Michelle earns a card, and respect
Posted at 7:10 PM by Top 100 Teacher Carol Preisinger | Categories: Michelle Wie
I have to admit, I’ve never been a huge fan of the Michelle Wie camp. I’ve seen firsthand the high expectations a father can have for his child’s playing potential. As the daughter of a retired life member of the PGA, I’m occasionally reminded of my father’s hope, way back in the 1970s, that I would be the next Laura Baugh. But my father’s dream never turned into a nightmare. I’ve always disagreed with the way B.J. Wie chose to orchestrate his daughter’s public persona, and as that arrangement started to melt down, I began to feel sorry for Michelle. Now, I have completely made a 180-degree turn and owe a little respect to Michelle Wie, although my verdict is still out on the people around her.
Still a student at Stanford this fall, Michelle decided to go for her LPGA Tour card and she succeeded, making good decisions and producing great results. So far, the only controversy she has created is by keeping quiet, choosing to stay focused on her game and maybe to avoid saying something controversial. She has finally accepted that there are no short cuts to success.
Of course, she needed her LPGA card more than ever this year, as her sponsors’ exemption act was wearing thin at age 19. But whatever her reasons, at least she is out there earning her way among everyone else who has earned their way. And with that, my hope is that Michelle will mature and earn back the respect that we have held from her. She will wake up next week with her Tour card, and perhaps look back on the last several years as just a bad dream.
Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher Carol Preisinger has been LPGA teaching professional for more than 20 years. She teaches at the Kiawah Island Club in
South Carolina
