Futures Tour Spokesperson Blasts Wie

[Blue]

Here's a surprisingly critical view of Michelle Wie by Lisa D. Mickey, the director of communications for The Futures Tour.

http://www.duramedfuturestour.com/Bl...eyalaCart4.asp

The Courage Behind the Scorecard
By Lisa D. Mickey
I see courage every day.

And sometimes when I think about the challenges in the young professional career of Michelle Wie, I wonder how her life could have been different if she had chosen the same path as so many of the players on the Duramed FUTURES Tour. Sure, the teenage golfing prodigy would have attracted a fair number of fans to this tour to watch her hit her massive drives and to hear the distinctly different sound her irons make at impact. Just as it has been everywhere she has gone, the crowds would have come, dazzled that such a young girl could make such an impact in the game so soon.

But what Wie missed on her way to fame and fortune was the one thing that every single member of this tour learns. Courage.

Courage to pack the trunk and leave home. Courage to drive from tournament to tournament in 14 states and to sleep in a different bed every week. Courage to learn a new language or a new culture. Courage to play on a shoestring budget, hoping to earn enough prize money to stay out on the road. Courage to tee it up against the other best young women professionals in the world and to believe that you can win. And courage to play the best you can ? even on the really bad days ? and to have the guts to post the score that measures what you did out there.

Courage is not just about having the physical skills to compete against the best players in the world. It?s not even about possessing fearlessness on the toughest courses. Courage is about having the ability to face yourself ? in your own strengths and weaknesses -- and to take full responsibility for both. It?s about completing the round and signing the scorecard and knowing that even when it?s a day that reflects the worst of your efforts, the hopeful and determined belief of what lies ahead is even stronger than the day?s disappointment.

So many times, I have watched young pros drag themselves to the scoring table at the end of a poor round, heads down, spirits low, faces wearing the last few holes like a mask of despair. I have watched them log in their disappointing stats, walk out of the ropes, wipe tears from their eyes, pick up their own bag and disappear into the parking lot ? sometimes knowing their score that day wouldn?t bring them back tomorrow or that they had already been forced to start thinking about next week.

But as these young players deal with disappointments in their own way, I find myself admiring their tenacity. I see them build character and strength through adversity. Sometimes it takes several seasons, but I watch them learn to take responsibility for building their own unshakable foundations that will sustain them in the future. They learn more through failure and disappointment than if all of their efforts had been easy, predictable and comfortable.

And they most often learn to do this with their backs against the wall. There usually are not millions of dollars in their bank accounts, nor are there endorsements that make the task of their labor easier. Many times, they are completely alone. There are no agents, managers, physical trainers or mental coaches. Most of the time, when those forgettable rounds are over, these players are left only with a sweat-stained scorecard and a deep twitch in the gut that tells them they have more work to do.

In a recent round, I watched one young rookie player who had shot a high number move to the scoring tent as if she were in line for a dose of foul-tasting medicine. She held her head in her hands at the scoring table as she did her math. I could see the disappointment in her face. She left the scoring tent with tears in her eyes, not saying a word. As this happened, another young player on the adjacent practice green watched her friend. She gave the player time to feel the things she had to feel, and then she ran across the lawn and draped an arm over her friend?s shoulders to comfort her. My guess is that she told her friend she was not alone.

During the same round, I watched another player literally shaking with anger as she described the action of a rookie pro in her pairing who had taken a page from Wie?s recent two tournament showings. Just as Wie had suddenly withdrawn from the LPGA?s Ginn Tribute tournament in South Carolina, and again at the U.S. Women?s Open -- allegedly because of injury but presumably for fear of shooting a score that would end her 2007 LPGA opportunities ? this young player on the Duramed FUTURES Tour also withdrew before the completion of her round. She simply walked off the course and was last seen headed to the nearest Starbucks. ?I can?t understand how someone can do that,? said the angry and shaking player. ?Not in this game. Not because of a golf score.?

Indeed.

And when I think of Wie?s words to the media at this year?s U.S. Women?s Open when she said, ?It?s frustrating because my score is not displaying how I?m playing at all,? or when she said, ?I know I?m a better player than this and the score?s not showing it,? I find myself wishing she could truly understand the measure of the scorecard.

That piece of paper is not only the addition of the day?s hole-by-hole round, but it is the tally of courage for all that goes into playing the game. The numbers are simply the representation of the player?s courage to try. And in time, those digits can become the measure of moving from failure to triumph, from worries to confidence, and even from empty pockets to a newfound comfort available only to those who were willing to take risks in the first place.

When I think of courage on this tour, I think of the financially challenged player who collected lost golf balls on the municipal course where she grew up and how she emerged from a First Tee program to earn a college golf scholarship and later turn professional. I think of the former small-college golfer who, in her 20s, dealt with the shock and grief of burying her soldier husband. I think of the Thai player who quit competitive golf for a year to immerse herself in studies just to learn English well enough to pass a test that would allow her to attend to the American university that offered her a golf scholarship. I think of the former LPGA Rookie-of-the-Year player who came back to the ?minor league? to refind her game and to rediscover her love of golf.

And when I think of courage out here, I remember the determined looks on the faces of the only player from Russia and the only player from the Czech Republic at this year?s U.S. Women?s Open ? both, members of the Duramed FUTURES Tour. Each player was en route to missing the cut at the biggest tournament in women?s golf, but both had the courage to qualify, to play, to complete 36 holes and to be the first and only women from their respective countries to ever get this far. Regardless of what they shot, neither would dream of walking off the course or dismissing the opportunity to test themselves against the world?s best players. Each cherished her unique position to show others back home that the game of golf offers a new world of possibility. And for both, their respective scores were not as important as their mere presence in the game. Courage brought them here, took them to the Open and introduced them to the world.

Perhaps it sounds provincial to those outside this tour, but it?s a shame that Michelle Wie never played on the Duramed FUTURES Tour. Maybe if she had, she could have looked around and learned from the many true faces of courage out here. And maybe even in her own moments of need, she would have been chased down by a friend with a few kind words, telling her to keep trying because the real reward is what lies in the heart of those who believe in their own efforts.

I see courage every day. And I wish a terrific young talent like Michelle Wie could, too.

[Carol]

WOW!!!!

During the same round, I watched another player literally shaking with anger as she described the action of a rookie pro in her pairing who had taken a page from Wie?s recent two tournament showings. Just as Wie had suddenly withdrawn from the LPGA?s Ginn Tribute tournament in South Carolina, and again at the U.S. Women?s Open -- allegedly because of injury but presumably for fear of shooting a score that would end her 2007 LPGA opportunities ? this young player on the Duramed FUTURES Tour also withdrew before the completion of her round. She simply walked off the course and was last seen headed to the nearest Starbucks. ?I can?t understand how someone can do that,? said the angry and shaking player. ?Not in this game. Not because of a golf score.?

And when I think of Wie?s words to the media at this year?s U.S. Women?s Open when she said, ?It?s frustrating because my score is not displaying how I?m playing at all,? or when she said, ?I know I?m a better player than this and the score?s not showing it,? I find myself wishing she could truly understand the measure of the scorecard.

That piece of paper is not only the addition of the day?s hole-by-hole round, but it is the tally of courage for all that goes into playing the game. The numbers are simply the representation of the player?s courage to try. And in time, those digits can become the measure of moving from failure to triumph, from worries to confidence, and even from empty pockets to a newfound comfort available only to those who were willing to take risks in the first place.

It seems to sum it up.

[ajraymond]

Courage doesn't pay the bills. She was LPGA caliber. There was no need for her to be on the Futures or PGA Tours. If she had of started out on the Futures Tour and her game went south (like it has) she would of cost herself millions and millions of dollars. There is a lot of points in that article that makes sense but playing on the futures tour wasn't one of them.

[Blue]

The point is that The Futures Tour is the official development tour of the LPGA. For someone aligned with the LPGA in the way that their spokesperson is to blast Wie in this way is a startling development.

She's also talking about an LPGA-caliber player showing the courage that the minor league players have, not directly implying that Wie should have necessarily played on the Futures Tour. Though perhaps it would have given her a few wins, something that would have done wonders for her confidence. As a freelancer she could have played there, couldn't she? It also might not be a bad thing to do now while she is supposedly rehabbing from an injury. If it's good enough to multi-millionaire baseball players, it should be good enough for her.

[ajraymond]

The thing is Blue, Michelle pretty much thought the LPGA was the minor leagues when she first came out. She has been getting a lesson in having to be humble lately and if she doesn't pick up her socks...... she will end up being on that Futures Tour and not just for some rehab starts.

[Blue]

Regarding your earlier point, "courage doesn't pay the bills," Wie could have paid the bills by playing on the Futures Tour. She didn't need $20 million a year to play the bills and she could have come by it honestly.

I don't think she viewed the LPGA as the minor leagues. You just said she was at LPGA cailbre. She played well in a few LPGA tournaments her first year as a pro. She may have won on the Futures Tour. Nothing beats winning. Wie does not have a pro win and only has one amateur win of any significance and it was a long time ago. She well may never have another pro win again. Now when the going has gotten tough, she has turned to quitting. The point of the article is that that's what happens when you leap over the logical steps of high school, juniors, minor league and go right to the pros. Even if you have some immediate success and a lot of talent, you never learn the necessary lessons of how to overcome adversity, how to play on, how to be a fighter.

Will she play on the Futures Tour? Unlikely. There's no glamour and she won't stoop to the level of the minor leagues. She'll take her money, if she still has some, go to college and get on with her life. In 10 years she'll be in People Magazine in a "Where are they now?" article.

[MarinePaul]

Originally Posted by Blue

Regarding your earlier point, "courage doesn't pay the bills," Wie could have paid the bills by playing on the Futures Tour. She didn't need $20 million a year to play the bills and she could have come by it honestly.

I don't think she viewed the LPGA as the minor leagues. You just said she was at LPGA cailbre. She played well in a few LPGA tournaments her first year as a pro. She may have won on the Futures Tour. Nothing beats winning. Wie does not have a pro win and only has one amateur win of any significance and it was a long time ago. She well may never have another pro win again. Now when the going has gotten tough, she has turned to quitting. The point of the article is that that's what happens when you leap over the logical steps of high school, juniors, minor league and go right to the pros. Even if you have some immediate success and a lot of talent, you never learn the necessary lessons of how to overcome adversity, how to play on, how to be a fighter.

Will she play on the Futures Tour? Unlikely. There's no glamour and she won't stoop to the level of the minor leagues. She'll take her money, if she still has some, go to college and get on with her life. If 10 years she'll be in People Magazine in a "Where are they now?" article.

It's a waste of what should have been a great career. BJ had her convinced she could compete on the PGA Tour, hired Leadbetter to help her prove it, and ruined her.

I agree she'll never play the Futures Tour. That would be a major step downward for her. From aspiring to The Masters to the Futures Tour? That's more humility than the entire Wie entourage could muster.

[ajraymond]

Originally Posted by Blue

I don't think she viewed the LPGA as the minor leagues. You just said she was at LPGA cailbre.

What I said and what team Wie said are two different things. Yes I thought she was LPGA caliber but they thought she was destined for the PGA Tour where she wanted to play with "the best players in the world". Remember the "beating Tiger Woods by 20" quote? and the "getting bored with only playing the women" quote?
If she had of went to the futures tour she would of lost millions. She is getting paid to play events on the LPGA Tour and the PGA Tour. Just because she has gone in the tank doesn't mean she should of been out on the Futures Tour. She would never darken the door of that tour unless she is forced.

[Blue]

Ah yes, the LPGA as the minor leagues for the PGA TOUR. Right you are. She did view it that way. How long ago was that.

[PW]

Originally Posted by MarinePaul

It's a waste of what should have been a great career. BJ had her convinced she could compete on the PGA Tour, hired Leadbetter to help her prove it, and ruined her.

I agree she'll never play the Futures Tour. That would be a major step downward for her. From aspiring to The Masters to the Futures Tour? That's more humility than the entire Wie entourage could muster.

Wow, I go away for a few days and you guys are still blathering on about the same thing. Give it a rest. As Mark Twain said, rumors of my death have been largely exagerated. Likewise I don't think it makes much sense to write off the career of a 17 year old as "what should have been".

Everyone who seems so anxious to declare her a has been, take a deep breath and give her time to get back from her injuries (oh, I forgot, they were faked )

Enough allready!

There must be something new to write about. How about the frequent back nine collapses of the other young stars.