Half a loaf is better than none

Finally the LPGA announced it’s 2010 schedule; and even when there aren’t 25 events, as Zayra Calderon aimed, players, directors and fans should be happy to know that there won’t be less than 20.

The LPGA Korea didn’t set a date or a specific place to be held, still it’s listed on the official document.

Next season starts on February 18 with the Honda PTT LPGA Thailand; the tour will stay in Asia one more week after that thanks to the renewal of the HSBC Women’s Championship.

March and May will be the worst months, since they only have one tournament. The good news is that the Bell Micro LPGA Classic will return after one year of absence.

The first major of the season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, and the Tres Marías Championship will be disputed in April; the Morelia stage lost Corona as its sponsor and only has a one year contract.

As expected, summer will be the busiest part of the year, from June to August there are eight events scheduled, including the three remaining majors: LPGA Championship, presented by Wegman’s (previously sponsored by McDonald’s), Women’s U.S. Open and RICOH Women’s British Open. It’s important to say that one of the most supportive partners of the LPGA is coming back after a three year absence, with the ShopRite LPGA Classic.

September will mark the inaugural year of the Acapulco LPGA Classic, which was supposed to be scheduled on March so that Mexico could host to of its three events in consecutive weeks, nevertheless, seems like some financial problems made it impossible to happen. Also in September people will miss the Samsung World Championship, which left the LPGA after being one of the most important events of its history.

The schedule has some adjustments compared to previous years, which made it possible for October to host three events, even when the LPGA China hasn’t settled the city in which it will be held.

Finally, the Mizuno Classic, the Lorena Ochoa Invitational and the LPGA Tour Championship will be responsible to close the season in-style.

After the announcement some of the players said that they were satisfied  with the final result, because the crisis has stroke lots of enterprises, “we ran into problems this year, but name one company that hasn't been hurt by the economy and didn't have to adjust”, said Christina Kim to USA Today.

It’s time to wait and see if the LPGA continues to make more big steps. For now, they have saved, respectfully, the schedule; the only thing that is missing is an iconic figure, one as strong or maybe close to what Annika Sörenstam meant for the tour.

The success continues

Annika Sörenstam is considered, by many, as the best women's golfer ever. Her perseverance and passion for the game took her to places she never imagined. After 15 LPGA seasons she decided to step away from competitive golf to start a family an build her brand.

Her first victory came at t5he US Women's Open in 1995. In her career she accomplished 83 victories, she was inductee into the Hall of Fame and she won eight Player of the Year awards.

It's been almost a year since she played her last event as a pro, the ADT Championship, but she's still involved with golf. She's been more focused in course design, her brand had become stronger, her academy is growing and her foundation has been receiving lots of money.

On the other hand, former world number 1 launched her Annika Fragance as well as her own wine along with Wente Vineyards.

Nevertheless, her biggest accomplishnment came on Septmeber the 1st, when Ava was born, giving her the greatest joy she could imagine.

Ava was born at 3:30 am, weighed six pounds, 10 ounces, and was 19 inches long.

Thanks to her effort and dedication, Annika will receive the EWGA Leadership Award at a dinner held at the Pinehurst Resort&Spa in April 7-10.

The EWGA grants this award annually to a woman who contributed to golf and  whose dedication has inspired others to follow in their footsteps. Previous recipients include: Patty Berg, Kathy Whitworth, Pia Nilsson, Lynn Marriott, Zayra Calderon, among others.