Karrie Webb won the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup by one stroke on Sunday. The full purse of $1M was donated to charity with half going to the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program and the other half to the charities chosen by the 10 top finishers. Webb’s selections were the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and Japan Relief. The World’s #1 ranked player, Yani Tseng tied for 29th place.
Archive for the ‘Women’s Golf’ Category
RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup Won by Webb
Sunday, March 20th, 2011Cristie Kerr Becomes Number One
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010Cristie Kerr lead the LPGA Championship held at Locust Hill Country Club during all four rounds with a final score of -19, overtaking the rest of the field by 12 strokes. She went into the fourth round leading by 8 strokes and ended with a birdie on 18 for a final round of 66. Her game was definitely on during this tournament resulting in her second major champhionship title. Kerr is the first American to win this major since 2000 when Julie Inkster took the title.
By winning this major event, Kerr moves into the number one LPGA world player position. Hats off to Cristie! The number one player position has shifted quite a bit over the past three weeks. Kerr is the third player in three weeks to become the world’s best. Last week Ai Miyazato had the number one slot as a result of her ShopRite LPGA Classic win; the prior week, Shin was number one. Kerr has won 14 tournaments in her 14 year career with the 2010 LPGA Champhionship making her the world’s best LPGA player.
Over the years, Annika Sorenstam lead the world. After going into retirement, the reigns were taken over by Lorena Ochoa. In April Ochoa retired, leaving the lead role open to all.
“It means a tremendous amount,” Kerr said about the No. 1 ranking. “It’s something that I’ve wanted my whole life, I worked for my whole life. I take great pride in being the top American.”
Congratulations to Cristie Kerr for her LPGA win and the coveted number one ranking!
Driving More Women to Golf
Monday, March 29th, 2010If you’re looking to increase the number of rounds of golf at your golf facility, you may want to take a few tips from the Wall Street Journal and give your facility more “female appeal”. According to WSJ, women have a high level of standard expectations of the golfing facility where they choose to golf….. “course operators vastly underestimate the significance to women of top-notch conditions, speed of play and the length of holes. They also tend to trivialize concerns such as having adequate drinking water and clean bathrooms on the course, clear directional signage and tee markers, well-stocked women’s merchandise sections in the pro shop and a friendly, welcoming staff attuned to women’s needs.”
Research studies show that women are actually willing to pay a premium for this “ideal golfing universe”; yes, they are willing to pay 8% to 15% more for these course amentities and services. So why is this round generating opportunity overlooked or worse yet, dismissed by golf facilities throughout the country? Is is because of the stigma that golf is a good old boys sport and that the good old boys’ standards are no equal match for that of our women? Or, is it because the course designs have always catered to longer holes…hence, the male population? Why not incorporate into the design of the course, forward tees that provide an enjoyable, yet challenging, opportuntiy for the ladies to have a “good” hole? No guys, it’s not just as simple as putting a tee box in the middle of the fairway…..it’s creating the right distance while incorporating interest and challenge for that women population. From a skill challenge this would be a great feather in your cap! Then add a few niceties and you may very well be onto driving more women to your golf course.
Women’s golf has only grown by 1% over the past 30 years. Perhaps it’s time to make a change and create an enviroment that drives more women golfers your way……p.s. don’t forget the clean bathrooms and flowers!
Posted by Marilyn Harris
The Solheim Cup doesn’t disappoint – US wins third straight.
Monday, August 24th, 2009Perhaps the most poignant aspect of the Solheim Cup is that the players play for the pride of representing their country or continent and for the sheer love of the game. None of the players get paid so to see them play with such passion and heart is part of what makes the Solheim so special. Seeing the amazing talent and competitive golf of this particular bi-annual event is what made it so riveting to watch.
The US win at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, IL was a hard fought battle, with Europe leading midway through the last afternoon. There were plenty of heroes, including Juli Inkster, in getting the third straight U.S. win but perhaps none so phenomenal as Michelle Wie.
Wie, the 19 year old phenom who has not met expectations over the last several years, finally showed us why she was considered the “female Tiger Woods” several years ago. She played absolutely brilliant golf in her rookie performance at the Solheim Cup ending with a 3-0-1 record. Her performance, the best of any American player this year, is a reminder that when Wie is on, she’s on and there is no stopping her.
Post by Michele Minten
U.S. Captures Junior Solheim Cup
Thursday, August 20th, 2009As captain of the US Junior Solheim Cup team, LPGA legend, Nancy Lopez, coaches her team to victory at the 2009 Junior Solheim Cup. The team was asked to give 100 percent on the course and let their natural talents take over. And that they did! The US team won 15 1/2 to 8 1/2 over the European team during the two-day event held at the Aurora Country Club in Aurora, IL.
With four matches to go, the US team had the cup in hand and finished the last four matches 3 to 1 winning the victory. “They are great kids, a great team….our girls rallied, they really did” Lopez said during the after event celebration…poolside in full team attire!
The results of the singles matches are:
Sally Watson (Europe) defends Jane Rah, 4 and 3
Sarah Brown (USA) defends Klara Spilkova, 2 and 1
Jessica Korda (USA) defends Rosann Crepiat, 3 and 2
Ani Gulugian (USA) defends Leona Maguire, 5 and 4
Sherlyn Popelka (Europe) defends Stephanie Kim, 4 and 3
Tiffany Lua (USA) defencs Anna Arrese, 4 and 3
Ana Fernandez de Mesa (Europe) defends Alison Lee, 1-Up
Alexis Thompson (USA) defends Tonje Daffinrud, 1-Up
Kristina Wong (USA) defends Johanna Tillstrom, 3 and 1
Jennifer Johnson (USA) defends Sophia Popov, 2 and 1
Kelly Tidy (Europe) defends Alexandra Stewart, 5 and 4
Kristen Park (USA) defends Lisa Maquire, 2 and 1
USA wins 15 1/2 to 8 1/2
Congratulations to the USA Junior Solheim Cup Team!
Posted by Marilyn Harris
June is Women’s Golf Month
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009In 2005 American Express introduced the Women’s Golf Week program which has since evolved into Women’s Golf Month, debuting in 2008. The goal is to grow the popularity of the game among females and so far it seems to be paying off. According to AMEX figures, in 2008 there was a 9.2% increase in participation in the program. Good news for golf courses and stores, which saw a revenue increase of $2.7M, but great news for female golfers. Long considered a male dominated sport, it’s good to hear that companies are recognizing the importance of females to the golf industry.
Even more inspiring, in my opinion, are the programs geared toward getting young women and girls involved in the game. I think it’s great to see more and more young females excelling at the game. And this morning, when my three year old daughter left for the driving range with her Grandpa and brother, pink clubs over her shoulder, I didn’t necessarily see the next Michelle Wie or Alexis Thompson but I did see a young girl with excitement in her eyes to be doing something active and outdoors.
In the midst of Women’s Golf Month came one of the more exciting annoucements I’ve heard in a while: Pinehurst will hold the first ever golf “doubleheader” when the US Open and US Women’s Open are played in consecutive weeks in 2014. Although it’s several years away I can’t think of a better way to generate buzz for women’s golf. It’s a brilliant move.
So to all the female golfers out there….enjoy Women’s Golf Month. And if you know of any women or girls who have never golfed maybe this is the perfect time to introduce them to the game.
Posted by Michele Minten
