In our season opening episode, we discuss the new 2021 LPGA season with our guests — Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek and Sophie Walker of SkySports, joining us via Zoom from Florida and England. On the menu for today's show includes an early season preview of the Tokyo Olympics and the women's golf competition, the Solheim Cup storylines to watch for, and the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions and the kick off to the best professional tour in women's golf.
Co-hosts Douglas Maida and Shayain Gustavsp moderate the discussion including diversity in golf during "Black History Month" in the United States.
"We're Talking Golf" is proud to announce that we were named as one of Feedspot's Top 40 Pro Golf Podcasts to follow in 2021. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify and iHeart Radio among other directories.
In our season opening episode, we discuss the new 2021 LPGA season with our guests — Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek and Sophie Walker of SkySports, joining us via Zoom from Florida and England. On the menu for today's show includes an early season preview of the Tokyo Olympics and the women's golf competition, the Solheim Cup storylines to watch for, and the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions and the kick off to the best professional tour in women's golf.
Co-hosts Douglas Maida and Shayain Gustavsp moderate the discussion including diversity in golf during "Black History Month" in the United States.
"We're Talking Golf" is proud to announce that we were named as one of Feedspot's Top 40 Pro Golf Podcasts to follow in 2021. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify and iHeart Radio among other directories.
Good afternoon and welcome to our show. We're talking golf. My name is Douglas Maida, and I'm your host for today's episode. Joining me today is SHayain Gustavsp, our co host, and she will be joining us for the rest of this season. Today's show is being recorded from our studio in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. We are produced by the world of golf. And you can find us on the worldwide web at www world of golf.org or on our social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and now on LinkedIn as well. For those of you elsewhere, including Asia, you can also follow us on Weibo, and WeChat. Now before we get into today's show, I would like to welcome you, our listeners and followers from around the world that listen to our show. Because without you and your support, we would not be able to bring you this show. So thank you for your ongoing support. And Hi, Cheyenne. How are you? I'm good Douglas. Terrific. Terrific. Okay, now I have a little bit of announcement I'd like to share with everyone. Earlier this month, we were named one of the top 40 Golf podcasts to follow by feedspot.com. And for a new podcast show like ours. We're very proud of that accomplishment. And we would like to thank all of you our listeners for helping to make that possible. Yay.
Shayain G.:Yay.
Sophie Walker:All right.
Douglas Maida:Today, we will be welcoming back two very special guests, Ben Nichols from golf week. And Sophie Walker, who was on tour and now is an analyst for Sky Sports in the UK. Today's topics will include a preview of the 2021 LPG season, which is very exciting. We will look at the early favourites for the Tokyo Olympics. And the Solheim cup. Great. And before we get to that, we'd like to take a short. That's great. Now before we get on to our show, we have to break for a short message from our sponsor, and we'll be right back. You're listening to our podcast show. We're talking golf. Our show is produced by the world of golf. You can find us on the web at www dot world of golf.org. We are independently produced, and you can find us on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Google podcasts, and I Heart Radio. Now back to our show. Here are your co hosts Douglas and Cheyenne. Alright, welcome back to the show. And we'd like to introduce our guests, Beth Ann Nichols and Sophie Walker. So Welcome back, everybody. Great, great. So it's been a little while since we last connected on our podcast, it was the preview show for the US Women's Open. What did you guys think? Was it a as expected or a good show? Or?
Beth Ann:Well, player I'd never heard of one. So it definitely. Yeah.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, just came out of left field and cleaned house or cleaned up on the last day. So that was wild. I wasn't expecting a Monday finish there was there there are a lot of things. But uh, but no, it was a it was a great week. I mean, in terms of like, Buzz and interest surrounding the events. I thought it was, you know, the most talked about women's event in a long time that didn't have a major controversy.
Beth Ann:You know, like what we think about that you think of like the Solheim cup in 2015, you know, it was Suzanne Patterson. But there wasn't anything like that. It's just the beginning of the week had a lot of buzz just because it was a women's open and there was a great women worth watching campaign surrounding it and people got on board. So it was cool. Yeah, terrific. Terrific.
Sophie Walker:And how was your break? Sophie, do you have a good break over the holidays? Um, yeah, I mean, it was okay. It's very different. We were We were locked down properly in November, we kind of got some hope that Christmas would would be reasonably normal, but then that kind of got stopped a few days before. And then we went back into lockdown on December the 30th. So yeah, yes. I mean, it feels a little bit like Groundhog Day. I'm actually pretty pleased that I don't play golf, like on tour anymore because I think this is really quite stressful for players not really knowing what's going on and should they be practicing. So I understand that a lot of them have been out in Dubai, thinking that they might be starting and now they're they're not and there's a lot of uncertainty and a year where we kind of thought well, we hoped would be back to normal but It's very much not the case in Europe at the moment. Let's hope things will get back to normal a little sooner rather than later.
Douglas Maida:So let's start. If we can, let's talk about the diamond resorts, Tournament of Champions. There was a very strong Sunday field showing a lot of the top Americans showing on the final group and a good one to three finish a little playoff special and the quarter sisters. So what did you think of it? Did you get up to the site at all back then?
Beth Ann:Yeah, I was there all week. It was a fantastic showing on the final day, obviously, Saturday with Jessica Korda's 60 was quite impressive. But, but it was, you know, I think even more unbelievable. That was only the fifth 60 and in LPGA. History, which is another sad topic. But when I look at the final pairing, I mean, it's what we've been waiting a long time for right to have the corner sisters in the in the last group, and then of course had Danielle Kang alongside them for a fantastic all American pairing grouping I should say. And it went right down to the finish it was it was everything we could have hoped for, except for the whole, you know, celebrity component in the middle.
Douglas Maida:What did you think of that celebrity component, it's coming for a little bit of flack, in some quarters for having kind of wasted the opportunity to showcase women's golf a little bit.
Beth Ann:Yeah, again, I think it came down to the groupings. In the end, they tried something different this year, and that they put the three LPGA players together and the final group and then the three top celebrities in the penultimate group. And unfortunately, when it switched to NBC, and there was only an hour of coverage on NBC, you know, there are only six players left on the course for a lot of that and so you had no choice but to show the celebrities while and it ends with a drivable par for a par five and a par three. So it was like the perfect recipe for for waiting. And, and, and the celebrity contest wasn't compelling at all Marty fish was gonna win. So it just kind of, you know, took away from what we'd all been waiting to see. So I think I don't think it's a hard fix. I like the celebrity component in the tournament, I actually think it's a lot of fun. And it's hugely important to the sponsor. I just think the groupings could be done differently to solve a little bit of that problem from somebody who's just watching it.
Sophie Walker:I know a lot about sports, and even I struggle with Marty fish in terms of like, you know what, what he did. So I think sometimes I understand the sponsor is really keen on this. And they get it and obviously the sponsor pays for the TV, to be fair, so they can do what they want. But I would like to have seen it as the program finishes the day before we get to the real stuff, kind of on Sunday, we kind of had that problem in Dubai, when we did the moonlight classic, and we have the pro arm format. And like the diamond resorts, we were very lucky that it went to a playoff, because when you get the playoff, then you can get the grandstand finish. And I think that actually saved the event, which is ridiculous in the sense of it save the event, because those three in the final group should be box office. And from somebody watching on a different time zone Who --Yeah, it's it was just, it was just pretty slow. And just, it was exciting golf as well. Do you know what I mean? And it It wasn't portrayed that that well on television, for somebody watching it. And so for me, pro-ams, all for them, but finish them that like a day early, and then I would love to have seen Brooke Henderson is someone but also once if someone would have come back from once if someone would have shot 60 on that final day, we wouldn't have seen a sharp or would have been our team. Yeah, I asked the jury I like like, I mean, we're working on the on the Le t we have limited, you know, funding for TV and stuff. So we often get in that situation. And it's not it's not the nicest situation to be in but Forgive me wrong. I've got the LPGA or whoever does the LPGA coverage had better cameras, more people there but it looks like -- I mean, a worse than an LET coverage. And that's, I think that's what the LPGA were about really.
Beth Ann:And this was that so that was network TV. This was this one . . .
Sophie Walker:Yeah, I don't understand who the hell yeah, like all we do is we just watch on Sky, we have no idea. And I always hear that they flip flop between sports channels and then go on national TV and, and all that type of stuff. For me, I can't understand how you just flip flop around how you're supposed to keep an audience, it makes no sense whatsoever. But yeah, like you try watching over here? Well, we don't have as many outlets as you so I mean, this is what keeps me in the job having to talk over all your Adverts.
Beth Ann:Well, then we should keep those
Shayain G.:hilarious. Yeah, I was just gonna say that, they're definitely probably going to go back to the drawing board on that one, it would be nice to have the celebrities there on Sunday to still kind of show that they're present. But I completely agree with you, Sophie to have it on the day before or on another day, not the Sunday. One of the things I want to point out was that because also Black History Month in the US, February is and Maurice Allen is one of the winners of the longest drive and he's very is a big advocate for the minority community, especially the African American community to encourage young people to play the game and just bring awareness to the sport through his lens. So he I don't know if any of you saw but he had his shafts redone. And on the shafts, it was black lives matter on one side. And on the other side, on every single shaft was like five or six of the unfortunate people that got killed by the shooting. So in honor of their names, he had every single person's name on every single shaft of his club, and it's just sad to even think it like four or five on one shaft, you know, so just a thing. There's so much he's bringing awareness to through the lens and through sport about Black Lives Matter. And so I just wanted to kind of bring that to if people didn't get to see it. No, he has an Instagram. And he's quite a big voice in the golf community to try and bring more awareness,
Sophie Walker:Well in that case talk about it on the television to me like there was a lot of time to fill there. You know?
Shayain G.:It would have been nice. Yeah, some airtime on that.
Sophie Walker:I'm all for like a model for promoting that? Absolutely.
Shayain G.:I think he has a lot of frustration with the Golf Channel. And other obviously, media platforms. Because it's the whole Black Lives movement is the fact that you know that there is no attention that they don't, there is no coverage for the black golfer as well. But then the sport, so he tries to bring awareness, but nobody ever is willing to kind of bring light to it. So it's to your point that he would you know, you would like to see something like that. But he's fighting for it. There's a lot of them out there that are trying to like get more access and coverage and awareness about it. But I think it'll take time and the industry.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, well, speaking from a skysports perspective. It must have been, I was working that one. So would it be in October or November was as in the UK, and we were sense what's going on on the channel? on the YouTube channels. We had to research it and we were gonna be asked questions about it. Like it was part of the program. We specifically was put in there. So yeah, I can only speak from my point of view that it was pushed. It was pushed hard on Sky Sports golf.
Shayain G.:That's nice to hear.
Douglas Maida:What about that Sunday final grouping? Was that a big day for American golf? And? Or was it a little bit of a? I mean, we've been talking about it was it a little bit of an opportunity lost, but still a pretty good day for American golf to see some of the three biggest names in women's golf in the states competing for the title?
Beth Ann:Yeah, I think it's fair to say it was both. It was a great, it was a great thing, but it was an opportunity lost. Just because, I mean, it was only an hour on network and there and as we said earlier, there just wasn't enough. There weren't enough shots shown a bit I mean, there there were seven there are seven or there were last I counted last week, I don't think it's changed. South Koreans ranked in the top 15 and none of them were there. So you know, an American had if he compared it to win if they're going to make a and make take advantage of this opportunity. You know, they they they had to do it if they're going to make any ground on on the South Korean stars because they were gone. So and understandably so you know, a lot of them are going to start in a couple of weeks at theGainbridge and then some will come back for the Kia Classic. So it's you know, an unprecedentedly short, I don't know if that's a word or not short offseason. So you know they they chose to skip that that opening event
Unknown:Yeah, well it's gonna seem like a short offseason compared to 2020. So
Douglas Maida:Jessica Korda. What do you think? Was this a statement win for her because she's kind of, you know, she came on to her. I mean, obviously, she was the only Korda on tour and she was known for having a really good long game as well. And then over the last couple years, it's kind of like she's fallen back a little bit with some injury and and then playing a little bit Nelly shadow. So was this a good statement when for her kind of re announcing to him that she's the one to sit at the head of the table in the Korda household or in golf in general?
Sophie Walker:I think the Korda household, all three of the siblings of pulling each other alone together, really. So I think there's a definite added added to that. And I don't think you can. I mean, Jess's operation on her face was massive like that has got to put him back a long way. And it was the timing of Nelly coming through, I suppose. And she's, you know, she kind of says like, Oh, yeah, she'll be better than me. She does play the big sister role quite well. But I think now Nellie has as almost grown up, Jess can start getting her career, I suppose back on track from her injuries, and I don't think she's coming out of Nellie's shadow. The Korda sisterss are very much two very good golfers as far as I'm concerned. But I think he'll be you know, I think Jess will be pleased with that winner over in LA. I do. You know, she obviously shot that 60 and Nellie started to come back at her during the last few holes, and she held off and, and, and the way she held that put in the playoff that's got to give her a lot of confidence. Okay, like you said, you know that the field wasn't its strongest, but a wins a win, right. And it's always nice to get the season off to a good start. So I can see them pulling each other through and it'll be nice to be at events where they're where they're both inform because I think golf needs rivalies. And a sister rivalry i think is a great thing to follow.
Douglas Maida:That's true. That's true. I think the only other one in golf today would have been the Jutanugarn sisters at the US Open. They came kind of close playing in that on that Saturday group, I believe it was and that was a bit of an experience for them. But yeah, yeah. And we don't get that with the Hendersons because obviously, the one's caddying for the other but ... no, I just... that was a gratuitious name drop. But it's the only other sister group that I'm aware of. And they're in a different playing different roles. So
Sophie Walker:we've got the metro sisters, Swiss. So they kind of went at it in Swiss ... actually in the Swiss open. So that was really cool. Like it wasn't Switzerland's not well known for its golf. But yeah, we have the two Metro sisters. So there are a few. And I'm sure there's more because whenever they pop up on the commentary, we go through a lot of them. So it is amazing how these siblings kind of pull each other through.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, that's true. That's true. And, and Seb's (Korda) no slouch either now on the court, so following after his father in getting a little bit of this light, Shine Shon on him.
Sophie Walker:There's some good genes in that family for sport.
Shayain G.:For sure, I was just like sitting here like, man, three kids, all pros. Wow.
Douglas Maida:Yeah. let's kind of switch gears a little bit. Now that we've started the 2021 season, who are some of the players that you think we should be looking for both on the LPGA and the LET? You want to kick it off Beth Ann?
Beth Ann:Yeah, I mean, I think when they come back, stay young and genuine co we'll be going at it and that'll be a lot of fun. It looks like jinyang probably won't be back until the California swing but say and we'll be back in Florida. So a little bit of a head start. But I mean, we we saw we saw that at the end of 2020. And what a statement genuine co made coming out and not only qualifying for CME but then taking the million dollars. It was a quite a statement. So so that's the I think that's the main the main rivalry, looking ahead for the season. You know, and can any of the Americans break up the party at the top, shall we say, you know, looking at Nellie or Danielle. Of course I never count out Inbee (Park) and now it's an Olympic year again, maybe hopefully.
Douglas Maida:Well, she seems to be she seems to have that knack for peaking for the Olympics. I was observing that last year, like it was a bit of an Olympic year here it comes in via again, just on the uprise getting her game going and started to show it KPMG. And then, you know, here it is Olympic year all over again. What about you there? Sophie, do you have any thoughts about who might be I kind of, you know, a little bit of Stephanie ...
Sophie Walker:Kyriacou. Yeah, so she think Greek and, like separate. So I say, there's a nick curiosity as a tennis player. And the amount of times I get them confused. I'm like, Oh, sorry. So yeah, Steph Kiriakou is 20 years old. She's a pocket rocket from Australia, with an amateur and played on the Australian tour as an amateur at the beginning of 2020. And then when a woman as an amateur and I mean, lapped the field, it was an incredible win at bondville. So then had that decision to make of a 10 Pro do I not took the decision to because that would get you up and she was going to get in at the likes of Evian. So, turns pro kind of packs, her bag comes to Europe, and COVID hits. And she comes over for a couple of weeks. And it ends up being months and months and months and just can't get home. But what a year she had I mean, she she carried a couple of really like good three week runs. So she had a fifth in Czech, second in Swiss Switzerland, and then a fifth in the French. So she's right up there for Rookie of the Year. And then she can't go home. So kind of travels around Europe with our dad, trying to find places that are open to practice. Come to back, yeah, comes back and plays in Dubai, how the top 20 not too bad. In Saudi, Saudi International, she comes fourth. And then she finishes the year with a 63 at the Saudi team (event) to sign off with Rookie of the Year. And it was just it was like a really nice story to come out of last year. Obviously, we had the Emily Petterson and Sophia Popovs, kind of the people that we've all spoken about that a bit of a rough time, and they're coming back. But it was nice to see this kid that, you know, your rookie year on tour is never easy, especially when you're Australian because you do really pack a bag and you don't come home. And to see how well she coped with that. And week in week out, she was up there. I mean, she's five foot nothing, so she doesn't hit it too far. But pots like an absolute dream. I mean, the way our hands sit on that handle, it's like they were made for it. So I just liked her she's got imagine an Aussie how crazy they are. And when she gives the interview and she's just not walks around like this. And, and, and she became kind of one of my favorites to watch just because of she's just got like a cracking swing bit of a strong left hand. But there's nothing wrong with that these days. And as I say just holes everything she looks at it. It's just quite nonchalant when she's doing it.
Shayain G.:I love the term pocket rocket.
Douglas Maida:Any other players you think might be looking to 2021 for redemption or any other storylines out there that you might think will come to the fore?
Sophie Walker:I think it's a it's a different type of year because we have no rookies this year, there's no cue school this(season) ... Nobody coming in from the feed at all, like the access on there at all the symmetrical as such. So we are, there's nobody really to get to know there's just people to get to know more. And then there's people that can maybe break out. And so, yeah, it'd be I think, to be fair, it's going to be interesting in Europe to see who plays where and you know, like, will the Australians come over what will happen with the South Africans with all the COVID stuff. So I think it's gonna be more interesting to see who who comes out play in kind of half decent because I mean, England golf course is a closed at the moment. There's a lot of there's a lot of uncertainty, butyou know, I feel a bit bad for the likes of Emily Pedersen, which is ridiculous because she had a fortune last year but she's on riding the crest of a wave and it's kind of just gonna sit on our hands for a good long, five months before she tees it up again. So it's going to be it's going to be the Interesting year, and it's gonna be a really condensed year on the LET, you know, I can see them kind of just playing five months of back to back straight out of the blocks. And I remember listening to Justin Rose. And when all the medal majors got condensed, and he struggled with it. So there's gonna be some players that thrive of playing week in week out at the highest level. And some if you don't get off to a good start making a struggle to kind of pick it up.
Shayain G.:Are you nervous at all, because of all the lockdown in England and all of that, that they're going to postpone a bunch of things like halfway caught wind of any of that, are we just wishing for the best and going for it?
Sophie Walker:I mean, I'm still I'm still an LET member. So I'm still kind of I find that like, what's going on. So our schedule is not officially out yet. So there's not really like much I can truly discuss about it. But when looking at the drafts over the past few months, and what has been coming out, I think the LET knew that this COVID wasn't going away anytime soon, and was quite committed to play a lot in Europe. And as you know, by the weather, the weather in Europe doesn't get great, you know, till May time anyway. So I think most of the European based events, which was something that the players and the board really wanted to get back into central mainland Europe, which means that it helps because that meant that the season was put back already. So Australia's out of the question, that's where I mean, even the LPGA should be in a week or two. And so that's gone, South Africa. With everything that's going on down there, their tour got postponed, so that is only postponed, not canceled yet. And that's getting moved back to kind of March, April. But obviously, we'll we'll see what's going on. I've just seen that the Australian cricketers aren't going to South Africa at the moment. So there's not they I think they made a really good decision by pushing everything back to start with. So they've given themselves a good couple of months. And even if you look at the men's European tour, they're playing these three in the Middle East, and then they go quiet as well. So everybody is more aware of maybe the pandemic kind of how it affects different countries. Obviously, in America, there's only one country to think about. So obviously, no, you have states, but just international travel is far from ideal right now. But I I'm hopeful, like we did it last year, so we can do it again. But like I said, last time I was with you it, it definitely helps to stay in these bubbles to keep the COVID down and suppress it, but to get in positive tests. So if these girls can, like enter a bubble and basically just play a few months in a row, that's going to help
Shayain G.:Ride it out. Yeah. I think the hardest part also, is a lot of international travel is canceled, like for sure. In Canada, they're not even letting like plane in any international like flights come in and I know your airports in England keep going shut not you know, all of that. So I think there's a lot of government officials and everyone trying to like
Unknown:At the end of the day it has nothing to do with the tour if if the event if you can't get there, right, there's not really much you can do.
Shayain G.:Yeah, right.
Douglas Maida:Right. So coming up next, what's the next event? You'll be attending Beth Ann?
Beth Ann:I'll be at the Gainbridge Event in a couple weeks, which is like Noah was just a one off? I think it's going to go back down to South Florida after this year. But, but kind of exciting because there are a lot of players that live it like no no or have lived it like no, no in the past. And so it'll be kind of a cool home game for a lot of people. And then the next week, we'll be Golden Ocala, which the LPGA used to have an event there that had actually massive amounts of spectators coming over from the villages. A lot of retirees It was a was a fun event. But I think that one's going to be close to spectators as well. So on the LPGA the biggest question marks are that, you know, there's a spring Asian swing. So, you know, I don't see, I don't see the tournaments in China going on. It'd be interesting to see if Thailand and Singapore happen, you know, so so the typical Asian swing that happens in February and March has been kicked back to later in the spring. So, but a lot of players are, you know, kind of holding their breath and maybe not super optimistic that those are going to happen.
Shayain G.:in terms of fans Beth Ann do you think that they're the LPG is going to slowly let more fans come in? Or is there going to be some form of like if you've received a vaccine or had testing or have you heard anything though?
Beth Ann:Mike Whan said in November that or wait December. See me when I'm used to being in November in December. He said that he hopes that fans will be back for the California swing and march for Kia. But that's California. I mean, that's what
Shayain G.:it depends on states, right?
Beth Ann:California is one of the most restricted states and in the country, so. And Palm Springs has a high elderly population for the AMA, which is a shame, because this is the 15th year of the AMA. So it should be like a really big celebration. But, you know, I mean, I actually would be surprised if there are going to be fans. I mean, of course, Augusta right after that, we'll have fans but what that means we're not I mean, that could mean like 100 patrons are allowed. Nobody really knows what what that actually means and what that's really going to look like so, and everybody at Augusta was at Augusta last year, everybody on site had been tested. So yeah, I don't I don't know what that's gonna look like this year.
Douglas Maida:On that note, we'll take a short break. And when we come back, we'll be talking Olympic Games and Solheim cup.
Amy (Studio):Thank you for joining us. You are listening to we're talking golf, a podcast brought to you by the world of golf. Our show has been named as one of the top 40 Golf podcasts to follow in 2021. We could not achieve that without you, our listeners. Thank you for your support. Now back to the show.
Douglas Maida:All right. Welcome back. We'll be chatting shortly about the Olympic Games and the Solheim cup that will be held a little bit later this year. But first, some big news coming out of the LPGA. And it's going to have some effects as well with the lsvt. And the ladies European tour in the the close relationship now between the LPGA men and women's European golf. And that is Mike Whan's announcement earlier in the season early in the year about him looking to move on and close this chapter move on to a new chapter in 2021. Beth Ann thoughts, or, you were there for the announcement? You kind of Were you there for the announcement. Are you kind of
Beth Ann:Yeah. Well, there wasn't really a there.
Douglas Maida:They just sent out the press release.
Unknown:a.
Beth Ann:Yeah, there's, there's no more they're really in this world. But yeah, I mean, it was, it was shocking in terms of the timing. I mean, I don't think anyone thought that Mike Wan was long for the job. I mean, he had a contract, though, it didn't really have a timeframe, so he could get out whenever he wanted. So I I think most players, though, didn't expect it to happen now, considering that you're still navigating a pandemic. But the schedule for 2020/2021 looks so good on paper, he had all the sponsors coming back. So, you know, from a standpoint of stability, you know, it seemed like he was, you know, exiting the tour, leaving it in good shape.
Shayain G.:a press release.
Beth Ann:I mean, nothing on the LPGA is really long term, you know, there, it's a constant shift of having to get new sponsors and and, and extend contracts and fill this hole and fill that hole. So whoever comes in next, in my view, is still, it's still such a crucial decision to keep the momentum going in the right direction, because we don't know how the economy is going to respond. We don't know what things are going to look like in the very near future. So it's, it's not as critical as it was in, in in 2009/2010. When Whan took over, but it's pretty darn close.
Douglas Maida:Really? Wow.
Sophie Walker:I mean, if ever there was a term quit while you're ahead, I think it's there for Mike, isn't it? It was like I gotta say it was shockwaves around the players, like my phone lit up. We were all messaging like, have you seen this? Have you seen that? Yeah, it's these big deal. It's not often you get you know, a commissioner that gets on so well with players, promoters. It never happens. And you can't keep us all happy as players. And he somehow managed to do that even. Even on the stuff where like the Sophia Popov stuff. I'm like, what, like this is wrong, but I still don't have a bad word to say about the guy because what is done for like the LPGA. And from an LET point of view. We aren't the luckiest tour in the world. So when this happened, we're like, oh, my, it's happening again. So we apologize LPGA it's probably our fault. So it's, it's when I mean I've been through a few CEOs with the Le T and and the thing I would advise with the LPGA is that we went from .. A...a woman CEO, who was very approachable, got on very well with promoters was quite had like, talents, and she's kind of Spanish and a bit laid back and whatever. And then we went to a guy who's from Eastern Europe who was, you know, it's right or it's wrong, and it's the promoters just didn't get it, it was somebody who you could have a drink with to somebody who was, you know, quite autocratic, like, autocratic, and the way he handled things. So, I think that's gonna be a big issue, because it's relationships. And Mike's obviously spent 10 years making relationships. So the person that you get in, there's got to be a people's person. And there's got to have a black book of contacts, like you would not believe. To get to keep this thing kind of kind of going in the right direction. It's, it's worrying, I can't I, you know, as from the play from the next player, and somebody that works in the tools at the moment, like, we're good at the minute with the LET stable, the LPGA looks like it's thriving. But it's, it's scary to think, who comes in next, and they've got some big shoes to fill, that's for sure.
Shayain G.:For sure, I was just going to put my two cents in because I'm part of the LPGA professionals. So Mike had come on, for our Christmas like, party that we had on zoom with all the LPGA pros, it's like 500 bucks, Ed logged in, and he wore like a full suit, like Christmas trees. And he just looks so chill and fun. And a couple things. The first thing is I love the fact that Sophie, you've just said that people in a year of love him, because that's the vibe that when I joined the LPGA. And the first impression he gave me, like coming from the NBA awards, you know, in football, like coming from that. And just like he's likable, he's relatable, he gets this, he speaks our language. I'm like, Who is this guy, and I'm like, he's the commissioner. I had no idea at that time when I first joined and I'm like, man, I gotta really like try to understand who he is or how he's built this and for all of us to feel that and for us to see him in December live on our screens, like, and then the news breaks in January, like you said, your phone lit up, like our emails were like lighting up to we're all super grateful for the growth of the game and all that he's done. We're all extremely sad, he's leaving. But the great news is he's saying that for the year comes into transition, but I can help you know, that kind of gives me a little bit of comfort like he's just not dropped us and bounced and that was a good luck find somebody to like, you know, kind of come in. He's like, No, I'm here for the year let's I'll be to the interview process if you need me to let's find the person so we've received a few emails as well to just be like hey, if there's any of the good candidates out there have any anyone that knows like send them our way so because I've worked in professional sports before like I've sent in a few names just to see like you know if anyone comes that people that I feel like would be amazing for the organization. So it's really sad but I'm I'm I wonder what is next thing is going to be to like all of all of us are like going to be like, you know, what, Where's he going? Like, what does he want to do?
Sophie Walker:It Well, I had us I had USGA is like locked in that's that's our rumour over here. But what are
Shayain G.:you Brits over there like a good rumor?
Sophie Walker:Saying that saying that It's like it. I'm not. It's not Iike he can go anywhere. But he'll still have options. Like he said to this on his he said he's done this before where it's like to stopped ... kind of is a free agent. And no, but if you think of it in sports in general, like free agents, you've got the power, haven't you? So that's, like we see in football all the time players wind down their contracts become a free agent. And then there's been wars. So I, you know, like I say stocks really high and it's been 10 years. I didn't realize it was that long. So yeah, you know, good luck to him I stopped stops him from going stale. And you know, it might stop the LPGA from going stale as well. Hopefully, it'll keep moving forward.
Douglas Maida:Sophie what do you think about the LET? I mean, it's only a year in to this relationship and whatnot between between the LPGA and LET. Are you worried that there's might be some sort of areas where this kind of makes the Le t a little more vulnerable again, you know, just trying to help that led continue to grow and develop the tour strength and whatnot?
Sophie Walker:Well, no, really, I mean, Mike's leaving but the LPGA is not leaving You gotta remember that like, we always say over here that, you know, no one's bigger than, than the club. No one's bigger than the organization. And yeah, we signed to the LPGA. We didn't, they didn't sign to say, Mike Whan, obviously, he sold it very well. And his vision was what was what we wanted to see. But we've got to think of it is like the LPGA vision as well. So. And also, if you think, I mean, he came over in that November, but then he's not been able to come over much. He's not been able to affect stuff and as much as he probably would have liked to. So unfortunately, we didn't maybe see the best of the relationship at the moment. So in my opinion, it's still quite young, and it can only get better. And it's got to be a plus for somebody coming into that role as Commissioner to have our tour available. Sorry, the LET tour, I still say our Yeah, as part of it. Because, you know, I this world tour, it'll come soon enough. And, you know, you talk about all your Americans on the LPGA as much as you want. But the LPGA is very international. and, yeah, it's, that's what it is. It's it's golf is a world game now. So these two tours, coming together, I think is an opportunity for a new Commissioner, which probably might didn't really get the opportunity to make it thrive.
Douglas Maida:very good points there. Yes. Let me throw this out to you. You get to be Commissioner for a day a week or the commissioner for a year. What would you do, Beth Ann if you have that role, what are some of the issues you would make decide on or issues you would bring to the table?
Beth Ann:Well, I mean, the thing that kept my client up at night was television, so I don't have any answers for that. But I'd find somebody who does. To get on network TV more. You know, I think it's funny Emile's and, and I was just talking to her last week, brought up a point that I talked with, Karen settles a lot about and that's data on the LPGA there's, or lack thereof, it's really hard to tell the story of players and show how good these women are, when there's no data, there's no shot link, there's, I mean, it's, it's, it's actually a pathetic amount of stats that there are ... even for players to be able to compare themselves to other players and see where it how they can improve. But for the average fan to appreciate and follow along, you know, all you can do is he hit refresh and look at a scorecard. There's not much else to see why somebody made an eagle or triple. So from a fan engagement standpoint, from a storytelling standpoint, you know, to be able to invest in that is is a huge thing. I you know, I looked at what happened to Popov last year, I've been a huge advocate for an automatic top 10 rules so that if you play in an event or a non member, you finish the top 10 just like the PGA Tour, you're automatically in the next event, there just aren't enough avenues to to keep fresh talent and to put a spotlight on on fresh talent as they as they gain momentum. You know, I think I think they that just hasn't been emphasized enough in my opinion over the years to be able to capitalize on that because that's what people get excited about that sort of thing they want to see Sophia pop up play in the next major they want to see that young rookie Yealimi Noh who just nearly or she wasn't a rookie, but teenager who nearly won an LPGA event play the next week, you know, they want to see that so those are things that have bothered me for a while.
Sophie Walker:I can echo that that the Popov thing really great on me it graded on a lot of Europeans. You can see the traction that it got from the guy supporting her like it just doesn't help itself. And and so maybe just that little bit of flexibility LBJ was really hard to get on, but it's pretty hard to get off as well. So I might like to freshen up of you know, the lifetime members the Hall of Famers or like just to keep keep the opportunities better for the youngsters coming through. And then obviously from working in the media with it. It's sharing these players stories so all you hear my paper gag or I love watching women's golf, it's so relatable, but is it like we're making it relatable -- really? And then we know much about the players like you say, do you know how far the hitting it like the opportunity is now is, you know, Mike the mop, get get the stats better. I mean, I remember when I was on tour and strokes gained like kind of just coming out and I worked a lot with Well, I don't do it anymore, but Phil Kenyon for many years because he only lives down the road, putting stats, and he would say to me, in the nicest possible way, your strokes gained potting. I've only got a comparison right now against the PGA Tour and you aren't PGA Tour standard on your putting like the greens aren't as good, you're not as good. So why would you ask players? Do you want to share some stats Do you want to? And it was just nothing. There was nothing to do you have to make them look like do your own stats. And then players were quite reluctant to kind of share them with us. Fair enough. But as a tour, it's it's what people want to see. And and yeah, just data is king, isn't it in the world that we live in now. So yeah, I would totally agree with you right there by founders that that to me changed the Popov rule. In fact, like in football, we have a Bosman rule. And now we want I want to Popov rule because that was one of the most that like we call it Debbie Downer, like what a Debbie Downer like one point on that, like, that's one of the only things that I just did don't agree with even his press conference. I was like, I'm not I'm not into that. And I feel like she's just got a little bit gone over on a few occasions last year. And if the girl didn't have such a good spirit, it would be quite easy to think Kageyama Open champion will does this even mean anything.
Douglas Maida:True, very true. One of the things I noticed when covering the KPMG, and particularly the USGA was very impressed with the level of statistics that they came out with. Now, I don't know, from a player's perspective, Sophie or Beth Ann if you see it a little more on tour. But I thought it was excellent that the USGA, for example, had proximity to the hole for the approach shots of the players and things of that nature, the very framework basis for being able to have a stroke, or a strokes game, statistical model to judge yourself on and I just thought that was fantastic. I can't find that on the LPGA site, if it exists. I think it doesn't. Yeah, I was gonna say I, I couldn't think I didn't think it did. I just thought, you know, that's one thing. The USGA is such a detail oriented organization, that they've got all these statistical models out there. I thought, Wow, it was really good. You know, because if somebody was enterprising enough, they could take all that statistical data and come up with at least a strokes gained, metric for the US Women's Open in Houston. And it would have been difficult but doable. And I really liked that, because you could really see the strength of iron games and things like that on the players. Sorry,
Beth Ann:Yeah. Yeah. I don't know what the bottom line, I don't know what the big, fat number is. I know, it's pretty big. But I don't know how big the PGA Tour pays for their Shot link for their information. But I do know that the KL PGA has, you know, it's a more rudimentary thing. But but but you can follow along, they have a lot more than the nail PGA does. So, you know, there's got to be a happy medium here where you can't you can't deliver with the LP, I mean, with the PGA Tour has but but right now, it's essentially nothing.
Shayain G.:I was gonna say, Sorry, what do we think it is? Is it just monetary, like we just don't have the funds in order to put it in place to get the staff at the company to come in and just get all the data for us? Is that the biggest thing?
Sophie Walker:Yeah, the trouble is with this, it's how do you get the data? So on the male tools, the caddies put the data in on the European tour. So the European tour, the caddies get paid 45 quid a day or something by the tool to put in the stats of the player. And then on the PGA Tour, the Shotlink is done by a buyer. It's a volunteer, but it's somebody that goes around with each group. So there's, there's manpower in there. So when I was on the players Council, way back when stuff was coming out, like Arcoss, Game Golf, that type of device, and I said, Well, wouldn't it be cool, like if we all just carried one of those, and then somebody could just go on an app and we could do it from a smaller like smaller but then grow and get on board with an Arcoss 10 years ago or a game golf 10 years ago and grow together and learn together and, and players were so reluctant to do their own stats. There's a massive blocker They're like, you know that that doesn't happen, even to the point where you would say, we're going to give you a mobile phone device to put the scores in life? No, no chance. So the players do need to be a little bit more flexible in that in that way as well. And when they go out, they want a mobile phone. It's like, Oh, my God, you're on a mobile phone 24 seven, you know. And so that I think the the manpower is a problem as well as getting these people on board. But that's where players might just need to get on board with this as well. and make the product better, right. But that's an avenue that the new Commissioner can go into.
Douglas Maida:Let's shift to the upcoming Olympic Games, Solheim cup and some of the issues to look forward issues events to look forward to this year. Obviously, for me, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm sitting here wondering, Tokyo Olympics, are they going to even happen again this year? Just with things are going on? So anybody hearing anything out there a little bit more? I mean, I see in the UK athletics, they're all out there trading, getting ready for it to happen, but I don't hear much discussion about it in the golf world.
Beth Ann:Yeah, I mean, I talked to Annika (Sorenstam) a couple weeks ago, you know, she got her email that, you know, because they came out during the tournament champions is there wasn't going to be an Olympics. And then, you know, they came back out. And so the next morning, there will be an Olympic. So, you know, that was the last I heardfrom Annika. You know, just a couple weeks ago. So I mean, everybody's just kind of planning ahead as if it's gonna happen. But I mean, it's just a wait and see.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, I mean, I think I'm a golden point of view. It's, it's not as big of a deal like because it's, it's in the schedule anyway, isn't it? And then that's just the way it is. It's not like you're waiting four years of your life to get this thing on like if your track and field. So I think from a golfing point of view, if it's on it's easy, because we're playing golf week in week out, and then that's already in the schedule, and so is not probably as much in the minds of the golfers is as it is I don't know like an archery for shooting or anything like gymnast. Personally speaking, I can't I just can't see this thing. being on. You know, these villages, these, these Olympic villages are massive. And it's like being in halls of residence at university. I don't know what you call that over there. But
Shayain G.:dorms,
Sophie Walker:dorms? Yeah. So these So imagine the food Hall, the food Hall is 400 yards long, and about 100 yards wide. And there's a couple of them, I'm sure. So all these people and then going to Japan who probably I would, I can't imagine the Japanese will be too pleased with everybody coming in, you know. So there's definitely not going to be crowds. It's going to be if it is on its athletes only. And but I just for me, I just can't see it can't see it going ahead, unless you vaccinate the athletes, which has been spoken about in Britain. And they is they are talking about putting them up the list, but obviously not to a priority. So it's not they're not going to go above people that really need this to stay alive. This is a lot more than than a sport right now, over here else. All the football of the play Premier League would have already had it, you know, but they haven't. So yeah, but if it's not on this year, it never will be. So yeah, I think as a golfer, it's kind of it's not that big of a deal yet. I know MB thinks it is and I know Justin rose thought it was and it's, you know, really added to his career. But I think if it is it'll be easy enough for the golfers just like normal tournament. They're quite used to be in in COVID bubbles. But for me, I just can't see this thing going on. It's the biggest show on earth. And
Shayain G.:yeah, I didn't know that. I didn't know that England was talking about vaccines for the players. But now that you bring that up, I feel like it would be extremely unfair for the rest of the world like the third world countries and other areas that don't have access even to the vaccine just yet to it's almost like the first world countries because we have access we can get all of our athletes it's gonna be a big uproar anyways, even if all the athletes in Canada get it before the seniors or whatever the protocol is, but I think it would be extremely unfair to every other athletes in the world. If they do not live in a first world country that has access to the vaccine. So I agree with you. And I didn't realize I completely didn't even think about like, the dorms and where they eat. And it's like little communities, it's having like a little city within a city. So yeah, that's a great point. I feel bad for whoever in Japan is in charge of this and the committee that's in charge, like, Can you imagine working for the Olympic Committee? Or if you're in Japan, working for their local community working for the Olympics? Every day Someone's telling you yes, no, yes. Or let's think of like every option in the world and you just, I feel horrible for them.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, definitely don't envy that. Yeah.
Douglas Maida:Quickly, any thoughts as to if the Olympics was to be played who some of the favorites might be? I mean, I kind of circle Hinako Shibuno, just kind of wondering if, you know, maybe that home crowd might take her to, well, if there is a crowd,
Sophie Walker:it's not gonna be a crowd
Unknown:that she's playing at home and playing for the country or something like that.
Sophie Walker:The course in Japan is a huge golf course. It's law really, really low. So it's gonna play to length and it'll go on normal form. Like, it's not like me, maybe like major form, I think because it's, it's still important at the moment. Like, it's still a gold medal. But, you know, I think it'll be more the people that aren't there. I mean, think of the South Koreans. Like, there's gonna be some of the top 10 players in the world that aren't even seeing it. Right? Yeah, yeah, just fine.
Douglas Maida:Which brings us to the Solheim cup. How about that? Another event, scheduled for Inverness later this year. Any thoughts? Early thoughts? We've had some captains announced and appointed so that kind of gets the ball rolling a little bit.
Sophie Walker:Yeah, I'm very happy with our captain Beeny, she should just do it forever. As far as I'm.
Beth Ann:many felt that way about Julie Inkster too.
Douglas Maida:I was gonna say, what about Renee? Renee Powell? captaining the women's team?
Beth Ann:That's that's the juniors.
Unknown:juniors
Douglas Maida:juniors Yes. Sorry. I caught my apologies. Yeah. I was looking at them. But it's a start is not. We are starting to integrate the game a little more not integrated -- that's a poor word choice. In starting to open it up a little bit more to non traditional coaches, if you will.
Beth Ann:Yeah, I mean, it's Renee Powell and Annika Sorenstam. So the junior Solheim cup captains are, are as as interesting and an important you know, people in golf is the main Solheim cup Captain so. So yeah, that'll that'll be a tremendous opportunity for, for all the youngsters to be able to play for onika and play for Rene and I hope they ask lots of questions and really take advantage of that chance. But But Pat Hurst of course, has been Julie Inskter's "Ask Captain" as Julie calls them. a number of times so so she'll, she'll be in the head, the driving the bus this time with. It'll be interesting to see if Angela Stanford is a playing Captain this year. She's, of course just one at the end of 2020. And then Michelle Wie, who we don't know and she's gonna come back and play but apparently she's gonna play at some point in 2021. Hopefully Fingers crossed. So I don't anticipate her being a plane Captain but certainly a fun dynamic for for the American team.
Douglas Maida:Are there any players out there you think that might be eyeing the Solheim cup and who aren't quite in contention or need to do some things this year in order to be in contention, whether it be qualifying through the normal procedures or at least shining a light on them for potential captain's pick?
Sophie Walker:Yeah, yeah, I mean, some but somebody like Bronte law didn't didn't have a great season season last year. Nice to see a shoe a low one, actually, the other Sunday, Diamond resorts so that the other type of players like a Bronte law that you think Solheim is definitely on her mind 100% probably every day of our life, so and she will really want to be in that team. So you can see her having a lot better season than than she did last year, that's for sure. And then, like Emily Pedersen, you know, the Solheim cup ruined her for a good two years, and she's got redemption and she's spoken about Yeah, I want to get in that team. But I want to make a difference in that team. I want to win a few points and win the cup. So it's a really nice mentality change for her. But it's just like Anne Van Damme think as well is Somebody who potential has always been there but needs to start doing it on the biggest stage has just moved coach Sean Foley is home game as an outline. No, no. So she I'm expecting her. I don't know if I'm expecting her to have a good season. I'm not quite sure yet. But she needs to have a good season, if you know what I mean. This is the time for her to really start stepping up and showing everybody how good a player that she can be.
Douglas Maida:And Beth Ann. And let's give you the last word on Solheim.
Beth Ann:Yeah, you know, I think I'm hoping to see some new faces on the team this year. I think Jennifer Kupcho would be a fun addition. Yealimi Noh. You know, at the same time, Stacy Lewis was born in Toledo. It'll be interesting to see if she plays her way on or gets a captain's pick. And you know, Katrina, Matthew has as six captain's picks, and right now Pat Hurst has to. So it's a it's a big difference and how the teams are going to be put together. So right now it looks like haven't heard anything in terms of, you know, the US. There's a committee actually that makes that decision. Pat would like to have more picks, but the committee hasn't met or hasn't announced anything. I don't know what it is, but But yeah, I mean, Christie Kerr might need a pick. It might be another very different looking team this year. You know, it'll, it'll be interesting to see how pat, pat goes about it because you need some veterans.
Douglas Maida:Okay, well, on that note, thank you very much for joining us today. We really appreciate it. And we look forward to chatting with you again soon. And a lot of golf coming up for the season. So thank you very much. Thank you.
Amy (Studio):Thank you. You are listening to we're talking golf produced by the world of golf. This episode was recorded on February 2 2021. If you have an idea for a future show, please send us an email to info at World of golf.org please include podcast show in the subject line. This show is the copyright of the world of golf. Thank you for listening. Good night.