The LPGA Tour is just one more example of how women are rising above negative comments.
When I attended the spring meeting of the Northeastern Women’s Golf Association, a member of the group who knew I was a golf writer came up to me and said, “Look at all the stories in this room — this is a group of amazing women.”
I couldn’t agree more.
The same is true for the LPGA Tour. At the Sarah Hunter Spring Classic last weekend in Manchester, Vt., many women were discussing being disappointed in Hank Haney, the one-time coach of Tiger Woods who has a show on Siriusxm PGA Tour radio. He said several things that not only were disappointing, but were racist and dismissive of the tour and its players.
Here are his comments on his show last Wednesday with co-host Steve Johnson:
“This week is the 74th U.S. Women’s Open, Hank,” Johnson said.
“Oh, it is? I’m gonna predict a Korean,” Haney said. “I couldn’t name you six players on the LPGA Tour. Maybe I could. Well … I’d go with Lee. If I didn’t have to name a first name, I’d get a bunch of them right.” “We’ve got six Lees,” Johnson said. “Honestly, Michelle Wie is hurt,” Haney said. “I don’t know that many. Where are they playing, by the way?” Ouch. Cringe.
Fittingly, a Korean won the $1 million prize given to the winner of the U.S. Women’s Open. And she is known as Jeongeun Lee6. More than 40 percent of the population in South Korea has the surname Kim, Lee or Park. The Korean tour has six players with the name Jeongeun Lee, and so they have numbers after their name. Lee6 embraced it and wants to be called “Six.” She even marks her ball with a “6.”
LPGA Tour card holders all have incredible stories about the sacrifices involved in climbing to the top. Yes, Koreans dominate the sport right now, but the LPGA’S ascention as a global sport with million-dollar purses thanks to strong sponsorship only adds to my enjoyment watching and writing about golf.
With the Women’s World Cup in soccer starting Friday, another celebration of women athletes takes center stage. The USA is favored, and I’ll be cheering for them. But I’m never disappointed watching other countries give our national team a tough game — I embrace it.
As fans of sports, we should be happy women from throughout the globe are competing at the highest levels. The days of athletes from the U.S. dominating in world sports are over, and that’s a good thing. It means women in other countries are starting to enjoy what the trailblazing athletes of the world have worked so hard to achieve: equal opportunity for women to participate and represent their countries at the highest levels of competition.
Sarah Hunter results
Mary Ellen Burt of Mohawk and Anne Van Buren of Pinehaven took home overall net honors (131) at the Sarah Hunter Spring Classic.
The 32nd annual event, which was sold out, is the spring kickoff of multiday competitive team play for women.
The Burt-van Buren team represented the Capital Region well, leading for overall gross honors after the first day, and tying with Cheryl Krugar (Orchards, South Hadley, Mass.) and Cathy Sessions (Sterling National, Mass.) for overall gross honors (147). Burt and Van Buren lost on the fourth hole of a rain-soaked playoff to the Krugar-sessions team.
One stroke back in the top flight was the Ballston Spa duo of Susan Kahler and Suzie Mansfield. Kahler and Mansfield won second low gross (148) and earned a heartfelt ovation from many tournament participants during the award ceremonies as one partner battles ongoing health issues.
Women’s Golf Day
Public and private clubs looking for ideas to attract new members and new golfers should mark June 4, Women’s Golf Day, on the event calendar next year. Saratoga National’s event Tuesday sold out in four days.
“We signed up 120 participants in four days, selling out our capacity,” said Peter Tavares, vice president of golf services. “It’s great to see so much enthusiasm for golf among Capital Region women and girls. They’ll be exposed to programs we’ve developed here for instruction and accessibility to the game.”
NEWGA individual ringer
Heather Morrison of Burden Lake captured low gross (37) and Selena Balick of Shaker Ridge earned low net honors (28) in the individual ringer Northeastern Women’s Golf Association event Tuesday at Van Schaick.
Tournament deadline nears
The Schenectady Women’s Classic returns June 14-15 to Schenectady Municipal. Checks can be made payable to the City of Schenectady. Entry fee is $40. For women, the event is 36 holes of individual stroke championship play. Tee times begin at noon.
Registration closes Monday. Mail entries to 400 Oregon Ave., Schenectady, N.Y. 12304, and include your name, club affiliation, email and phone.