Wednesday

Annika's Appeal - Evident Only to Golfers?

I'm not a huge Letterman fan but when I read earlier today that Annika might be his guest, I knew I'd have to tune in tonight.

Now the thing is, though I don't go around talking about it, I'm not a huge Annika fan either. Never have been, and the reason I so wanted to see her on the show is that I had begun to think that maybe I had missed something... like the star quality that other golf writers seemed to be seeing, especially in these last 24 hours, since she announced her retirement.
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Of course I realize Annika is the Best Woman Golfer ever, and I know she gives generously to great charities, I've heard she's exceptionally kind as well, but I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about personality. The kind of personality that transcends golf.

So after sitting through Mr. Letterman's monologue, and his banter with the bald guy who conducts the band, I was ready to be charmed by "the other Annika", the warm, bubbly Annika I had missed till now; Well needless to say, that Annika didn't show.

The one and only Annika was there, and her job was to read the Top Ten list, in this case, the "Top Ten Reasons Annika Sorenstam is Retiring". Her performance confirmed what I always thought: that despite her brilliance on the golf course, off of it, Annika is actually very dull rather reserved. To the extent that one had the feeling she was ultra-bored, and somewhat annoyed. It also seemed she had completely skipped hair and makeup. Her hair was just there, and her her features quite washed out. Her outfit too, was strictly utilitarian, I don't even remember much about it, except that there was a shirt and slacks.

You could tell that Annika was happy to get off the stage, which she did as soon as she finished with the list, and happy to let the spotlight shine on someone else. I had told a few of my non-golfing friends to watch... folks who may have heard her name, but didn't know much beyond that... and each one called afterwards and asked how such a withdrawn girl could be a huge star. As I say, these people knew nothing of golf.

And therein lies my point. I don't believe that Annika's appeal transcends golf. Without an appreciation of her excellence on the course, I don't think one would ever remember her.

Bay Area sports writer Monte Poole wrote an article today lamenting the fact that Danica Patrick, Allison Stoke and the perennial Anna Kornikova all have a popular culture transcendancy far beyond Annika Sorenstam's, and suggesting that our culture is wrong to value sex appeal over true talent. Well the culture may well be wrong...it may be low brow and superficial, especially where woman athletes are concerned...but it is what it is, and unlike the ladies mentioned above, Annika has always refused to play the glamour game, thus remaining almost invisible once off the golf course.

There's one particular thing Mr Poole writes about Annika that I absolutely don't agree with: "If she were blessed with the looks of Natalie Gulbis or Anna Rawson, Sorenstam would be a household name." I argue that Annika was, in fact, blessed with their good looks, but simply chose to focus on golf and forget the glitz. Annika never felt compelled to wear make-up or false eyelashes or cute clothes on the course. Appealing to the media... and to pop culture fans like me... was never a priority for her. Annika was always all about the game, and all about winning. That was her decision, and as she prepares for her retirement, I'm inclined to think she's not having any second thoughts about it.

19 comments:

  1. A very fair assessment of Annika. I had the same opinion as you on Annika, and may even more negative until I saw Annika in person.

    Yes she was in her environment, the golf course, but yet out of her environment wearing a very sharp business suit looking very much like an executive. Then later in the day in a formal cocktail dress...in both opportunities I have had to be in the room with Ms Sorenstam she was 'Beemingly' attractive.
    Yes Natalie and Paula and the rest of the Young Guns of the LPGA were in the room also and Annika does not hold a light to their attributes. But you are again correct, Annika does not to compete with that.
    Annika's appearance on Letterman seemed to be her making a statement to the world...'here I am, take it or leave it, I am now retired and going to do what I want how I want when I want without anyone telling me what, when or where to do it'. I like that attitude and Annika deserves it.
    I guess it just goes to show you what makeup can cover up for 20 years.

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  2. ..I thought you had more class than to bash anyone in this way. Who left you boss and judge. You sound like an over 50 bitter woman.

    You are also:
    superficial
    shallow
    Materialistic
    big ego
    woman should stick together whether we are fun, fashionable or flirty.

    Shame on you Patricia

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  3. It really is too bad that some believe she is "not a household name" because she hasn't posed in a bikini. I know plenty of non-golfers that know who she is and I admire that she lets her play speak for itself.

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  4. I've always admired Annika Sorenstam but I agree that I don't find her particularly exciting off the golf course. As you say, she's probably not too concerned about that.

    Mr. Anon I don't see any bitterness there at all. Much more bitterness is shown in the Monte Poole article.

    I just see Golf Girl expressing her opinion which she acknowledges might not be popular in the golf world. She says she's not a big fan of Annika but she obviously admires her talent and seems to admire her for not selling out to. I sure there are many who feel the way Patricia feel but are afraid to says it because of reactions like yours.

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  5. Anon 5:11 Where's the bashing you're talking about? I son't see bashing, I see facts. Sorenstam is dull. She's a remarkable golfer, but as a person she comes off cold, aloof and yes dull. I'm not saying she actually is that way but it's definitely the way she come off, and lots of us are turned off by it.

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  6. Surprisingly, David was quite supportive of Annika after reading your blog entry. He says (man’s point of view) Annika was great for women’s golf. She upped the ante of the women’s tour, with her incredible talent for shotmaking.

    For me, I always liked her enormously. And maybe it was precisely because she didn’t fall into the golf glam category. We also need to remember her Swedish roots; Swedes in general not known for outlandish or showy behaviors. She let her golf do her talking. And it screamed.. the winner of 72 tournaments and a coveted place in Golf Hall of Fame.

    Certainly the Men’s Tour has it’s fashion-forwards as well as its fashion-faux pas (John Daly’s last shirtless practice comes to mind!) In our drive to take Women’s Golf to the next level, we need to allow for and encourage all personality types: the tomboy, the shy one, the fashion-challenged and even, like Annika, the fashion-phobic! Women’s golf should have an open-door policy to allow talent and hard work to rachet up the competiton. This makes for a more exciting, interesting tour for us all.

    The time belongs to Annika now, to settle down in her private life, enjoy her cooking hobby, marry next January and create her future, at thirty-seven years old. Could her career have been enhanced by a more polished look? If appearance was more of priority to her, maybe something else would have changed as well. And for me, I like her just the way she is. ~Nikki@17fairway

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  7. I'm inclined to agree with you and I'm soooo glad I found your blog! I've been playing golf (quite badly, I admit) for twenty years. I've always liked Annika most because of her temperament during her game. She's so amazingly even keeled, which is the total opposite of me, lol. I tend to admire anyone who can keep their cool during a round of golf. Since. I. Can't.

    Like Annika, I'm one of the few women golfers who doesn't wear makeup during golf. It only ends up on the collar of my shirt and on my visor anyway. I also have to respect her for not caving in to what others want want or expect from her, and keeping her feet firmly planted on the ground.

    Celebrity changes most people, and not always for the better. Somehow, she has been able to resist all that and still comes out smelling like a rose. Bravo for Annika!

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  8. I wrote in my blog that women's golf has similar stumbling blocks as does women's basketball.

    Tiger is a rare player. As was Micheal Jordan. As was Mia Hamm. All transcended their sports. I argue Mia Hamm was more well known than most male soccer players.

    Annika hasn't exuded a sexiness that it takes to transcend her sport. It's goes for guys as well. Sex sells, right? Probably helps with Bloggers too.

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  9. Well said LadyLakeGolfer!

    By the way, perhaps I am too much into golf but I always thought Annika was a household name. You don't even need to say her last name, people know who Annika is.

    -VJ

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  10. reading your post makes me long for the days of hogan when substance reigned over style. annika is all about substance and doesn't seem to care all that much about style - although from looking at her sponsorship partners who are staying involved with her- post retirement - they are a classy group of companies. again substance over style.

    while i think gg is way too focused on style over substance - so is our society in general - maybe that is why someone like annika is seen as dull and a twit like gulbis with marginal talent (relative to annika, not gg and her
    50 handicap) is seen as the second coming.

    why are we listening to a 50 handicapper anyway - why don't you work on your game instead of trying to analyze a sport you can barely play?

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  11. Mr. Biz Golf is like the Eveready Bunny, he just keeps on going....making one stupid comment after another.

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  12. GG - Good article! Do not take it personal when people attack you, it will be a given in life. Blow it off and move on. My two cents: Annika, GREAT Golfer! GREAT Attribute to the Golf Community, especially for women, and men (who else text messages Tiger when she gets a win and visa versa?!) Has she donated a lot of time/money/energy? To my knowledge you better believe it. Do I think she is blah? Yes I do. Am I criticized for it, sure thing...do I mind, not one bit, she is not my style. Oh well, continue on....
    As per the comments on the 50 Handi...I am sure we can work on that game and get you down to a 5. Would you care to take me up on the offer? :o) Have fun with Golf and have fun with Life!
    ~Oddly
    Cameron

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  13. Thankfully, 100 years from now, when Annika Sorenstam's name is still at or around the top of so many women's records, SHE will be the one remembered, not the "sexy" style conscious members of the tour.

    OK - GG's penchant for style is no secret - it's what makes her happy - so all the attacks really don't make a whole lot of sense.

    Facts are facts - Annika is not as widely appreciated as she would be if she had a more "bouncy" personality or wore some mico-mini to "work it" on the course. Sadly, in this society, sex appeal is what gets the big contracts, and Annika has always been about the golf...even though, believe it or not, she blew tournament wins her first couple of seasons on tour because she didn't want to have to stand up in front of people and give acceptance speeches.(check out "Every Shot Must Have a Purpose" - an excellent book by Annika's coaches)

    She's a stoic Swede, Bjorn Borg and most of the Swedish tennis revolution were pretty much the same way - that's the way she is - quiet and unassuming, practical, focused - and a true champion.

    It's a shame the style queens (and princes) don't have her drive to win.

    Oh - Lorena is cute and petite - but shy in front of people, especially when she has to speak a lot of English. Add most of the Korean Contingent to that list. The language barrier can be pretty scary.

    Yes, it's a shame that Annika didn't get the accolaids away from the course that the likes of Gulbis and Kournikova get for their looks - but true golf and sports fan will always appreciate the champions, even without the flash and sex appeal.

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  14. Not to beat a dead horse, but I like when a pro doesn't get caught up on being a celebrity. She loves the game and lets her talent do all the talking. There's nothing wrong with taking advantage of your popularity, it's good to see some that don't necessarily want to. Good Post Pat!

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  15. Anyone who is a bigger fan Michelle Wie than Annika Sorenstam has no business including the word "golf" in the title of her blog. The same is true of anyone more concerned with her outfit than lowering her (considerable) handicap.

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  16. @Anonymous You obviously don't read this blog often enough to merit such a weak attack. Sounds like you just a hater.

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  17. Anon 11:07 - This golf blog has probably interested more new players...and re-interested more lapsed players...than any other golf blog out there. You know why? Because it makes golf seem fun and cool and accessible.
    --In this economic environment if you present your sport as draconian, elitist, exclusionary and judgmental it's not going to thrive, it's going to stagnate.
    --If you want to assure that golf courses, and the game of golf, welcome no one but experienced, low handicap players, you're advocating the demise of golf.

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  18. Hey everyone, Thanks for reading and thanks for commenting!!!

    Varying ideas and opinions are what makes a topic interesting...right? Political correctness sometimes stifles that. If everyone is afraid to say what they really feel because it won't be perceived as "the right thing" to say, the world is going to be pretty boring.

    Anyway, just to clairify, I fully appreciate Annika's extraordinary career and exceptional talent and skill. She'll be remembered in golf history as one of the greatest ever, that's for sure.

    It's true that the game of golf needs to appeal to more than the low handicap, golf purists in order to thrive. Personally, I'm working methodically to improve my game with lessons and on the range/ practice greens, as well as by playing regularly. And I enjoy every minute of it.

    Thanks again for your comments!!!

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  19. When Annika won her first US Open at Pine Needles, I remember everyone talking about how "hot" she was. Me included. I have a weakness for blonde Swedes but I am somewhat shallow that way. Being from NC and having played Pine Needles myself, I was in total awe of what a player she was and became a fan of her game as well. I am disappointed to see her retire, but this year will be interesting as Annika and Lorena play out the season.
    And by the way, what's up with all of the negative comments from the faceless, anonymous readers? You can filter those out you know. No one would miss them.
    I enjoy reading. Thanks.

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