|
Reader's Forum Question: Teen-age phenom Michelle Wie was just given a sponsor's exemption to play in the Sony Open in Hawaii in January. PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem says that women playing in PGA Tour events is not going to become a trend. What do you think? Your Responses: I believe that it is already getting out of control. What business does a 14-year-old girl have playing in a tour event period, let alone a men's PGA event. J. Beatty In response to hearing about Michelle Wie playing at the Sony: If women can qualify via Q-school or Nationwide Tour then by all means let em play. If a sponsor wants to give out an exemption to an amateur regardless of age or sex then thats there option. However, If this is the PGA Tour's way to create some excitement then they are going about it the wrong way. How about the following to create an exciting tour. First, lets only protect 50 top money earners each year. This would ensure that the best golfers in the world will make it to the PGA Tour. Second, Go back to qualifiers for weekly events. Thirdly, TV coverage leaves a lot to be desired. You never see more than the leaders, in my opinion it is boring. D. Whitlam Women on the PGA tour should be barred since the women have their own tour and men are not allowed to play in their events. In my opinion what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. H. Tracy Annika had built up a 'track' record and made a respectable attempt at the Colonial. Michelle may be the player of the future at age 14, however it would be in the best interests of the PGA tour and the LPGA Tour if she would develop her game with amateur tournaments, USGA events, college schedules, etc. This 'Todd Marinovich' syndrome in professional sports needs to be kept in check. T. Johnson As a PGA professional and as a woman, I also agree with Tim Finchem that it should not be a trend. Michelle and Annika are both fine players in their own regard and neither should have to prove themselves as competition on the men's tour. The LPGA has a tremendous tour. Focus should be on making the women's tour just as inviting for them to play in (sponsor monies) as the men's tour not trying to see if the women can compete against the men. Qualify ladies (like Suzy) for your spot, and I might rethink my position OR let the guys play on the women's tour. J. Davis It is the right of all sponsors to invite whomever they wish to play in THEIR tournament. Local phenomenoms should receive invitations to participate and hopefully help increase attendance and media exposure of the tourney. The amount of money the sponsors are laying out is quite substantial and all efforts for them to receive maximum media coverage (within the accepted guidelines) is justified. E. Greensides
Opinions expressed in Reader's Forum are those of the individual letter writers and not of The Wire, its staff or its editorial board. Letters are edited to remove spelling and grammatical errors where possible, and The Wire staff reserves the right to edit for space. |