Architectural implications of Women v. Men

[John_Conley]

It is one thing when Annika Sorenstam or Michelle Wie tees it up against male professionals, yet another when the battle in question gives the fairer sex no chance.

UCLA's women were invited to a college tournament played at 7200 yards.  Because of elevation, the course plays only 6900.  Sixty-nine hundred!!  LPGA events are rarely over 6400.  

Does the Committee have an obligation to the 29 male teams to set up the course for them?  Or is their obligation to the ladies, with benign hole locations and short rough?

I can't wait to see the scores.  Good women college players can't break 80 at that distance.  (Great college players will struggle to come in below 77.)  Any decent male college player seldom shoots higher than 75 unless weather kicks up.

I can't believe this is actually happening.

[JohnV]

Why are they playing?  Did the NCAA order UCLA to humilate their women players or is it just the coach that wants to do it?  Last I heard invitations could be refused.  If they choose to show up they should play by the rules of the event.

If you have 29 men's teams and one women's team, you set it up for the men IMO.  If there is a requirement to be "fair" to the women (I hope there isn't), let them play from shorter tees, but keep the rough and the hole locations challenging.

[John_Cullum]

PGA Sections (a/k/a the state's PGA) regularly hold tournaments open to all members. If women play in the event, they (or she, as is often the case) play from forward tees. The tees are set at 85 or 90% of the mens tees based on the total length of the course.

When Suzy Whaley won her section a couple of years ago, she was likely playing from forward tees.

[JakaB]

Thanks John...I was having Wie withdrawl...me miss post on Wie losing amateur....you make..

[John_Conley]

Barney:

Evidence, to me, that most are numb to Wie is that a 14-year-old girl just finished 6th in an LPGA event and it wasn't newsworthy.  I know we have the Olympics and Amber Frey's testimony, but still... a 14-year-old finished 6th and nobody thinks to even remark.

Anyway, back to the point... do you see ANY reason for the UCLA women to play in this thing??  I don't.

Sarge:

She wasn't "likely" playing from forward tees, she was.  In accordance with PGA of America guidelines.  But the NCAA isn't on board and these Uclans are being sent to the wolves.  I wonder if the team is in favor of this.