Michelle Wie: Too Young, Greedy Tournaments To Blame

September 21, 2008

With all due respect to her remarkable young poise, there’s no better example of why teenage golfers shouldn’t turn professional than Michelle Wie.

Michelle Wie

And with equal respect to the LPGA and PGA Tours, whose tournaments I’ve been reporting on for more than 25 years, maybe the fault in young pro golfers turning pro and then floundering doesn’t have so much to do with the golfers and their respective parents as it does with organizations in whose tournaments they’re competing.

Wie wasn’t the first teenager to turn pro. But she’s certainly the most visible and the most controversial. In short, for a golfer of such talent, she’s failing.

But what’s more alarming is that the more she misses cut or hurts her wrist or cries on camera, the more the media, particularly broadcast media, still devourers her every move. And tournament officials still seek her participation.

And just what is it about the odd marriage between the sponsors who want Wie in events, the network executive who want rankings and the LPGA that wants increased exposure. Can they be that greedy?

It’s different on the PGA Tour. Its popularity is unfairly but truthfully tied to the playing schedule of Tiger Woods. But a few years ago, there was a young pro named Ty Tryon. Remember him? Didn’t he make a cut or two in PGA Tour events at age 16? Young Ty isn’t in the news much anymore, is he?

Of course, individuals are all different and young golfers, seeking the fame and fortunes of professional golf, will all mature differently.

But it’s getting harder to watch and read about Michelle Wie. No one is forcing her to play exactly, unless, the pressure of Nike, networks and tournament sponsors might just have some influence. You think?

She’s getting paid millions, but at the same time is getting used.

The LPGA and PGA Tour can’t and shouldn’t have the responsibility for the success and failure rates of young, skilled players and their quick catapulted into adulthood.

But both the LPGA and PGA like to believe they’re at the forefront pro sports. The buzz term is proactive. If so, here something to consider:

I don’t have all the details figured out, but wouldn’t it be ideal if the Tours initiated a “big-brother” or “big-sister” initiative to guide young players?

It could be voluntary, course. The Tours could ask veteran players if they want to be involved. The veteran players could, even with limited time involvement, offer their expertise. The could guide the teenage pros in the ways of pro golf world — playing pitfalls to media pressure.

Young players will still have to find their own way, of course. But it sure couldn’t hurt if those who’ve been down the path that is pro golf, could help the trek a little smoother for the babes in the fairway.

Posted in Golf Tribune Columns (By James Raia)