CARNOUSTIE LADIES SHOWPIECE NOT DRAWING THE CROWDS

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE

By ALISTAIR TAIT
CARNOUSTIE, Scotland – The Scots may be golf mad, but they don’t seem too mad for the $2.5 million Ricoh Women’s Open.

Despite the large purse, despite the crème de la crème of the women’s game taking on one of the most renowned courses in the world, Scottish golf fans just don’t seem too interested.
Pity.
Ricoh is a great sponsor, Carnoustie is a great course, the Ladies Golf Union, Ladies European Tour, LPGA and promoters IMG do a great job in putting on a show, but Scottish golf fans obviously have better things to do on a sunny Saturday in July than watch women’s golf.
I followed the last match out on the golf course today, Germany’s Caroline Masson and Inbee Park of Korea. There were perhaps 100 fans following the match as we walked up the second fairway.
It was worse in the group ahead. Korean legend Se Ri Pak had only 29 fans following her as she played the fifth hole. I know – I counted them. There seemed almost as many people inside the ropes as there were outside.
There were considerably fans more following Paula Creamer as she played the 14th and 15th holes, but it wasn’t what you would call a horde. Put it this way, those in attendance didn’t have to jockey for position at the gallery ropes to get a good view.
Obviously Catriona Matthew got a fairly good following. After all she is Scotland’s best female golfer. However, there was no danger of anyone getting crushed in a stampede.
There were pockets of fans in places, such as on the sand dune to the left of the 12th green. And obviously there were fans in the grandstand behind the 18th green and at No. 1. However, they weren’t full. There were still plenty of seats to be had on No. 18 even as the leaders were finishing.
The poor turnout may stem from several reasons.
• First and foremost, although these are the best players in the world, it seems patently obvious that they’re not exactly household names in Scottish households.
• Many of these girls play with zero emotion. For example, Park doubled bogeyed the par-4, 3rd hole and kept exactly the same demeanor as when she teed off. Many players seem to play as if they are in a robotic state. That might be good for their game, but it doesn’t make for great entertainment.
• There is very little interaction between many players and fans on the golf course. Caroline Masson gave no reaction to fans beside the 8th green when she stepped onto the putting surface. A raised hand or a tip of the cap in recognition seems little to ask when spectators have paid £22 to come through the gate.
• It’s expensive. £22 is a lot to ask in these austere times. Ricoh might need to consider dropping the admission price in future.
• Too many foreigners. As harsh as that may sound, golf fans are by nature parochial. The Carnoustie crowds have few choices to support this week. Only four Scots made the starting lineup, and only three made the cut. Thankfully Matthew gave them something to cheer about with her 68. However, if ever the LGU needed more incentive to encourage British girls to take up the game, then this is it. And they should get cracking soon, before they get completely swamped by Koreans.
So Open Saturday was something of a damp squib. Let’s hope Scottish fans are saving themselves for Open Sunday. Otherwise it might be better for Ricoh to hold the Women’s British in Korea in future years rather than the Home of Golf.