Better ideas for the Solheim Cup

NTB · 08-19-2009, 06:56 PM

Better ideas for the Solheim Cup
Wahington Examiner

08/18/09 10:51 PM EDT

The LPGA is in freefall. Its best player (Annika Sorenstam) has retired. Its next best (Lorena Ochoa) can’t win majors. Its most recognizable (Michelle Wie) is a bust. And its wing-nut commissioner (Carolyn Bivens) has walked the plank. Little wonder that sponsors are fleeing faster than Usain Bolt.

So in a year in which women’s golf has all but demonstrated its irrelevance, along comes the Solheim Cup.

Conceived 20 years ago by Norwegian-American club manufacturer Karsten Solheim, the competition was the LPGA’s answer to the Ryder Cup, pitting the best players of the U.S. against the best from Europe. With Sorenstam leading the Europeans, the event had some appeal.

But now with Annika at home in Orlando, making babies, wine, golf courses, and clothing, there’s little buzz for the event which runs Friday-Sunday at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill.

The U.S. has its predictable cast of appealing but flawed players. Paula Creamer leads in Solheim Cup points, but still is majorless. Cristie Kerr blew it at the U.S. Women’s Open. More was expected of talented Brittanys Lang and Lincicome. Morgan Pressel seemingly peaked at age 18. Pinup girl Natalie Gulbis has one career victory. And sadly, Wie’s swing, once an awe-inspiring force of nature, now is constrained by too many swing thoughts.

As for Europe, its stars are Norway’s Suzann Pettersen and ageless Swede Helen Alfreddson. So perhaps its time for the LPGA to dump Europe and create a more interesting competition. Here are three suggestions:

Honma Cup

Sponsored by the Japanese club manufacturer, this competition would pit North America versus Asia. Why North America? Because without Mexico’s Ochoa, the U.S. wouldn’t have a chance. Of the world’s top 50 players, 27 are from Asia.

Se Ri Cup

Named for Se Ri Pak, who has inspired a generation of players from her country, this would feature the U.S. (population 304 million) against South Korea (population 48 million). Korea has a deep and young talent pool, which includes 17 of the world’s top 44 players.

The Kournikova Cup

Inspired by the tennis star who gained fame for her looks, instead of her backhand, this competition would feature the blondes, led by Gulbis and Australian bombshell Anna Rawson, versus the brunettes, led by Wie and Grace Park. Politically correct? No. But a ratings blockbuster, guaranteed.

gxer · 08-19-2009, 07:10 PM

Rusty,

When are you going to fix the BS smiley so we can use it in posts?

cleo · 08-19-2009, 07:28 PM

what's wrong with the article, gxer? I think it's pretty darn good. The Se Ri cup makes sense but I like the Kourni cup better.

MarinePaul · 08-19-2009, 07:39 PM

Personally, I find it to be a great article. Love the concept of the Kournikova Cup. The Se Ri Cup could embarrass us, though.

Thanks, NTB.

gxer · 08-19-2009, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by cleo

what's wrong with the article, gxer? I think it's pretty darn good. The Se Ri cup makes sense but I like the Kourni cup better.

Foolishness, even with the obvious attempt at disguising it as cleverness, IMO, is still foolishness.

NTB · 08-19-2009, 07:53 PM

Qxer. I hate to be the one to inform you. With the sad overview of the future
economy there is a great chance to keep excitement and sponsorships for
golf the LPGA and the PGA may sometime in the near future do some experimenting of combining both tours from different tees in some events.
After all it needs to jack up viewers.
Brace yourself for girls beating the guys more often then you might like.
It could happen and don't think some sponsors aren't looking at it.

gxer · 08-19-2009, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by notaxbill

Qxer. I hate to be the one to inform you. With the sad overview of the future
economy there is a great chance to keep excitement and sponsorships for
golf the LPGA and the PGA may sometime in the near future do some experimenting of combining both tours from different tees in some events.
After all it needs to jack up viewers.
Brace yourself for girls beating the guys more often then you might like.
It could happen and don't think some sponsors aren't looking at it.

If you want to ruin the PGA TOUR all you have to do is have handicapped events. That will do it and it will do it quickly.

NTB · 08-19-2009, 08:44 PM

I said experiment both tours are losing sponsors

heddwyn · 08-19-2009, 10:04 PM

I'm sure the Kourna Cup would be the most successful, although not because of the golf.

If there is another new event it should be a Americas/Asia/Rest of World. There are good players from Oz, Europe and SA who shouldn't be left out.

gxer · 08-20-2009, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by notaxbill

I said experiment both tours are losing sponsors

The tour that is in real trouble is the LPGA tour.

08-19-2009, 06:56 PM	#1
NTB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: hot springs village arkansas Posts: 2,288 Images: 4	Better ideas for the Solheim Cup Better ideas for the Solheim Cup Wahington Examiner 08/18/09 10:51 PM EDT The LPGA is in freefall. Its best player (Annika Sorenstam) has retired. Its next best (Lorena Ochoa) can’t win majors. Its most recognizable (Michelle Wie) is a bust. And its wing-nut commissioner (Carolyn Bivens) has walked the plank. Little wonder that sponsors are fleeing faster than Usain Bolt. So in a year in which women’s golf has all but demonstrated its irrelevance, along comes the Solheim Cup. Conceived 20 years ago by Norwegian-American club manufacturer Karsten Solheim, the competition was the LPGA’s answer to the Ryder Cup, pitting the best players of the U.S. against the best from Europe. With Sorenstam leading the Europeans, the event had some appeal. But now with Annika at home in Orlando, making babies, wine, golf courses, and clothing, there’s little buzz for the event which runs Friday-Sunday at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill. The U.S. has its predictable cast of appealing but flawed players. Paula Creamer leads in Solheim Cup points, but still is majorless. Cristie Kerr blew it at the U.S. Women’s Open. More was expected of talented Brittanys Lang and Lincicome. Morgan Pressel seemingly peaked at age 18. Pinup girl Natalie Gulbis has one career victory. And sadly, Wie’s swing, once an awe-inspiring force of nature, now is constrained by too many swing thoughts. As for Europe, its stars are Norway’s Suzann Pettersen and ageless Swede Helen Alfreddson. So perhaps its time for the LPGA to dump Europe and create a more interesting competition. Here are three suggestions: Honma Cup Sponsored by the Japanese club manufacturer, this competition would pit North America versus Asia. Why North America? Because without Mexico’s Ochoa, the U.S. wouldn’t have a chance. Of the world’s top 50 players, 27 are from Asia. Se Ri Cup Named for Se Ri Pak, who has inspired a generation of players from her country, this would feature the U.S. (population 304 million) against South Korea (population 48 million). Korea has a deep and young talent pool, which includes 17 of the world’s top 44 players. The Kournikova Cup Inspired by the tennis star who gained fame for her looks, instead of her backhand, this competition would feature the blondes, led by Gulbis and Australian bombshell Anna Rawson, versus the brunettes, led by Wie and Grace Park. Politically correct? No. But a ratings blockbuster, guaranteed. __________________ God Bless America \"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.\" - William Penn

08-19-2009, 07:10 PM	#2
gxer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,050	Rusty, When are you going to fix the BS smiley so we can use it in posts? __________________ *My "dream" girl: LPGA seasonal tour stats <=65.50 & >=270*

08-19-2009, 07:28 PM	#3
cleo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: PA Posts: 1,494	what's wrong with the article, gxer? I think it's pretty darn good. The Se Ri cup makes sense but I like the Kourni cup better. __________________ "There's no use arguing with a fool. He only rages and scoffs, and tempers flare."

08-19-2009, 07:39 PM	#4
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 8,002	Personally, I find it to be a great article. Love the concept of the Kournikova Cup. The Se Ri Cup could embarrass us, though. Thanks, NTB. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

08-19-2009, 07:44 PM	#5
gxer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,050	Originally Posted by cleo what's wrong with the article, gxer? I think it's pretty darn good. The Se Ri cup makes sense but I like the Kourni cup better. Foolishness, even with the obvious attempt at disguising it as cleverness, IMO, is still foolishness. __________________ *My "dream" girl: LPGA seasonal tour stats <=65.50 & >=270*

08-19-2009, 07:53 PM	#6
NTB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: hot springs village arkansas Posts: 2,288 Images: 4	Qxer. I hate to be the one to inform you. With the sad overview of the future economy there is a great chance to keep excitement and sponsorships for golf the LPGA and the PGA may sometime in the near future do some experimenting of combining both tours from different tees in some events. After all it needs to jack up viewers. Brace yourself for girls beating the guys more often then you might like. It could happen and don't think some sponsors aren't looking at it. __________________ God Bless America \"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.\" - William Penn

08-19-2009, 08:01 PM	#7
gxer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,050	Originally Posted by notaxbill Qxer. I hate to be the one to inform you. With the sad overview of the future economy there is a great chance to keep excitement and sponsorships for golf the LPGA and the PGA may sometime in the near future do some experimenting of combining both tours from different tees in some events. After all it needs to jack up viewers. Brace yourself for girls beating the guys more often then you might like. It could happen and don't think some sponsors aren't looking at it. If you want to ruin the PGA TOUR all you have to do is have handicapped events. That will do it and it will do it quickly. __________________ *My "dream" girl: LPGA seasonal tour stats <=65.50 & >=270*

08-19-2009, 08:44 PM	#8
NTB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: hot springs village arkansas Posts: 2,288 Images: 4	I said experiment both tours are losing sponsors __________________ God Bless America \"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.\" - William Penn

08-19-2009, 10:04 PM	#9
heddwyn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,380	I'm sure the Kourna Cup would be the most successful, although not because of the golf. If there is another new event it should be a Americas/Asia/Rest of World. There are good players from Oz, Europe and SA who shouldn't be left out.

08-20-2009, 12:07 AM	#10
gxer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 4,050	Originally Posted by notaxbill I said experiment both tours are losing sponsors The tour that is in real trouble is the LPGA tour. __________________ *My "dream" girl: LPGA seasonal tour stats <=65.50 & >=270*

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