final leader board at the Jamie Farr Classic says it all.

[jbrunone]

and this is why most americans refuse to watch the lpga... I honestly cant say any name of those players and am not attracted at all, its hard

[Tim Meitner]

I like good golf, and I don't care who shoots it.

[Goldenhawk]

Well, the LPGA won't be getting the next American superstar anytime soon.  The field for the US Women's Amateur is full of international players too.  Jaye Marie Green may give the US some hope in the future.  But three of the four semi finalist were not American.  I guess the girls in the 1990's and 2000's just didn't get into golf.  Hopefully a successful Lexi Thompson will help change that.

[Guia]

I guess the Americans need more dedication and a better Jr. program.  Our Jr. programs mostly is for the rich, we need to expand to get the less heeled participate.

[golfingchuck]

Who do pre-teen and teen girls have to look up to that is an American that plays golf? Most of the woman on tour now get more exposure for being good looking than they do their golf, its no wonder we don't have more good woman golfers. They can make more money showing T and A

[Soloman]

jbrunone, on 12 August 2012 - 06:58 PM, said:

and this is why most americans refuse to watch the lpga... I honestly cant say any name of those players and am not attracted at all, its hard

I'm surprised that someone can't pronounce the name "Lydia Ko" from New Zealand.

[Conrad1953]

This may sound like blasphemy to some but this is
coming to the men's tour in due time. Golf is growing
by leaps and bounds all over the world.

The best players are the best players, no matter
where they hail from. Better get used to it: or tune
out if that's your choice.

[PuttLeftHitRight]

TBQH girls in the US are more focused on sports like softball and volleyball. You pretty much have to be born into a country club to take up golf these days as a kid.

[MileHighClub]

Tim Meitner, on 12 August 2012 - 07:00 PM, said:

I like good golf, and I don't care who shoots it.

This

[LOVE4LPGA]

Lovely lady; quite attractive. Golf hot. If she can play golf well enough to win (including a major), I think nationality will not be the reason real LPGA fans turn off. On the other hand, interest in pro lady golf per se will always struggle. Honestly, is American Natalie Gulbis with one win so much more appealing than this player ?

http://www.seoulsist...ryu_biopic3.jpg

http://www.lpga.com/...503 620x349.jpg

http://www.lpga.com/...png?w=276&h=273

http://www.toledobla...third-round.jpg

http://www4.pictures..._xcYuCkc6El.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak...0_4653059_n.jpg

[Awsi Dooger]

Overdue victory. Ryu has been camping out on the first page of the leaderboard all season but somehow avoided the top spot until today.

This win will likely change three aspects:

* Ryu will no longer be 33/1 to 40/1 every week in the betting odds. I kept pecking at that because the payoff had to follow. She's not going two years minus a win.

* Ryu will jump in the Rolex rankings. Again, I have no idea how that formula has been so unkind to her, generally low 20s all season.

* Ryu will be paired with players of her own caliber. She's been strangely underseeded in the pairings all year during the first two rounds.

As much as I appreciate the top Koreans, particularly the classy lookers like Ryu and Seo, it was probably best that this event wasn't televised. The four-way Korean logjam after three rounds would have earned mocking mention on site after site, and some focus on Golf Channel. As is, it was mostly ignored.

[eric_b]

PuttLeftHitRight, on 12 August 2012 - 10:24 PM, said:

TBQH girls in the US are more focused on sports like softball and volleyball. You pretty much have to be born into a country club to take up golf these days as a kid.

+1

In addition, I will never understand this xenophobia.

I don't throw down my clubs and quit playing because the leaderboard isn't full of Canadians.....I don't take up another hobby because someone from a different nationality or race wins a pro golf tournament (PGA or LPGA).

[Mr22putt]

Ya it's pretty sad that US fans can't support a foreign player.
I heard that on Sunday, once Paula, Nats, Stacy finished many of their gallery left.
I can't fathom leaving and not stay to watch Ryu dissect a course for a 62 w/o a bogey.
What's not to like about the Asian pros...some are quite attractive, their English is not bad and are super friendly.

But I must say they should have an "Anglo" name for Western audiences.....kinda surprised more don't.
I think more people are familiar with Birdie Kim vs. So Yeon Ryu...both have USWO wins and Ryu has a lot more game and is far better looking than Kim.

I'm a Canuck and can't say I have a Cdn pro fav....I like pros from the US, Pacific Rim, Spain (duh....what's not to like about Aza, Belen & Beatriz), Sweden, etc, etc.

Golf is not a popular sport for young gals in North America....so we don't start off with a strong talent base vs. other countries.....mainly in Asia...young gals are being pushed into the game.
Once golf becomes popular in China (if it ever does).....young gals will be pluck from grade 1 to be groomed into pros.

[esketores]

Let it me known I have no problem with other than American's winning and/or dominating the leaderboard. It is good for golf as a whole. My only take is the lack of American players coming to the fore front.
A better junior program would be beneficial.
Good golf is good golf regardless of who is swinging the club.

[eric_b]

esketores, on 13 August 2012 - 12:46 PM, said:

Let it me known I have no problem with other than American's winning and/or dominating the leaderboard. It is good for golf as a whole. My only take is the lack of American players coming to the fore front.
A better junior program would be beneficial.
Good golf is good golf regardless of who is swinging the club.

You know, it's weird....in my area, I can't play a round without seeing AT LEAST 3 foursomes of women.  And I'm talking about full, proper courses......not executives or cow pastures.  I'm talking real green fee courses.  And, by and large, these women can play.

I don't doubt the stats about women leaving the game....but I find it odd to be in an area that goes against the trend.

[Matsui]

Hard for American companies to sponsor the LPGA Tour when the majority of the best are non - US born.  Fact.

[eric_b]

Matsui, on 13 August 2012 - 02:24 PM, said:

Hard for American companies to sponsor the LPGA Tour when the majority of the best are non - US born.  Fact.

Actually, your fact stops a little early.....hard for American companies to sponsor the LPGA when the majority of the good players and non-US born and the average public consumer is evidently a boring xenophobe who only consumes what they are told to (and right now, evidently the public is being told that unless she's WASP she's not good) and said sponsors are too lazy (and broke...they are US companies after all....so really, they're owned by China) to tell people they like non-US players, which they would if they were told.....

But you were close.

[Timothy Q]

Regarding xenophobia... it's not really about where these ladies are from. They are just boring. What is there to root for? Great golf doesn't have a name attached, it changes week to week. Great golf isn't a person. The fact is that we enjoy great abilities but latch onto exciting athletes. That's not just Americans, that is how the world works. This stuff is just as much about entertainment as it is ability. In America we love Manny Pacquiao and Rory McIlroy because they are exciting, interesting and likable...

You can win championships with ability but it takes a lot more to win hearts.

[Yuck]

Timothy Q, on 13 August 2012 - 03:12 PM, said:

Regarding xenophobia... it's not really about where these ladies are from. They are just boring. What is there to root for? Great golf doesn't have a name attached, it changes week to week. Great golf isn't a person. The fact is that we enjoy great abilities but latch onto exciting athletes. That's not just Americans, that is how the world works. This stuff is just as much about entertainment as it is ability. In America we love Manny Pacquiao and Rory McIlroy because they are exciting, interesting and likable...

You can win championships with ability but it takes a lot more to win hearts.

With this mindset, Hogan would have missed the mark with the modern American audience.

[Chief Illiniwek]

yuck, on 13 August 2012 - 04:47 PM, said:

Timothy Q, on 13 August 2012 - 03:12 PM, said:

Regarding xenophobia... it's not really about where these ladies are from. They are just boring. What is there to root for? Great golf doesn't have a name attached, it changes week to week. Great golf isn't a person. The fact is that we enjoy great abilities but latch onto exciting athletes. That's not just Americans, that is how the world works. This stuff is just as much about entertainment as it is ability. In America we love Manny Pacquiao and Rory McIlroy because they are exciting, interesting and likable...

You can win championships with ability but it takes a lot more to win hearts.

With this mindset, Hogan would have missed the mark with the modern American audience.

One of the greatest comeback stories of all time. I seriously doubt he would've been unpopular even with his less than outgoing personality.

[Timothy Q]

Chief Illiniwek, on 13 August 2012 - 06:33 PM, said:

yuck, on 13 August 2012 - 04:47 PM, said:

Timothy Q, on 13 August 2012 - 03:12 PM, said:

Regarding xenophobia... it's not really about where these ladies are from. They are just boring. What is there to root for? Great golf doesn't have a name attached, it changes week to week. Great golf isn't a person. The fact is that we enjoy great abilities but latch onto exciting athletes. That's not just Americans, that is how the world works. This stuff is just as much about entertainment as it is ability. In America we love Manny Pacquiao and Rory McIlroy because they are exciting, interesting and likable...

You can win championships with ability but it takes a lot more to win hearts.

With this mindset, Hogan would have missed the mark with the modern American audience.

One of the greatest comeback stories of all time. I seriously doubt he would've been unpopular even with his less than outgoing personality.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure there is enough there to root for.

Also, I think everyone seems to be forgetting that we're talking about the LPGA here... it's not like the American players have ever really transcended the sport either. I'm a big supporter of female athletics but if we're being honest here, most people don't give a hoot about any women's sports besides tennis and soccer, I don't care where they're from.

I believe in the LPGA and I hope it gets bigger and better but it's a steep hill to climb and you're not going to do it without excitement and personality.

Edited by Timothy Q, 13 August 2012 - 06:40 PM.

[exquisitechip]

It is what it is.

[golfingchuck]

why do people have to bring up "xenophobia"? We want our Country woman to succeed and play a major part in LPGA golf

[Conrad1953]

Got me thinking. Who was the last American #1?
I dont' mean for a week or so, but dominant like
Lorena or Annika was.

[Yuck]

Conrad1953, on 13 August 2012 - 09:12 PM, said:

Got me thinking. Who was the last American #1?
I dont' mean for a week or so, but dominant like
Lorena or Annika was.

Nancy Lopez?

[greens hit]

jbrunone, on 12 August 2012 - 06:58 PM, said:

and this is why most americans refuse to watch the lpga... I honestly cant say any name of those players and am not attracted at all, its hard

hmmm.  Contradiction?

[esketores]

Last year an American won player of the year honors was 1994
Beside Annika, Lorena, and Kathy Whitworth there really never has been any other "dominant" LPGA players.

Player of the Year   / Vare Trophy   / Rookie of the Year

Edited by esketores, 13 August 2012 - 10:09 PM.

[ProjectX]

"Watching women play sports is like watching men play it in 3 feet of water."

-Damon Bruce

So much truth to this statement and I think it's why most people have trouble watching women's anything let alone golf. When I see women hit shots I think to myself "I could do that". When I watch the men's tour I think "how the hell did he do that!?!?" That's the major difference for me.

[Awsi Dooger]

Mr22putt, on 13 August 2012 - 12:35 PM, said:

But I must say they should have an "Anglo" name for Western audiences.....kinda surprised more don't.
I think more people are familiar with Birdie Kim vs. So Yeon Ryu...both have USWO wins and Ryu has a lot more game and is far better looking than Kim.

That's a great point. I've wondered about that myself. Perhaps it wouldn't be fully accepted in Korea but those players would receive at least a 40% boost in acceptance and separation if they adopted a name for American audiences. I doubt the farewell would have been as warm for Ji-eun Park, who moved to Hawaii and became Grace Park.

BTW, during the PGA this week I got a kick out of the great final round from a player whose name sounds like Soon You'll Know. I was wondering if Feherty or Faldo would make a wag comment like Later You'll Forget.