Right now I can think of 2, MAYBE 3 Aces High virtual pilots with the golfing ability to even dream of playing in a PGA Tour event. One player was on tour in the mid-late 70's and another I talked to not long ago wants to give Q-School a shot and I wish him the best of luck with the advice "Make lots of Birdies, lots and lots of Birdies."
If you ask, my credentials are as follows:
1.) 4 Year Letterwinner in High School.
2.) Captain of High School golf team Junior year & Senior years.
3.) Three-time individual player in OHSAA State Golf Tournament.
4.) 3 top-5's on Nike Winternational Junior Golf Tour (4 events)
5.) Wall full of trophys from individual tournaments around Ohio.
6.) Unofficial (non competition) course records at 2 Ohio courses.
7.) Turned Professional spring of 2001 while a senior in H.S.
8.) Member of the PGA of America (goes along with #7)
What's all that mean? Basically, I don't wear shorts on the golf course and have a card thats about as fancy as my cut-out-yourself pilot certificate.
Have no current plans to attempt at making a living on the PGA Tour, may give the '04 U.S. Open a shot.
And on to Annika...
It's her exemption, she'll play from the tips, let's see how she does. If you wouldn't make a fuss other than "I've never heard of that guy" for me taking the tee, then you should make less a fuss about someone who has a shot at not merely making the cut, but placing very well. Some of the remarks I've read including "is she driving the beer cart" I just want to hang my head in shame. It's like going to a golf course and not being permitted to walk due to a "Carts Only, Cartpath Only" rule in place. I play no faster, generally play poorer and definately slower when a cart is used because not only must I concentrate on scoring, but am not as relaxed as I would be had I been walking. I understand it's hard to carry your bellies and a spare 6 pack in a carry bag. You're so critical to your business that you must carry a cellular phone (Skuzzy, I'll give you an exemption on this one, I couldn't fathom all the whines you get about the server. Doctors too are excluded from the "that jerk" list, anyone else carry a pager on Buzz mode and wait till the turn to make the call) and not to mention all the other clumsy unhelpful gizmo-gadgets I've seen players, and my students alike, bring with them. (Tin Cup eccentricities I assure you are not limited to the silver screen) But guys, come on. When you can beat her, or play anywhere remotely near her level, that is when you can judge whether or not she belongs inside the ropes. I say she's a player, and think that many LPGA members could play the boys shot for shot. I can tell you that more often than not they'd knock the socks off me but then again playing golf is not my livelihood as I am a Golf Professional, not a Professional Golfer. So lets see how she does...
