LPGA INTERNATIONAL CROWN - Owen Mills, Maryland
One of my contacts from China that I played with in Shanghai was working in Baltimore area, and he invited me to come watch this LPGA event. We had some good rounds up at the Hongqiao course. This was a much nicer course, only we were spectators and not participants. Just like basketball and other sports, I'm sure it goes through most peoples minds what it would be like to be out there playing.
I always like watching the practice area. When a pro is getting locked in on anything, there is a certain focus and routine they go through. This international field had top players like Yani Tseng, Beatriz Recari, Pornanong Phatlum, and American players ,,,,,,,. This International Crown event had a teammate format. The day I went they were playing alternate shot teammates, when one player hit the drive, the teammate hits the second shot, and they alternate like that accordingly for the round. This was my first time watching a pro event with this format.
The beautiful backdrops and great weather were a perfect combination for the occasion. Listening in to the ladies discussing strategy on each shot was insightful. The types of things that they emphasize that the average everyday golfer may not give attention to. When you consider the dollars and cents value of each shot, it makes a lot of sense to be that calculated in your approach.
We ran into a couple of other fans from China, so we walked with them a few holes. On the 15th hole, I saw a guy that had on a watch similar to one that I have. I walked over to him, introduced myself, and complimented him on the timepiece.
"Thanks," he said. "Yeah I got it in a sponsorship deal. This is my first time wearing it."
"NIce," I replied, extending my arm showing off my watch of the day. " I like the smooth design. I guess we both have good taste!"
He chuckled as we both went silent so the player on the green could putt. She barely missed the birdie, and after the groan of the crowd, I turned back to the gentleman and gave him my card.
"Let's keep in touch," I said. "Look up my company information and give me a call on how we can work together on some of those sweet sponsorship deals."
He took my card, and reached for one of his, extending his card to me while saying "OK, yeah the brand sponsors my wife, so we got a few watches in our deal. I manage her sponsorship deals through my company."
As our conversation continued, I learned that he was married to Christie Kerr, a top ranked womens golfer and one of the all time leaders on the women's money list. I looked over and noticed that we were following her the last 2 holes, and she had the sponsor logo on her sleeve that day.
We finished the day following Christie Kerr, learning more about her path to the pros, and the process/valuation of golf sponsorship deals. These are the types of interactions on golf courses that create opportunities for growth.
It was also fun to observe the national spirit as each country was well represented with a strong fan base. It wasn't only the chants of USA while players walked up the fairways. All of the countries had people representing with flags, face paints, and rally chants to support players representing their countries.
I always like watching the practice area. When a pro is getting locked in on anything, there is a certain focus and routine they go through. This international field had top players like Yani Tseng, Beatriz Recari, Pornanong Phatlum, and American players ,,,,,,,. This International Crown event had a teammate format. The day I went they were playing alternate shot teammates, when one player hit the drive, the teammate hits the second shot, and they alternate like that accordingly for the round. This was my first time watching a pro event with this format.
The beautiful backdrops and great weather were a perfect combination for the occasion. Listening in to the ladies discussing strategy on each shot was insightful. The types of things that they emphasize that the average everyday golfer may not give attention to. When you consider the dollars and cents value of each shot, it makes a lot of sense to be that calculated in your approach.
We ran into a couple of other fans from China, so we walked with them a few holes. On the 15th hole, I saw a guy that had on a watch similar to one that I have. I walked over to him, introduced myself, and complimented him on the timepiece.
"Thanks," he said. "Yeah I got it in a sponsorship deal. This is my first time wearing it."
"NIce," I replied, extending my arm showing off my watch of the day. " I like the smooth design. I guess we both have good taste!"
He chuckled as we both went silent so the player on the green could putt. She barely missed the birdie, and after the groan of the crowd, I turned back to the gentleman and gave him my card.
"Let's keep in touch," I said. "Look up my company information and give me a call on how we can work together on some of those sweet sponsorship deals."
He took my card, and reached for one of his, extending his card to me while saying "OK, yeah the brand sponsors my wife, so we got a few watches in our deal. I manage her sponsorship deals through my company."
As our conversation continued, I learned that he was married to Christie Kerr, a top ranked womens golfer and one of the all time leaders on the women's money list. I looked over and noticed that we were following her the last 2 holes, and she had the sponsor logo on her sleeve that day.
We finished the day following Christie Kerr, learning more about her path to the pros, and the process/valuation of golf sponsorship deals. These are the types of interactions on golf courses that create opportunities for growth.
It was also fun to observe the national spirit as each country was well represented with a strong fan base. It wasn't only the chants of USA while players walked up the fairways. All of the countries had people representing with flags, face paints, and rally chants to support players representing their countries.
