What's the Dealio, Yo?

by TiffJoh on May 15, 2007 12:30 PM EDT

Esther Choe becomes the 5th AJGA Rolex Player of the Year to turn professional.
This was after she had already signed with University of Arizona.
Talk about tough noogies...Coach Greg Allen had already been through this deal with Julieta Granada...Perhaps it's not a great idea to recruit the number 1 player in each class after all?

"There's got to be more honesty from these players." says U of A coach Greg Allen.

Read Beth Ann Baldry's article in golfweek:
http://www.golfweek.com/juniors/story/choe_news_051407

[Update] On another note, does anyone else remember the Golf Digest article with a photo sequence of Esther's swing along with Phil Francis'?

There was a 3 page spread on Esther's success in the junior ranks and two pages later...BAM!
There was Hank Haney's article encouraging talented young golfers to forego college if they wanted to be successful in the professional ranks.

http://www.golfdigest.com/features/index.ssf?/features/gd200703haney.html

Look closely at the girl's hand in the photo...Yes, that is an Arizona Wildcat temporary tattoo...weird.

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Is she ready?

Is Esther ready for the pro ranks? Is she Angela Park-ready, or In-Bee Park-ready? Because Angela has been kicking butt, but In-Bee's been getting her butt kicked.

by Mulligan Stu on May 15, 2007 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

It's hard to say..

Esther, In Bee and Angela are all great players...I think In Bee is struggling right now with her game, but it will come around eventually.

What I think is interesting is that the reason that Esther chose to go to U of A in the first place was because in a conversation with Annika, Annika told her "The tour will always be there...college golf is something you should at least get to experience..."

Right after the Nabisco, Esther talks to Morgan and decides to turn pro because Morgan says "playing golf is easier than going to school?"

With all due respect to Morgan, she's a really close friend and all, but would YOU snub the greatest female golfer of the decade just because it's "easier"?

Brewin' Bru-winning Bruin dreams.

by TiffJoh on May 15, 2007 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe that depends ...

... on just how much you hate school! I recall after the '05 Women's Open, Morgan reiterating several times, "Yes, I'm still going to Duke, can't wait to get to college." And we all know what happened ... can't say that was a bad decision, though. It's tough to resist money in a position like Morgan's when you know - with something close to certainty - that you're going to make a lot of it. Just hope there aren't a lot of 18ish golfers out there thinking they can ALL be as successful as Morgan or Angela. Some of these kids - although probably not Esther - are going to wish they'd made another choice.

by Mulligan Stu on May 15, 2007 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

oh mulligan...

You're so wise. In the words of ron burgundy. " you're like a miniature buddha covered in fur."
Don't get me wrong though..I'm not saying its a bad decision...I'm sure many of us collegiate golfers would do the same had we esthers stellar resume and record.
I think the only part that irks me is the bad rap this new generation is getting for making verbal(and written) commitments, then backing out of them unexpectedly much to the chagrin of the coach, team, and program that ends up with the short end of the stick. steps off soapbox =)

Brewin' Bru-winning Bruin dreams.

by TiffJoh on May 15, 2007 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

tattoos

From now own, coaches should require PERMANENT tattoos rather than temporary ones. perhaps that will make the kids keep their promises. i know when my wife - mulligan sue - agreed to marry she required a permanent tattoo. and let me tell you, it was easy getting "bubbles" changed to "sue." i am committed!