Wie’s good for the game

Whether you love, like or hate Michele Wie, it doesn’t really matter. Why? Because the plane truth is Wie’s good for lady’s golf and it’s good that Wie’s made it to the LPGA show. Even though we’ve known Wie for so long, it’s time to realize this reality; Wie’s good for the game of golf period.

If you read my previous articles Wie Bad http://www.thumbsdownmethod.com/2007/10/16/wie-bad/
or What is Wie Doing
http://www.thumbsdownmethod.com/2008/08/01/what-is-wie-doing/
you’d think maybe I was anti-Wie or the head of the he-man Wie haters club, but I’m not. I’m just one of many that quickly got tired of watching her on the PGA Tour trying to make the cut against the men. The novelty wore off quickly after almost qualifying at her first two tries. It was time a long time ago that Wie’s better off winning against the ladies than just qualifying against the men, because so far Wie’s done neither.

In an age where professional athletes are treated like rock stars, it’s more important than ever that they be good role models too. Since her early teen years over six years ago when she almost won the Woman’s US Open, we’ve seen a lot of Wie. The real Wie has proven so far that she enjoys the limelight and celebrity that comes with being a “Tigerlike” phenom. To Wie’s credit, even during the last few years while struggling with her game, nagging injuries and negative PR, she’s handled it well. Wie’s proven to be a solid citizen with her head on straight, well beyond her teen years. As the father of two teens I know first hand.

Her role model status looks better every day, especially when you read the news stories about athlete arrests for gun possession and drugs or players who refuse to play for their teams. Athletes should be grateful playing a game for a living and making a King’s ransom along the way.

Wie’s a super talent that was meant to play the game of golf, just like Tiger Woods. She looked to be on the fast track when she qualified for her first LPGA Tour event at age 12. Wie played in the final group of a major at 13, shot 68 on the PGA Tour at the Sony Open a year later, had a share of the 54-hole lead at the U.S. Women’s Open at 15 and shared the lead on the back nine of three straight majors by the age of sixteen. Equally amazing was her downfall into adulthood.

At the ripe old age of 19 as a student at Stamford Wie’s dealing with all the uncertainty that comes with being an adult growing up. A wrist injury that severely hurt her golf game, didn’t help, but somehow we all knew there would be a happy ending coming soon. Finally, after all the years of playing by invitation or sponsor’s exemptions, Wie earned her LPGA Tour Card. Fortunately for her, winning isn’t the only thing when it comes to Q-school. Since just finishing in the top 20 makes you a winner, the media temporarily lowered their standards and didn’t criticize her for not winning as the medallist, or lowest overall score.

Finally, it’s time to see what Wie has. As Annika Sorenstam departs, waiting for Wie on tour are seasoned pros under the age of 25 like Lorena Ochoia, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and others who are already proven winners. Wie’ll need to play like she did in her early teen years to win against today’s LPGA players. My gut tells me Wie’s on her way and she’ll do just fine! What do you think? Email your comments to ajm.me@thumbsdownmethod.com