Great article concerning the new LPGA commissioner and the trials and tribulations these past several years (“Kessler emphasizes trust as he takes LPGA reins,” May 26, GGP). But as I have conveyed to the female members of my family of golfers (wife, two daughters, four granddaughters), the LPGA is its own worst enemy and is not addressing, or worse, not identifying the problem. And that is so troublesome.
The women’s tour is not capitalizing on nor promoting our U.S. players. The LPGA needs better U.S. exposure, more U.S. tournaments and more ways to grow the popularity of the tour. These past several years it clearly seems the emphasis has been encouraging and promoting foreign players, primarily Korean and Japanese. That does not encourage or grow a U.S. market and certainly does not increase TV ratings. The American market needs and wants hometown heroes. They need and want more U.S. tournaments. And they need and want more U.S. exposure. And until there is some sort of trend going in that direction the LPGA will continue to spin its wheels. And that would be disappointing.
My family loves the women players and their incredible talent. But the women’s tour floats because of the U.S. and its money. The LPGA is continuing to bite the hand that feeds it, and that is a marketing screwup beyond words.
Mike Redmon
Louisville, Kentucky
I just read your article (“Divot: Looper’s legacy,” May 26, GGP) and thought you perfectly captured the essence of what caddies are all about and what they add to the game we love.
I am fortunate to be a member of Merion Golf Club outside Philadelphia. Our East course is walking only, and our caddies (many of whom have more than 25 years of service at Merion) add so much enjoyment to our golf. I feel like they are family.
Our club is an active supporter of the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust, which serves the Philadelphia area. It has positively impacted so many lives.
As I am getting ready to drive over to Merion for a morning round today, I will be even more thankful for golf and our caddies.
David Kornblatt
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Having had the benefit of playing golf all over the world, and prior to Donald Trump’s organisation acquiring it, had anyone asked me which was my favourite course, my response would have been unquestionably the Ailsa Course at Turnberry (“Politics, logistics muddle Turnberry’s Open prospects,” May 5, GGP).
Politically, Trump’s beliefs and behaviour as a former and current president of the U.S. are well chronicled. Perhaps less so is his reputation as someone who is an habitual cheat.
Notwithstanding my own predilection for the course, as a point of principle, the R&A should not be considering Turnberry as a venue for the Open as long as Trump’s name is associated with it. If the sport’s governing body were to succumb to political pressure, in my opinion, this would not only irreparably tarnish the game, it would signal to golfers and spectators alike that the R&A no longer supports honesty, integrity and fair play, which are the very foundations of the sport.
David McCluskey
Glasgow, Scotland
A great initiative (“Locals experience Old Course for a pittance,” May 26, GGP).
The top courses are charging U.S.-type prices to attract the U.S. visitor. It’s a great shame.
Robin Brown
Horsham, West Sussex, England
Global Golf Post welcomes reader comment. Write to executive editor Mike Cullity at mcullity@globalgolfpost.com and provide your full name, city, state and country of residence. If your comment is selected for publication, GGP will contact you to verify the authenticity of the email and confirm your identity. We would not publish your email address. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and brevity.