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| But, I'll voice my opinion- since it would be grossly out of character not to do so. So as not to slam entirely, let me say, I can appreciate her desire to marry and have a family; HOWEVER: She will never be the best womens golf player in my book. I discovered this occasion was actually coming to fruition after the 3rd round at the McDonalds Championship at Bulle Rock. I happened across her web page; Forgive me, please forgive me- but could we check the ego elsewhere?? I know for me, it is my own personal feelings about those who have gained status, and kept it in perspective. I've wined and dined with others more FAR famous, but who possessed the the impressive je ne sais quoi of HUMILITY. Can you say humility? Her rookie year was 1994. I've been following the LPGA longer then that. In comparison, if I may compare two very different activities- yet both require skill and are passions of mine. Golf and Surfing- (not at current with a personal physical disability since 2004) My point in using surfing as an analogy (its one of my favorites- because life is like riding a wave) is in my HUMBLE opinion- she got on the board, and took the majestic sea by storm, then others came along and did the same, with poise and youth. Golf is a life long activity, and I feel she created a legend in her own mind that can not tolerate defeat, so she moved on. I'm not impressed. I've watched many women face the trials and tribulations of golf, and the very unpredictable nature of the elements- and being human that affect the game. I am far more impressed by those who stayed on board and struggled, learned from their mistakes maintained humility and stayed in the game. Undoubtedly, I am sure that the whirlwind life style is not congruent with long term relationships- for some- probably not all. That is a huge sacrifice, and I am sure very difficult- hence, as I started out with, I can appreciate her desire to settle down. There are so many new young golfers on the tour- and they put on a stellar performance at Bulle Rock. I've been following a player, Sherri Steinhauer for a long time- almost the beginning of her career. She impresses me as a real person, and she has hung in there facing her share of adversity, and ended Sunday 2 under par. I was thrilled for her. I have the utmost respect for her watching her play. Moving forward, [as the country faces economic havoc] I am sure the tour will change a bit. Alone, it should be considered a MAJOR SPORT. It would be nice to see the tour branch out globally a little more, since it has become a very international group of women. As for why I wrote this particular blog today, the 'wanna be' one named Annika (when I google the name, I get more then " " Sorensen)- Yes, she played a good game and quit when she was ahead. Its not poker, black jack or roulette- we are talking Golf. Upon review of her web page, well... cya. I hope you can get your ego out the door. If I am wrong- I apologize in advance, but my gut says different. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sweden's Annika Sorenstam, who has dominated women's golf for a decade, said on Tuesday she would quit competition at the end of this year. Sorenstam, who has 72 LPGA Tour victories and 10 major titles, made her announcement at a news conference before this week's Sybase Classic in Clifton, New Jersey. "I am very proud of what I have accomplished as a professional golfer and while I will no longer be playing competitively, I will continue to be very involved and engaged in the game of golf," Sorenstam said. The 37-year-old Swede earned a record eight Player of the Year awards on the LPGA Tour after starting on the circuit in 1994 and won six Vare trophies for lowest scoring average. Sorenstam was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003. Her announcement comes after a seven-shot victory on Sunday in the Michelob Ultra Open in which she beat world number one Lorena Ochoa among other rivals to ease some of the frustration of a winless 2007 season marred by back and neck injuries. "The reason for this decision is that I have other priorities in my life," she said. "I have a lot of dreams that I want to follow, I want to live and I'm getting married in January. "(Fiance) Mike (McGee) and I want to start a family." Sorenstam said it was important for her to regain her form and not be forced into retirement due to injury. Her win at Kingsmill was her third of the season in eight events played. "I wanted to leave on my terms when it felt right. I didn't want an injury to take me away from this game. Now I feel at peace." Sorenstam was a model of consistency during her reign at the top of the women's game, using a dedication to fitness to maintain a competitive edge. She feels the women's game is in very good health. "I am also very proud of women's golf and the state it's in today," she said. "I think the last 15 years, I've seen a tremendous change and it's really grown to an amazing place. "I'm just very, very happy to have been a part of it and had a chance to follow my dream." Sorenstam said she would continue to pursue her business interests, including her golf academy in Florida [Images], charitable foundation and golf course design projects. She said she planned to complete her full schedule this season, playing some 17 more events concluding with the Dubai Ladies Masters. "I am going to focus on my game the next seven months. I'm a huge competitor and right now I'm second on the Money List, and people that know me, know I don't settle for second," she said. |
