LPGA at Augusta

[Sixcat]

[quote name='lumberman2462' timestamp='1363271205' post='6610119']
For all of the flack that Augusta National has caught over the years for their stance on women members, the Club has always been kinda ahead of the curve when trying to grow the game. They've been reaching out in Asia for a lot longer than any other top tier organization. It would make sense that ANGC would be interested in doing something to help grow the game here in the US.

It would difficult to ignore Condi Rice in a meeting in which she strongly advocated doing [i]something[/i] with the LPGA Tour. Of course, that assuming she's advocating anything as a first year member. The name of the other new female member escapes me but by all acounts she's a formidible businesswoman.

ANGC should do something with the ladies.....I just can't figure out what would be best.

[b]The argument that A ladies event at Augusta will somehow dimish the Masters kind of falls flat with me[/b]. The Masters is The Masters and unless they start inviting the winner of a local club championship - I don't see another event hurting anything. Let's face it - the Men in Green know how to run an event.

I really think it would be fascinting to see how Augusta National looks and plays in the fall. I suspect the course would be hard and fast that time of year - I can't imagine a lot of blooming going on with the flowers and dogwoods.
[/quote]

I couldn't agree more! To add, a womens event at Augusta National would instantly become the biggest and have the most cache' on that tour.

[DD4442]

I would imagine the ANGC members would not like it one bit. More prime playing time that their beloved course is unavailable for play. Publicity stunts they do not need.

[bw2082]

They already have 5 majors and you know AN is not going to settle for anything less than major status if they agree to host a tournament for the LPGA.. Which one (or two) are they going to kick out or will they just have 6 majors? Heck... you could argue that every tournament is a major since they have the same field competing every week pretty much.

[highdraw69]

i think this will happen at some point; the US Open is by FAR the biggest event in women's professional golf; if Augusta hosted one, it would be quite easy to slide the calendar of already appointed courses to fit...now, whether or not a US Open fits Augusta is a good question (I think they close the course way before summer time)...if not a US Open, then a Solheim Cup would likely work -- having the top female golfers in the world playing Augusta would be good for the game, and i would consider it a "must" ticket...the tee length question is NOT an issue -- they can easily set up a 6,400-6,700 course for the ladies

[KYMAR]

[quote name='bw2082' timestamp='1363361551' post='6616949']
They already have 5 majors and you know AN is not going to settle for anything less than major status if they agree to host a tournament for the LPGA.. Which one (or two) are they going to kick out or will they just have 6 majors? Heck... you could argue that every tournament is a major since they have the same field competing every week pretty much.
[/quote]

They don't have to have either a new major or a permanent event. I would argue a U.S Open would be perfect fit for both the course and the tour. A one off event, filled to the brim with hype, if it goes well and people respond to it well, maybe put it in the rotation and do it again 7 or 8 years later. I like that idea much better than an annual event

[Awsi Dooger]

[quote name='archer32' timestamp='1363264242' post='6609585']
I tried to find the audio or video clip but had no luck. They were discussing a possible late season "tour championship" type tournament for the top 75 or so women in the world with special invites going to amateurs of note similar to the Masters invitation process. Seemed as though Wann was confident this would happen in due time. [/quote]

That sounds a lot like Titleholders. If so, I could see it happening. The CEO of CME was as confident as anyone I've heard in years. He might prefer the Naples area but he's sharp enough to do anything it takes to get to Augusta, if his company retains involvement of some sort.

Right now it's kind of trivial when the three new players qualify for Titleholders each week. But if that included a spot at Augusta National you'd have big news and some great reactions.

[Tim Meitner]

The US Open is run and profited by.....the USGA. Do you think the ANGC would allow the USGA to go in there and run and profit from a golf tournament held there? Do you think the USGA would yield to the ANGC and allow them to run their national championship?

[Chief Illiniwek]

[quote name='Tim Meitner' timestamp='1363491779' post='6627421']
The US Open is run and profited by.....the USGA. Do you think the ANGC would allow the USGA to go in there and run and profit from a golf tournament held there? Do you think the USGA would yield to the ANGC and allow them to run their national championship?
[/quote]

Does the USga really profit that much from the USWO?

[Tim Meitner]

[quote name='Chief Illiniwek' timestamp='1363496792' post='6627791']
[quote name='Tim Meitner' timestamp='1363491779' post='6627421']
The US Open is run and profited by.....the USGA. Do you think the ANGC would allow the USGA to go in there and run and profit from a golf tournament held there? Do you think the USGA would yield to the ANGC and allow them to run their national championship?
[/quote]

Does the USga really profit that much from the USWO?
[/quote]

TV, merchandise, live gate....all of which I'm sure they're not willing to give up, no matter how paltry compared to men's Open.

[lumberman2462]

[quote name='Tim Meitner' timestamp='1363497020' post='6627803']
[quote name='Chief Illiniwek' timestamp='1363496792' post='6627791']
[quote name='Tim Meitner' timestamp='1363491779' post='6627421']
The US Open is run and profited by.....the USGA. Do you think the ANGC would allow the USGA to go in there and run and profit from a golf tournament held there? Do you think the USGA would yield to the ANGC and allow them to run their national championship?
[/quote]

Does the USga really profit that much from the USWO?
[/quote]

TV, merchandise, live gate....all of which I'm sure they're not willing to give up, no matter how paltry compared to men's Open.
[/quote]


If there is ever a ladies event at Augusta....it will be run by Augusta National Golf Club. Top to bottom - 100%.

Oh, it will also be designated a major - if not by the LPGA Tour then by the press and players.

[Tim Meitner]

[quote name='lumberman2462' timestamp='1363526121' post='6628537']
[quote name='Tim Meitner' timestamp='1363497020' post='6627803']
[quote name='Chief Illiniwek' timestamp='1363496792' post='6627791']
[quote name='Tim Meitner' timestamp='1363491779' post='6627421']
The US Open is run and profited by.....the USGA. Do you think the ANGC would allow the USGA to go in there and run and profit from a golf tournament held there? Do you think the USGA would yield to the ANGC and allow them to run their national championship?
[/quote]

Does the USga really profit that much from the USWO?
[/quote]

TV, merchandise, live gate....all of which I'm sure they're not willing to give up, no matter how paltry compared to men's Open.
[/quote]


If there is ever a ladies event at Augusta....it will be run by Augusta National Golf Club. Top to bottom - 100%.

Oh, it will also be designated a major - if not by the LPGA Tour then by the press and players.
[/quote]

of course...I was merely responding to those that thought the USGA should have an Open @ AN...

But....ANGC has always been very protective of the mystique of the Masters. I think having another event there will take away from that a bit. To be honest, nothing will really raise the level of fan participation regarding the LPGA. What you see is what it's always going to be....at best.

[bcski]

would love to see it. But those dudes are just to closed minded

[esketores]

Before we know it the odds makers in Vegas will have it on the board...
The odds Augusta hosts another tournament, any tournament, other than the "Masters". 500,000 to 1?

If they were to host another tournament I'd like to see the course have a Oakmont do-over. Cut down about half the trees. Mow the rough all one length.
Take the course back to its roots.
Odds: 10,000,000:1

This weeks LPGA event was staged on a 6,583 yard course. The greens at Augusta would prevent the LPGA from making a "mockery" of Augusta at 6,200 yards.

[2putttom]

Im gonna go with fall season 2015.

[pmr-13]

only in your dreams

[I_HATE_SNOW]

In what bizarro world does AN need the LPGA?

[lumberman2462]

[quote name='dirtyboy' timestamp='1363698809' post='6642449']
In what bizarro world does AN need the LPGA?
[/quote]

They don't. But it would be great for the LPGA.

[youngwaldo]

LPGA needs it.

Wk

[LongJohn6284]

imho no chance this would happen...they recently add a female member and now they are going to have an lpga event there??

Augusta Natl is for the masters...and i like it that way

[avgjoe]

big break-style competition on the par 3 course... winner gets an exemption into the masters

[Frankensteins Monster]

Five years ago nobody thought the "mystique" of Augusta National Golf Club would ever be featured in a video game...

[Chief Illiniwek]

It'd be a huge publicity boost for the LPGA obviously. I'm sure the golf channel would run considerable coverage of the event as well. But I just don't see the motivation for the Augusta members. Hope it happens though.

[QEight]

[quote name='From_Parts_Unknown' timestamp='1363139596' post='6601159']
[quote name='lumberman2462' timestamp='1363137337' post='6600913']
Sorry guys....they have multiple sets of tees from the early member tees to The Masters Tournamnent tees.
[/quote]

The difference being over 1,000 yards between the two sets. That cake don't bake for the LPGA. It's well documented the course lacks a middle set of tees.
[/quote]

Why would they have to play from one particular set of tees? Why would par for hole need to be the same as in Masters? Why would par of the course need to be 72? Maybe with some creative thinking no extra tees might not be necessary.

[Miss Shanksalot]

I'd be in favor of the LPGA having some sort of event at ANGC. Why? Because it would be very popular, and, let's face it. Golf, in general, needs to become more popular for it to survive. Play It Forward, The First Tee, Get Golf Ready, etc, are all programs designed to increase the popularity of the sport we love so much. Golf can't survive if it continues to limit its appeal; it needs to expand it.

[Awsi Dooger]

[quote name='esketores' timestamp='1363572637' post='6633231']
Before we know it the odds makers in Vegas will have it on the board...
The odds Augusta hosts another tournament, any tournament, other than the "Masters". 500,000 to 1?[/quote]

That's mythological Las Vegas, not actual Las Vegas. The oddsmakers are looking to screw the bettor at every turn. These days the sportsbooks are run by corporate suits who are petrified to offer 100/1 odds on a team winning the Super Bowl, even if its record is 1-8 at the time. I wish I were kidding.

Keep in mind that Caesar's Palace put up individual win odds on EVERY eligible player in the Masters field about a decade ago. I've mentioned this previously. Byron Nelson was more than 90 years old, hadn't played a competitive event in decades, and was largely confined to a wheelchair. The Caesar's odds -- 2000/1. That was actually bettable. My friend Darryl saw it and decided to test his opinion of Caesar's brass. He stood at the window and asked how much they would take on Byron Nelson at 2000/1 to win the Masters. Instead of restrained laughter, while begging Darryl to empty his pockets at any price he named, the Caesar's sprortsbook crew retreated to the corner for a big pow wow. They returned 10 minutes later and offered Darry $2000 at 2000/1. That's it. Nothing more. They were actually doing the math on their risk, instead of evaluating the situation with a fleck of knowledge and common sense.

[Awsi Dooger]

Some of the former champions were asked about the LPGA playing at Augusta. Not a full sampling but the ones who offered an opinion were split, with Americans against it and foreign born players supporting it. Before I read the article I sensed it might divide that way, based on comments during political years recently.

You can always count on Arnold Palmer to take the side of fear and overreaction, whether it's Casey Martin or anchored putters and now this.

http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2013/04/former-masters-champs-thinks-adding-events-at-augusta-national-would-ruin-courses-mystique.html

[thepinkbomber]

It's disappointing and frustrating that they allow young junior players in junior high and high school who win an amateur event overseas play but not the winner of an LPGA major. I love the masters for so many years but its getting old regarding the discrimination. Anyway, hope they get into the present soon by both allowing LPGA major winners in the masters and perhaps having an LPGA event at the course. I don't necessarily care so much that they allow the LPGA have a separate event. I think the masters should be the best golfers in the world no matter what sex, race, etc you are. Just purely the best.

[Tim Meitner]

[quote name='thepinkbomber' timestamp='1368208401' post='7007420']
It's disappointing and frustrating that they allow young junior players in junior high and high school who win an amateur event overseas play but not the winner of an LPGA major. I love the masters for so many years but its getting old regarding the discrimination. Anyway, hope they get into the present soon by both allowing LPGA major winners in the masters and perhaps having an LPGA event at the course. I don't necessarily care so much that they allow the LPGA have a separate event. I think the masters should be the best golfers in the world no matter what sex, race, etc you are. Just purely the best.
[/quote]

There is absolutely NO ONE on the LPGA Tour that would be remotely competitive. A scenario like you are describing would only serve to make more readily apparent the wide abyss in talent between the two tours. Nothing good would come of a female pro shooting 85 - 85 in the Masters.

A publicity/appeasement stunt at best.

[Tim Meitner]

[quote name='Miss Shanksalot' timestamp='1365447380' post='6786725']
I'd be in favor of the LPGA having some sort of event at ANGC. Why? Because it would be very popular, and, let's face it. Golf, in general, needs to become more popular for it to survive. Play It Forward, The First Tee, Get Golf Ready, etc, are all programs designed to increase the popularity of the sport we love so much. Golf can't survive if it continues to limit its appeal; it needs to expand it.
[/quote]

Golf can't survive??

It's been thought to have been around in some form or another, for 500+ years. Are you sure about that? Maybe you meant golf can't grow...perhaps?

[Leftagain]

[quote name='Tim Meitner' timestamp='1368213708' post='7007990']


There is absolutely NO ONE on the LPGA Tour that would be remotely competitive. A scenario like you are describing would only serve to make more readily apparent the wide abyss in talent between the two tours. Nothing good would come of a female pro shooting 85 - 85 in the Masters.

A publicity/appeasement stunt at best.
[/quote]

While I agree the girls certainly wouldn't be competitive I'm intrigued as to why you think they'd shoot 85-85? If a 14 y/old giving up 25 yrds off the tee to the field can shoot 4 rounds in the 70's I'm thinking the best female pro's could manage that sort of performance.

I agree it'd just be a publicity stunt with little value. I don't believe there is that much of a talent gap between the guys and girls but there is a huge strength gap, whether it's off the tee or gouging it out of the rough the guys will always have the advantage, the girls would be on a hiding to nothing teeing it up from the same tees.