Let's Hear It For the Girls!

Posted Aug 27 2009, 05:08 PM by Cathy Erickson
It was fairly predictable that Sam Johnson would write about Tiger Woods this week.  The man crush made its regular appearance, and with thousands of guys with the same affliction it makes perfect sense that we'd see Tiger's name in his latest posting.
 
But after what the gals on the LPGA and European tour did last week I was sort of hoping he'd surprise us all and give a nod and a few keystrokes to the Solheim Cup instead.  I wanted to write about Tiger Woods!!  But alas, I will dedicate my thoughts this week to an event that might not even hit the radar screen to the boys who play their weekly skins matches at the country club or the guys who just like to see someone hit the ball 300+ every time. I have to believe that for those of us passionate about the game in the big picture saw the Solheim Cup as a success on many levels and I think it deserves some kudos.

It's been no secret that women's golf in the US has been struggling - we've talked about the loss of sponsorships for women's events, the rise of international players, the internal struggle at the LPGA, and the downturn in our economy in general that has put a somewhat negative hue on the spotlight that shines on women's golf.
 
But last week we saw some sparkle again - the Solheim Cup, which pits Europe's best women against the US's best women in a 3 day multiple team format brought out some of the worlds best players and attracted thousands of fans to Illinois to watch the competition.  Before the event started the US was highly favored and I'm sure a few people were slightly worried we might see a rout and that could cause some lost interest by Sunday.
 
To many people's surprise, the teams were tied with 8 points a piece after the second day and it was going to be a battle in each of the 12 singles matches to capture the win and the trophy.
 
Did we see Tiger Woods level (or even Nationwide Tour level) golf?  No, but we saw great competition, great shots, great sportsmanship, and a passion and enthusiasm that I, for one, think golf needs more of.
 
And, as largely reported out in the internet world, this may well have been Michelle Wie's coming out party - with a 3-0-1 record for the week, and an excitement level that was contagious, Wie proved that she is right where she belongs.  I hope she had as great of time as it looked.
 
And the TV ratings?  I read one place that the ratings were 224% higher than in 2007 - I hope that gets some attention, too.
 
Maybe the LPGA can finally turn the corner and start moving past some of the conflicts and issues that have been plaguing them - some of their own doing and others they had no control of.
 
And maybe we can all take a little time to show some support for women's golf - the Safeway Classic is on ESPN this weekend...be sure to tune in!
 
I know it wouldn't take much for someone to write about all that is wrong or uninteresting about women's professional golf (except for Natalie Gulbis of course), but just for today I'm going to celebrate that 2 dozen talented women, their caddies, coaches, the captains, and fans gave women's golf a shot in the arm last week.  I hope you will celebrate, too.
 
Now back to your regular Tiger Woods programming....
​
Filed under: LPGA, Sam Johnson, TIger Woods, Solheim Cup, USA, Celebrate, Europe