Annika Sorenstam

photo credit: Playadura*     Swedish golfing great, Annika Sorenstam was born  on October 9, 1970.   A winner of 72 LPGA Tournaments,  Graduating  from VA University of Arizona, she was a product of Sweden's efforts to develop young golfers.

Prior to her retirement in 2008, Annika Sorenstam won 11 Major's on the LPGA Tour.   Her 59 on the Moon Valley CC   in the Phoenix  Standard Register Ping  Tournament was a milestone in her career.      A neck injury in 2008  may have been a reason for her early retirement.  

Sorenstam worked with Swedish coach Pia Nilsson who created the Vision54 philosophy which revolved around Annika's goal of shooting a perfect round of 54 (all birdies).  

Upon her retirement, Annika Sorenstam began the Annika Academy (golf school)  at the Ginn Reunion Resort in Florida.

LPGA Facts

photo credit: Playadura*     LPGA play is widely underestimated by too many people.   The players may not be as long as a PGA Tour Professional but then again, they do not need to be.   Their courses are not a cake walk.   They play on courses which average 6,500 yards, with thick rough, narrow fairways and lightning fast greens.   Their  tee shots  average (this includes all clubs including irons) between 221 yards to 273 yards.   They average 65% of greens hit in regulation.    The top 25 players have a score average of between 69.81 and 71.64.

LPGA statistics, being as good as they are, warrant a regularly scheduled PGA/LPGA tournament which combines both women and men Professionals.   You've got to wonder who would be paired up with Tiger Woods?

Quality Play on the LPGA Tour

photo credit: Playadura*     The LPGA recently visited Phoenix, AZ. to play an LPGA Tour event at the famous Papago Golf Course.   The Papago course has hosted many U.S. Amateur qualifying tournaments and is known for it's high degree of difficulty.

On at least two days of the four day event , the LPGA Tour Pro's had to contend with 40 to 50 mph. winds.   The quality of play amongst the players was nothing less than amazing.   Karrie Webb, an international player well known to the American LPGA Tour, won with a final score of -14 under par.   Many feel that with the increased level of ability shown by LPGA Players, there should be one tournament event   each year which includes men and women professionals.

LPGA Drug Testing Program

photo credit: msspider66     In November 2006, the LPGA Tour instituted a drug testing program for all participants in LPGA Tour events.   The new policy began with the 2008 season.   The LPGA became the first tour in golf to design a plan to administer a testing program in professional golf.

The presence of any quantity of prohibited substances will constitute   an offense.   The program has a Prohibited List which sets the standards for testing.   It is the players responsibility to know what types of conduct may constitute an offense and what substance and methods are actually on the list.

According to the program, a player shall be personally responsible for any Prohibited substance found in her body regardless of how it entered her body.   For more information go to www.LPGA.com.

The Golf Dress Is Back

photo credit: Ted Van Pelt     Women's golf fashion has taken a turn for the better on the LPGA Tour.   The golf dress is alive and well.   This year, players like Natalie Gulbis, Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer are all wearing this new/old fashion attire.

Well known companies like Adidas and LIJA are leading the way with beautiful new fashion for women golfers.   The Adidas ForMotion dress ($110)  is available in pink and bouquet white.   The Glitzy Ginger dress ($125)  made by LIJA is available in champagne and white.

Remember the old saying “what goes around, comes around?”   This is the year of the dress.   The fashion statement that was taken for granted just a few short decades ago, is now back full force and we are all much better off for it.

Putting on the LPGA Tour

The next time you watch an LPGA event it won't be hard to recognize great putting when you see it. You will notice how precise the Tour Players are when setting up to their putts and especially the smooth quality of their putting strokes. In many ways they seem to be more astute at putting than players on the PGA Tour.

LPGA Players prove, over and over again, that being long off the tee is not of critical importance, accuracy is, however. Shot accuracy on the LPGA means being on the green in regulation and making more putts. This is a good lesson for every golfer to think about. Hitting the ball straight towards the green can result in better play on the green. You can look up LPGA statistics at
photo credit: Menlo School

LPGA Web-site

photo credit: Fevi YuGo to www.LPGA.com for all of the latest news and updates in womens golf. The Ladies Professional Golfers Association (counterpart to the PGA) is where you can discover all of the latest statistics and information about your favorite LPGA Tour Player and tour event.

Up to the minute scores, rankings and tour averages are available on the site. You can check out all of the latest tour stats on your favorite golfer. There is also plenty of information about all of the latest tour news and schedules. There are also frequent articles about newly introduced golf equipment and accessories.

If you are looking for all of the latest on the LPGA tour, check out the LPGA web-site, you'll be very glad you did.