The Fairway Flapper - A Blog for the Golf Girl, Lady, Woman

Cheering on the AT&T National Once Again

2009-07-05T08:39:00.000-05:00

Call me a "Hometown Girl," I'm once again highlighting the guys' AT&T National at Congressional Country Club.

First of all it's an awesomely appropriate gesture to allow members of the military to attend the AT&T National free of charge. The tournament also offered many other perks for military personnel and events celebrating their service.

On a more subjective note, GO ANTHONY KIM!

Kim just broke a course record, scoring 62 in the first round. He's been a favorite for a while, but particularly after reading "Who is Anthony Kim?" in Golf Digest this past March. He struck me as a youthful, down to earth golfer ... maybe enough to call him audacious? In the interview he mentioned,

"I've never been a person who says something because it looks good in print. A lot of times, that's gotten me in trouble, too. Where I could smooth things over with just a few words, I don't. I choose maybe a little too much of the truth, without spinning it enough, if you know what I mean."

Rebellious but not over the top, down to earth in his outlook on interviews and the game. In the article, he discussed the challenge of maturing both himself and his game, learning a lot along the way.

Let's hope he can win the Washington tournament for the second year in a row!!

A Philanthropic Celebration

2008-09-29T20:53:00.006-05:00

This weekend, Nancy Lopez will be busy honoring the 50th Anniversary of Adventures in Movement. Lopez is Chairman of the Ohio based non-profit, which seeks "to help individuals achieve their highest potential through the AIM Method of Specialized Movement Education."

In addition to her tradition of hosting the 28th Nancy Lopez/AIM Golf Tournament, Nancy will be benefiting the charity by personally selling and autographing golf items (including some special memorabilia) at Spanish Springs Town Square in The Villages, Florida on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Take the GFW Challenge!

2008-06-16T14:01:00.004-05:00

Feel like you're stuck in the office too much to stay on top of you're game? Well, just in time for summer, Golf for Women Magazine has constructed a program just for gals, allowing you to improve your score in a realistic fashion: with the assistance of an Internet connection.

Simply head to GFWchallenge.com and create an account.

The program works to target your individual weak areas, provides relevant tips and adjustments to make, and then allows you easily track your progress.

Now we have no excuse for a poor handicap ... Thanks a lot GFW!

Million Dollar Baby

2007-11-19T15:12:00.002-05:00

This Fall Lorena Ochoa not only secured numero uno rank in women's golf, but a hefty check for $1 million, the largest prize ever awarded in women's golf.

Lorena appropriately broke the bank at "The Donald's" course, Trump International in California this weekend.

Oddly enough, her key financial asset really lies in that No. 1 ranking, a vital requirement if she wants to push Annika aside for some more lucrative endorsement deals.

[PS: She totally coordinated her shirt with The Fairway Flapper ...]

Women Get an Entire Month!

2007-11-19T14:57:00.001-05:00

Although next summer may seem a very distant thought right now, American Express has just announced that Women's Golf will no longer be celebrated in one week, but in the entire Month of June.

This year Women's Golf Week was such a record-breaking hit (and because we not only broke out our clubs for the special events but also our purses) we now get four straight weeks packed with beneficial activities & events geared to improve our game and status on the green.

Thanks AmEx!

Wonderful Tool for Rookie-Women

2007-09-20T09:53:00.000-05:00

One of my other extracurricular-activities brought me to the site Meetup.com. I immediately looked for a local golf “Meetup” and it’s a wonderful asset!

There are several other rookie-golferettes in the group who pro-actively suggest group outings to improve our game together. Many got turned onto golf by a man in their life, which is great, but some girls (like myself) would feel much more comfortable venturing on the course with a group of fellow new-girls rather than heading straight out with the husband and his buddies.

In my biased outlook on the sport, golf is typically considered a guys’ sport – and stereotypically guys play much more often.
If one were to poll people in their 20’s I’d predict more males than females play the sport, and play 18-holes more often.
So for some reason this notion subconsciously makes me assume if they play more than me, they must be really good! The feminist, perfectionist in me almost doesn’t want to pair up with the guys until my game is stellar. How stubborn and misinformed of me!

Maybe I’m alone in this, but either way I suggest every girl head to Meetup.com and look for her local golf group or create one. It’s a wonderful way to round up a bunch of golferettes to organize a fun outing with.

A Celebrity Event!

2007-07-12T09:33:00.003-05:00

This summer the American Century Championship took place up at Lake Tahoe. The competition was made up of various entertainment stars, whether actors or athletes (but mostly athletes).

One upsetting point was the appalling lack of female participants this year. At first glance the list of players appeared to have been a boys-only event! Kudos to Brandi Chastain (US Women's Soccer Pro, famous for her sports bra display at the Women's World Cup in '99) the only female on the roster of nearly 80 people. She has played golf for years and spent lots of time on the course with teammates Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy.

A Fairway Spectator

2007-07-09T14:11:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was lucky enough to make it to my first pro golf tournament, the AT&T National at Congressional.I absolutely adored it! What an amazing sporting event golf is. Nothing else lets you walk the "field" with the pros and stand inches away as they play. Just being a spectator is a sport in it's own too. Navigating your way with course map in hand, hiking several miles throughout the day, and strategically planning in order to see all your favorites up close & at a good hole.

The morning was spent checking out some warm-ups on the driving range & putting green. Then relocating to the 10^th hole - with a nice water hazard - until some of the leaders began tearing up the course.

My hometown friends and I decided to set-up right near the 8^th green for Kresge & Davis. We held our position next to the green (+ a great view of the 9^th tee) for Kim, Rose, Woods, and Furyk - four I wanted to see in action. Next we high-tailed it past 18, as Vijay finished, and finally parked ourselves along 17 until Choi & Appleby had passed.

Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post crafted a wonderful article after interviewing Tiger. I've attached some highlights from it below, so "Read more" and check it out. It really left me with a nice feeling, being from the Washington area.

Some personal highlights were:

Choi's amazing birdie out of the bunker on 17.

Tiger light-heartedly engaging the fans at the putting green as he struggled a bit with the warm up. Sort of a 'what can ya do?' shrug & smile. Can't get too upset over a difficult warm-up, being no. 1 in the world, on the final day hosting a wonderful event, with a beautiful family at home ...

Finding humor in certain 'styles' on the course:
favorites being Charley Hoffman who somewhat resembled Garth from "Wayne's World"

Anthony Kim

The little kids!
It is the cutest thing, whether yelling "Tiger!" or running along with their dad after he just won the tournament. My favorite though was when the trophy ceremony was about to start. I'd decided to head for the shuttle and beat the rush. While heading up towards the clubhouse a very frustrated Stuart Appleby raced by, cutting up through the shrubs to the building, and you hear this little 3 year old (un-coached by mom or dad) recognize him & innocently say, "Hey, Mister Appleby!" There's no way you could stay agitated after hearing that!

I'm already excited to attend another tournament!! I'm now planning to venture up to New York for the HSBC Women's World Match later this month!

Copyright 2007 The Washington Post
All Rights Reserved
http://www.washingtonpost.com
The Washington Post

Brilliant Store Just for the Fairway Female!

2007-07-05T10:04:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for some one-stop golf shopping, free of frustration, you have to visit this store!

Catherine Cole of Long Island put a good hunch to work when she started Forward Tee Golf last month. Fed up with the lack of quality service and supply while shopping for golf equipment she decided to open her own store. One mildly entertaining example (only because it's so blatantly sad & we can all relate) was when she was looking for a new putter ...

"So I'm in this store and I'm trying out a putter on the putting green and a guy that works there comes up to me and says, 'Can I help you?' "

Cole said she was in the market for a new putter and thought she would receive some expertise in picking out one that fit just right.

Instead, this:

"He picks a putter off the rack, hands it to me, and says, 'You'll like this one, it's pink,'"

It is tragic how the only way to find a worthwhile selection is online. How on earth are you supposed to locate the appropriate items online?? Whether shoes or a new 460 driver ... you just have to test everything out before identifying what works for you.

Leave it to South Carolina

2007-07-03T21:50:00.000-05:00

A town near Gaffney, South Carolina annually celebrates the 4^th of July with a golf cart parade! How very appropriate for this uber-golf state. Very cute idea!

A similar event will take place at the end of the summer, on Labor Day at Lake View Marina Resort in Kentucky.

Strippers on Course??

2007-07-03T21:14:00.000-05:00

This wildly unusual incident caught my attention last week. A teenage guy took notice when he spotted some half naked women on the local golf course. He pulled out a video recording devise (I'm guessing a cell phone) and captured the jaw-dropping sight: breasts & lap dances.

Apparently golf was not the main event at this charity tournament at the Cherry Valley Golf Course in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. Strippers were a primary feature too! All of this was easily visible from the surrounding residential roads.

It's so absurd one almost has to laugh in shock, Are you serious? How on earth did this come about??
C.R. Fannys Gentleman's Club was sponsoring the event.

Ohhh boys. What were you thinking??
Although, police don't quite know what to do about the incident.

Oddly enough, this past weekend there was a similar presence at a fund-raiser for the Democratic Party of Lucas County Ohio!

Ladies' Golf Fashions Draw Big Attention

2007-07-03T20:27:00.000-05:00

Today the Associated Press published an article highlighting the rapidly evolving apparel for women on the golf course. Most of the brands have been previously featured here at The Fairway Flapper except for one: LIJA.

This brand is amazingly street-wearable, with lines like City Luxe and Nouveau Riche. There is also an overwhelming amount of merchandise offered! Fun color themes include Sweet Like Sangria, Green with Envy, and Dawn to Dusk. You're bound to have one huge "shopping cart" after taking a look at lijastyle.com.

A Patriotic Golf Philanthropy

2007-07-03T19:56:00.001-05:00

Been thinking about doing something nice for the troops? Give them golf!
Bringing golf to the American troops in the Middle East provides them a very adequate outlet & break from the stresses of war. There are currently several organizations working to collect golfing supplies for the armed forces overseas, including Give 2 The Troops' "Tee Off for the Troops." The donations go toward make-shift driving ranges, which lack the ball retrieval equipment, making golf balls a continuous need. In addition golf mats, nets, gloves, tees and clubs (particularly women's and left-handed sets) are the main focus of these campaigns.

So if you have any old golf items collecting dust this is one fantastic way to put them to use!

Other charities that use golf to support American soldiers include:

Phil Mickelson's Birdies for the Brave: donating funds to military homes and educational scholarships.

A Maine Boy Scout Troop started Wedges for War: sending golf equipment to US soldiers in Iraq & Afghanistan.

Golfers 4 Freedom: supporting US Camp Taji in Iraq with golf supplies.

Many local military bases have small scale programs like these, so check with them also.

Cut That Putter!

2007-07-02T14:44:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I was lucky enough to take a Dave Pelz 1-Day Golf Clinic, out at Wyncote Country Club in the Philadelphia-Wilmington area. The day focused on short-game skills. I initially had some reservations about participating since my short game has been not so hot lately (wait, isn't that what clinics are for?).I hopped in the car early Saturday morning and headed out into the rolling green hills of historic Southeastern Pennsylvania. Surrounded by lovely vineyards and crisp summer air I was no longer upset that the clinic was an hour outside the city. After arriving at Wyncote I found myself seated amongst a group of professional-aged men. As I sat feeling groggy (I play better without any caffeine in my system) I listened to the discussion of courses and the latest golf tools technology has to offer ... in addition to numbers like 1, 3 and 10, which were the handicaps of my fellow students. Several others arrived, including two women and the lesson began.

The instructors were David LiCalsi and Anne Sparks and we spent the morning working on wedge shots, greenside chipping and bunker shots. I was happy to start off with the wedge shots, as the set-up, form and swing my lessons instilled in me was very applicable. After seeing fantastic results and being able to control the ball in a short range, I had my head on straight for the rest of the day! Working out of the bunker and greenside I actually appreciated the fact that my swing is new and mailable. Some of the veteran players had more difficulty adjusting their swing and set-up due to fixed habits and perceptions. Now I can't wait to get out on the course and find my ball in a sand trap next to the green!

After lunch we focused on putting. This session was really an eye opener but in a more technical way. First of all, most people's putters are way too long (I need to cut 4" off mine). The other putting skill presented was green reading. Dave Pelz is a man of science and to accurately understand a successful put based on the apex, science was referenced. The two instructors put on a little experiment to prove that one cannot sink a putt by simply aiming for the height of the apex! Mind-blowing ... some might even call it heresy!The clinic taught me something else: golf is like a faith. There are many different ways of thinking and theories of swing/set-up, like there are many different religions. Many of these methods and beliefs contradict each other, but they all serve the same goal: better performance on the golf course.

I definitely recommend it to anyone willing to spend the money. Especially if you're a rookie. Better to form good habits early!

Sam Alexis Woods - Future Golferette?

2007-07-02T13:29:00.000-05:00

Elin Nordegren Woods, wife of Tiger Woods, gave birth to baby Sam Alexis Woods back on June 18^th, the morning after the men's US Open (talk about the best father's day gift ever). Tiger recently opted to stay home from the Buick Open to spend time with his wife and new daughter. The family recently released official photos of the new arrival.

I wonder if she'll pick up golf in two years like her father did ...

The Next Generation of Hot Golfers

2007-07-02T12:53:00.000-05:00

The tween girl golfer is set to be the next hot phenomena in golf. These youngsters are oozing with so much talent already that I'm beyond eager to see what the game of women's golf will be like in 10 years!Floridian Alexis Thompson recently brought some attention to this powerhouse generation of golferettes but she is not alone. In last year's under-12 competition identical twins, Lisa and Leona Maguire of Ireland, placed 1^st and 3^rd, while Ms. Thompson finished 4^th. Identical twins! Talk about good sibling rivalry & potential female drama on the course. Match that with the inevitable level of talent & skill, five years down the road women's golf will certainly be one of the most watched sports on television.

Oscar Winner Takes Her Clubs to the Open

2007-07-02T11:22:00.000-05:00

This weekend actress Sally Field was the US Women's Open to gain support for women's health issues but also to advance in the sport herself. The AP took notice of this celebrity on course, as the lucky lady had her first lesson on one of the practice holes at Pine Needles! Sally also pointed out one of the greatest things about golf, "People walk around and enjoy God, God's gifts, the trees, so I think I've always thought I should have that in my life." I must agree. It's an amazing thing to take a break from life as an adult in the corporate world, spending nearly every hour indoors. At your desk, in the car, at the gym, at a restaurant for dinner or in a bar for happy hour. The chance to spend a relaxing four hours outside, in the most picturesque of natural settings is the greatest thing!

Sally Field's tip for sticking with the game as a rookie golferette: "She said she keeps a set of golf clubs in her bedroom to remind her of her goals."

A Weekend for the Women

2007-07-02T08:45:00.000-05:00

The US Women's Open this year was jam packed with excitement and incident. The competition finished in gentle sunny weather with an ecstatic, long awaited win by Cristie Kerr (and her magic putter from Korea). I couldn't be happier about the outcome. The idea of karma comes to mind regarding this win for Kerr. It was the 10^th victory for the bubbly 29 year old, in her 10^th year with the LPGA!
[Photo: Cristie Kerr celebrates victory with husband Erik Stevens - CHRIS KEANE / REUTERS]

One can recall her touching victory at the Canadian Women's Open last year, where a fan gave Cristie a special coin he'd held with him as his wife defeated breast cancer. She went on to play magnificently and accredited her win to that very significant quarter. Cristie's a true philanthropist, having started the Birdies for Breast Cancer organization in 2003. She ties her two passions by personally donating $50 for every birdie she makes and hosting many golf related events. As a result of her direct involvement with the effort she was honored with the LPGA Komen Award last year. I can't think of a better person to be the star of women's golf!
There were many of bumps along the way at this year's Open in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Thunderstorms interrupted the third round and marked the end of 12 year old Alexis Thompson's record breaking debut at the Open. Annika and Michelle were both held back by their prior injuries, while the other leaders of this year's Open, including Lorena Ochoa, just couldn't grasp hold of the lead. You gotta love golf ... nothing is ever predictable.

Check out the complete scores.

Daddy's Little Golferette

2007-06-17T18:28:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and got to spend some quality time with a special dad in your life, whether father, husband, grandfather or brother.I appropriately celebrated the day with a relaxing 9-hole father-daughter round at the politically famed, "too tough for beginners" Andrews Air Force Base. We played the front nine of the West Course.
Some unique features:

The full course is a par 73 for ladies and 70 for men -- we encountered three par 3s and one par 5
The presence of the Air Force One hanger in the background
The chance that Condi Rice will be in the group right behind you.

I definitely enjoyed it and luckily for both of us we didn’t keep score. My elderly father is just getting back in the game after having surgery on his shoulder and I’m still settling into my newly structured swing.I was thrilled to finally see the fairways at Andrews since it’s essentially been my father’s home away from home for years. The day also highlighted one priceless benefit of playing the game: spending time with your father. For years weekends were spent shopping & lunching with my mother, while dad was off golfing, working in the yard or watching a tournament in TV. I finally have something I can share with him.

Did anyone else enjoy some Father’s Day golf activities (how convenient that the US Open was the same day)?

UPDATE: My Thoughts on the Augusta Issue

2007-06-16T17:35:00.000-05:00

I made some slight adjustments to my possibly too political & rash post regarding Martha Burk & Augusta National. Just tiny revisions to more ... tastefully ... rationally ... accurately communicate my opinion.

Snagging a Savvy Swing

2007-06-16T16:56:00.000-05:00

Since I was set on getting serious about the game I decided to start from scratch and invest in a proper swing. This spring I've been taking great lessons at the Every Body Golf School, in Oakton, Virginia.My instructor Noel Jablonski truly adapts the instruction to fit the individual. Noel uses a variety of methods to effectively communicate the proper form, rhythm and ease required for a solid consistent swing. A Class-A member of the LPGA, she has been featured on Golf for Women's list of top instructors. The Washington Post also detailed her training program in From Zero to Tee in Ten Days.

If anyone is looking for some quality lessons in the Washington area Noel will successfully make you swing like a pro! ... Someone actually recognized my swing at a driving range in Pennsylvania!

Stylin' On Course

2007-06-16T16:26:00.000-05:00

Apparently fairway fashions are continuing to become runway-savvy as Swedish clothier J. Lindeberg Women's Wear has launched a golf line! Canada's Globe & Mail published a very fun article reminiscing upon the evolution of women as an influential part of the golfing industry. The posh attire offered has the classic golfwear design with a soft feminine twist. Check it out at the women's section of their online store.

Very cute indeed! The brand also has a men's line and is working on putting out a golf shoe with Puma.

Fairway Clash over Feminism & Golf

2007-06-13T10:49:00.000-05:00

I originally started this post back on May 26th but with all the resurfacing buzz about the issue of “equal treatment” of women on golf courses, particularly in the UK [read: the serious side or the op-ed piece], I’ve been motivated to finish this …

Late last night I was heading south on 95, returning home for the weekend. In an attempt to stay focused I decided to search for some 'talk' radio. The static hiss of the AM offerings was not cutting it, so I ended up listening to the CSPAN station on FM.

A prerecorded lecture by Martha Burk, at the National Press Club was just beginning. Certain tid-bits from the introduction told me I was not going to agree with most of what this woman would be saying, but I like to be aware of exactly what I don't agree with.

One issue in particular stood out. Martha Burk vs. Augusta National Golf Club.

In leading the fight against Augusta's men's-only policy, Burk has gone so far as to accuse corporate executives with Augusta memberships of being discriminatory employers! This spring Morgan Stanley paid out $46 million in a similar lawsuit.

Don't you enjoy spending time with your gal pals sans-men, Martha? What about the LPGA? I say Tiger tries to play an LPGA tournament. There are plenty of golf lessons designed for girls only, I’m certain there aren’t any boy-only unless offered at Augusta. Let the boys have their club, what is the problem or the intrigue? We have the right to go out and start some women-exclusive golf clubs. There's a resent plan to make an entire floor at the Marriott hotel women-only; I don't have an issue with that and I bet men don’t either ... until people like Martha Burk enter the picture.

It'd be one thing if every golf course was male-only, but that isn't the case at all. Being the graduate of all-girls school, where a single sex environment may allow some to excel more. Maybe that’s part of the men’s-only purpose. We're females, does Martha neglect to acknowledge the power we hold ... which might be distracting to some men in their pursuits of competition or relaxation?

A lot of the recent coverage has focused on the apparently flawed strategy to create equality at the club. Now the problem isn’t about women being allowed in. The issue is how we’re treated at the facility after some have fought our way in. Resentment maybe? ‘You girls want to be members of our club? Sure, we’ll let you in … just see how much you enjoy it.’ I'm more bothered by this problem though than an entire men's-only facility. If you're going to let us in, let us in. If you want to have some men's-only hours or lounges, then make some women's-only one's also. I do also automatically apply economic principles to this sticky situation. When the demand for fabulous women's facilities increases and there is a substantial profit to be made off the female golf base, then places will truly cater to our needs and tastes. You can't successfully force a market to do what you want. You want to see some legitimate changes? Keep bringing those clubs and pocketbooks to the golf course ladies.

Apparently I’m not alone since groups like Women Against Martha Burk spouted up. Thoughts anyone?

TheGolfSpace.com for Online Networking

2007-05-29T15:15:00.000-05:00

Today I stumbled upon TheGolfSpace.com (think: MySpace for golfers), created by the Hooked On Golf blogger Tony Korologos.Now, there are other golf sites out there with superb networking capabilities but this one jumped out at me, partly because I'm 23 & very familiar with the MySpace concept and also because I'm just getting into the sport. I get the impression TheGolfSpace is pretty basic, giving a friendlier/more approachable vibe to golfers at any level. More advanced networking communities, like the one offered on oobgolf, can be a bit overwhelming at first glance yet have amazing resources for every golfer, from rookie to veteran.

I haven't been able to really investigate the site as I wait for my registration to be approved. It appears to virtually mirror sites like MySpace, where you focus on creating a personal profile that best depicts the type of golfer you are; you then browse through other profiles to locate acquaintances or people with similar interests and passion for the game.

TheGolfSpace.com will likely eat up lots of your time online ... just what I need after a month of barely squeezing in blog time!

Some Healthy Competition

2007-05-26T15:26:00.000-05:00

Annika will be actively re-joining the playing field at the Ginn Tribute in South Carolina, beginning on May 31st. Hosting the event, Annika will finally get the chance to even the score with Lorena Ochoa. The juicy details of the respectful rivalry were covered in a recent Reuters article.

Coincidentally, fellow injured LPGA star, Michelle Wie will also be making her return to the golf course at the Ginn Tribute.

I can't wait for the fight for #1 to really heat up!