Top LPGA players skipping Evian

[JK Ward]

https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2021/07/07/danielle-kang-lexi-thompson-skipping-evian-championship/

 

Danielle Kang

Lexi Thompson

Nasa Hataoka

 

Plus, Hannah Green and Shanshan Feng.

 

All due to the Olympics, I suppose. Do you think the LPGA/European LPGA should leave open weeks around the Olympics in the future?

 

 

Edited July 8, 2021 by JK Ward

[Argonne69]

There's just not enough weeks in the summer to be skipping two weekends. 

 

A number of players have skipped the Evian in non-Olympic years. The course is not a favorite for many. 

 

[ChronicSlicer]

3 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

There's just not enough weeks in the summer to be skipping two weekends. 

 

A number of players have skipped the Evian in non-Olympic years. The course is not a favorite for many. 

 

That's a messed up schedule from July 22-Sept 4 if you really look at. 2 Majors, Olympics,  Solheim Cup...can't really blame anyone for skipping something in that stretch.

[postfold]

Definitely don't have open weeks, there are plenty of players who don't qualify for the Olympics with only 4 max per country (and 2 for most).  

 

That said, I'd schedule majors as far away as possible, so that you don't have players skipping them.  You can probably only do so much -- you're not going to play the Evian in November or anything.  Then again, the Solheim Cup is moving to even years in 2024 so crammed schedules may just be a thing.

[Golf Dino]

It may not be a popular thought, but the Evian is simply not a major no matter how much prize money they throw at it.  It was simply the vanity of the Evian organizers/sponsors and that is it.  The course is not much to write home about, notwithstanding the views of Lake Geneva.  If anything, it should be on the rota of LET Majors ... not the LPGA.  This way they can boost the LET which would be far more beneficial to women's golf. 

[ChronicSlicer]

8 hours ago, Golf Dino said:

It may not be a popular thought, but the Evian is simply not a major no matter how much prize money they throw at it.  It was simply the vanity of the Evian organizers/sponsors and that is it.  The course is not much to write home about, notwithstanding the views of Lake Geneva.  If anything, it should be on the rota of LET Majors ... not the LPGA.  This way they can boost the LET which would be far more beneficial to women's golf. 

Well said. I get it money talks, but would the LPGA go to a sixth major if a sponsor guaranteed 6-7 million per event for 10 years?. Obviously I'm just thinking out loud, and I hope they would never sell out again to money. 5 is bad enough.

[KBong]

23 hours ago, Golf Dino said:

It may not be a popular thought, but the Evian is simply not a major no matter how much prize money they throw at it. 

It was simply the vanity of the Evian organizers/sponsors and that is it. 

 

The course is not much to write home about, notwithstanding the views of Lake Geneva.  If anything, it should be on the rota of LET Majors ... not the LPGA.  This way they can boost the LET which would be far more beneficial to women's golf. 

This.

That's why it's called a FAKE major.

 

I believe when the Evian was upgraded to major status in 2013 the LPGA knew Kraft Nabisco's future for a new fixed term sponsorship renewal was in jeopardy.

I think the LPGA had been looking for quite some time to find a new sponsor to replace KN.

I gotta believe if the "1st major's" sponsorship was stable....Evian would not have been granted 'major' status.

 

Although it has one to the best scenery for golf within Canada...it would be like making Furry Creek as major host venue.....lol.

 

I also think the ANA is also a FAKE major...how can it be a major when few spectators want to attend it....on Thurs/Fri...there's minimal galleries....and it's not exactly standing room only on the weekends.

And how can you set up the 18th hole with a grandstand/wall...acting as a backstop for 2nd shots.

 

ANA should tell the LPGA they are pulling out their money unless the event is relocated to Japan....a more deserving host with fans who are more interested in women's golf.

 

 

[KBong]

I think some of the gals don't want to play the Evian because if they win...they don't want to endure the NONSENSE of those 2 CHEESEBALLS kissing them on their cheeks.

 

[Golf Dino]

A few observations and comments.

 

Firstly, if Furry Creek was good enough to host Happy Gilmore and Bob Barker then it can host a major!  😂   

 

Okay all kidding aside.

 

Secondly, the ANA will probably not go anywhere.  It is the LPGA's version of the Masters -- played at the same venue year in and year out.  The LPGA, like this tournament, owes so much to tournament founder and sponsor -- Dinah Shore.  She brought Colgate Palmolive into the LPGA and increased purse sizes considerably.  Also, Dinah brought the LPGA to network television in the early 1970s ... which in itself was no small feat.   She brought celebrities (when they were actually glitzy and not Larry the Cable Guy) to the events and helped elevate women's golf into "show business" which was desperately needed at that point.  

 

Lastly, the Evian was fighting to be a "major" regardless of what happened at Rancho Mirage.  The scuttlebutt is that the Evian had balked at renewing its sponsorship without being named as a "major" championship.  The podium celebration is an outdated "ritual" ... after all, if the Tour de France can have their podium girls drop the "kissing the winner on the cheek" element, why should it be allowed to carry on at the Evian when the message of the LPGA is putting the women forward as athetes first and foremost and as skilled players in their own right. 

 

But, at the end of the day, I suppose the goal of trying to grow the prize money trumped all else so that Evian could have its day in the sun as a "major".  

 

[JK Ward]

 

On 7/8/2021 at 4:29 PM, Argonne69 said:

There's just not enough weeks in the summer to be skipping two weekends. 

 

A number of players have skipped the Evian in non-Olympic years. The course is not a favorite for many. 

 

 

When I first made this post, I completely forgot the Olympics had been rescheduled . On the pre-pandemic schedule released in 2019, there was a two week break after Evian for the Olympics. This year, there is an open week before and after the Solheim Cup.

 

If the Solheim is going to be moved to even years then maybe the LPGA needs to consider moving one of the majors to May. 

 

[Argonne69]

14 hours ago, JK Ward said:

 

When I first made this post, I completely forgot the Olympics had been rescheduled . On the pre-pandemic schedule released in 2019, there was a two week break after Evian for the Olympics. This year, there is an open week before and after the Solheim Cup.

 

If the Solheim is going to be moved to even years then maybe the LPGA needs to consider moving one of the majors to May. 

 

 

I don't see that happening. The KPMG has been played in numerous northern courses over the past 10 years. Course conditions in May are generally iffy. I sure don't want to see the event played at southern courses only.

 

They finally managed to get four European tournaments scheduled close enough to each other to call it a "swing". I can't see them moving the AIG Women's Open to May, as they'd have to also move the Scottish Open, and/or the new one in Northern Ireland. Not sure anyone want to be playing in Scotland or NI in May.

 

 

[Golf Dino]

5 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

I don't see that happening. The KPMG has been played in numerous northern courses over the past 10 years. Course conditions in May are generally iffy. I sure don't want to see the event played at southern courses only.

 

They finally managed to get four European tournaments scheduled close enough to each other to call it a "swing". I can't see them moving the AIG Women's Open to May, as they'd have to also move the Scottish Open, and/or the new one in Northern Ireland. Not sure anyone want to be playing in Scotland or NI in May.

 

 

 

 

Heck, May in Scotland may as well be wintertime!  😉😂     

[Argonne69]

1 minute ago, Golf Dino said:

 

 

Heck, May in Scotland may as well be wintertime!  😉😂     

 

Very likely. I got lucky when I went to St Andrews in late April of '19. The day I arrived it was 75 degrees. Three days later it was blustery, with temps in the upper 40s. I sure wouldn't schedule a tournament there in the spring.

 

The Solheim Cup is played in Europe every other time. I'd like to see it moved to December, after the tour championship, but that just isn't going to happen. I think it would make sense to hold it in late August when played in Europe at the end of the European Swing (Evian, ISPS Northern Ireland, Scottish Open, AIG Women's Open, Solheim). In the years it's played in the U.S. it should be held in Florida, Arizona, or SoCal the week after the CME.

 

[JaNelson38]

The course may not be well liked, but I'd be willing to bet the insane covid 'rules' in Europe are a contributing factor.

 

A number of PGA Tour players are skipping The Open this week because they basically have to live like they're in a prison while they are there.  As I understand it, France is kinda doing the same thing as the UK.

 

[Argonne69]

46 minutes ago, JaNelson38 said:

The course may not be well liked, but I'd be willing to bet the insane covid 'rules' in Europe are a contributing factor.

 

A number of PGA Tour players are skipping The Open this week because they basically have to live like they're in a prison while they are there.  As I understand it, France is kinda doing the same thing as the UK.

 

 

I guess we'll see how many of the players who skip the Evian show up to play in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and at the Women's Open. If they skip the other 3 European tournaments, then I'd say the Covid protocols likely had a major influence on their decision. I'd be shocked if the players skipped all four events.

 

[Raving Shanker]

On 7/12/2021 at 1:43 AM, KBong said:

I think some of the gals don't want to play the Evian because if they win...they don't want to endure the NONSENSE of those 2 CHEESEBALLS kissing them on their cheeks.

 

This really bugs you doesn't it?!

 

To me, its just the French being French. Have you ever watched the Tour de France? Kissing at the end of every stage! Usually beautiful podium girls kissing the male stage winner.

 

But it will go. People will get on their high horses and we'll turn the entire world to one uniform politically correct culture.

 

By the way, it looks like Lydia embraces the spirit of it, although JYK looked uncomfortable.

[ebk]

5 hours ago, Raving Shanker said:

By the way, it looks like Lydia embraces the spirit of it, although JYK looked uncomfortable.

I won’t express an opinion until I see the bearded guy’s right hand…

 

Seriously, that “tradition” needs to go away.

[KBong]

16 hours ago, Raving Shanker said:

This really bugs you doesn't it?!

 

To me, its just the French being French. Have you ever watched the Tour de France? Kissing at the end of every stage! Usually beautiful podium girls kissing the male stage winner.

 

But it will go. People will get on their high horses and we'll turn the entire world to one uniform politically correct culture.

 

By the way, it looks like Lydia embraces the spirit of it, although JYK looked uncomfortable.

Doesn't bother me...but I'm pretty sure the gals.....if given a choice would rather not be sandwich kissed by these 2 GOOFBALLS.

By your Tour de France example...maybe if it was Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise....I'm old...so I don't know of any younger celebs that women FAWN over nowadays...the gals wouldn't be mind being sandwiched kissed.

 

All it would take would be ONE pro to complain...and a message from the new commish to the 2 guys and it would end.

 

Let's get a woman's perspective.

 

@Kaysquare @BadgerLin @ThinkingPlus.....so given a choice....would you be ok being sandwiched kiss by these two guys?

[ThinkingPlus]

10 minutes ago, KBong said:

Doesn't bother me...but I'm pretty sure the gals.....if given a choice would rather not be sandwich kissed by these 2 GOOFBALLS.

By your Tour de France example...maybe if it was Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise....I'm old...so I don't know of any younger celebs that women FAWN over nowadays...the gals wouldn't be mind being sandwiched kissed.

 

All it would take would be ONE pro to complain...and a message from the new commish to the 2 guys and it would end.

 

Let's get a woman's perspective.

 

@Kaysquare @BadgerLin @ThinkingPlus.....so given a choice....would you be ok being sandwiched kiss by these two guys?

I would rather not I think.  I understand the cultural thing, but a good firm handshake if they can manage it would be more than fine.  Wonder if they will go the fist bump route this year of the neverending pandemic?

[Kaysquare]

43 minutes ago, KBong said:

Doesn't bother me...but I'm pretty sure the gals.....if given a choice would rather not be sandwich kissed by these 2 GOOFBALLS.

By your Tour de France example...maybe if it was Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise....I'm old...so I don't know of any younger celebs that women FAWN over nowadays...the gals wouldn't be mind being sandwiched kissed.

 

All it would take would be ONE pro to complain...and a message from the new commish to the 2 guys and it would end.

 

Let's get a woman's perspective.

 

@Kaysquare @BadgerLin @ThinkingPlus.....so given a choice....would you be ok being sandwiched kiss by these two guys?

If I won an LPGA tournament I probably wouldn't even notice.

[BadgerLin]

When in France…but that would usually be a quick kiss by one person at a time.  I wouldn’t particularly like the two of them latched onto the cheeks for the photo op.  The winner this year could sport a large mask.

[Argonne69]

52 minutes ago, BadgerLin said:

When in France…but that would usually be a quick kiss by one person at a time.  I wouldn’t particularly like the two of them latched onto the cheeks for the photo op.  The winner this year could sport a large mask.

 

HJK: "Sorry guys, but my skin allergy is acting up all of a sudden."

 

 

[Golf Dino]

The Tour de France stopped the podium girls and the kissing on the cheek for the stage winners.      The Evian needs to stop this practice as well.  It is only a vanity event for the Sponsors that hand out the trophy.   

 

Here is an excerpt from CyclingNews that I read:

 

Quote

 

"We've been used to having the riders on the podium assisted by two hostesses," said Tour director Christian Prudhomme on Wednesday, according to Europe 1. "Now, things are going to be different, using only one élu [local dignitary] and one jersey partner, as well as one hostess and one host, for the first time."

 

For some years, the practice of two women presenting flowers and sponsors' soft toys to the riders at races like the Tour de France, and then both women simultaneously kissing the riders on both cheeks, has been denounced as sexist and old-fashioned, and Europe 1 reported that a petition in 2019 raised 38,000 signatures agreeing that women "are not objects or rewards". The practice of using 'grid girls' in Formula 1 motor racing was also stopped in 2018, the French radio station pointed out.

 

 

[Raving Shanker]

5 minutes ago, Golf Dino said:

The Tour de France stopped the podium girls and the kissing on the cheek for the stage winners.      The Evian needs to stop this practice as well.  It is only a vanity event for the Sponsors that hand out the trophy.   

 

Here is an excerpt from CyclingNews that I read:

 

 

I know. Sad.

[KBong]

3 hours ago, Golf Dino said:

It is only a vanity event for the Sponsors that hand out the trophy.   

 

Tru Dat.

[KBong]

5 hours ago, BadgerLin said:

The winner this year could sport a large mask.

This will help prevent the risk of the French cooties spreading.🤣

 

 

[Rapidcat]

Maybe the winner can use this as a potential defence:

 

[HMHS]

15 hours ago, KBong said:

This will help prevent the risk of the French cooties spreading.🤣

 

 

I think Christina Kim sported something like that traveling for an LPGA event - eg a Hazmat Suit... so she's ready for those 2 "french guys" just in case 😛 ... now, a better question on Christina Kim is --> ? (for you to decipher)... 😛    I don't want to be flagged for being not politically correct or whatnot so I'll leave it like that... 

[KBong]

11 minutes ago, Supermilo said:

I think Christina Kim sported something like that traveling for an LPGA event - eg a Hazmat Suit... so she's ready for those 2 "french guys" just in case 😛 ... now, a better question on Christina Kim is --> ? (for you to decipher)... 😛    I don't want to be flagged for being not politically correct or whatnot so I'll leave it like that... 

Yes, I remember Xtina in a hazmat suit last year....she's such a phony, obnoxious attention seeker.

Go to an event and you'll see more of her NONSENSE that TV doesn't pick up.

[JungleJimbo]

4 hours ago, Supermilo said:

I think Christina Kim sported something like that traveling for an LPGA event - eg a Hazmat Suit... so she's ready for those 2 "french guys" just in case 😛 ... now, a better question on Christina Kim is --> ? (for you to decipher)... 😛    I don't want to be flagged for being not politically correct or whatnot so I'll leave it like that... 

@Supermilo Dunno 🤷‍♂️ the answer to your “better question on Christina Kim is —> …” ... but her “Full Send” podcast with Alan Shipnuck = quite a good listen!

 

https://firepitcollective.com/full-send/

 

https://www.facebook.com/102948721798560/posts/christina-kim-is-teaming-up-with-alan-shipnuck-out-new-podcast-the-full-send-che/141048031321962/

 

 

Edited July 23, 2021 by JungleJimbo