The ''live-wire'' of ladies golf in Thailand and one of those who helped promote the sport in this part of the world, Ms Rae-vadee T Suwan, is very unhappy that efforts of women to promote the sport hasn't earned proper recognition. She cited the participation of the Thai team in the 28th Queen Sirikit Cup international team golf championship which Adelaide hosted this year as one example, in support of her complaint.


"We had to spend over 400,000 baht to send our team and our team of amateurs, received no financial support at all from the concerned authorities,'' she said.


''Yet we hear people talking about encouraging amateurs and elevating them to high standards in sports.


''In contrast, as Executive Member of the Administrative Committee of the R&A, I was able to obtain 12,000 to help Adelaide defray part of its expenses towards the cost of staging the tournament.


''Now with preparations under way for the Asian Ladies Golf Tour to be held next year, with more countries planning to take part and China preparing to hold two competitions, I am hoping to obtain R&A subsidy to ensure that qualified referees will officiate in the tour.


''But when it comes to incurring expenses of our own, on behalf of our own teams, even national squads, we have to face with untold setbacks.


''Many questions are asked and negative reasons are given to deprive our national teams from being supported with subsidies.


''Our participation in Adelaide and the reason given that our request was sent in late is one such example. But what those who made the excuse have overlooked is the fact that the regulation which was formulated regarding such requests, came much later after our application for subsidy was made.


''What has been overlooked was the fact that we sent a Thai team to participate in a prestigious ladies team golf tournament which we had launched.


''It's therefore sad to see, that we are being treated in this manner. Is it because ladies golf, which we took over three decades to promote and develop is still part of the Thai Golf Association? Each time subsidies are given to sports bodies, we ladies have to fall behind men's golf for our part of the subsidy which is nothing or negligible.


''As a member of the Administrative Committee of the International Golf Federation, I am able to obtain support and financial assistance from outside Thailand, but when it comes to requiring money for our own requirements, we have to look up and wait.


''This is heartbreaking, but true. We are going through great unhappiness and distress.


''It's because of our enthusiasm and our love for the game plus our anxiety to give these talented young girls a break in the sport that we are battling the odds and doing our best. But the fact remains that we are not receiving our proper due for the hard work we are rendering for the sport. Each time we cite reasons and point out our difficulties the officialdom comes back on us quoting rules, that we are only a ladies organisation, hence we have to fall behind the men's organisation.


''In other words we are being treated like second-class citizens.''


Meanwhile, Ms Rae-vadee announced that next year's 29th edition of the popular Queen Sirikit Cup tournament will be held in Philippines, shortly after the Thailand Ladies Open which will be staged March 7-9.


That is being planned to be held at the Green Valley Country Club layout.


Focusing attention on next year's Asian Ladies Golf Tour, Ms Rae-vadee said that Singapore, Malaysia, India, Macau, Thailand and two tournaments in China, will make up the tour.


She added, that the Thailand Ladies Golf Association is still unaware about the Asian Games to be held in Doha, December 1-15, whether a ladies team has been invited to take part or not.


''We don't know yet, what is happening in Doha. All the news we get is through television advertisements,'' she said.

Bangkok Post

I thoroughly enjoyed the Ryder Cup over last weekend, it`s one of the feew golf tournaments I really follow. I tend to watch the matches when they are played out every 2 years. Next one in 2 years time is in Kentucky, USA.

I noticed this about one of the top female golfers who I`ve noticed has been in a few matches with the men.

Quote:Wie is damaging women's golf, says Sevil

September 18, 2006 - 4:24PM

A leading Australian tour official has warned teenage American Michelle Wie's infatuation with the men's tour is damaging to women's golf.

Australian Ladies Professional Golf general manager Warren Sevil says the tall, stylish 16 year-old is not winning any fans among her peers by continuing to tee up in PGA Tour events against the men and failing to make cut after cut.

Sevil said Wie is still big news even though she is shooting scores like 84 and missing cuts.

The Hawaiian, who's missed six successive cuts in men's tournaments, has revealed she wants to play in the US Masters and one day contest the prestigious Ryder Cup men's trans-Atlantic team competition.

Her latest effort to make a cut in a US PGA Tour event failed by more than 20 shots, renewing concerns she's starting to do women's golf more harm than good.

"Does she realise people are laughing at her?" said asked.

Sevil walked 18 holes with Wie during this year's British Open and came away convinced he'd watched a superstar in waiting once she decides to commit to joining the LPGA tour.

But he's disappointed she insists on playing men's tournaments while finishing high school.

"Initially, like everyone else, I thought she was great for women's golf because they were talking about her being the greatest woman golfer, which she probably will be," he said.

"She will join the LPGA Tour and draw a truckload of money to the tour just as Tiger did.

"The players thought it was great knowing in a few years time she would be lining their pockets with cash.

"But in the last month, with what she has done, it's only the tournament sponsors who are benefiting and you can't really blame them for wanting her to play in their events.

"They don't have Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson playing in their events so Michelle generates a lot of media for them

"She hasn't won on the LPGA Tour, she hasn't beaten the best women, so why is she playing against the men?"

"Players are winning tournaments on the LPGA tour and being bombarded with questions about how good Michelle Wie will be and they're getting sick of it."

Sevil said when world No.1 Annika Sorenstam decided to test her game against the men, she did it at the peak of her form when she was dominating the women's tour.

"The sponsors made a killing but Annika only wanted to do it as a one off because she wanted to test herself against the men at the peak of her game.

"She did it and then put her hand up and said 'I belong on the LPGA Tour and that's where I'm going to stay'."

Sevil admitted the ALPG would love for Wie to test her game at the MFS Women's Australian Open and ANZ Ladies Masters next year.

"We'd love to have her but I'm afraid the tournament budget doesn't stretch that far."

Its only a matter of time before a lady beats the blokes , i bet the East Germans would have excelled at ladies golf if the wall hadn't fallen. :lol:

los Wrote:Its only a matter of time before a lady beats the blokes , i bet the East Germans would have excelled at ladies golf if the wall hadn't fallen. :lol:

Yes, somehow they always seemed to have that extra edge when it came to sports requiring strength. :wink: :lol: