March 21, 2011

Founders Cup Roundup, Japan Wins And The LPGA Still Needs To Play For Real Money

March 21, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Randall Mell wraps up the charitable contributions of the top 10 finishers in the Founders Cup and with several players adding Japan relief funds as a nice touch, it's hard to knock the event. Then again, something about it still just lacked the legitimacy that this week's KIA Classic will carry with a real purse and a great field.

March 19, 2011

Playing For Charity Doesn't Mean Pace Of Play Will Be Any Better!

March 19, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Angela Stanford holds a three-stroke lead in the inaugural LPGA Founders Cup and her foundation would reap $200,000 from her win, creating a different kind of pressure than merely playing for herself:

March 17, 2011

LPGA's Finest Open To Wearing Microphones, Giving Interviews And In General Not Taking Themselves Too Seriously

March 17, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Martin Kaufman reports on the LPGA's expanded television coverage this year on Golf Channel. It sounds like the LPGAers have been more responsive to television's relatively minor requests for a little more access and cooperation.

March 17, 2011

"RR Donnelley also will give UNICEF's Japan relief program $100 for every birdie and $500 for each eagle on the final four holes."

March 17, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

AP's Tim Hales reports that the sponsor of the LPGA's Pro Bono Classic is kicking in some money for Japan's children. Just not for the players.

March 16, 2011

Tseng Playing For Japanese Children**

March 16, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

We're only two days from the Monopoly Money Cup and I'm a bit shocked that the LPGA didn't figure out a way to call an audible and make the event about helping those impacted by the tragedy in Japan. Word No. 1 Yani Tseng is going to do her part, according to this unbylined AFP story:

March 15, 2011

"Sources within TV say they are chomping at the bit to get new, creative formats that shake up the sameness of 72-hole stroke-play events week after week."

March 15, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Ron Sirak is hearing from TV types that a PGA Tour and LPGA partnership would be a good thing from their perspective.

March 14, 2011

"They make ridiculous amounts of money, to the point where they almost put people off watching them."

March 14, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

And she said that before watching them helicopter in to the Tavistock Cup as Japan could use a few extra helicopters to help in the rescue of tsunami victims.

John Huggan quotes Catriona Matthew in this week's Golf World Monday talking about men on the professional side losing their edge.

February 22, 2011

Take That Michelle: Lexi Beats The Boys!

February 22, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Jeff Shain with the details from Alexis Thompson's Minor League Golf Tour win at her home track, TPC Eagle Trace.

February 11, 2011

LPGA Modifies Founders Cup; Still A Pro-Bono Week For LPGA's Finest

February 11, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Beth Ann Baldry on the changes made to the charitable distribution for the LPGA's inaugural Virtual Purse Classic.

The purse will drop from $1.3 million to $1 million, but the entire amount will go to charity – $500,000 to the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf and $500,000 to designated charities of the top 10 finishers.

It’s a good move by LPGA commissioner Mike Whan, who listened to the concerns of several top players. The discrepancy in the total purse and the amount given to charity was the main concern of Paula Creamer, who had yet to commit to the event.

“I certainly could have done a better job of initially articulating the details to players and media,” said Whan, “as that has led to some confusion about the tournament’s goals and objectives.”

I'm not any less confused.

February 07, 2011

Allen Stanford Receiver Sues Tour, IMG, Toms

February 07, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Bloomberg's Andrew Harris reports on a court-appointed receiver's attempt to recoup $13 million from Stanford Financial beneficiaries

February 06, 2011

"I don't know why Christina Kim's word was taken more than mine.''

February 06, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Martin Blake on Karie Webb's spat with officials Down Under over marking her ball with a tee, something common on the LPGA Tour (apparently) but unbeknownst to Golf Australia's officials who bickered with Webb.

January 31, 2011

LPGA Founders Cup No-Shows To Be Treated As Heathens?

January 31, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Besides the absurdity of asking players to play for free, you just knew the LPGA Founders Cup would eventually reach the pitiful low of suggesting those players who don't love the event are somehow disrespectful to charity, America, the founding members, and before we're done, probably the troops too.

January 28, 2011

Pressel: "I feel this is the wrong time to have an event with a mock purse."

January 28, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Randall Mell tells us about Morgan Pressel issuing a statement(!) on the Founders Cup, Commissioner Miek Whan's Monopoly Money event in Phoenix.

January 14, 2011

"I think the good news about golf is that there isn't a lot of data that suggests that somebody's career peaks at 14 to 16."

January 14, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

I know I should care about the Lexi Thompson controversy but I just can't get excited about her plight. Which consists of only getting a limited number of sponsor exemptions because she's under 18. I do like Commissioner Mike Whan's stance, which isn't very consistent with commissioners in other sports who welcome athletes, no matter how young. Steve Elling on Whan's split decision of sorts.

January 11, 2011

Hits Just Keep Coming: Mexican Drug Cartels Likely To Kill LPGA Stop

January 11, 2011/ Geoff Shackelford

Randall Mell on how the LPGA can't get a break, with the Tres Marias Championship now likely doomed by Morella, Mexico's drug violence and instability.