Michelle Wie's Spring Class Schedule at Stanford: "Social Dances of North America III", "Beginning Improvising", and "Interpersonal Relations"....SWEEEET

Ah Fricking Ha !!!!  If you have been a BCC reader from back in the early days, you will recalll how I ripped on Michelle Wie and her imbecilic responses to countless interviewers - calling into question exactly how difficult the curriculum could be at Stanford if she could continue to make the deans list. If you have listened to, or read even ONE interview with Wie, none of this will surprise you...she's clearly as dense as she sounds...
Weeeeeel... as my Dad would say, "The Genie is out of the Jug".  As reported by Fox News yesterday,it seems that the AD at Stanford has assembled a " list of classes for athletes" like the "Big Queasy"... (Can't your hear the Church Lady..... "well isn't that special"...)


check excerpts from the story below...

Stanford University allegedly offered a list of easy classes to student-athletes, according to the Stanford Daily.

The college newspaper reports it was a closely guarded list only offered to Stanford athletes and not the rest of the student body.

"It's definitely not going to be a hard class if it's coming off that list," sophomore women's volleyball player Karissa Cook told the paper.

Some of the courses identified on the list were "Beginning Improvising," "Social Dances of North America III" and "Interpersonal Relations."

Stanford athletes have been known to ask for the list from the Athletic Academic Resource Center, despite the "courses of interest" list not being posted on its website. Advisers in other college departments tell the paper they didn't know such a list existed.

A spokesman for the athletics department claims the classes are no pushover.

"An objective evaluation of the courses included on the list reveals several courses that most students would consider to be academically rigorous," Austin Lee, director of academic services at the Athletic Academic Resource Center, told the Stanford Daily.

Some university professors say athletes are treated differently than your average student.

"(Stanford) accommodates athletes in the manner that they accommodate students with disabilities," professor Donald Barr told the paper.


(Say that one again ????  "Students with Disabilities" ???)

The list -- which had existed since at least 2001 -- was discontinued last week after student reporters began asking questions about it.

L   O    F   L.....

Ummmmm, I Forgotted

If you pay much attention to the LPGA, or even golf in general, you've probably read that Michelle Wie has an interview coming out in the March issue of Golf magazine (you can read it here at Golf.com). The byline of the article proclaims that she has "bounced back" and that "her future is brighter than ever" (it also has some kind of soft porn-ish shot of her lounging in a hammock ...)

In the course of the interview, in which the interviewer totally kisses her a$$ asks some really tough and probing questions, the topic of Wie's struggles in 2007 come up. In what we have come to recognize as typical "Wie-nial" fashion, she is unable to face the music and accept accountability for her,um, actions. However, apparently "Michelle 2.0" is now in tha' house, and her manner of addressing topics such as this is to say..... " I DON'T REMEMBER!".... I know this sounds completely unbelievable..so I have excerpted the most memorable sections for you below (interviewer's questions are in bold)....hang on kiddies, here we go

What was the lowest low point?

I don't remember.

What do you mean?

I don't remember a lot from that time [nervous laugh]. I think I've blocked it out.

You mean you don't dwell on it, or you literally don't remember?

I literally do not remember a lot of things from that time.

You mean entire tournaments?

Just in general. I don't remember a lot of things.

Because it was so traumatic?

Yeah, it was a lot more traumatic for me than people think.

Why? When was it most traumatic?

I can't remember. I literally can't. I don't remember. It all blurs together. The year [2007] feels like it was a really short time.

You said something at a press conference at the 2007 U.S. Women's Open that was very revealing. Do you remember that tournament?

Not really.

It was at Pine Needles [in North Carolina].

I don't remember where it was played.

At a press conference before the first round, you were asked if playing with an injured wrist was a smart move. You said, "Come on, this is the U.S. freaking Open." You shot 82 and ended up withdrawing. But the fact that you played showed heart.

Oh yeah, I do remember that. I was determined not to miss the U.S. Open for anything. Now that I look at that, it doesn't make sense, because there are gonna be so many more U.S. Opens. But at that time, everything felt so important, and I did not want to miss any of it. It was the U.S. freaking Open.

That May, you withdrew from the Ginn Tribute under controversial circumstances. Annika Sorenstam, the event's host, said you showed a "lack of respect and class." Have you ever spoken with her about it?

No.

Did you ever feel a need to?

I actually don't remember. What happened?

You were in danger of posting an 88 in the first round, which would have made you ineligible to play LPGA events for the rest of the year. You withdrew after 16 holes, citing your wrist injury. Two days later, you were seen hitting balls. Critics wondered if you used your wrist as an excuse so that you wouldn't have to submit a score.

I have no comment about that because I really don't remember.

None of it?

I kinda do, but I don't want to say anything false. I don't need to rehash that. I don't want to say anything false because I don't remember.

To be clear, you haven't spoken with Annika since then?

I don't think so, no. I think we're over it. We're past that.

In case you were not counting, she said "I don't remember ELEVEN TIMES!!!!

To make this even more hilarious, her supporters have pointed out how brilliant she is "because not just anyone can get into Stanford"... Well, I guess since she cant seem to remember anything as recently as two years ago, she is either gonna have to repeat a lot of classes, or maybe just admit that she is not NEARLY as smart as advertised. Maybe B.J. and Bo have to helicopter her because she FORGETS where the car is parked.

I know golf is struggling a little bit right now, and especially the LPGA - So I don't mean to try to blunt any momentum it has created - but this is just wrong. Is it too much for Michelle Wie to accept responsibility for her successes AND failures ?

Maybe this isn't all her fault though..maybe it's a genrational thing, and nobody is accountable for anything... Hope and Change, baby....that's what I'm caellin' it...

Dude Looks Like a Lady... or Separated at Birth - You Decide

Rickie Fowler - DUDE .......................................Katherine Hull - LADY

This weekend, while watching current Oklahoma State golfer Rickie Fowler playing in the Nationwide Tour's Children's Hospital Invitational, I was immediately struck by two things:

(1) Fowler is one hell of a talent, who will very soon be a force to be reckoned with - first on the Nationwide Tour, but soon enough on the PGA Tour. He has the tools, the shotmaking ability, and the moxie to get it done on Sunday (even if he did lose the playoff)

(2) The dude's hair totally freaks me out - the androgynous sideburn hair thingys he is rocking make him look almost exactly like LPGA player Katherine Hull (shown above).

So, I leave it up to you loyal reader:

Is he the modern day incarnation on Aerosmith's "Dude Looks Like a Lady", or were he and Ms. Hull merely "Separated at Birth" ?

Calling All Golf Equipment Companies - Can we show the LPGA a Little Love ?

As I was watching the US Women's Open last week, I was reminded of something that I have been very curious about for a while. I watched many of the players, and even looked back at some video of earlier events, and the evidence was staring me in the face like a hungry wolf....and I could no longer ignore it.

Equpiment manufacturers practically IGNORE LPGA players from a "staff player" perspective. Rather than try to argue my point however, I will let the facts speak for themself. I put together this chart which shows the major equipment companies (TM,Titleist,Ping,Callaway,etc) and a list of their LPGA STAFF players (players who are sponsored by the equipment companies). Don't confuse this list with one which shows which players USE which company's gear - this shows who actually has LPGA players as sponsored "Staff" players. Check it out (no, I don't expect to make any friends with this list by the way...)

Equipment Company	Staff Players
Titleist / Cobra	None
TaylorMade	Creamer,Gulbis
Callaway	V. Hurst, Lindley,Gal,Pressel,Ueda
Cleveland	Blasberg
Adams	Lang,Leon,Lincicome,Tseng,Wright,Loudon
Ping	Delasin,Friberg,Hjorth,P.Hurst,Koch,Nordqvist, Ochoa,J.Park,Stahle,Stanford,Steinhauer,Ward,I.K.Kim
Nike	Blumenherst,McKenzie,G. Park, Pettersen,Wie,Simon

Now,compare this list of 33 LPGA players with the PGA Staff players for just ONE of the companies above....interesting,huh. Rather than try to draw any conclusions from this (other than Ping really supports the LPGA), I think it is much more meaningful to use this in a positive manner. As more and more women are playing golf at the amateur level, these companies are seeing more opportunities to sell them product. In a time of difficulty for the LPGA, wouldn't it be great to see several of these companies step up and show some strong support for the LPGA ? Perhaps one of them could sponsor an event that's looking for a one ? Or how about committing to sponsor at least 5 LPGA players ? Maybe a 2 year sponsorship deal for the top 5 qualifiers from the Duramed Tour ? There is a lot that these companies can do to help support the LPGA even more thasn they already do, and there could not be a better time for them to step up.

Dear LPGA - One word of Advice: "ANNIKA"

Now that the Wicked Witch of the LPGA has had a complete meltdown been vanquished to parts unknown, the LPGA should not waste time in making a strong,decisive move to fill the role of Commissioner. I know they have named an "interim commissioner" to fill the immediate void, but I am hoping that they will see the obvious, and act in a suitably prompt manner to name a full time replacement.

Considering all of the uncertainty, unrest, confusion, chaos, angry sponsors, disillusioned fans, and a decidedly risky road to recovery, there is one clear choice for the Commissioner's position - Annika Sorenstam. The LPGA has made a small move toward Annika, naming her as an advisor to the Board of Directors - a role which she has publicly embraced already. This baby step, however, needs to be followed up by a full court press to convince Annika that she is one person who can stabilize and restore the LPGA to some semblance of it's recent self.

Here are just 5 reasons that this makes sense:

1. Annika is still the most recognizable name in women's golf - both in the US and abroad - something KEY to the LPGA's resurrection.
2. She brings the credibility of a player, the business savvy of a businessperson, and the grace of someone who truly understands the women's game - all important attributes I wrote about earlier on this blog when I called for a replacement.
3. She has the admiration and respect of the players, the sponsors, the manufacturers, and the fans - this is something that cannot be underestimated. When she speaks, everyone involved in women's golf listens.
4. She has the backbone to call things like she sees them, and the wisdom to know when to leave a burning pile of crap alone and let it flame out - both characteristics that she demonstrated repeatedly while on tour. This ability to know when to fight and when to walk away will present a marked contrast to the previous regime - another important factor in convincing people that a REAL change has occurred.
5. She has the "juice" necessary to get the equipment manufacturers more involved in and supportive of the LPGA (ever notice that Titleist and Cobra have ZERO women golfers as "staff players" - WTF ???)

I will stop at 5 in the interest of brevity, but I could easily write another 10 or 15 reasons. Oh, and one other thing - She actually understands the game, plays the game, and SHE SHOT A FREAKING 59 !!!!!

Oh, in case you were wondering about the photo above, That's Annika too - bet I fooled you !

How does the LPGA Right the Ship ?

Folks, there is smoke belching from the engine room of the good ship LPGA - and the Captain of the ship is nowhere to be found. Although I have long been a huge fan of the ladies tour (see one of my first posts here), and was slow to acknowledge the early naysayers, there is no denying now that there are serious problems afoot. To wit:

• Multiple events cancelled in 2009
• No sponsor for one of the LPGA major events
• Confusing (and worsening) TV Coverage schedule
• A 2010 schedule that is melting faster than the wicked witch in a monsoon
• Seeming lack of identity / presence in the U.S.

Not making things any easier is the fact that the most marketable / talented U.S. players (Creamer,Kerr,Pressel,Gulbis, Wie (yes,I really wrote that),Lewis, etc ) have not been winning much lately - as recently as this weekend, Morgan Pressel lost in a playoff. Couple that with a flood of players from the Far East (and don't call me racist,ok - this is just a fact) and you have an organization sorely lacking a marketable identity in the eyes of U.S. consumers.

The latest news (and perhaps this is a sign of better times ahead) is that the players have (finally) grown tired of the (lack of) leadership from Commissioner Carolyn Bivens. I've been fervently wishing for a change here, and maybe change is a comin'. Sports Illustrated reported yesterday that a meeting was held last week in Sylvania,OH (home of the Jamie Farr Classic) in which the players wrote to LPGA President Michelle Ellisthey had "lost faith in Bivens' leadership and policies". For the sake of the LPGA, let's all hope this is true. Bivens mismanagement, poor decisions, and total lack of a strong presence in a time of crisis is laughable - the game and the LPGA deserves so much better than this.

The sad part to of this to me is that on an amateur level, interest in the ladies game appears stronger than ever. More quality female players are out there, better equipment is available for them,and female golfers are more welcome than ever on the links. Couple that with some awesome young talent on both the LPGA and Duramed Futures tour, and you can see why this is so frustrating. Rather than roll around in our own misery here at BCC, however, we have decided to prescribe a cure for the LPGA. Here are our 5 suggestions:

BUSHWOOD'S "CURE FOR PAIN" FOR THE LPGA

1. Fire Carolyn Bivens immediately - she has placed your livelihood in a death spiral.
2. Form an Executive Oversight committee to redefine your business model. This would be made up of Players (male and female, current and past pros), Golf Equipment Execs, and Sponsor Execs. This committee should first seek to understand what each group can contribute and what each group needs to participate - thus defining your business model and the skill set needed for your Commissioner.
3. Hire a Commissioner who can create a Strategic Plan for the business model - one who appreciates and understands all three perspectives (players, manufacturers, and sponsors).
4. Accept the fact that the game is globalizing, and make that a strength - not a liability.
5. Develop a plan to market the players and the game more effectively - The "These Girls Rock" campaign was, I thought, pretty good - but it simply died on the vine and had no sustainability.

These are pretty basic business turnaround fundamentals, and clearly something that the players deserve and should have expected to receive from the beginning. Bushwood has long been an LPGA supporter, and we will redouble our efforts here to back them...I can only hope that things improve fast for all of the talented players of the LPGA...

Oh Michelle, Just when I thought you were LEARNING...

If you have read BCC for very long, you know that I am straightforward in my assessments of players,equipment, and anything golf related. I've previously shared my disgust nausea disappointment with the media mania and constant unwarranted adoration that surrounds the perpetually underwhelming Michelle Wie. Her history of poor performances, fired caddies and agents, and never ending stream of excuses is enough to get someone to searching for the nearest straight razor.

HOWEVER, recently there seemed to be signs that she may ACTUALLY be getting better. To wit, her posts on "Twitter" showed a relatively normal side of her (albeit a bit nerdy,but I'm not gonna nit pick here)...and some players responses to/comments about her seemed to indicate that she is gaining some acceptance on the LPGA tour. After reading Shane B's glowing commentary on Michelle here (and the fact that she was displaying a little self deprecating sense of humor), I was about ready to admit that perhaps she had changed/grown up/rebooted and was perhaps "normalizing" a little bit.

How foolish of me....all it took was a camera,a microphone, and a post round interview on The Golf Channel after the McDonald's LPGA Championship to erase all hopes that she had "changed". After finishing a cool 14 strokes out of first place and not breaking 70in any round,one would think that her first comments would be to praise the winner (rookie Anna Nordqvist) and to talk about working harder to improve and perhaps win an event. WRONG !!!! Instead, we had the same ol' Michelle Wie...., making excuses, telling us that "the score really did not reflect how well she played", and that she really "played great" for the whole event. Um - let me be sure I'm right here - if you subtract the two eagles she made on iron shots (one an ace, the other a hole out on a par 4), her score would have been 3 over - good for a sterling 49th place. Before you call me a hater, stop just a moment - all I'm calling for is some REALISM. I she (ever) wins, I will be the first to give her her props - but until then, she is just another player on the LPGA tour striving for that first win, albeit one who is sorely in need of a dose of humility and reality.

What's wrong with the Golf Channel ?

If you are like me, you feel the daily urge to tune into The Golf Channel - even when there is practically NOTHING happening in the world of golf. What with shows like the "The Big Break", "Masters Highlights", and "Lessons from the Pros", there seems to generally be something worth watching.

However - there is ONE thing about TGC that totally SUCKS. Other than some of the attractive (ok, so shoot me - I like the fairer sex....) on-air talent (Kelly, Stina, Stephanie (we miss you !!!), most of the guys are blowhards who are completely disconnected from their audience. They seem to feel like the majority of their audience is still looking for reasons to look down their noses at the "commoners" who have taken up their cherished game .

Here are only a few examples:

• "The Daily Daly Bash" - These guys who have never sniffed a Major (Brandel, John Hawkins, Brian) never miss a chance to rip on John Daly, always looking down their noses and harrumphing about how bad Daly is for golf. They are so out of touch with most of us, it is pathetic. Face it, guys - people LIKE John Daly a lot.... the reasons are unimportant, they like him, so shaddup and deal with it.
• "The Wie Worship Hour" - Same culprits, different affection. Even though she has NOT WON ANYTHING in more than 5 years, the talking heads are "certain" that MW will remake the LPGA and is "great for golf". Wake up call #2 - I've talked to about a hundred people about this topic - so far, the tide runs about 9 :1 against the witless, er, winless Hawaiian. That's right, men and women alike flat out DISLIKE the arrogant, privileged, classless, Nike tattooed, "future of the LPGA. Until she wins something, I am with the masses - enough about MW.
• "The Camillo Crush" - Ok, I admit he won two events at the end of last year in dramatic fashion...so did Vijay, but we dont hear the talking heads speaking breathlessly about Vijay. Admittedly, CV did show some real promise late in the year, but guys, enough of the man crush on Spiderman - If he wins, he get the kudos, otherwise leave the adoration to the Tiger Beat crowd...
• The American Bash - After the Ryder Cup domination by the USA this year, you would think TGC would have been all apple pie and ice cream, right ? Guess again - First they had to rip on Boo Weekly for charging up the crowd, then they had to bash Perry for not playing the majors, and it just continued from there. How about a little home country support guys ? I know Faldo is "one of you", but remember, it's Boo's fans who pay their cable bills faithfully each month...and that's how you get to keep your cush jobs.
  

I will stop there, but trust me, I could go on. Meanwhile, I am interested in your take - what is YOUR pet peeve about TGC ?