Dubai....

Hello, this is Mike checking in from Dubai as Annika is playing in the pro-am. 

Yesterday, she and Laura Davies defeated two other teams in an alternate shot Par 3 contest.  Annika hit it beautifully, and Laura made the close birdie putts as they shot four under to win by one.  Hopefully, this is a prelude of things to come this week!

Annika’s parents (Tom and Gunilla) and my parents (Jerry and Jill) are here and we’re having lots of laughs.  We have enjoyed the pool, beach, and incredible hotel and we have some exciting evenings planned.  We are trying to just be happy, enjoy the week, and celebrate an iconic career…..though I must admit that is easier said than done.  I can feel the nostalgia increasing significantly as we get closer to the end. 

Golf in Dubai is managing the event and they have placed two huge tributes to Annika on the course with photos of her career (see photo gallery).  One is on the 18th green and one overlooks the entire clubhouse and putting green…..they are remarkable!!  On another note, we would like to thank the Golf Channel for covering this event!!  We have appreciated their wonderful support the entire year!

Comments

[B. K.]

Mike,
Thanks for the insight! We hope all of you have a wonderful week and can really enjoy this last tournament with the best that has ever played the game! While we would certainly llike to see Annika win, perhaps the most important thing is to just enjoy what's taking place. We wish you guys all the best-
BK

[Annika the Cat]

Hi Mike,

Paws will be crossed that the Champ will have a magical week. There is a great foursome in The Gallery - The Parents! I know you will do your best to take it all in. And please stay on the Cart Path!

AtC

[Buzz]

Michael....the transition from tournament golfer (The Best Ever) to wife, Mama and business woman might be a little tougher than expected. However, I am sure that your love and care for Annika, and her love for you, will help to minimize those potentially difficult moments that might loom in the future. And nothing will soothe those moments better than the wah, wah of a wee one that needs changing.

Best of luck to the sweet swinging Swede in the tournament and in the future. You, too, my friend.

[Dee H.]

Michael, thank you for the news about the Par 3 contest! Your detailed and lively stories of Annika's activities are something I now look forward to! And thank you for taking all the videos, nice job! I hope you will also publish future stories about Annika's adventures.

[Eileen]

Mike:
Thanks so much for taking the time out of what I'm sure is an emotional roller coaster of a week for all of you. While Annika may be closing one chapter of her life, I have no doubt that both of you are looking forward to the chapter yet to be written. I'm sure this chaper will be even more successful and memorable. I wish you both the best of luck and am so glad that your parents are there to share it with you. You both deserve the best life has to offer. Thanks again for everything.

[Loom]

Hi Bloggers

www.ladieseuropentour.com has an interview with Annika and pictures from the challenge event which Annika & Laura Davies won on Tuesday

Tks Mike for your great videos.

Loom

[Golf54deciple]

Mike,
You have a great way of including the emotion whether feelings of "excited-apprehension" or tears of joy for something that touched your heart.

For example, your mention of the spectacularness of TWO larger-than-life photographic tributes to your lady at this weeks Dubai' Ladies Masters.

We love hearing from your perspective.

And your skills as a videographer? UNmatched!! Really, you're doing a great job with pics and video and commentary there with.

But back to this very special week . . .It's fun imagining the range of emotions all of you, family and friends alike are experiencing. And likewise dealing with what's going on inside our hearts. This Blog helps tremendously because of how so many are able to express exactly what we're all feeling.

The fact that Annika is STILL striking the ball with "vintage Annika" precision is really mind boggling.

Do you think the first tee shot on Thursday will feel kind of like that one at Colonial?

I know the build up to this tourny is not the same preparation wise, but it certainly is with the feel of the "unknown" and with a sense of destiny perhaps once again defined.

Hmmm . . . hit the ball, where ever it goes, go find it, and hit it again right?

[Golf54deciple]

Bloggers,
The LET has the pairings for Thurs:

Lotta off from 1st tee at 11:20AM and
Annika off from 10th tee at 8:00AM

Then on Friday:
Lotta at 7:20AM (yawn!!)and
Annika at high noon from the 1st tee

Go to ladies!! We're cheering for you BOTH1!!

Thing is tho, is Dubai the 'ol 12 hrs ahead of EST?? So is it almost 8AM there now?

Seems to me this tourny is one of the get up in the night to check live scoring ....

http://www.ladieseuropeantour.com then click on "live scoring"

[Mary E.]

Mike,

Thanks for sharing all your insights into happenings in Dubai. Congrats to Annika and Laura Davies too! How special is that?!! Just another great memory for Annika and her/your scrapbook.

Best of ball striking and putting to Annika this week. Go get 'em!

[Mike McGee]

BK, ATC, Buzz, Dee H, Eileen, Loom, Golf54Deciple, Mary E....Thanks for all of the kind words! You are truly special fans and we are truly blessed!! I get choked up reading some of the posts....so does Annika! Off to the course soon. Cheers!

[Erik Johansen]

Hi Annika and Mike!
From a Norwegian in Swedish, if you don't mind Mike ;-)

På Bro Bålsta tidlig 90:io spelade jag en klubbturnering ( som gäst)med en liten flicka från klubben.
Hon hejade snällt och sa: Jag är Annika.
Tack, sa jag; trävligt! Visa väg du som är känd här.
Visa väg gjorde Annika; vi spelade bra golf båda.
Visa väg har du fortsatt med Annika, för tjejer och killar, tanter och gubbar, takk!

Inte vet jag någon i sportvärlden som er så när på fairway som du. (Bena på bakken, heter det på Norsk.)
Visst är det tråkigt att du är borta från touren; men din värkliga styrka är att gå vidare nu; men saker du bränner för.

Njut av framtiden! Jag kann alltid njuta av förtiden, från Bro Bålsta och många LPGA-videoer.

Tack för matchen!
Vänligen Erik Johansen.

PS! Mike. If you wonder what I'm saying in this loveletter; I'm shure Annika will translate ;-)
Take care of here for me, please. DS