The USGA "has gotten flak" for scheduling the U.S.
Women's Open the same weekend as the British Open, "making
what many consider to be a decision that will put the
[event] on the back burner this weekend," according to
Jerome Solomon of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Many "in the
media" have decided not to attend the event, as newspapers
from cities such as N.Y., L.A., Boston and Miami have not
applied for media credentials, electing to send writers to
the British Open instead. USGA Dir of Women's Competition
Kendra Graham: "I think the print media has been hit the
hardest with this conflict, and we're aware of that. And,
we're not pleased with that, but we have to evaluate it and
go forward." Golfer Juli Inkster jokingly said, "I kind of
feel sorry for the PGA because we're going to take a lot of
their press. Maybe we'll throw 'em a few bones" (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 7/20). In DC, Leonard Shapiro notes that media
credentials for the U.S. Women's Open are off about 50% this
year as opposed to last year's event which was held in MS.
Meanwhile, a "record" 600 credentials were issued for the
British Open. While women's golf "usually draws a rating
between 1.5 to 2.0," NBC Sports VP/Programming Jon Miller
"expects" the event to earn a 3.0 rating or "possibly
higher," especially if Juli Inkster, Karrie Webb or Annika
Sorenstam are in contention (WASHINGTON POST, 7/20).
NO OTHER CHOICE? USGA Dir of Broadcasting Mark Carlson,
on the scheduling: "We didn't have a lot of options. If we
played here earlier, we'd be going up against two PGA Tour
events" (USA TODAY, 7/20). USA TODAY's Christine Brennan
calls the USGA's scheduling "shocking," as the event is
"sadly tucked away like some mad aunt in an obscure corner
of our sports calendar." Brennan: "The USGA is, after all,
our non-profit, national governing body, charged not with
hiding its female players but with helping women fight
decades of discrimination in the sport" (USA TODAY, 7/20).
