Jan Stephenson had heard it all before, but the LPGA veteran thinks it is a message worth repeating.
The LPGA promoted its “Fans First” message during a three-day summit for players in March. In the mid-1970s and 1980s, Stephenson was first in many fans’ minds as one of the tour’s most visible players on and off the course.
Her calendar and magazine photo layouts brought attention to the LPGA–and she could play. The Australian native won 16 tournaments, including three majors, and helped promote the LPGA with her smile and personality. Some players criticized some of her promotions.
“It was kind of deja vu with me,” said Stephenson, who finished with a 5-under-par 67 Friday. “We heard it in ’76 when Ray Volpe came on board (as commissioner) from the NHL. He said, `You know what, I’m shocked with the way you guys play, your personalities and how good you look. We need the public to learn that.’ We went through this before half these girls were born.
” . . . They had never heard this before. They didn’t even know I got such flak doing these things for the LPGA. Now, these girls will probably be more receptive, `Yeah, OK.'”
Stephenson, 51, had seven birdies Friday with help from a new putter. PGA Tour player Paul Azinger suggested she switch to a longer “belly putter.” Friday was her first round with it. She made birdie putts on the first two holes and shot 5-under 31 on the front nine. Everything about the putter works for her but the name.
“It’s sort of a horrible name,” said Stephenson. “I don’t really want to have a belly.”
Wedged in: Michele Redman has switched wedges in the last two weeks, and from the looks of her first round of 8-under 64 it was a good move. Last week she took her Cleveland sand wedge out of her bag and replaced it with an old Ping Eye-2. This week she put a Ping lob wedge in her bag and dropped her Cleveland 60-degree wedge.
Friday she used her lob wedge to make three birdies from 6 feet or less.
“I put my original wedges back in my bag, but I can’t believe how much better I’m hitting it,” she said.
Puttering around: Danielle Ammaccapane took just 24 putts en route to a 7-under 65. Putting has not been a strong point for the seven-time LPGA winner. She made some adjustments to her stance and lengthened her putter an inch.
“It was too short, for one–only like 31 inches,” she said. “I’ve typically always putted with a longer putter and would end up hooking my putts toward the end. I didn’t like the way it felt, so I added an inch, which is not really that much. These are putts I’ve been missing all year long. Even last year, I hit it well but just couldn’t make the putts.”
Jackie Gallagher-Smith has a new putter this week and shot an opening round 65. She took just 28 putts and is only two shots off the lead.
“I realized my putter was too light, I couldn’t feel the head,” said Gallagher-Smith, who is the sister of Jim Gallagher Jr. of the PGA Tour. Gallagher-Smith said her new putter not only has more weight but also has a completely different look. “I can actually feel the putter in my hands,” she said.
Webb weaving: Only a bogey on the par-5 18th hole put a damper on Karrie Webb’s opening round of 68. Webb, who is off to a slow start this season, wasn’t displeased with her round. While she’s five shots behind rival and tournament leader Annika Sorrenstam, she has 36 holes to make up the difference.
“The course is set up for low scores,” said Webb, who is still looking for her first victory this season. “I’m pretty happy with it. As long as it’s the worst I shoot all week, I have a chance to win.”
Briefly: Laura Diaz, who represents Kellogg-Keebler, didn’t have grrreeeaaat day. Diaz, who won last week’s Corning Classic, opened with a 76. . . . Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez shot a 1-under 71 and is in contention to make the cut with the low 70 players and ties.
– – –
Hole of the day
9
PAR 5
487 YARDS
EAGLES: 7; BIRDIES: 59; PARS: 62; BOGEYS: 10; WORSE: 4; AVERAGE: 4.612;
RANKING: 18th (toughest)
