tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198629951037494295.post3163739614919852546..comments2023-11-22T03:32:31.513-05:00Comments on Mostly Harmless: The Best of the LPGA: October EditionThe Constructivisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242149985581771922noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198629951037494295.post-18762714733560284232007-10-24T23:49:00.000-04:002007-10-24T23:49:00.000-04:00Well, Gulbis shed the Kournikova put-down in Franc...Well, Gulbis shed the Kournikova put-down in France and seems to be a much tougher cookie than I figured her to be when she first came on the tour. Neither she nor Creamer lived up to their starts to the season, Pressel has caught the Ai-chan slump bug, and Kerr salvaged an otherwise disappointing season at the Open, but I'm optimistic for the entire Blonde Brigade for next year. They're not my favorites in the world, but they have mucho game and can only get better over the next decade. As Inkster, Hurst, and Steinhauer exit during that period, it'll be interesting to see if Prammanasudh, Castrale, Lincicome, and Christina Kim can elevate their games to their level, and if Lang and Francella can get out of their funks to even think about doing that, or whether they'll all get passed by the American LPGA rookies, Futures Tour, college, and junior golfers coming up. So the state of American women's golf is quite good, even without Wie. And Wie will be back when she's ready.<BR/><BR/>The globalization of the LPGA has been a fact for over a decade now and the world (including Americans) has caught up with Sorenstam, Webb, and Pak. And the calendar girl thing has been around for even longer. Remember Jan Stephenson? Sally Little? In the long run, wins matter. And dramatic rivalries. Even if the current LPGA's are friendlier than most, they're going to have their share over the next decade. The networks will be fools to miss out on it. But they've been fools before and they will be again.<BR/><BR/>The LPGA has been making the right moves in Asia and Europe lately. I hope they figure out American someday.The Constructivisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07242149985581771922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198629951037494295.post-76053392770848602202007-10-24T16:30:00.000-04:002007-10-24T16:30:00.000-04:00No, not hopeless, but i do think an accurate compa...No, not hopeless, but i do think an accurate comparative picture is needed along with statistical indices. When you examine the work you and others are doing it is important and valid; it increases in value when laid down next to the sponsorship and endorsement dollars. Tennis made a big mistake by trying to veil the "kournikova effect," and now are having to allow huge corporate sponsors glamorize and objectify those women players who get pr for their sport, simply because they can be glamorized and objectified. <A HREF="http://www.socialistunitynetwork.co.uk/news/madridopen.htm" REL="nofollow">Henin will never sell as many products as Sharapova, Dementieva, Hantuchova, et al.</A> <BR/><BR/>It seems to me that the LPGA is at a crossroads in this regard. US audiences aren't expanding (hence the fewer major network broadcasts this year than last); and when the market demographics evidence white males buying Natalie Gulbis calendars, and young girls wanna be the next Michelle Wie (instead of any of your supersophs), i would think marked pessimism can be validated.spyderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14251017646611361354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198629951037494295.post-82489263868913989042007-10-24T13:29:00.000-04:002007-10-24T13:29:00.000-04:00Well, damn it, that's why I want to make it only b...Well, damn it, that's why I want to make it only based on actual performance on the course! How else are the people actually playing well going to get recognition than from Mostly Harmless? Jeez, when I put it that way, it sounds pretty hopeless, doesn't it?The Constructivisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07242149985581771922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1198629951037494295.post-21360412964569881912007-10-23T17:19:00.000-04:002007-10-23T17:19:00.000-04:00Perhaps you could wrap up the year with a ranking ...Perhaps you could wrap up the year with a ranking scaled on the sponsorship and endorsement money? It appears from what i read in the marketing/advertising journals those who are getting the premium dollars are not the ones playing consistently well (and that doesn't seem to matter).spyderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14251017646611361354noreply@blogger.com