Alexis Thompson...nice going today

Blue · 07-11-2010, 07:25 AM

Lexi has had a good tournament so far. She could even win.

This doesn't mean she should have turned pro at age 15. There's a lot more that goes into being a professional athlete that being good at the sport.

NTB · 07-11-2010, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by Blue

Lexi has had a good tournament so far. She could even win.

This doesn't mean she should have turned pro at age 15. There's a lot more that goes into being a professional athlete that being good at the sport.

Blue... What is Christie Kerr good at besides the sport that a young Lexi isn't
good at ?

dangerbob · 07-11-2010, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by Saint-Just X

No,I don't agree.

But don't let that get in the way of your hyperbolic ranting.

Sometimes,children need to be protected from their parents' best intentions.They also need to go to school,to interract with kids their own age.They don't need to be thrust into an adult environment at such a young age.On the whole,I don't think it's good for their development.

Ok,Bob,this is where you come back at me with,"Oh,so now you're saying that Alexis Thompson has terrible parents and because of them she'll be a burnt-out crackwhòre by the time she's 25.''

You know,because you tend to extrapolate wildly when you rebut another person's point of view.

It will be a tremendous achievement if Alexis Thompson wins this event,and she could ;it still won't alter my opinion that she shouldn't be in it to begin with...

Pax Vobiscum
Saint-Just X

Originally Posted by heddwyn

but every day, every week? On any given day I'm sure a lot of golfers could compete! That's what golf is about, it's not about just one day's play. It's about 3 or 4 days play, practice days, pro am days.

I will agree that so far she has played well in the Open, if you recall she didn't do well in the Shoprite. Nothing wrong with playing in the Open if she's qualified to play, but I still don't think she should be out there on a permanent basis - until she is of age. The age limit is there for a reason.

Okay, let me try to kill two birds at the same time with one stone, here. You know why Lexi Thompson's parents are smarter than both of you? First and foremost, they raised a good and talented child.

If she remained at the top by the time this tournament is over or maybe by the time this year is over, she'll make enough money, probably more than any college graduate will make...and if she decide to quit and go to college, she'll have enough money to finish her education.

By turning pro at an early age, and if she excels, she'll get more attention from sponsors, media outlets, etc., and that means more endorsements than turning pro at a later years.

They are probably taking into consideration the bad economy. The women's golf is facing an uncertain future and who knows...by the time she is 18 or 19 there may not be any women's golf organization to play for. So, strike the iron while it is hot, so to speak.

If you look at the list of the LPGA membership and its rankings...how many of those who are in the bottom of the list turned pro at an early age? Hardly any, so how come most of them don't make the cut? Many of them even get frustrated and quit altogether.

Michelle Wie's parents were smart in taking advantage of those endorsement money they received when she turned pro at an early age, otherwise, if they waited, the way she is playing now, they'd probably have never gotten half as much. She can quit golf any time she wants, get an education she wants, and probably has more money left than any of those other golfers who turned pro at their later years and hardly made a dough!

Saint, in order to get ahead in the world, sometimes who you need to be smart! My mom did not raise a fool!

Blue · 07-11-2010, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by notaxbill

Blue... What is Christie Kerr good at besides the sport that a young Lexi isn't
good at ?

At 32, Cristie is a mature adult. She is making her own decisions. That's one huge, big difference.

I don't know either Cristie or Lexi personally, but I have known lots of 15-year-olds and lots of 32-year-olds. I have never known a 15-year-old, even the most mature, who is capable of handling the responsibilities of a professional career, who can fully make informed decisions about a career, knowing all the consequences, handling the pressures of a career -- in the case of an LPGA golfer that would be the demands from sponsors, the pressures of traveling, the pressure to win. I've also never met a 15-year-old who does not benefit from associating with peers. The other players at LPGA tournaments are not her peers. Lexi is very mature and self-assured for a 15-year-old, but she's still a 15-year-old.

Finally, and most importantly, I have never met a 15-year-old who does not benefit from the best education available. Sure, we hear that she is getting A's and B's in her homeschool. But, seriously, what kind of education is she getting from her parents, or more accurately, her computer, when her real goal is to be a professional golfer, as good and as quickly as possible? She's not going to college. She may not even finish high school except to complete the minimum requirements of Florida homeschool laws.

I like Lexi and wish her the best now that the decision has been made, but I think her parents were extremely misguided when they gave into her requests to turn pro before she was even 15 and a half.

NTB · 07-11-2010, 08:53 AM

Blue..
K12grassroots - FamilyEducation.com

The study states, "Even with a conservative analysis of the data, the achievement levels of the homeschool students in the study were exceptional. Within each grade level and each skill area, the median scores for homeschool students fell between the 70th and 80th percentile of students nationwide and between the 60th and 70th percentile of Catholic/Private school students. For younger students, this is a one year lead. By the time homeschool students are in 8th grade, they are four years ahead of their public/private school counterparts."

I really think your maturity argument needs fixing Blue. The money etc parts would be taken care of by one would hope loving parents.
Because we are talking about maturity then we can bring up another sport (tennis) where young ladies are beginning at very young ages with success.

As you stated in your post of the day in the usga open, Cristie doesn’t show a lot of maturity nor appreciation to the fan base without which she would not be rich.

Your post makes it seem that a mature person in sports should be able to handle all their affairs, money, travel, fiancées plus investments. Most handle none of this. Some may on the lower level of the money chain.

Lexi should be able to play for money if she wishes at least give it a try. She will say when enough is enough and maybe go to college. If her parents pressure her to continue in a unhealthy mental environment then shame on them. It will manifest itself just as it did with
Pak.

MarinePaul · 07-11-2010, 11:44 AM

I'm conflicted on this one. Personally, I don't think any 15- year- old is ready for the pressure of professional sports. On the other hand, there are players who are much older who also don't handle the pressure all that well.

LoJo · 07-11-2010, 12:24 PM

As others have stated, it's not a matter of whether she can compete. Of course she can, just as many others can.

Wie's ability to compete in the majors when she was the same age as Lexi was what started the hype machine revving up. Came in 2nd in the LPGA Championship....3rd at the Women's British Open....2nd at Evian Masters -- all this while playing a limited (selected) schedule.

That these teens can compete isn't the issue.

As far as her being home schooled....that's a joke, especially in the State of Florida. Who's giving her the A's and B's? Er...her mother. I am NOT a fan of home schooling. Also, she just stated in an interview she doesn't have any plans to go to college in the future, and made some comments about maybe she'd take "online college" courses. Yeah...that's going to college alright.

Anyhow....good luck to her and her parents.

NTB · 07-11-2010, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by LoJo

As others have stated, it's not a matter of whether she can compete. Of course she can, just as many others can.

Wie's ability to compete in the majors when she was the same age as Lexi was what started the hype machine revving up. Came in 2nd in the LPGA Championship....3rd at the Women's British Open....2nd at Evian Masters -- all this while playing a limited (selected) schedule.

That these teens can compete isn't the issue.

As far as her being home schooled....that's a joke, especially in the State of Florida. Who's giving her the A's and B's? Er...her mother. I am NOT a fan of home schooling. Also, she just stated in an interview she doesn't have any plans to go to college in the future, and made some comments about maybe she'd take "online college" courses. Yeah...that's going to college alright.

Anyhow....good luck to her and her parents.

Lojo.. Actually Home schoolers in all states have to be tested by the state.
I don't remember how often but the states do test them.

Buzzer · 07-11-2010, 12:54 PM

I can't see a logical reason why everyone has to chime in on the "Lexi turning pro" non-event.
She has her oldest brother playing on the PGA tour, an older brother on a golf scholarship (at LSU, I think) who will turn pro eventually, and parents that play golf.
Apparently she is not hanging out at the mall smoking pot, sneaking beer with other fifteen year olds or "playing house" with older boys while her parents are away.
If she wants to play golf and have a blast competing with her brothers, et al, then who the hell are we to criticise her choice in life.
As long as she doesn't become golf's version of Jennifer Capriati then she should be allowed to live her own life, her own way, with guidance from her parents.

VIVA LEXI...

NTB · 07-11-2010, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Buzzer

I can't see a logical reason why everyone has to chime in on the "Lexi turning pro" non-event.
She has her oldest brother playing on the PGA tour, an older brother on a golf scholarship (at LSU, I think) who will turn pro eventually, and parents that play golf.
Apparently she is not hanging out at the mall smoking pot, sneaking beer with other fifteen year olds or "playing house" with older boys while her parents are away.
If she wants to play golf and have a blast competing with her brothers, et al, then who the hell are we to criticise her choice in life.
As long as she doesn't become golf's version of Jennifer Capriati then she should be allowed to live her own life, her own way, with guidance from her parents.

VIVA LEXI...

Brilliant absolutely Brilliant.

07-11-2010, 07:41 AM	#12
NTB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: hot springs village arkansas Posts: 2,288 Images: 4	Originally Posted by Blue Lexi has had a good tournament so far. She could even win. This doesn't mean she should have turned pro at age 15. There's a lot more that goes into being a professional athlete that being good at the sport. Blue... What is Christie Kerr good at besides the sport that a young Lexi isn't good at ? __________________ God Bless America \"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.\" - William Penn

07-11-2010, 07:53 AM	#13
dangerbob Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4,872	Originally Posted by Saint-Just X No,I don't agree. But don't let that get in the way of your hyperbolic ranting. Sometimes,children need to be protected from their parents' best intentions.They also need to go to school,to interract with kids their own age.They don't need to be thrust into an adult environment at such a young age.On the whole,I don't think it's good for their development. Ok,Bob,this is where you come back at me with,"Oh,so now you're saying that Alexis Thompson has terrible parents and because of them she'll be a burnt-out crackwhòre by the time she's 25.'' You know,because you tend to extrapolate wildly when you rebut another person's point of view. It will be a tremendous achievement if Alexis Thompson wins this event,and she could ;it still won't alter my opinion that she shouldn't be in it to begin with... Pax Vobiscum Saint-Just X Originally Posted by heddwyn but every day, every week? On any given day I'm sure a lot of golfers could compete! That's what golf is about, it's not about just one day's play. It's about 3 or 4 days play, practice days, pro am days. I will agree that so far she has played well in the Open, if you recall she didn't do well in the Shoprite. Nothing wrong with playing in the Open if she's qualified to play, but I still don't think she should be out there on a permanent basis - until she is of age. The age limit is there for a reason. Okay, let me try to kill two birds at the same time with one stone, here. You know why Lexi Thompson's parents are smarter than both of you? First and foremost, they raised a good and talented child. If she remained at the top by the time this tournament is over or maybe by the time this year is over, she'll make enough money, probably more than any college graduate will make...and if she decide to quit and go to college, she'll have enough money to finish her education. By turning pro at an early age, and if she excels, she'll get more attention from sponsors, media outlets, etc., and that means more endorsements than turning pro at a later years. They are probably taking into consideration the bad economy. The women's golf is facing an uncertain future and who knows...by the time she is 18 or 19 there may not be any women's golf organization to play for. So, strike the iron while it is hot, so to speak. If you look at the list of the LPGA membership and its rankings...how many of those who are in the bottom of the list turned pro at an early age? Hardly any, so how come most of them don't make the cut? Many of them even get frustrated and quit altogether. Michelle Wie's parents were smart in taking advantage of those endorsement money they received when she turned pro at an early age, otherwise, if they waited, the way she is playing now, they'd probably have never gotten half as much. She can quit golf any time she wants, get an education she wants, and probably has more money left than any of those other golfers who turned pro at their later years and hardly made a dough! Saint, in order to get ahead in the world, sometimes who you need to be smart! My mom did not raise a fool! __________________ "On this hapless EARTH There's small SINCERITY of mirth And LAUGHTER oft is but an ART To drown the outcry of the HEART!"

07-11-2010, 08:18 AM	#14
Blue Forum Moderator Contests: Joint 3rd place overall winner 2009. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7,650 Images: 6	Originally Posted by notaxbill Blue... What is Christie Kerr good at besides the sport that a young Lexi isn't good at ? At 32, Cristie is a mature adult. She is making her own decisions. That's one huge, big difference. I don't know either Cristie or Lexi personally, but I have known lots of 15-year-olds and lots of 32-year-olds. I have never known a 15-year-old, even the most mature, who is capable of handling the responsibilities of a professional career, who can fully make informed decisions about a career, knowing all the consequences, handling the pressures of a career -- in the case of an LPGA golfer that would be the demands from sponsors, the pressures of traveling, the pressure to win. I've also never met a 15-year-old who does not benefit from associating with peers. The other players at LPGA tournaments are not her peers. Lexi is very mature and self-assured for a 15-year-old, but she's still a 15-year-old. Finally, and most importantly, I have never met a 15-year-old who does not benefit from the best education available. Sure, we hear that she is getting A's and B's in her homeschool. But, seriously, what kind of education is she getting from her parents, or more accurately, her computer, when her real goal is to be a professional golfer, as good and as quickly as possible? She's not going to college. She may not even finish high school except to complete the minimum requirements of Florida homeschool laws. I like Lexi and wish her the best now that the decision has been made, but I think her parents were extremely misguided when they gave into her requests to turn pro before she was even 15 and a half.

07-11-2010, 08:53 AM	#15
NTB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: hot springs village arkansas Posts: 2,288 Images: 4	Blue.. K12grassroots - FamilyEducation.com The study states, "Even with a conservative analysis of the data, the achievement levels of the homeschool students in the study were exceptional. Within each grade level and each skill area, the median scores for homeschool students fell between the 70th and 80th percentile of students nationwide and between the 60th and 70th percentile of Catholic/Private school students. For younger students, this is a one year lead. By the time homeschool students are in 8th grade, they are four years ahead of their public/private school counterparts." I really think your maturity argument needs fixing Blue. The money etc parts would be taken care of by one would hope loving parents. Because we are talking about maturity then we can bring up another sport (tennis) where young ladies are beginning at very young ages with success. As you stated in your post of the day in the usga open, Cristie doesn’t show a lot of maturity nor appreciation to the fan base without which she would not be rich. Your post makes it seem that a mature person in sports should be able to handle all their affairs, money, travel, fiancées plus investments. Most handle none of this. Some may on the lower level of the money chain. Lexi should be able to play for money if she wishes at least give it a try. She will say when enough is enough and maybe go to college. If her parents pressure her to continue in a unhealthy mental environment then shame on them. It will manifest itself just as it did with Pak. __________________ God Bless America \"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.\" - William Penn

07-11-2010, 11:44 AM	#16
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 8,003	I'm conflicted on this one. Personally, I don't think any 15- year- old is ready for the pressure of professional sports. On the other hand, there are players who are much older who also don't handle the pressure all that well. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

07-11-2010, 07:25 AM	#11
Blue Forum Moderator Contests: Joint 3rd place overall winner 2009. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7,650 Images: 6	Lexi has had a good tournament so far. She could even win. This doesn't mean she should have turned pro at age 15. There's a lot more that goes into being a professional athlete that being good at the sport.

07-11-2010, 12:24 PM	#17
LoJo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Golf Course Posts: 2,217 Images: 1	As others have stated, it's not a matter of whether she can compete. Of course she can, just as many others can. Wie's ability to compete in the majors when she was the same age as Lexi was what started the hype machine revving up. Came in 2nd in the LPGA Championship....3rd at the Women's British Open....2nd at Evian Masters -- all this while playing a limited (selected) schedule. That these teens can compete isn't the issue. As far as her being home schooled....that's a joke, especially in the State of Florida. Who's giving her the A's and B's? Er...her mother. I am NOT a fan of home schooling. Also, she just stated in an interview she doesn't have any plans to go to college in the future, and made some comments about maybe she'd take "online college" courses. Yeah...that's going to college alright. Anyhow....good luck to her and her parents.

07-11-2010, 12:44 PM	#18
NTB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: hot springs village arkansas Posts: 2,288 Images: 4	Originally Posted by LoJo As others have stated, it's not a matter of whether she can compete. Of course she can, just as many others can. Wie's ability to compete in the majors when she was the same age as Lexi was what started the hype machine revving up. Came in 2nd in the LPGA Championship....3rd at the Women's British Open....2nd at Evian Masters -- all this while playing a limited (selected) schedule. That these teens can compete isn't the issue. As far as her being home schooled....that's a joke, especially in the State of Florida. Who's giving her the A's and B's? Er...her mother. I am NOT a fan of home schooling. Also, she just stated in an interview she doesn't have any plans to go to college in the future, and made some comments about maybe she'd take "online college" courses. Yeah...that's going to college alright. Anyhow....good luck to her and her parents. Lojo.. Actually Home schoolers in all states have to be tested by the state. I don't remember how often but the states do test them. __________________ God Bless America \"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.\" - William Penn

07-11-2010, 12:54 PM	#19
Buzzer Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hilton Head, SC Posts: 2,831 Images: 13	I can't see a logical reason why everyone has to chime in on the "Lexi turning pro" non-event. She has her oldest brother playing on the PGA tour, an older brother on a golf scholarship (at LSU, I think) who will turn pro eventually, and parents that play golf. Apparently she is not hanging out at the mall smoking pot, sneaking beer with other fifteen year olds or "playing house" with older boys while her parents are away. If she wants to play golf and have a blast competing with her brothers, et al, then who the hell are we to criticise her choice in life. As long as she doesn't become golf's version of Jennifer Capriati then she should be allowed to live her own life, her own way, with guidance from her parents. VIVA LEXI...

07-11-2010, 01:17 PM	#20
NTB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: hot springs village arkansas Posts: 2,288 Images: 4	Originally Posted by Buzzer I can't see a logical reason why everyone has to chime in on the "Lexi turning pro" non-event. She has her oldest brother playing on the PGA tour, an older brother on a golf scholarship (at LSU, I think) who will turn pro eventually, and parents that play golf. Apparently she is not hanging out at the mall smoking pot, sneaking beer with other fifteen year olds or "playing house" with older boys while her parents are away. If she wants to play golf and have a blast competing with her brothers, et al, then who the hell are we to criticise her choice in life. As long as she doesn't become golf's version of Jennifer Capriati then she should be allowed to live her own life, her own way, with guidance from her parents. VIVA LEXI... Brilliant absolutely Brilliant. __________________ God Bless America \"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.\" - William Penn

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