jamie in the rough

Am I missing something? Were we not applauding and turning Christina Kim into a covergirl after her stellar, enthusiastic performance after the 2005 Solheim Cup? What has happened in the four years that has turned the newly svelte Kim into a distracting, over the line, unprofessional golfer? Was Christina Kim the only roof raising, booty bumping, crowd amping, and overly patriotic lady on the USA Solheim Cup team? No, she was not alone. Why is she getting the flack for it?

Was I the only one who saw and heard Christina give due props to Europe’s Tania Elosegui after hitting a clutch shot down the stretch on Sunday?

Were we not just praising Michelle Wie for letting loose and having fun on the golf course, but when she was paired with Christina Kim and letting loose, it was a no-no? What a bad influence you are Christina.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t lack of personality one of the biggest criticisms of the LPGA? Now we’re complaining that a player has taken it too far?

The LPGA got the opportunity to be center stage this week. It’s coverage of the Solheim Cup superseded an exciting weekend over at the PGA where players were vying for spots into the Fed Ex Playoffs, and a major over at the Senior PGA Tour. We should be praising the ladies for letting loose, representing the USA proud, playing some amazing golf, and not nitpicking on things like that. This, to me, depreciates what a great weekend of golf this was.

Perhaps it’s only fitting, in 2005 Christina Kim got all the spoils for being nothing else, but her. A kick ass golfer, who loves her country. Now she’s getting the backlash. Can you imagine how devastating this weekend if the players “kept it cool” the entire weekend? That’s not what I want to see by players competing for their countries!

Christina Kim was being herself. We need to embrace the players, all of them, for being who they are. Whether they are loud, whether they are reserved, whatever it is. In the end Christina Kim showed us how much she loves the LPGA, the Solheim Cup, and the United States of America, and that is something I would never criticize her for.

What’s next? Criticizing Jiyai Shin for winning too much worldwide? Criticize Lorena Ochoa for helping to grow the game in Mexico? Complain that Paula Creamer wears to much pink, and that Michelle Wie is too tall? All of this is nonsense. Christina Kim you’re amazing, and you’ve inspired me and countless others this weekend.

The 2009 U.S. Open Qualifying tournament begins on Tuesday, and one of the players I am definitley interested in following is Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan. If you haven’t been paying attention to tour qualifying and the lower echelons of the WTA tour, Kimiko Date-Krumm is making a comeback on the WTA Tour after a 13 year absence!

Date-Krumm, who will turn 39 in September, lost in the opening round at Flushing Meadows the last time she played in 1996. Date-Krumm did make the quarterfinals at the last grand slam of the year in 1993 & 1994.

Date-Krumm, now ranked 160, will open her qualifying campaign against Ekaterina Ivanova. The 21 year old Russian was 5 years old when Date-Krumm first made the quarterfinals here in 1993. Ivanova is ranked a bit higher, but I think Kimiko’s retro game will be enough to outduel the Russian.

Earlier in 2009 Date-Krumm qualified for the Australian Open before losing a three set heartbreaker to 25th seed Kaia Kanepi. She was forced to withdraw from her opening roung qualifying match at Roland Garros to the “Dropshot Dame” Romina Oprandi, and then valiantly lost another three setter to top 10 player Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.

Let’s hope Kimiko can have a bit better success (and luck with the draw!) this week at Roland Garros.

They gave valiant efforts, but two underdog’s attempts to upset their higher ranked and seeded opponents in the opening round of the Pilot Pen fell just a bit short. Chinese stalwart, and former Wimbledon semifinalist Jie Zheng managed to win four points in a row to win the second set tiebreak, but it was not enough to outduel French Open Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova (pictured) who held on for a 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-4.

Italian Roberta Vinci, possibily inspired by countrywoman Flavia Penneta becoming the first Italian woman to reach the top 10, almost took out Polish #1 Agi Radwanska. After trading 6-2 sets amongst them, Radwanska held off the Italian’s upset quest by edging out a tiebreak at 7-5.

Alisa Kleybanova, fresh off a surprising SF finish at last week’s Rogers Cup in Toronto, seemed to have run out of gas. Kleybanova who gutted out three set wins against Jelena Jankovic and Dominka Cibulkova, was unable to find the same solid form in her opener against qualifier Yanina Wickamayer. Wickamayer managed to hold on for a three set victory, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Other winners on opening day were former #1 Amelie Mauresmo, Iveta Benesova, and Virgine Razzano.

Samantha Richdale of British Columbia, Canada parred the first playoff hole to hold off Amanda Mathis to win her third event and second of the year at the Duramed Futures Tour Turkey Hill Classic. The event held in Pennsylvania was forced to completed the final round on Monday after rain held up play throughout the week.

Richdale’s final round 68 was capped off by three birdies in a row on holes 15-17. Mathis off set two bogies on 10-11 with three coming in to finish tied with Richdale at -10.

Just missing out on the playoff were the top two players on the DFT, Mina Harigae (70), the leader when play began, who could not find a birdie on the back 9, and her two bogeyes were one too many to get her fourth victory on tour this season. Two-time winner Jean Reynolds (68) used a birdie on the 18th to tie Harigae at T3. Joining Reynolds and Richdale for the round of the day was fellow top 10 on the money lister Christine Song, who used her four under par round got her alone in 5th.

DFTs top 4, Harigae, Reynolds, Misun Cho (who skipped this week’s event), and Samantha Richdale have separated themselves and will be finishing in the top 5 on this year’s money list. With only one event remaining this should be sweet relief for Richdale who can now rest easy going into the tour’s final event (the other three had already secured their top 5 standing by winning at least two events on the year).

With $15,000 up for grabs at the season ending event in a couple weeks in Syracuse, NY anyone in the top 15 can potentially jump up to the top 5 with a win. The entire top 40 can secure low playing privileges for next season with a win, which would get then into the top 10 for the year. Should be an exciting conclusion to a great season on the DFT!

Samantha Richdale will be participating in this week’s LPGA event in Oregon, the Safeway Classic.

After Jenny Chausiriporn valiantly battled Se Ri Pak at the 1998 U.S. Women’s Open I instantly became hooked on golf. I wanted to emulate Jenny and wanted a set of clubs of my own. My mother, tried as she might to spoiled me, went to the local Caldors, which was going out of business at the time, and bought me a set of clubs that were on sale for $75. 

It seemed the pillagers of the going out of business sale had customized these pre-set golf sets, and I had been stuck with the ghetto left over set. It was old, incomplete, but I loved it.

Last summer, finally at the age of 21, I decided I wanted to take a set of clubs to a driving range, but found myself quite embarrassed by my mediocre club set. I needed to find clubs that would fit me, be good for a beginner, but I wanted them to be good quality. I had no knowledge of anything when it came to golf equipment or anything of the like, luckily The Golf Channel’s Equipment page was like a knight in shining armor!

I like many others had been utilizing the Golf Channel’s website for golf news, information on the Big Break reality series, and a myriad of other things, luckily I stumbled upon their equipment page, and found a warehouse selection of all things golf.

I wanted to first start out by searching for putters, as I had been putting in my bedroom almost anytime a golf telecast was on. Their putter page was nothing short of amazing. The ease of the search, and the excellent use of User ratings really helped me narrow down on a club. Even though I thought I would be overwhelmed by the shear size and scope of the selection, it was user friendly and easy. 

The same could be said when I was looking for drivers, iron-sets, and all the other golf needs I may have had.

I am happy to say with my new shiny set of clubs in hand, I confidently went to the driving range proud (until I had to hit a shot that is!). If it wasn’t for The Golf Channel Equipment page I don’t think I would’ve had the confidence or the want to head to the golf course once a week like I try to do now!

]If anyone questioned Mina Harigae’s decision to leave Duke and focus on a professional career, it did not take Mina very long to give a resounding answer as to why she did. Mina won the Falls Auto Group Classic today on the Duramed Futures Tour to get her third win of the season, giving her a battlefield promotion to enter some LPGA tournaments this season.

Lisa Mickey’s phenomenal story isn’t up yet, but Harigae steadied herself after an early bogey and posted a steady one-under 71 to beat another Duke star Amanda Blumenherst by two strokes. Blumenherst did one better, a 70, but was never really in it. She birdied her last three to climb within 2. Yoora Kim was the only player really threatening Mina all day, but her bogey at the last dropped her to 4th tying Gerina Mendoza who had a 4 at the par 5 18th. Permila Lindberg also creeped by Yoora by virtue of an eagle at the last which gave her one of the lower rounds of the day a 66.

This day though belongs to Mina Hariage, who was one of the top juniors in the country before turning pro. She beats Jean Reynols and Misun Cho to the third win victory, and we’ll see which LPGA events she can get herself into. This promotion won’t give her a tour card, but she will secure one anyone by her top 5 finish when the DFT finishes up in a few weeks.

Mina will be one to watch for the next couple years.

Another player to watch for sure will be Jennifer Song who capped off her extraordinary summer Sunday by defeating Jennifer Johnson 3 & 1 in the finals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. Jennifer, the 2009 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Champ and the low amateur at the 2009 (and 2007) U.S. Women’s Open became only the second women to win two USGA championships in the same year, the other being Pearl Sinn-Bonnani in 1988 (which was one year before Jennifer Song was born).

This finishes off an amazing summer for Song, who has had many heartbreaking runner-ups in her amateur career. She lost to Tiffany Joh 2&1 last year at the WAPL, and finished runner-up at the SEC Championships and NCAA Championships this year. The latter with a heart breain 3-putt double bogey to finish second.

It looks like Jennifer has learned how to win, and she’s going to be very dangerous in the NCAAs and amateur championships for as long as she remains amateur. Congrats to both ladies!

After the 2005 Solheim Cup I was hopeful that Christina Kim’s sharp patriotism, team spirit, and most importantly, excellent golf game would put her in the upper echelons of the American golfers on the LPGA. As this little trading card pack shows you, Christina Kim is not one of America’s darlings, though she should.

I have conceded the fact that Paula Creamer is, and deservedly so, the LPGA #1 America’s Sweetheart. She has the phenomenal results to back this statement, and is the picture of girl next door. Fine, I’m okay with that. Natalie & Morgan though, what do they have going on that should put them in an upper playing field compared to Christina.

Don’t get me wrong, I do not want to turn this post into a rambling size/race discussion. Morganza does have a major that Christina dose not, but if CK were to win the RICOH Women’s British Open today, would she be warranted the same American darling status? I don’t think that’s likely. Which is a real shame, Christina Kim is truly an amazing ambassador for this tour. She showed just what she was made up on the professional side of things, as if I recall correctly was the only LPGA pro present for Marsha Evan’s presser announcing her as interim Commissioner.

Morgan Pressel is firery and competitive, a la Dottie Pepper. Christina Kim is, loud? Exuberant? Brash? Natalie Gulbis has calendars, and photo shoots galore. Christina is posting super-sexy tweets of herself. There’s quite a dichotomy here. Let me be clear here, I do not want to diminish anything from Morgan, Natalie or Paula. They are all clearly talented women, all deserving of the utmost praise, and I wish them continued success, all of it will help the LPGA.

I just wish Christina got the due respect she deserved for being an open, fan-friendly, professional out here. Would we care about her so-called “excessive tweeting” if she were size 2 and blonde? Or would we be fawning at the fact that someone so desirable were letting us in on their lives? The same way many, many, many fanboys and fangirls follow their favorite actor/singer/crush of their life sort of way?

I just think it’s truly a pity when someone who is incredibly icy (not naming names, but they may have the same initials) is considered more marketable then Christina. Let’s embrace CK and give her the love she deserves.

I don’t know why the LPGA Board of Directors or any of us fans/bloggers/writers are even going through the motions seeking out the next LPGA Commissioner. It is quite obvious that person right and ready for the job has been sitting under our noses! Literally on the bottom, of the money list that is… Anna Rawson (what is it about women’s sports and polarizing ladies named Anna?)! Clearly playing golf at a competitive professional level may not be in the cards for Anna, so why bypass years of toiling away with low priority status, when she could jump on up and take the Commissioner role?

While appearing on ESPN’s E:60, she laid out a brilliant 5 point plan to help the LPGA Tour. If someone how you missed the model’s appearance (how could you?!), you can read up on everything right here.

Let’s go a little bit deeper on her statements!

1. ROCK THE TEE. Every player should tee off to her favorite song at the beginning of the tournament and have it played again when she approaches the 18th green.

Really Anna? Really? Let me preface all of her statements as she’s clearly speaking from the young perspective and trying to reach out to a younger audience. As a 22 year old herself, I can see her appeal for some of these things. However nearly everything she recommends alienates her peers and a huge part of the LPGA fan base. Not so great. As much as I’d love to see Rosie Jones marching up the 18th tee to “I Kissed a Girl,” or anything like that, it would clearly be a bother to the other players, not to mention how do we pick whose song in that group to play? Whoever is prettier perhaps?


2. BRING ON THE MEN. Some LPGA tournaments should be played in conjunction with PGA tournaments. Both tours would play on the same course during the same week — and at the same time — while still competing for separate titles.

Even though I can’t begin to understand the logistics of an event like this, I do enjoy this idea in theory. Getting some sort of event where you can attract the best men and women in golf in the world is only a good thing. Not that trying to rely on the men’s tour as a crutch at this moment is necessarily the best thing in pride terms, trying to figure a way to get this event to happen I think would be a huge benefit. They held the Boys and Girls US Junior championships together this week, I do believe this can happen in some way.

3. FASHION TO THE FAIRWAYS. For each tournament, I would have a fashion designer create a piece of clothing or accessory for the trophy ceremony. On Monday, the winner would be flown to Manhattan to shoot the gown, jacket or jewelry for an ad to be placed in a fashion magazine (Elle, Vogue, Glamour, InStyle).

I think this has a genuine heart to it, but the idea of a cookie cutter champion, stripping away their athleticism, and dressing them up to be Anna’s idea of fashionable, is not exactly the right thing. Getting a spread in a fashion magazine, or any weekly non-golf publication, would bring publicity and good press for the tour. Trying to squeeze everyone into a Vera Wang gown isn’t the way to do it. This is the fundamental problem with a lot of reactions to players right now, we are not ready to embrace the players for who they are. Usually the problem is that the player doesn’t speak good enough English, and is too reserved. We should be embracing the differences in these women and highlight everyone for who they are. That’s so much more empowering, and so much better for all the girls who are looking up to these athletes.

4. MARKETING IS THE BOSS. I would give the LPGA’s VP of communications, David Higdon, a long-term contract and make him directly answerable only to the players. Higdon knows how to help the public connect with athletes.

I think it’s a solid idea to have someone help marketing. Although I don’t think ALL DECISIONS should necessarily be made by a marketing perspective. I think we’re on the right track with this one.

5. READY FOR OUR CLOSE UP. Every group should be miked up and followed by its own camera crew, not a hard or expensive thing to do in this era of cheap, portable devices that can send images and audio around the globe in an instant.

I think having one or two mic’d groups every tournament would be an amazing thing! CK was great, but you need the right player to grab the mic. It’s not going to be a good thing if you are mic’ing a group who is uncomfortable, and thusly not saying or being exciting at the least. Before we mic every group, perhaps we should get every tournament broadcast.

All and all I don’t have nearly as many problems with her thoughts as I made it sound like at the top of the post. I just think her problem is she’s thinking in a purely one-sided direction, and not taking in account the diversity of cultures and personalities (not to mention physicality) on tour. Everything she promotes to do, works in benefit for who she is.

I guess that’s all and all to be expected. Anna will need all the help she can get, if her golf game won’t get it done. Stephanie Wei (and I some how make even more comments) has her thoughts on this. I also posted some thoughts on Waggle Room.

I’ve made no attempts to hide my odd fascination for Violeta Retamoza’s 2008 season. Violeta earned her card by finishing in the top 5 of the 2007 Futures Tour Money list, and had exempt status for the 2008 LPGA season. She performed badly, one of the worst seasons by an exempt player in recent memory. She missed all, but one cut, and in the one cut she did make, at the Longs Drugs, she finished last, 7 strokes behind her nearest competitors, and 34 strokes worse then the winner, In-Kyung Kim.

I thought it might be interesting to see how Violeta’s 2007 stats compared to the top players from 2008, to see if any of them are likely to befall a tough 2009 campaign a la Violeta.

In 2007, Violeta Retamoza won once, finished in the top 10 six times, made 16 out of 17 cuts, and had a scoring average of 72.76.

PLAYER…………EVENTS..WINS..TOP 10..CUTS…..AVG
Vicky Hurst………..13…..4…….9….13…70.28
Mindy Kim………….17…..3……11….17…71.12
Sarah-Jane Kenyon…..10…..1…….6….10…70.97
M.J. Hur…………..17…..1…….8….16…72.16
Jin Young Pak………17…..0…….8….17…71.56

All of these ladies have better stats then Violeta, although M.J. has eerily similiar stats. Both finished 4th on the money list, made 16 out of 17 cuts, and had one win. M.J. did have two more top 10s and a scoring average 1/2 a stroke better though.

IMO, none of these ladies are the likely candidates to befall Violeta’s state. Some other FT alums from 2008 may be a better bet… such as

PLAYER…………EVENTS..WINS..TOP 10..CUTS…..AVG
Chella Choi………..17…..0…….4….16…72.47
Jeehae Lee…………16…..0…….0…..8…74.98

Note that despite Chella Choi’s 17th place finish on the DFT money list, she still had a better stroke average then Violeta.

The best bet out of all the players Category 11 or above to likely have a Retamoza type season (or a Riko Higashio type season if you go back another year) is Jeehae Lee. Jeehae broke 70 more time during the final qualifying school tournament (twice) then she did in her 16 events on the DFT in 2008 (she fired a 69 once).

It’ll be interesting to see just how well the Yale grad will fare next year.