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Golf Fitness
Article 2: Annika Sorenstam Saga (June 2003)
Like many people around the world, I was very interested in the Annika Sorenstam saga that played out this
past weekend (24/25 May). Annika Sorenstam is generally recognized to be the best woman golfer in the world.
In the past two years she has won 19 tournaments, setting a variety of LPGA scoring and earning records in the
process. She is as dominant in the world of women's golf as Tiger Woods is in the world of men's golf. Annika was
offered what is known as a Sponsor's Exemption to the Colonial Golf Tournament held in Fort Worth, Texas this past
weekend. This exemption meant that she was eligible to play in this men's tournament, thereby becoming the first
woman to play in a PGA sanctioned golf tournament since 1945.
As you can imagine, the thought of a woman playing in a men's tournament gave some of the more traditional players
and fans huge cases of heartburn. What if she actually beat someone? How could that man look at himself in the mirror?
Oh, the shame! Well rather than treating the tournament as some sort of a joke, Annika treated it as a huge
opportunity and a challenge. She began a rigorous training program that included weight training, aerobics, and what
she described as "a diet with lots of protein", to turn her body into a muscle machine. Her goal was to add power
and thus distance to her drives. She dedicated herself to getting in the best shape of her life in order to make
the best showing possible when she came to play this tournament in front of a watching world.
The first day of the tournament was extraordinary. The throngs of spectators and the media circus were everywhere.
Annika couldn't blow her nose without having the image instantly transmitted around the world. Everywhere she went
the crowds surged, spectators jostling each other in a frantic effort to catch a glimpse of Annika. And when they
did catch that glimpse, what did they see? A strong, self confident, incredibly poised 32 year old woman not only
acquitting herself well but, under the incomprehensible glare of world wide media attention, being relaxed,
joking with the crowd, always keeping her good humour, and ending up the day, not as some embarrassing last
place finisher, but squarely in the middle of the pack. In the process, she completely won over her male
competitors, many of whom had entered the tournament with very mixed feelings about her presence.
The next day was a bit disappointing. The pressure seemed to finally wear Annika down and she didn't play well
enough to make the cut and go on to the next day of the tournament. In defeat, however, she was just as poised
and self assured. She made no excuses, was obviously glad to have survived the experience, and was gracious
towards everyone, including the 11 men she beat. By the time she was done, there was not a negative voice to
be heard about her participation in the tournament, and even previous hard line opponents were wearing "Go Annika"
buttons on their shirts.
What a wonderful role model for our daughters! Here we have a strong, athletic, confident, beautiful woman,
secure in her abilities and willing to risk failure. Compare this healthy, active, toned, attractive woman
to the anorexic, waif-like "super models" who stare blankly at us from every glamour magazine. Annika represents
a healthy attitude towards fitness and health, but is also a dynamic example of how to set and achieve goals.
If you have kids in your house, I strongly recommend that you pick up the most recent copy of any major sports
or golf magazine and make sure that they are aware of this remarkable woman. Male or female, young or old, Annika
is an example for all of us.
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