Alexis Thompson - A Word of Caution

MarinePaul · 07-07-2007, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by WowWie

Pretty soon,

These girls will be in diapers when they play in US Open tournament. They may even have to start a new Kindergarten League with little girls calling out their daddy's names.

Not really.

A lot of these showbiz dads are beginning to creep me out. This whole situation is getting out of control. I personally think LPGA should institute a whole new set of rules that forbids young kids from playing at professional level. I don't think anyone under 18 should be allowed to compete at professional level, and anyone who want to play professional golf must have at least a high school degree.

I am appalled by what's happening in Korea where girls aren't even finishing with a high school degree when they enter Women's pro golf circuit. This is child abuse.

This wasn't an LPGA event, it was a USGA event, so it wouldn't have mattered what the LPGA rule was.

I do have to wonder whether your post was facetious, though. Isn't MW under 18, with a stage father, and turned pro at 16?

Hotrod · 07-07-2007, 11:25 AM

Everyone is saying how smart Scott Thompson is going about managing his daughter's career at this stage and hoping that he won't get to be like B.J.
My opinion is.....just wait a few more years and at the age of 16, IF she gets an offer from a couple of sponsor to sign for a total of $10,000,000.00 ...
What will daddy Scott Thompson do ???? One of the things and most parents DO think about is, the security and future of my child. Playing on the LPGA tour she MIGHT make more than 10 million in her life time, she Might get tired of the game or Heaven forbid she Might get an injury that won't let her compete like when she was 12 years old.....Just something to think about, and oh yeah, THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS WILL SCRUTINIZE EVERY LITTLE THING THAT SHE DOES ......BUT $10,000,000.00 sets her up for life, and not only her, but "TEAM THOMPSON"......Don't get me wrong, I like everything that's happening to her, how she's being brought along right now and I love her golf game. I hope she'll be very successful, but 10 million dollars at age 16
.......Have a great day everyone, hit it long and straight.

WowWie · 07-08-2007, 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by MarinePaul

This wasn't an LPGA event, it was a USGA event, so it wouldn't have mattered what the LPGA rule was.

I do have to wonder whether your post was facetious, though. Isn't MW under 18, with a stage father, and turned pro at 16?

USGA or LPGA or whoever is in charge. Anyone, part of the problem is that money came first with Michelle. No one's really thinking about the game anymore.

MarinePaul · 07-08-2007, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by WowWie

USGA or LPGA or whoever is in charge. Anyone, part of the problem is that money came first with Michelle. No one's really thinking about the game anymore.

On that, we can definitely agree.

ajraymond · 07-10-2007, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by Hotrod

Everyone is saying how smart Scott Thompson is going about managing his daughter's career at this stage and hoping that he won't get to be like B.J.
My opinion is.....just wait a few more years and at the age of 16, IF she gets an offer from a couple of sponsor to sign for a total of $10,000,000.00 ...
What will daddy Scott Thompson do ???? One of the things and most parents DO think about is, the security and future of my child. Playing on the LPGA tour she MIGHT make more than 10 million in her life time, she Might get tired of the game or Heaven forbid she Might get an injury that won't let her compete like when she was 12 years old.....Just something to think about, and oh yeah, THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS WILL SCRUTINIZE EVERY LITTLE THING THAT SHE DOES ......BUT $10,000,000.00 sets her up for life, and not only her, but "TEAM THOMPSON"......Don't get me wrong, I like everything that's happening to her, how she's being brought along right now and I love her golf game. I hope she'll be very successful, but 10 million dollars at age 16
.......Have a great day everyone, hit it long and straight.

You always take the money if you can get it (IMHO)........... But you still try to keep your kid grounded and not let things go to their heads. The reason I think think the young lady will be fine is everything I've seen in interviews with her older brother. He's seems like well adjusted guy who has worked his way up through golf and will play next year on the PGA Tour. The father made sure the kids had fun and golf wasn't the main goal. It's because of that the kids still have that love of the game and no pressure to succeed. I'm guessing young Alexis will be fine.

Blue · 07-10-2007, 08:09 AM

Did her brother qualify for the US Open at age 12 and get international attention for doing so? I don't think you can compare.

Bruno · 07-10-2007, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Hotrod

Everyone is saying how smart Scott Thompson is going about managing his daughter's career at this stage and hoping that he won't get to be like B.J.
My opinion is.....just wait a few more years and at the age of 16, IF she gets an offer from a couple of sponsor to sign for a total of $10,000,000.00 ...
What will daddy Scott Thompson do ???? One of the things and most parents DO think about is, the security and future of my child. Playing on the LPGA tour she MIGHT make more than 10 million in her life time, she Might get tired of the game or Heaven forbid she Might get an injury that won't let her compete like when she was 12 years old.....Just something to think about, and oh yeah, THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS WILL SCRUTINIZE EVERY LITTLE THING THAT SHE DOES ......BUT $10,000,000.00 sets her up for life, and not only her, but "TEAM THOMPSON"......Don't get me wrong, I like everything that's happening to her, how she's being brought along right now and I love her golf game. I hope she'll be very successful, but 10 million dollars at age 16
.......Have a great day everyone, hit it long and straight.

If in that position, I'd advise that she/we take the money... as long as the contract is such that the company doesn not have the say as to when and where she would play. Setting up your kid for life IS something parents want, whether through the opportunities of education or some other legitimante way.... You can bet though, that if it was my daughter, it wouldn't be working out the way it has been with Wie.

ajraymond · 07-10-2007, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by Blue

Did her brother qualify for the US Open at age 12 and get international attention for doing so? I don't think you can compare.

No he didn't. I'm looking at how the kid turned out though and he seems like a good kid. I'd expect no difference in his sister. Qualifying for the US Open is a great accomplishment at a young age but it isn't a ticket to the moon. You still have to work at it.

Blue · 07-10-2007, 04:24 PM

True, but I think once you take sponsorship money, the sponsors own you. It's hard to place restrictions on it. Which is why I think there should be a rule -- call it informally the Michelle Wie rule -- that nobody can turn pro in golf before age 18. No ifs, ands or buts. No petitions, no exemptions. Sure this will eliminate some honest, sane kids and their parents, but it will also protect many more from burning out their kids at too young an age in the interest of money and fame.

There are plenty of tournaments now in the AJGA and USGA junior events as well as in high school to keep talented kids occupied and challenged. If they say they need the money from turning pro to travel and train, then they can apply for some of the many scholarships out there. I heard that Michelle Wie set up a scholarship for kids from Hawaii to use to travel to the mainland for events. Maybe other pro golfers and corporations will do the same. In fact, I believe some have (with less fanfare than Wie).

Age 18 will come soon enough and golf will still be there. Youth and innocence will not.

wiefan · 07-10-2007, 05:31 PM

hi ya Blue....so how are you today..you said "the Michelle Wie rule -- that nobody can turn pro in golf before age 18."

How would this stand up in a court of Law??....perhaps if Buzzer is looking at this post ...maybe he can answer this

I can see the Tours putting this as a rule....but wouldn't you think that this just might be a little "Unconstitutional" insofar as "right to earn a living" goes....wadda ya think???...am I Being too far fetched here???

anyway....have a great day Blue....I still like ya, despite your negative view points on Wiesy and Team Wie....glad to see you back posting and not sitting on your hands.....see ya!!

07-07-2007, 08:55 AM	#11
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 8,003	Originally Posted by WowWie Pretty soon, These girls will be in diapers when they play in US Open tournament. They may even have to start a new Kindergarten League with little girls calling out their daddy's names. Not really. A lot of these showbiz dads are beginning to creep me out. This whole situation is getting out of control. I personally think LPGA should institute a whole new set of rules that forbids young kids from playing at professional level. I don't think anyone under 18 should be allowed to compete at professional level, and anyone who want to play professional golf must have at least a high school degree. I am appalled by what's happening in Korea where girls aren't even finishing with a high school degree when they enter Women's pro golf circuit. This is child abuse. This wasn't an LPGA event, it was a USGA event, so it wouldn't have mattered what the LPGA rule was. I do have to wonder whether your post was facetious, though. Isn't MW under 18, with a stage father, and turned pro at 16? __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

07-08-2007, 04:27 AM	#13
WowWie Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 32	Originally Posted by MarinePaul This wasn't an LPGA event, it was a USGA event, so it wouldn't have mattered what the LPGA rule was. I do have to wonder whether your post was facetious, though. Isn't MW under 18, with a stage father, and turned pro at 16? USGA or LPGA or whoever is in charge. Anyone, part of the problem is that money came first with Michelle. No one's really thinking about the game anymore.

07-08-2007, 06:04 AM	#14
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 8,003	Originally Posted by WowWie USGA or LPGA or whoever is in charge. Anyone, part of the problem is that money came first with Michelle. No one's really thinking about the game anymore. On that, we can definitely agree. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

07-10-2007, 12:54 AM	#15
ajraymond Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 656	Originally Posted by Hotrod Everyone is saying how smart Scott Thompson is going about managing his daughter's career at this stage and hoping that he won't get to be like B.J. My opinion is.....just wait a few more years and at the age of 16, IF she gets an offer from a couple of sponsor to sign for a total of $10,000,000.00 ... What will daddy Scott Thompson do ???? One of the things and most parents DO think about is, the security and future of my child. Playing on the LPGA tour she MIGHT make more than 10 million in her life time, she Might get tired of the game or Heaven forbid she Might get an injury that won't let her compete like when she was 12 years old.....Just something to think about, and oh yeah, THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS WILL SCRUTINIZE EVERY LITTLE THING THAT SHE DOES ......BUT $10,000,000.00 sets her up for life, and not only her, but "TEAM THOMPSON"......Don't get me wrong, I like everything that's happening to her, how she's being brought along right now and I love her golf game. I hope she'll be very successful, but 10 million dollars at age 16 .......Have a great day everyone, hit it long and straight. You always take the money if you can get it (IMHO)........... But you still try to keep your kid grounded and not let things go to their heads. The reason I think think the young lady will be fine is everything I've seen in interviews with her older brother. He's seems like well adjusted guy who has worked his way up through golf and will play next year on the PGA Tour. The father made sure the kids had fun and golf wasn't the main goal. It's because of that the kids still have that love of the game and no pressure to succeed. I'm guessing young Alexis will be fine.

07-10-2007, 12:33 PM	#17
Bruno Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pinehurst, NC Posts: 56 Images: 21	Originally Posted by Hotrod Everyone is saying how smart Scott Thompson is going about managing his daughter's career at this stage and hoping that he won't get to be like B.J. My opinion is.....just wait a few more years and at the age of 16, IF she gets an offer from a couple of sponsor to sign for a total of $10,000,000.00 ... What will daddy Scott Thompson do ???? One of the things and most parents DO think about is, the security and future of my child. Playing on the LPGA tour she MIGHT make more than 10 million in her life time, she Might get tired of the game or Heaven forbid she Might get an injury that won't let her compete like when she was 12 years old.....Just something to think about, and oh yeah, THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS WILL SCRUTINIZE EVERY LITTLE THING THAT SHE DOES ......BUT $10,000,000.00 sets her up for life, and not only her, but "TEAM THOMPSON"......Don't get me wrong, I like everything that's happening to her, how she's being brought along right now and I love her golf game. I hope she'll be very successful, but 10 million dollars at age 16 .......Have a great day everyone, hit it long and straight. If in that position, I'd advise that she/we take the money... as long as the contract is such that the company doesn not have the say as to when and where she would play. Setting up your kid for life IS something parents want, whether through the opportunities of education or some other legitimante way.... You can bet though, that if it was my daughter, it wouldn't be working out the way it has been with Wie.

07-07-2007, 11:25 AM	#12
Hotrod Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 89	Everyone is saying how smart Scott Thompson is going about managing his daughter's career at this stage and hoping that he won't get to be like B.J. My opinion is.....just wait a few more years and at the age of 16, IF she gets an offer from a couple of sponsor to sign for a total of $10,000,000.00 ... What will daddy Scott Thompson do ???? One of the things and most parents DO think about is, the security and future of my child. Playing on the LPGA tour she MIGHT make more than 10 million in her life time, she Might get tired of the game or Heaven forbid she Might get an injury that won't let her compete like when she was 12 years old.....Just something to think about, and oh yeah, THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS WILL SCRUTINIZE EVERY LITTLE THING THAT SHE DOES ......BUT $10,000,000.00 sets her up for life, and not only her, but "TEAM THOMPSON"......Don't get me wrong, I like everything that's happening to her, how she's being brought along right now and I love her golf game. I hope she'll be very successful, but 10 million dollars at age 16 .......Have a great day everyone, hit it long and straight.

07-10-2007, 08:09 AM	#16
Blue Forum Moderator Contests: Joint 3rd place overall winner 2009. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7,650 Images: 6	Did her brother qualify for the US Open at age 12 and get international attention for doing so? I don't think you can compare.

07-10-2007, 01:32 PM	#18
ajraymond Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 656	Originally Posted by Blue Did her brother qualify for the US Open at age 12 and get international attention for doing so? I don't think you can compare. No he didn't. I'm looking at how the kid turned out though and he seems like a good kid. I'd expect no difference in his sister. Qualifying for the US Open is a great accomplishment at a young age but it isn't a ticket to the moon. You still have to work at it.

07-10-2007, 04:24 PM	#19
Blue Forum Moderator Contests: Joint 3rd place overall winner 2009. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7,650 Images: 6	True, but I think once you take sponsorship money, the sponsors own you. It's hard to place restrictions on it. Which is why I think there should be a rule -- call it informally the Michelle Wie rule -- that nobody can turn pro in golf before age 18. No ifs, ands or buts. No petitions, no exemptions. Sure this will eliminate some honest, sane kids and their parents, but it will also protect many more from burning out their kids at too young an age in the interest of money and fame. There are plenty of tournaments now in the AJGA and USGA junior events as well as in high school to keep talented kids occupied and challenged. If they say they need the money from turning pro to travel and train, then they can apply for some of the many scholarships out there. I heard that Michelle Wie set up a scholarship for kids from Hawaii to use to travel to the mainland for events. Maybe other pro golfers and corporations will do the same. In fact, I believe some have (with less fanfare than Wie). Age 18 will come soon enough and golf will still be there. Youth and innocence will not.

07-10-2007, 05:31 PM	#20
wiefan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,135	hi ya Blue....so how are you today..you said "the Michelle Wie rule -- that nobody can turn pro in golf before age 18." How would this stand up in a court of Law??....perhaps if Buzzer is looking at this post ...maybe he can answer this I can see the Tours putting this as a rule....but wouldn't you think that this just might be a little "Unconstitutional" insofar as "right to earn a living" goes....wadda ya think???...am I Being too far fetched here??? anyway....have a great day Blue....I still like ya, despite your negative view points on Wiesy and Team Wie....glad to see you back posting and not sitting on your hands.....see ya!!

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