The only experience I have with this is when the American Bowling Congress (formerly open to only men) opened its membership to women about 10 years ago. There was lots of controversy. But, in bowling, men and women play in the same conditions, the heaviest ball either can throw is 16 pounds and the pins all weigh the same. Granted, on average men carry higher averages than women because of pure strength but at least in that game the playing field and rules were even. I became a member of the ABC when I was invited to join the men's league as a 200 average player. I saw it as an honor, not a right. Although I quit bowling 8 years ago, those guys are still my good friends now and some my husband and I play golf with. And yes, some of the ladies didn't like it, but some did, and so what, I have really close women friends who aren't threatened by this and have made some really good friends in general over the years just by being real. It's never been a "beat the men" thing with me!
But let me restate that as a woman athlete I support any men's organization choosing the right to remain an all men's organization. I don't ever want to be anywhere that I'm not invited. I'd rather earn my way there, and if not invited, so be it. I don't have a problem with that.
The bottom line that no one seems to grasp in the media is that men have an inherent physical advantage over women in tems of size and strength. The laws of physics prevent any large scale exodus from the LPGA tour to the PGA tour. Sure there may be an occasional and unusually gifted female golfer that could compete at least topically with the men for a short amount of time in the ideal circumstances (Sorestan at short, tight courses like Colonial, with a sponsor's exemption). Overall the laws of nature will prevent this, so I see it as a non issue.
Van De Velde has an unfair advantage competing on the women's tour b/c of increased muscle mass and size. If he plays on the women's tour, it would be like a male baseball player taking steroids
You know I may be weird, but I think he is correct sort of. I mean if some guy, a good player, wants to enter a women’s competition and he knows that he can win it then fine, whatever.
So they should open up the Seniors tour to regular tour players now? I mean they Senior guys play on the regular tour all the time. VanDeVelde would do VERY well on the Seniors tour. (Sorry CHAMPIONS tour..dont want to insult the senior set.) I would guess his odds of winning on a Champions Tour event would be a lot greater than on a regular tour event.
So why is there no outcry about this? Why is it okay for certain golfers to be able to go from one specialized tour to the Open tour, and then back again, but because its a woman trying it, its suddenly unfair?
Gee...Tiger Woods could win like thirty US Amatuer events if he was allowed to go back and forth....why not let him? Its not FAIR to let those kids play in the Masters, but not let Woods play in their events.
The only experience I have with this is when the American Bowling Congress (formerly open to only men) opened its membership to women about 10 years ago. There was lots of controversy. But, in bowling, men and women play in the same conditions, the heaviest ball either can throw is 16 pounds and the pins all weigh the same. Granted, on average men carry higher averages than women because of pure strength but at least in that game the playing field and rules were even. I became a member of the ABC when I was invited to join the men's league as a 200 average player. I saw it as an honor, not a right. Although I quit bowling 8 years ago, those guys are still my good friends now and some my husband and I play golf with. And yes, some of the ladies didn't like it, but some did, and so what, I have really close women friends who aren't threatened by this and have made some really good friends in general over the years just by being real. It's never been a "beat the men" thing with me!
But let me restate that as a woman athlete I support any men's organization choosing the right to remain an all men's organization. I don't ever want to be anywhere that I'm not invited. I'd rather earn my way there, and if not invited, so be it. I don't have a problem with that.
This past year a woman, her name escapes me now, finished 2nd in a PBA tournament. She made it to the final match, but got trounced. It was fun to watch. The PBA needs all of the help it can get, publicity-wise.
October 29th, 2005, 10:42 AM
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