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Golf

Anna Rawson Can Fix the LPGA

Posted Jul 28, 2009 6:30PM By Ryan Wilson (RSS feed)

Filed Under: LPGA, PGA, Golf Odds and Ends

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Anna Rawson earned her LPGA Tour card 18 months ago. She played in 13 events in 2008, made five cuts and cashed $62,798 worth of checks. This year, she's played the weekend just three times in 11 tries, and has made $36,337.

If not for her physical appearance, Rawson's a non-story. In general, nobody cares about a professional golfer whose average tournament round is north of 73. Well, unless they look like this.

Which is the only reason Rawson remains relevant. I suppose making inflammatory comments about lesbians and ugly people doesn't hurt, either. Whatever your thoughts on Rawson the golfer, she knows how to market herself. And for the women's tour, marketing is their biggest problem. (Former commissioner Carolyn Bivens can confirm as much.)

So while Rawson shouldn't be holding any pre-tournament clinics, she's perfectly qualified to weigh in on how to fix the tour's image problem. She gives ESPN her five-step plan:

1. "Every player should tee off to her favorite song at the beginning of the tournament and have it played again when she approaches the 18th green." Works for me. I know such a spectacle would offend the golf purist which, in my mind, is even more reason to do it.

2. "Some LPGA tournaments should be played in conjunction with PGA tournaments. Both tours would play on the same course during the same week -- and at the same time -- while still competing for separate titles." Again, I like it. At first glance it seems like there might be too much going on, but that's sorta the point. Women's golf has tried the staid, boring approach. If you don't have your version of Tiger Woods (we're still waiting on Michelle Wie), it's hard to pull off. Plus, playing with the men means a built-in gallery, and fans who wouldn't otherwise be exposed to some of the LPGA's best players would get that chance.

3. "For each tournament, I would have a fashion designer create a piece of clothing or accessory for the trophy ceremony." Meh. Fine, I guess, but I couldn't care less. Although Rawson makes a solid point: "Let's be honest, guys are way too hard on women. Not even Megan Fox could deliver a good photo after 18 holes, so give us a minute to freshen up."

4. "I would give the LPGA's VP of communications, David Higdon, a long-term contract and make him directly answerable only to the players. Higdon knows how to help the public connect with athletes. At the ATP, where he worked until joining the LPGA in February, he helped shape the story of Roger Federer as he emerged as the best player in tennis." Boom. This goes back to my original point: Rawson might not be able to get up and down from 100 yards on a regular basis, but she knows how to appeal to the 18-49 demographic. And for the LPGA, it's as much about sales as putting a quality product on the course. Currently, it's more the latter with none of the former which is why we're even having this conversation.

5. "Every group should be miked up and followed by its own camera crew... When fans come to an LPGA tournament, they get hooked on our product. There is no sporting event where spectators get a closer look at a professional athlete...." The more exposure the better. Given the LGPA's current predicament, no idea is too outlandish.

And if the golf and modeling thing doesn't work out for Rawson, maybe she should think about the commissioner's gig.

Rawson Heats Up Course

    Golfer Anna Rawson arrives at the 2007 ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre on July 11, 2007 in Hollywood, California.

    Jason Merritt/, FilmMagic

    Anna Rawson is one of the rising stars in women's golf. With a top-20 performance at Q-school, the Australian golfer and model qualified for a full-time LPGA Tour card in 2009.

    annarawson.com

    Model/golfer Anna Rawson arrives at the "Celebrate Like Royalty" party and ANKH fashion show held at Boulevard 3 on February 27, 2008 in Hollywood, California.

    Michael Tran, FilmMagic

    Anna Rawson of Australia plays her third shot on the ninth hole during the ANZ Ladies Masters Pro-Am held on February 23, 2005 at the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, Australia.

    Chris McGrath, Getty Images

    Rawson got her break into a modeling career at age 16, when she was a finalist in the Australian "Dolly" Magazine cover contest. Her interest in fashion led her to become the spokeswoman and assistant creative director for the J. Lindeberg women's golf line.

    annarawson.com

    Model/golfer Anna Rawson attends the Arthur Mendonca 2008 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 at Exit Art on February 7, 2008 in New York City.

    Brad Barket, Getty Images for IMG

    Anna Rawson of Australia looks on during the first round of the Kapalua LPGA Classic on October 16, 2008 at the Bay Course in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii.

    Donald Miralle, Getty Images

    Professional golfer Anna Rawson arrives at the 9th annual American Film Institute Golf Classic at he Trump National Golf Club September 25, 2006 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

    Stephen Shugerman, Getty Images

    Professional golfer Anna Rawson steers the golf cart at the 9th annual American Film Institute Golf Classic at he Trump National Golf Club September 25, 2006 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

    Stephen Shugerman, Getty Images

    Anna Rawson of Australia smiles as she walks off the 14th green during the first round of the LPGA Corning Classic at Corning Country Club on May 22, 2008 in Corning, NY.

    Kyle Auclair, Getty Images

Tags: Anna+Rawson, Carolyn+Bivens, Michelle+Wie

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