Alexis Thompson - A Word of Caution

Blue · 06-30-2007, 07:32 PM

Interesting article in the The Telegraph about the USGA's hyping of Alexis Thompson.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai.../sgreas101.xml

MarinePaul · 06-30-2007, 07:42 PM

An interesting article, but I think Alexis' father has his head on straight. The one thing to remember is that Alexis earned her spot, and she conducted herself well. Hopefully, it won't lead to a ton of sponsor exemptions and "entitlements." Let her enjoy being a kid, and if she wants to try again next year, let her go for it.

ajraymond · 06-30-2007, 07:48 PM

Have to disagree withe the article Blue. Age has zero to do with what happened to Wie. There is all kinds of great stories like Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer and how a well grounded parent or grandparent can keep you on the straight and narrow. I think from what I've seen from Alexis father Scott........ he'll keep her grounded. I think it would be a great experience to be able to meet Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb and if young Alexis waited until later, those great players might be retired. I think the article is totally offside to be truthful with you. The only thing that Wie and Thompson have in common is that they were both phenoms at 12.

Blue · 06-30-2007, 07:49 PM

Perhaps, but Wie also earned her way into her first Open. The hope is that her career takes the Morgan Pressel route, not the Michelle Wie route.

MarinePaul · 06-30-2007, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Blue

Perhaps, but Wie also earned her way into her first Open. The hope is that her career takes the Morgan Pressel route, not the Michelle Wie route.

From what little we actually got to see Scott Thompson, I think that's the route she'll take. It's great to let your kids follow their dreams, but quite another to throw them into the media frenzy the way Michelle was.

kaialii · 06-30-2007, 09:52 PM

I too agree, age has nothing to do with what's wrong with Wie. I think doctors need to do a better job in clearing an athlete to play. Most if not all athletes will try to return to their sport as fast as possible once cleared. Someone has to slow these athletes down. Michelle is not the first, and will not be the last athlete NOT game ready upon return from injury.

Bruno · 07-02-2007, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by Blue

Interesting article in the The Telegraph about the USGA's hyping of Alexis Thompson.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai.../sgreas101.xml

From what I've read of the things he's said, Thompson has no plans to let Alexis take the Wie route. Let's hope he's true to his word.

DJGOLFER59 · 07-03-2007, 06:54 PM

I know I'm a week late, but it was really refreshing seeing her play and acting....as a KID! Thats what she is. I loved in her interviews they asked what shows she watched and she gave the names of disney channel shows, and even when asked how she'll do she was realistic and just wanted to have fun. Very nice to see. You can tell that she has a great support system and golf isnt the ony thing in her world, which is gonna make her a better person/golfer.

MarinePaul · 07-03-2007, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by DJGOLFER59

I know I'm a week late, but it was really refreshing seeing her play and acting....as a KID! Thats what she is. I loved in her interviews they asked what shows she watched and she gave the names of disney channel shows, and even when asked how she'll do she was realistic and just wanted to have fun. Very nice to see. You can tell that she has a great support system and golf isnt the ony thing in her world, which is gonna make her a better person/golfer.

Absolutely, DJ. She seems to have a great family, from what we've seen. Her father was protective of what the media could ask, and I think he's pretty realistic as well. He's allowing his daughter to be a kid, and still follow her dream.

WowWie · 07-06-2007, 10:02 PM

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.

Does it sound normal to you when Scott Thompson says things like: "I gotta go tune up my daughter." Or when Alexis says: "I like seeing kids my age coming up to me asking for my autograph. It's really cool."

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.

06-30-2007, 07:32 PM	#1
Blue Contest Statistician Forum Moderator Contests: Joint 3rd place overall winner 2009. Shoprite Classic Contest winner 2010. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 6,087 Images: 5	Alexis Thompson - A Word of Caution Interesting article in the The Telegraph about the USGA's hyping of Alexis Thompson. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai.../sgreas101.xml

06-30-2007, 07:42 PM	#2
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 7,154	An interesting article, but I think Alexis' father has his head on straight. The one thing to remember is that Alexis earned her spot, and she conducted herself well. Hopefully, it won't lead to a ton of sponsor exemptions and "entitlements." Let her enjoy being a kid, and if she wants to try again next year, let her go for it. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

06-30-2007, 08:24 PM	#5
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 7,154	Originally Posted by Blue Perhaps, but Wie also earned her way into her first Open. The hope is that her career takes the Morgan Pressel route, not the Michelle Wie route. From what little we actually got to see Scott Thompson, I think that's the route she'll take. It's great to let your kids follow their dreams, but quite another to throw them into the media frenzy the way Michelle was. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

06-30-2007, 09:52 PM	#6
kaialii Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 104	I too agree, age has nothing to do with what's wrong with Wie. I think doctors need to do a better job in clearing an athlete to play. Most if not all athletes will try to return to their sport as fast as possible once cleared. Someone has to slow these athletes down. Michelle is not the first, and will not be the last athlete NOT game ready upon return from injury. __________________ kaialii

07-02-2007, 07:34 AM	#7
Bruno Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pinehurst, NC Posts: 56 Images: 21	Originally Posted by Blue Interesting article in the The Telegraph about the USGA's hyping of Alexis Thompson. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai.../sgreas101.xml From what I've read of the things he's said, Thompson has no plans to let Alexis take the Wie route. Let's hope he's true to his word.

06-30-2007, 07:48 PM	#3
ajraymond Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 621	Have to disagree withe the article Blue. Age has zero to do with what happened to Wie. There is all kinds of great stories like Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer and how a well grounded parent or grandparent can keep you on the straight and narrow. I think from what I've seen from Alexis father Scott........ he'll keep her grounded. I think it would be a great experience to be able to meet Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb and if young Alexis waited until later, those great players might be retired. I think the article is totally offside to be truthful with you. The only thing that Wie and Thompson have in common is that they were both phenoms at 12.

06-30-2007, 07:49 PM	#4
Blue Contest Statistician Forum Moderator Contests: Joint 3rd place overall winner 2009. Shoprite Classic Contest winner 2010. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 6,087 Images: 5	Perhaps, but Wie also earned her way into her first Open. The hope is that her career takes the Morgan Pressel route, not the Michelle Wie route.

07-03-2007, 06:54 PM	#8
DJGOLFER59 Contest Statistician Contests: Kraft Nabisco Championship, Tres Marias Championship contest winner 2010 Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,648	I know I'm a week late, but it was really refreshing seeing her play and acting....as a KID! Thats what she is. I loved in her interviews they asked what shows she watched and she gave the names of disney channel shows, and even when asked how she'll do she was realistic and just wanted to have fun. Very nice to see. You can tell that she has a great support system and golf isnt the ony thing in her world, which is gonna make her a better person/golfer.

07-03-2007, 07:00 PM	#9
MarinePaul Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Warren, Ohio Posts: 7,154	Originally Posted by DJGOLFER59 I know I'm a week late, but it was really refreshing seeing her play and acting....as a KID! Thats what she is. I loved in her interviews they asked what shows she watched and she gave the names of disney channel shows, and even when asked how she'll do she was realistic and just wanted to have fun. Very nice to see. You can tell that she has a great support system and golf isnt the ony thing in her world, which is gonna make her a better person/golfer. Absolutely, DJ. She seems to have a great family, from what we've seen. Her father was protective of what the media could ask, and I think he's pretty realistic as well. He's allowing his daughter to be a kid, and still follow her dream. __________________ Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you have.

07-06-2007, 10:02 PM	#10
WowWie Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 32	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. Does it sound normal to you when Scott Thompson says things like: "I gotta go tune up my daughter." Or when Alexis says: "I like seeing kids my age coming up to me asking for my autograph. It's really cool." 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.

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