more viable option for golf enthusiasts in terms of following, identity and support. Realizing that my observations are generalizations and there are always exceptions, I would note the following differences:
• A World Tour. The LPGA has emerged as the first and purest version of a world professional golf tour. Of the official 27 stops on the 2012 LPGA schedule, more than a third were played outside the United States. Australia, Kuala Lumper, Brazil, Canada, Korea, Singapore, France, Britain, Japan, and Thailand hosted LPGA events and, in many ways, may have represented the salvation of the womenís tour. With the accompanying explosion of nonAmerican players competing on the LPGA, international media coverage and fan support are increasing exponentially. This year an existing tour stop in France, the Evian Masters, will become a designated major on the LPGA Tour.
educational and improvement programs for the membership. At the 2012 Jamie Farr Toledo Classic, I was impressed with both the amount of fan interaction and the seemingly genuineness of the players when talking with fans and signing autographs. There is not the invisible barrier that seems to exist on the PGA tour where players walk down the fairway in a robotic trance never acknowledging fans except with a mechanical tip of the cap. The LPGA actually talk to the fans!
• Personal Appearance and Fashion. The two major tours seem to be going in opposite directions as to players’ personal appearance on and off the golf course. Increasingly scraggily facial
hair, unkempt hair, either extremely bland or extremely bizarre clothing are seen regularly on the PGA Tour. The trend is reminiscent of the metamorphosis that occurred in men’s tennis a decade ago. For the LPGA, the exact opposite has occurred. Attention to personal appearance and fashion on the LPGA has never been greater. Tour events are fashion extravaganzas. Pride in appearance is clearly evident in the players. Whether this is the result of an organizational directive or individual desire, it has surely improved the tour’s image.
• Atmosphere. While the players on both the LPGA and the PGA are highly competitive, the atmosphere on the course is much more
• Player/Fan interaction. It is probably fair to say that the LPGA has always encouraged interaction with the fans, even if just for tour survival. However, apart from a few professionals such as Nancy Lopez, earlier players may have been willing in spirit but lacking in personality or interactive skills. The primary focus was proving their legitimacy as professional golfers by concentrating on and honing their golfing skills. Clearly the emphasis is now on celebrity status as well as golfing prowess. Paula, Michelle, Annika, Natalie, and Suzanne and others are sought by companies to endorse their products from cars to watches to personal products. The Tour not only emphasizes the human dimension but also provides MICHIGAN GOLFER MAGAZINE • MARCH/APRIL
2013
27