11/23/24
July 22, 2005
LPGA denies 15 year old's attempt to join the tour: From the parents of the girl who was turned down by the LPGA commissioner, Ty Votaw, due to a lack of playing experience: "You are sending the wrong message to young golfers and their families,'' the Bandeas wrote in a letter to Votaw. We strongly believe that this policy is wrong and unfair to the young golfers who would rather spend more time at home with their families than being on the road for months at a time.'' Should the correct message be to exploit the crap out of your 15 year old kid so the parent can profit? This story smacks of greed.
Good for the LPGA. I'm sure the prospect of being another WTPA is a little daunting. Wie is the exception, rather than the rule.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:01 AM on July 22, 2005
Bravo for the LPGA--Its nice when somebody look after the welfar of the child athlete. Especially when the parents are being being blinded by dollar signs.
posted by daddisamm at 08:32 AM on July 22, 2005
Thirded.
posted by chicobangs at 08:36 AM on July 22, 2005
My impression is Ms. Wie will have more than adequate opportunity to become a multi-millionare if her skills remain the same/improve/even fall off a little. She will be rewarded by the corporations who insist on product placement while I'm trying to take a nap on a Sunday afternoon...which golf is perfect for...all that rolling green, the leader board doesn't change for a couple hours, no prurient ads running like during football games...
posted by McPyckle at 09:44 AM on July 22, 2005
Michelle Wie has proven she has game to hang at the pro level. Except for a major meltdown at the women's US Open, she could have won. She'll get in early. The young girl from Georgia isn't ready yet. By the time she is, she will be old enough any way. I agree this girls situation is money driven. Shame on the parents.
posted by dbt302 at 10:30 AM on July 22, 2005
Que Hal's rant on how this golfer is already a washout.
posted by yerfatma at 12:03 PM on July 22, 2005
bravo for denying people the right to work due to PR concerns! not as flat out illegal and un-American as the NFL and NBA's, since she's under 18, but just as silly.
posted by drjimmy11 at 01:59 PM on July 22, 2005
bravo for denying people the right to work due to PR concerns! I agree. Get rid of those stupid PC labor laws! Send those children back to the mines!
posted by lil_brown_bat at 02:47 PM on July 22, 2005
I believe that the LPGA lets amateurs play in some tournaments, they just don't get the prize money. Nice way to protect the kids.
posted by bperk at 03:08 PM on July 22, 2005
bperk: It is, because the kids will only be playing because they want to develop as golfers, not because mum and dad have visions of living large of the kid's earnings. In 3 years she'll be able to get rich, and she'll be in control of her own money. What's the problem here?
posted by rodgerd at 05:02 PM on July 22, 2005
"... would rather spend more time at home with their families than being on the road for months at a time." Professional golf sounds like the ideal career for someone like that.