Twenty-two-year-old LPGA Tour star Paula Creamer exhibits all of the qualities associated with the All-American girl next door, from her down to earth demeanor to her honest, engaging smile. Unfortnately, Paula has to be disqualified because she resides in the same gated-community as golf god Tiger Woods, and he doesn't fit the profile of your typical neighbor.
A title Paula is deserving of right now is most important American female golfer. Even with the loss of a few sponsors and tournaments, the future of the Tour doesn't seem to be in immediate danger, but like many companies, the LPGA is reeling from the recession. A marketable and recognizable face contending and winning golf tournaments would mean a lot to current and potential sponsors looking for a return on an investment into an LPGA event. That's where Ms. Creamer comes in.
This week Paula's back stateside to compete in the LPGA's Sybase Classic staged at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, New Jersey. She spent last week playing in the first JLPGA (Japanese Ladies Professional Golf Association) major of the year. After finishing second in that event, she flew from Tokyo to Detroit, managed to get a few hours of sleep before heading to Toldeo, Ohio on Monday to make an appearance at media day for the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, which she won last year, and then finally made her way on Tuesday to this week's tournament just outside of New York City.
Any lingering effects from her ambitious travel schedule didn't hinder Paula's playful nature when she stepped to the first tee at Upper Montclair for her 7:40 a.m. tee time Tuesday for the first of two Pro-Am rounds she is playing this week.
She met her playing partners, Mike Ambrosi, Joe Gozzi, Derrick Jenkins and Joe Stevens, and off they were on a five-hour round that included conversation topics ranging from her famous neighbor to her mysterious stomach ailment to her tackling of routine household chores like cooking and laundry.
The guys complemeted Paula on the effortless quality of her swing as she sent another ball bounding down the middle of the fairway. They marveled at how quiet and stable her feet were through impact, the flawless position she continually finished in and the overall balance in her golf swing. Balance is something Paula exhibited time after time Tuesday.
She paid plenty of attention to her Pro-Am responsibilities, reading putts and needling the boys if their tee shots didn't quite make it past the ladies tees. It was also the first time she'd ever played Upper Montclair, so interacting with her hosts had to be mixed with preparing for tournament play, which starts Thursday. And then there are the fans lining the course, wanting autographs or photos with the world's fifth-ranked female golfer. Finally she met the media to discuss losing sponsors, courses she's never played on and the LPGA Tour's future. All in a day's work.
Competitive Eating and Crock-Pots
Paula Creamer won the 2005 Sybase Classic, when it was played in New Rochelle, N.Y., a week before she graduated from high school. Of course, her high school experience consisted of plenty of golf-centric training at the David Leadbetter Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
You can't exactly call Paula innocent. She did turn pro at 17, and has traveled the world playing golf since, so she's been exposed to a lot of situations most young women her age don't encounter, like pleasing sponsors and managing a small fortune. Her professionalism doesn't hide that underneath that well-polished exterior, she's an inquisitive kid still learning how to cook and figuring out the fine art of laundry.
What did Paula Creamer want for Christmas last year? A crock-pot. It's an easy way for beginners to make a hot meal.
Paula was impressed by the appetite of Joe Stevens, who's exploits were detailed from tee to green on No. 14.
Stevens shared with the group a story of an eating contest he participated in a while back that featured a 48 oz. streak; that's three lbs.
"He ate a baby," somebody shouted. "He ate a baby," Paula laughed.
Paula responded with plenty of follow up questions; Did you not eat at all that day? You had to eat side dishes? Did you throw up? And, my favorite exchange, well are you hungry now?
Stevens said he was so hungry he could eat Creamer's caddy. For the record, side dishes were required, obviously vomitting is not allowed, he ate lunch, on top of that desert had to be included as did three 16 oz. carbonated beverages.
Could you imagine having that kind of conversation with a player of similar stature on the PGA Tour?
"No," said Gozzi. "No way."
Down to Business
Team Creamer dropped some long-range birdie putts Tuesday, and with a good showing Wednesday, Paula's partners have a fighting chance of finishing in the money in the Pro-Am. But how do these events help the LPGA maintain sponsorship dollars?
"The fact that you can on Wednesday afternoon spend five and a half hours with a player with three or four of your biggest customers; you walk away from an experience that sometimes money can't buy," said IMG's Senior Vice President and Global Managing Director of Golf Mark Steinberg, in a recent Golfweek interview. "And the LPGA players in particular understand the value of having to commit to a sponsor. It's not just showing up at a cocktail party. They're actually engaging with them and enjoying their company and bringing them into their lives a little bit."
It was evident on Tuesday that not only was Shoprite, as Sybase will do Wednesday, providing a platform for its employees to come together and strengthen existing bonds, the golf tournament gives them an opportunity to be a part of something their corporation has invested in. And in turn, the LPGA puts a more personal spin on event sponsorship, a fact that isn't lost on one of its biggest names.
"This is a really good pro-am," Paula said after her round. "I had a lot of fun out on the golf course. It’s always been one of my main goals, to be very friendly with the sponsors. It’s a difficult economy right now and we’re lucky to have these events. To really appreciate our sponsors, we all have to do it as players.
"I feel like we have to put our right foot forward here," she added. "We’ve lost a lot of tournaments and we’ll see about next year. I’m 22 years old, this is my fifth year out here and this is not the way I want it to go."
If every LPGA player made a similar impression, the relationship between the LPGA, Shoprite and Sybase should continue for years to come.
"We've been playing in this for many, many years and there hasn't been one of the lady pros that have not been friendly and very, very hospitable," said Gozzi, who played with the same group last year and drew Annika Sorenstam. "They really bring it to life. They do a great job."
at Wednesday, 13 May 2009 11:28by Robb