Reflecting

It’s already Thursday and another tournament is on its way, but I wanted to take a minute or two to reflect on last week’s Solheim Cup. First of all, what a fantastic event! I enjoyed following the tournament from afar as this year as it was the first time in over 16 years that I didn’t play or participated in it. It was very different to sit on the couch and watch the matches, but I must say that it was easier to see all the good shots and yes there were many!  I was very happy to see that many matches were won by eagles and birdies!

I believe that most of you agree that a few players really stepped up to the plate this year, especially the rookies. Michelle Wie seemed to be very comfortable and she certainly showed a side that I have never seen before. Maybe this is what she needed to take her career to the level that the media has portrayed all along. I am also very proud of Anna Nordqvist; she played very well and showed great maturity and experience. The entertaining Christina Kim didn’t disappoint either, however, the energy and dance moves made me tired just watching.

My congratulations go to Beth Daniel and her team. They did an outstanding job in defeating a well-coached team by Alison Nicholas. Sometimes it’s unfortunate that there has to be a winner and a loser, but I think overall this year women’s golf was the real winner.  That was VERY important as the last few months have been very tough for the LPGA. 

I think it was crucial to see the commitment from Golf Channel, which offered a total of 45 hours of coverage including 26 hours of live tournament action. We need partners like that to help us showcase the players, and continue to grow a platform for sponsors, expose the excitement to fans, and create opportunities for the next generation. We now have to wait four more years until Europe gets another chance to beat US on their home soil. That would not only be historical, but a testimony to how global the game has become.  Hopefully, we will get into the Olympic Games 2016, and we will continue to open up the gates to golf and inspire our little girls to follow their dreams.

Comments

[Deanie]

Annika,
NO ONE could have summarized the fabulous Solheim Cup better. Perfectly chosen words!

Fans missed you so much...but, you & Mike look so deliciously happy that we won't "fault" you for sitting out a few years until "Baby McGee" is ready to travel and watch "Mommy" play again.

You & Mike DO ROCK!!!!

[Buzz]

Nice post, Annika. Just the sort of a review I would exspect from you, short, sweet and to the point. I couldn't agree with your observation more. The Euros certainly missed you, but, certainly, no more than WE did.

Take care, Mama.....times almost up.....

Michael, try not to get too nervous.....

[Golf54deciple]

I agree that solid commitments are in order from other sponsors hopefully.

For example, Julie Inskter said flat out in the post-tourny interviews that it would help a lot if the media focused on what is right about the LPGA. She said that people just need to come and see/experience for themselves the quality of golf that is exibited on the LPGA.

I would like to see more match play even with the chance that the "favorites" might not make it to the final match in the LPGA--that's what makes the Solheim/Lexus Cups so exciting.

Anyway, I'm curious to see how Morgan, Brittany Lang and Kristy McPhearson will do in the coming tounaments--they seem to have a confidence that I hadn't seen before.

[B. K.]

We also couldn't agree more! You were certainly missed by all.

We did think that C. Kim did cross the line of sportsmanship a few times. And we agree that the media needs to focus on the positives and the quality of the golf being played.

Nice to here about the Wegmans Tournament being renewed and according to Ron Sirak, 2 or 3 more are in the works. Good news for sure!
Take care,
BK

[B. K.]

I want to add another comment even though it doesn't fit under this post.
My husband and I attended the Annika Academy for a day last Febuary and worked with Charlotta on our swings for a few hours. Since then, we have taken her advise and worked with each other on the basics she gave us. Now we have not played very much ( the job thing gets in the way), but I took off work today to play 18. We played a very difficult golf course and yet I managed to shoot my best round EVER! I hit some pretty good iron shots, but what has really helped my game has been my putting. Charlotta gave me a couple of pointers that have made a huge difference!

For those of you who have not had the opportunity to attened the Academy, do whatever you can to get there...it will be well worth it! I can't wait to go back!
Thanks to Charlotta for making me a better golfer.
BK

[Annika]

BK - thanks for your praise. We appreciate your support.

[Golf54deciple]

BK,
I'm really looking forward to taking your advise as well as others who have attended.

I've pretty much decided to put away the clubs until my Oct visit. Then it's all or none...If I can't be helped "AT" the Best, BY the BEST, then I won't be helped....uuugh

[B. K.]

G54
If my game can be helped, there is certainly hope for you and others. The great thing is, you will not only improve you golf, but the whole experience is so incredible! The staff is great and its just first class all the way.
You and your sis will have a ball!
Enjoy...
BK

[Golf54deciple]

BK,
thnx bunches for the encouragement. Sis & I are really, really curious about the taylor-made fitness & nutrician plans that Kai will develop.

We just love that the whole experience will be with a caring, personal touch

[Buzz]

Hey G54......you can't use "taylor-made" in a Calloway house....tsk, tsk.....

Mama might spank!!!!

[Golf54deciple]

BK,
Make NO mistake my friend, nothin' but Callaway in this house--have a set of X20s for Sis so I hope after her fitting at the ANNIKA Academy, they'll be what she needs.

Anywho, if Callaway is good enough for her, they're good enough 4 me!!

[Golf54deciple]

"her" in "good enough.... is of course, ANNIKA!!

[Cindi]

I think the Solheim Cup was great as well and was thankful for lots of coverage from Golf Channel. I must admit though that it would have been more fun to see a little more "tee to green" coverage on some of the shots instead of just showing the putts...ie the end of the hole coverage. As far as C. Kim is concerned - she can do the bump as long as she has the game to back it up. Fans seem to get excited...and women's golf needs some positive momentum. Whatever it takes. Really missed seeing you out there and know you are doing the most important job of your life right now, Annika.

[Eric]

Annika, this weeks tournament in portland appears has gone into a playoff. The announcers spoke twice how you played well on this course and broke a few round records.
who do you like so far in this weekends tournament to win?

[Chris Condon]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Solheim Cup on the Golf Channel. Usually I get bored with golf on television after an hour or so, but this time I was glued to the television all afternoon. It might have had something to do with the fact that I was my first golf tournament on high definition television. What a difference high definition makes!

[Loraine]

Annika,

It is great to be able to read your thoughts on the 2009 Solheim Cup. We managed to get coverage in France for a little while but it is hard, even though we had Gladys representing our country (who played amazingly well I must say). We had to watch it online and it is a bummer.

Christina Kim is very entertaining to say the least but she is indeed tyring. It is fustrating though to see her hyper attitude, and it must be hard for the players around her.

It is still a pleasure to watch women's golf and the involvement of many people to make this event possible is absolutely great.
There is still work to do but I'm sure that your devotion towards the game and in Women's golf is to praise.

Looking forward to welcoming the USA in Ireland in two years.
And hopefully soon in Evian!

Loraine

[Mary E.]

Annika,

I couldn't agree more; the coverage by the Golf Channel of the Solheim Cup was fantastic! It's about time the ladies got their well deserved airtime!
The Euros couldn't pull it off without you, but they put up a good challenge. You're right; everyone was a winner!

[Gene Cypert]

CONGRATLATION...but, I miss you on the LPGA Tour....

[Linda Layne]

The great competition at the Solheim cup and good TV coverage really amped up interest at the Safeway Classic in Oregon the following week. Attendance records were broken at Ghost Creek. Now let's hope more tournaments can be arranged for next year. Womens golf was the winner at the Solheim cup for sure. The points don't tell the story of how close the competition really was.