Friday, November 22, 2019
LPGA
Final Tournament-2019
Golf fans in
South West Florida are gearing up for this week's tournament. It is
the final tournament of the year, and the best women's golfers in the
world will be vying for the big money-plus the million dollar bonus
for finishing in first place in the bonus group.
The
tournament is entitled the “CME Group Tour Championship”, and the
ladies will tee off at the Tiburon Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf
Resort in Naples. On Tuesday night, prior to the tournament, the CME
Group is hosting a little dinner for 350 of its top clients in Naples
entitled, “From Hollywood to Honkytonk-An evening with Nicole
Kidman and Keith Urban.” If you are interested in attending, I
might be able to arrange a ticket for you. Cost? $ 2 995 American.
Gratuity not included.
Why not wait
until Sunday when you can see Mr. Urban performing at the Grey Cup in
Calgary? Thanks to the wonders of technology, we were able to watch
the Winnipeg Blue Bombers advance to the Cup with a win over the
Saskatchewan Roughriders. There was a packed stadium in Regina,
really a tribute to those hearty, and some shirtless Rider fans! The
Hamilton Tiger Cats disposed of the Edmonton Eskimos in the other
semi-final. Unfortunately, that game was supposed to be on the ESPN2
channel, but was canceled, and replaced by a college game. I look
forward to the Grey Cup game, along with several other Canadians here
in Fort Myers.
There was a
fine article last week in the local “News-Press” which is
published under the “USA Today” umbrella. Beth Ann Nichols writes
for Golfweek, and she detailed some of the aspects of the ladies
playing on the LPGA tour. The title of the article is, “Solitary
Game”. Indeed it is. All of these ladies, and there are many young
ones, travel from week to week, sometimes in other continents,
virtually on their own.
“When the
hugs, and the handshakes, and the press conferences are over, the
victor often walks out of the clubhouse to the startling realization
that the tour is gone. The traveling circus has packed up and moved
on, and, unless family is on the road, there are times the winner is
left standing alone with the trophy.”
“I think I
felt more lonely when I played well,” said Na Yeon Choi, who won
nine times on the Tour. Amy Olson, now 27 years old, added: “ I
think far more people struggle coming out on tour because of the lack
of community and loneliness, rather than a technical problem in their
swing or their putting stroke”.
Brittany Henderson, the agent, the Dad
Canada's
Brooke Henderson has emerged as the finest Canadian player ever to
play the game. Still a youngster, she continues to excel at he game.
Part of his success, without question. Comes from her supporting
cast. To begin with, her older sister is her caddy. I am sure they do
not always agree on club selection, nor on many of the other
intricacies of the game. But it does not take long to realize that
they have developed a wonderful chemistry leading to Brooke's
success. Her parents are often on hand, strolling from tee to green.
And, of course, there is that huge contingent of Canadian fans,
sometimes waving the flag.
Mo Martin is
36 years old, and knows the grind. She won the 2014 Women's British
Open at Royal Birkdale. Calls and texts poured in along with
interview requests. But miss a cut, and there is silence. “I think
that's hard, mental health-wise to balance. You get a lot of exposure
when you're doing well. But when you're not doing well, you are
either criticized, or ignored.” She is currently rehabbing a back
injury.
The players
travel the world, but are so preoccupied with the game, they rarely
get to see it. One airport to another, hotel room to the tournament
and back. But this also applies to many other professional athletes.
Hockey players are on the go from city to city in North America
throughout the season, but rarely get to see the sights and sounds of
the cities they visit. And yet, that is the dream of many young
Canadian boys. So be it.
Enjoy the
Grey Cup! Hot chili and cold beverages! Oskee Wee Wee, Ticat fans!!
James Hurst
November 20,
2019.
# posted by James Hurst @ 2:08 PM 
