A few thoughts...

[Michael Joseph Byrnes <mbyrnes@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

1. Annika

No, she doesn't technically "deserve" to play in the Colonial,
at least based on the current system of eligibility.  But that is
COMPLETELY BESIDE THE POINT.  She did NOT get a spot that would have gone
to some other more worthy golfer; she got a sponsor's exemption.  In the
past, these types of exemptions have been given to sports stars like
Charles Barkley who have no business competing in a PGA tour event.  One
tournament even gave sponsors' exemptions to Jack Nicklaus' kids in order
to entice him to play.  Annika is probably a much better golfer then most
of the people who receive sponsors' exemptions.

If she makes the cut, then she will get money that would have gone to some
regular tour member... but who cares?  If that happens, it will be because
she earned it fair and square playing by the same rules as the men.

More importantly, where do these golfers think their money comes from?
There is no inherent value in being a great golfer.  Golf has value
because people either pay to watch it, or tune into it on TV allowing for
advertising revenue.  If Annika playing this tournament causes publicity
which gets more people tuned into golf, then she is actually MAKING money
for the sports.  (Which is why she got the sponsors' exemption in the
first place, I suspect).

If she's actually able to play well enough to earn the right to get in
without a sponsors' exemption, then more power to her.  But she should
have to do it the same way any other PGA tour member does it, or rely on
exemptions.

2. Women in other pro sports

Not going to happen anytime soon.  Rebecca Lobo of the WNBA could never
beat her 6'11" brother (who won't be playing pro ball any time soon) in
one on one.  I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

Actually, there is one woman playing men's pro sports... Hayley
Wickenheiser, star of the Canadian women's team.  She is playing in
Finland (bigger ice surface & less physical game than in North America),
at a level of hockey that is two notches below the Finnish Elite League.
That's likely a lower level of hockey than the North American ECHL (two
notches below NHL).

At any rate, the last I heard she was more than holding her own, but she
won't be playing in the NHL anytime soon.

Maybe someday we'll see a female knuckleball pitcher?

3. Jamal Magloire

Great writeup Cecil.  I think that if the Celtics can somehow convince
Antoine to take half the number of threes he takes now (still a lot of
threes), and focus more on rebounding he will be much more valuable.  Add
in a point guard to get Toine and Pierce the ball, and they might have
something...

Michae