In defense of Michelle Wie's Career Path
by Bogie Man on Jul 30, 2008 12:45 AM EDT
Email
PrintWith all the criticism of Michelle Wie this week, I'd like to actually defend her career path.
Certainly if it were her goal to be one of the greatest female golfers of all time, she is not off to a great start. For those of us who are golf fans (especially those of you who are big fans of womens golf) her career seems to be a joke at this point. She's not exactly on the path toward the hall of fame and not likely to be spoken of in the same sentence as Annika Sorenstam or Nancy Lopez.
However, if her career goal is to be rich and famous, it seems obvious to me that she is miles ahead of where she would be had she pursued a more traditional career path (futures tour, Q-school, playing only in women's tournaments,etc.) According to Forbes magazine she earned $17 million last year compared to Annika's $8 million.
As far as fame goes, Michelle is probably one of the top five well known female golfers among the general public. Had she pursued an LPGA career it is likely that she would just be another of the 20 somethings sharing the limelight with Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, Natalie Gulbis, et al.
The point is that there are many ways to judge the wisdom of her (or her parents') career choices but the only way to truly judge them is whether or not they achieve their goals.
FanPosts are written by Waggle Room members. Viewpoints expressed do not necessarily reflect those of WaggleRoom.com, editor, Charles Boyer or any other writer or member.
24 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
you make good points
Michelle is not living up to our (I’m including the whole of golf-aware society) expectations regarding how a talented female golfer should pursue her career. Consequently, when she plays an LPGA tournament we all say, “Good. Maybe she finally gets it.”—“IT” being our expectations. Then she’ll accept an invitation to play in a traditionally male only tournament. The result is we, the golf-aware, use electrons, ink and interview time telling her she should behave like a proper lady.
A Tiger-less PGA Tour is a collection of nameless, faceless clones earning way too much money for playing a silly game. When Jay Williamson was quoted as saying she shouldn’t compete at Reno, Wie didn’t know who he was. Why should she? He’s just another clone.
Tour golf is entertainment. Michelle livens things up, increases interest and everyone makes more money. Should we really care if she chooses an unconventional path?
Here's a question
Think back over the things Wie said that started this whole media circus rolling. SHE wanted to be a great champion. SHE wanted to play in the Masters. SHE wanted to have a PGA Tour card and play there.
Do you REALLY think that the only thing she had on her mind was being rich and famous ? Those are not the statements of these NBA guys who just want “their money” before they play minute one out of college.
I guess I’m just one of those “stick in the mud” purists who is tired of the “stories”. I want to see great golf and see the pros push themselves to excell and succeed. Wie doesn’t “liven things up”, unless you call hitting poor golf shots into the rough then chipping out to the fairway “livening things up”. You don’t see the men at the bottom of the leaderboard on TV, but you see Wie. She is a sideshow. The only people who have things livened up are the media types who get their gossipy stories, and the sheep who think that Michelle Wie is a truly great golfer.
Golfers who liven things up are the ones who make shots and face the challenge of the game. This is a GOLF tournament – not a fashion show.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Here's an answer
I’m with you 100% as someone who loves the game for the game itself.
For example, I’m not one who worships Tiger Woods as some sort of god. (In fact I often cite him as an illustration of Mark 8:36. “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, but forfeit his soul.” But that is another topic.) But I have incredible respect for him as an example of what can be acheived through hard work, perserverance, and single mindedness. THIS is what sports are supposed to be about.
In Michelle Wie’s case though I think you have to admit that hers is a generation that lives for fame. Why do you think You-Tube is so popular? How else do you explain Paris Hilton and others like her who are famous for being famous? The career moves made by her parents would have to be attributed to some other motive (perhaps greed?) but I think that this weeks move is an obvious statement by Michelle that she wants to continue being the sideshow rather than trying to be as great as she can be as a traditional professional woman golfer.
Of course at her age she still has time to change paths if she wants to (though she would have to do it soon.) If you were in her shoes what would you do?
'splain dat
(since we’re talking modern things)
Are you using that Bible verse to say that Tiger has sold his soul ? Or are you saying that he has resisted the temptations and excelled anyway ?
You are SO right about this generation and the famous for being famous attitude. I don’t know if it’s greed, though. Kids have learned an entitlement mindset thanks to so many professional athletes wanting “their money” and the ever expanding welfare and illegal alien lines.
Like you – I HOPE Wie gets her act together – but as long as there are tournaments and sponsors willing to provide an easy path for her, I’m not going to hold my breath.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I'm glad you ask..
Look at Tiger’s life. He has tons of money, beautiful homes, a yacht, a hot wife. He can go anywhere he wants, associate with kings, presidents, celebrities, etc…
I think it’s obvious he has succeeded in spades when it comes to worldly measures.
Unfortunately, Tiger Woods is reportedly a Buddhist which means that he has not accepted the gift of salvation offered only by Jesus Christ. For whatever (relatively) short time he has here on earth, he can have pretty much anything he wants. Unfortunately, those material and wordly things will do him no good in eternity.
I feel sorry for him and hope that one day someone is able to help him find the way.
you left off a few things...
...he COULD go anywhere he wants, but being out in public is a tough thing because of all the attention that gravitates around him.
...don’t forget that he also travels to spend time with poor people – especially kids – with and through his foundation. He does spend a lot of time and money helping with charities. He’s not all about kings, presidents and celebs.
...then there’s the age old counter argument – “what if Buddha (or insert your other religious preference) was right ?” :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
If it were possible...
to earn your way in to heaven, with his work ethic he would be the one that could do it. Fortunately for me heaven is not earned by our actions.
Someday I hope you and I meet on a golf course (or over a cold beer at the 19th hole) so we can discuss this further. Although I get he feeling that you already understand it and are just “playing the devils advocate” so to speak.
God bless.
belief
I understand you’ve been taught to believe that stuff, but aren’t you being a little bit narrow minded? Do you really think that because you were born where you were, that you have a lock on salvation and no one else does?
Absolutely not!
Christ died for the sins of everyone. The gift of salvation through grace is available to anyone who will accept it.
He died for me and he died for you.
On the other hand, God respects your choices. If you choose to spend eternity apart from God, he will allow you to do so.
Personally, I intend to spend eternity with God.
extremism
What I really find interesting about evangelicals is that you are just like Islamic extremists — you think only those who believe exactly as you do are entitled to salvation. No, really, you’re just like the people you hate so much. You each hold up what you claim to be sacred text that was divinely inspired then tell everyone within earshot that failure to believe every word dooms the infidel to hell.
You want proof, right? You posted a perfectly logical view about the arc of Michelle Wie’s career. Some of us agreed; some of us didn’t. Then, for whatever reason, you decided to inject your opinion of Tiger Wood’s personal beliefs about something unrelated to golf, and how you are so much better than he is in that regard. In doing so, you’ve quoted your scripture to anyone who reads the thread and condemned every one who doesn’t believe as you to hell.
Please don’t expect to go unchallenged.
well - there IS one teeny tiny difference
you don’t see the christian “extremists” strapping bombs onto their kids or wives or themselves and walking into public markets.
but you’re right – the religion aspect sort of came out of the blue. (or was it yellow with black stripes ?)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
tactics
Only the tactics are different, plus evangelicals haven’t perfected mass murder yet, but they regularly eliminate infidels. Perhaps you heard about the guy who walked into a non-evangelical Christian church last Sunday with a shotgun? And let’s not forget Eric Rudolph.
come on
there is no way you can compare to what a couple nutcases do compared to entire sects of Islamic extremists and terrorists do and say. Those Islamic sects have made no secret of their desire to take over the world and destroy anything not Islamic.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
difference?
CG, the only difference is the degree to which Islamic extremists and evangelical extremists will go to prosecute their agenda. Evangelicals in the US are restrained by the rule of law that is currently absent in some middle eastern countries. Given the chance you don’t think they’d do the same thing?
The rhetorical substance of each group is identical — be like we are or suffer the consequences.
Here's a huge difference is..
lslam teaches that if you do not accept their teaching you are an infidel who should be killed.
My Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ said that I am to share the good news of the salvation offered through His own sacrifice. If you choose to reject the word or even mock it, that’s your decision and I can do nothing about it. I will do as Jesus taught which is to “shake the dust off my sandals” and move on.
God does not force anyone to spend eternity with Him. You are free to choose your own master and take your chances with them.
As for me. I have shared the news with you. I don’t hate you for choosing to reject and mock it.
By the way, I go to church in Knoxville, TN. The man who shot those people was no Christian.
It would be hard to tell from the sensationalist headlines we get in the US, but Islam is not violent. Some practitioners of something they call Islam are violent just as there are violent people who call themselves christians. I’ve been to the middle east (post 9/11, by the way), I’ve had meaningful discussions with Muslims, none of them wanted to kill me even though I don’t share their religion. The negative information about Islam you’ve heard is all propaganda designed to make it easy for you to think nothing of killing some sub-human species.
I don’t believe I’ve mocked the news you’ve shared. I do strongly disagree with the evangelical interpretation of God and Its intent. I can think of no group of people who are more judgmental with less right to be so than evangelicals. Any group that claims to be the “only true believers and everyone else is going to hell” as you’ve just done limits God. Jesus preached the gospel of inclusion. You guys are all about excluding anyone who isn’t just like you.
honestly ?
no.
some people point at the age of the crusades and try to make a connection to today, but that doesn’t hold water because the crusades had less to do with religion than it did with political power and wealth.
you couldn’t be more wrong about the rhetorical substance – one religion orders the death of other religions – the other doesn’t.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
see the post above
It’s interesting that Christians, Jews and Muslims all worship the same God differently yet we continually look for ways to demonize each other. :::sigh::: I guess that’s just human nature, huh?
One last point
I would like to clear up one popular misconception that pops up again in your earlier statement
CG, the only difference is the degree to which Islamic extremists and evangelical extremists will go to prosecute their agenda. Evangelicals in the US are restrained by the rule of law that is currently absent in some middle eastern countries. Given the chance you don’t think they’d do the same thing?
My salvation is not tied to you accepting yours. If I (or any other christian) care about your salvation it is purely out of love. I don’t get points toward better tee times in heaven based on the number of souls I save.
I believe in the one true God who is all powerful. If He wanted to make you a follower by force he could do so easily but he doesn’t want that. Why would I?
Also, Christians and Jews worship the same God. Muslims do not.
please don't...
Please don’t let this be your last post in this thread. Until Waggle Room gets a new “boss” this is the only game in town.
Anyway, Muslims trace their spiritual roots back to Abraham; yep, the one in Genesis. The Qur’an speaks of Jesus as a prophet of God. From Wikipedia: “Muslims regard the Qur’an as the culmination of a series of divine messages that started with those revealed to Adam, regarded in Islam as the first prophet, and continued with the Suhuf-i-Ibrahim (Scrolls of Abraham),the Tawrat (Torah), the Zabur (Psalms),and the Injeel (Gospel). The aforementioned books are not explicitly included in the Qur’an, but are recognized therein.”
So it seems the Islamic “Allah” is the same as the Jewish “Yaweh” and the Christian “God.” I think you would be able to recognize that if you weren’t taught to be so narrow minded. Acknowledging that other cultures have something to add to the story doesn’t mean you have to abandon your own faith traditions, but it does give you a leg up on loving your neighbor.
Actually..
there is nothing loving about allowing someone to live in ignorance of the one true path to salvation.
If I know someone has cancer should I withhold information about chemotherapy out of “respect” for their belief in blood letting? I think not.
As long as I have breath in my lungs and the freedom to speak, I will proclaim the truth to all who will listen and explain it further to any who ask.
huh?
courtgolf says:
“Golfers who liven things up are the ones who make shots and face the challenge of the game.”
Like Jay Williamson? He has sure added excitement and interest to golf, hasn’t he?
he would....
...but the sheep and the media don’t think that excitement comes from anyone not named Tiger, Phil, Sergio, or Michelle.
oh – Williamson also didn’t win.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Have a golf story tip? Contact editor Charles Boyer and he will follow the story! Thanks!
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
