Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Final Takeaways from the Old National Bank LPGA Legends Championship


The Good...
     
Overall, the tournament was very well organized. From the French Lick staff from management to workers and volunteers, this tournament had the look of any professional tournament I have covered. 

The golf course was in outstanding shape. The Pete Dye Course at French Lick is incredible. Even the winner Laura Davies is in awe and respect at what a monster the course it. With the wind, low temperatures adding to a very tough layout, it looked outstanding on tv. 

Hall of Fame- Located at the West Baden Hotel, I took a stroll through the hotel and noticed this exhibit and truly loved seeing some of the history of the LPGA and players inducted into the Hall-of-Fame and donated items. I only saw the exhibit on accident and would love to see more people get to see it. Maybe next year, there can be a mini-exhibit in the clubhouse to let people know its there. 

The LPGA Legends to a player were very gracious and accommodating. If you asked for an interview, the players dropped everything to make sure it happened and quite often on the spot after the round. The players took pictures or signed autographs to the kids that were at the tournament. If you wanted an autograph, no one big timed anyone. 

I am in awe of Laura Davies. This LPGA Legend is the real deal. The rest are as well but she absolutely can crush a golf ball and handles herself like a real pro. How she finished with a score of seven under in the tough weather and very tough course is a testimony to her and you can see how she has won nearly 90 events worldwide. She admitted that this course is not suited to her strengths but nothing could stop her. Not the weather and wind, nor a very tough course and a field determined to stop her but could only get a brief glimpse of Laura's lead before Davies slammed the door. 



Riley Children's Foundation- Got a question for you. Which golf tour was the first to tie a charity to a tournament? Sure you know where I am going with this. It is the LPGA. They started doing this before the PGA Tour latched onto the concept.  French Lick, the sponsors and the LPGA made sure that Riley had a prominent role in the tournament. I loved that the kids read the players names as they teed off  on day one of the tournament. 





Something to consider

Poor weather throughout the tournament was noticeable. In 2017, the ladies played in the first LPGA Legends Championship in August and the weather some said was too hot. This year, the weather was too cold. On Monday, every player, reporter and spectator with the exception of one was freezing. Like the three little bears, where one was too little, one was too late and the other was just right, perhaps a September date would be just right. A few people told me the weather was much better the week before this championship in French Lick. 

Fans, where art thou? I am not sure what can be done to increase attendance but in the Ally Challenge for the PGA Champions Tour at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc, Mich., the local school district is off and the media park there cars at the local school and the fans park at several other schools with a shuttle. The operative word is the kids get a free ticket to the event when they bring a parent. The place has a lot of fans for the pro-ams and the tournament. They have a full kids zone and junior clinic plus a concert on the driving range. Big and Rich is the act. I would NOT do a concert on this driving range but it was total lawn seating. These ladies deserve a nice gallery. The price was not a problem. Gallery prices of $5 are nominal and The Pete Dye Course is a great walk. 


Inkster said ten tournament are plenty for her
 I suggested to a free pros loosely brainstorming that the LPGA is onto something bringing the Legends of the game in for a handful of tournaments each year. Unlike the men, outside of a handful, many like the 6-10 events that are currently on the schedule. But remember, many of these lady legends are still playing strong golf but have not played a full time tournament schedule in quite awhile.  This concept could build in the future as the players that are age 35+ that might like to play events at age 45 and may stay in shape if they know there is a legends tour to play for. Right Lorena Ochoa? 

I like the idea of  having a Legends division within a handful of LPGA events to promote individual LPGA legends events and a few surveyed like the idea. Laura Davies said that realistically the LPGA has enough on its plate. I love the idea of a LPGA players/Legends event once a year to help promote the Legends Tour. 








Trophy Ceremony
Davies and Alfredsson interviews

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