Pink shirts, pink hats, pink golf balls and pink gloves filled the stands at the Pleasanton Golf Center last week, as nearly 200 young girls skipped soccer practice, put off homework and rescheduled high school golf games for a chance to meet their hometown hero, LPGA Tour player Paula Creamer.
Rearranged schedules are understandable when sports stars are involved but, why all the pink?
ìPink is Paulaís favorite color,î explained an eager group of seven-year-olds as they staked out seats in the front row. ìSheís our favorite player.î
Lots of favorite players were in town for the LPGA Tourís Longís Drugs Challenge, which took place at Danvilleís Blackhawk Country Club in late September. Sorenstam, Webb, Ochoa and Inkster all came to play–but it was Pleasantonís ìPink Pantherî Paula who came home to visit.
ìI am so happy to be here,î Creamer said to the girls as they cheered her arrival. ìI may live in Florida now, but this is my home.î
The 20-year-old golf phenomenon demonstrated poise and grace, as well as an incredible swing, to the members of the local high school golf teams and USGA-LPGA Girls Golf chapters attending the two-hour event. With a big hug, Creamer greeted her former golf instructor Larry OíLeary, recalling the times that the promise of a peppermint treat would persuade her to hit a few more shots.
She laughed as she told him, ìIím not playing for Certs [breathmints] now, Larry.î
Creamer continued to trace her golf roots back to her years as a Pleasanton Middle School student, recalling the day her father, Paul, made her choose between cheerleading and golf.
ìI was only allowed to have one activity,” she said. “My dad asked if I would rather cheer for other people, or have other people cheer for me. That made the choice pretty easy.î
As she spoke, Creamer worked her way through her clubs from 7-iron to driver, every shot long, straight and on target.
ìYes,î she said, ìI have a target every time I hit a ball. I donít think thereís a point to just hitting it. You have to decide where itís going to go. Whatever shot you are making right now is the most important shot, whether itís on the practice range or on the first tee.î
How about that first tee, someone asked. What do you think about when youíre standing there at the start of a round?
ìIím always nervous,î Creamer said, laughing. ìIf youíre not nervous, you donít care enough. But when I am on the tee, I donít really think about anything. I pick my target and I hit the ball.î
And when sheís not on the course, what does Paula like to do for fun?
ìI like to shop and I like to design clothes,î replied the 2005 Rookie of the Year. ìI donít have a lot of free time. But I have to do something other than [play] golf sometimes; I donít want to burn out mentally.î
She seems far more likely to suffer from autograph exhaustion. Creamer stayed at the Golf Center until every glove, bag, ball, hat, visor, picture, paper and pamphlet had been signed in permanent pink ink. Of course, with the tournament starting in two days, her autograph hours had just begun.
Creamer started the Longís Drug Challenge with solid rounds of 69 and 74. Following Saturdayís third round of 72, Creamer was diagnosed with bronchitis. Disappointing her fans was never a consideration, and Creamer finished the tournament with a four under par round of 68ñ-her best score of the week. With a four round total of 283, Creamer finished tied for 16th place, and took home a $13,851 paycheck.
Those who missed the opportunity to watch the stars of the LPGA in person will be happy to note that Blackhawk Country Club is scheduled to host the Longís Drug Challenge for at least two more years.
That gives everyone plenty of time to put together the perfect pink outfit.
