Driving to Grand Rapids, Michigan, I was excited to cover 144 of the world’s best women golfers assembled at the Blythefield Country Club for the Meijer LPGA Classic. It was the second year in a row for the Meijer Classic, but it would be my first time shooting video and stills of an LPGA event. I had already covered the PGA Tour and Champions Tours and was hoping the previous experience would benefit me in covering the ladies.
Arriving early on the Tuesday of the tourney, my goal was to shoot video of the players during their practice round. Since the tourney had not started, I would be free to move around and get what I needed without much spectator interference. I was planning on pulling out the Nikon during the first and final rounds to capture still images of the golf tourney.
I was like a kid in a candy store as there were excellent golfers everywhere I turned. Lexi Thompson, Inbee Park, Morgan Pressel, Christina Kim, and Juli Inkster were all taking their swings on the practice green while others warmed up on the putting green.
Starting at the tee box on the 10th hole, I followed a group down the fairway and shot them as they made their way onto the green. Hauling the video camera, tripod, and backpack, I resembled a gray-haired, happy-go-lucky kindergartner on his way to the first day of school.
The 11th tee, 16th green, and 17th tee were all nearby, so I hunkered down and captured tee shots and putts. After recording several minutes of footage, I decided to head back up to the practice green and check in to see who was warming up—and I’m so glad I did.
I walked by one of the pro golfers being interviewed by a local television station when I heard the player say, “I played my college golf at Michigan State University (@michiganstateu).” I stopped and listened as she continued. “I played in the qualifier on Monday and won one of the two open spots, and here I am.”
As soon as she finished answering questions, I introduced myself and asked for a brief interview. When she said yes, I knew this would make for a very cool story.
Christine Meier (@meierch_54) first began playing competitively at age nine. She advanced to junior golf and then went on to become a Spartan (@msuwomensgolf) at MSU. While at Michigan State, Christine was a four-year starter and finished her career with the tenth lowest scoring average in school history (76.59). Meier was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and helped lead MSU to four NCAA Regional appearances and three straight trips to the NCAA Championships during her career.
“How does it feel participating in your first LPGA (@LPGA) event, especially when it’s so close to home?” I asked.
“I think it’s really special,” answered Christine. “I’m excited. It’s my first LPGA event, and it’s in my home state. It’s probably an hour from where I went to college at MSU, so I’m excited.”
Meier is a member of the Symetra Tour (@ROAD2LPGA), which is the official developmental golf tour of the LPGA. Graduates of Symetra move up to the Big Show. Being able to play in the same LPGA Tourney as the top pros would be an exciting opportunity.
“What exactly are you hoping to accomplish this week?” I asked.
“I want a really good showing,” Meier replied. “I mean, there’s a ton of birdies to be had. I think this course is in excellent condition—the greens are perfect, good putting, and getting off the tee well. I think it’s going to be a really good showing.”
Meier should know about excellent golf courses. She played four years at a university that is one of the turfgrass leaders in the world. According to Meier, “Golf courses are always evolving. You always want something to get you ahead, to put you in that spotlight. MSU is one of the best programs in the world for turfgrass.”
Everyone I came into contact with at The Meijer LPGA Classic Tournament (@MeijerLPGA) at the Blythefield Country Club was extremely helpful. And it seemed those running the tournament were genuinely happy I was there to cover the event. They understand the LPGA does not receive the amount of coverage that the men do on the PGA Tour, so having someone there like me to cover their tourney was welcomed. Media coverage of the LPGA is key if the current increase in popularity in women’s golf is to continue.
Christine shared her excitement about the increase in popularity in women’s golf with me.
“It’s honestly amazing to see how big it has become, and it’s really exciting,” offered Christine. “When I first started playing junior golf, I had to play golf with the boys because no girls played in it. And now you see all of the First Tee programs out here, The Meijer Power Built Junior Tour, and the full fields of girls. And so it’s not just growing on a professional level, it’s growing at the base level and junior golf, too. So the future is going to be good for it.”
Later that day while positioned at the 10th tee, a group of players approached for their practice round. In the threesome was the winner of thirty-one LPGA career victories, Juli Inkster, and a first-time participant in a Tour event, Christine Meier. My, my, my. Was this a great country or what? Lucking into an interview with Christine and now being able to follow along for a couple of holes on her practice round was going to make for a wonderful Ehmpressions.
Thursday rolled around, and I snapped off the lens cap and began shooting the first of more than 1,000 still shots of the tournament. I parked at the 10th hole, then moseyed to the 11th, 16th, 17th, and finally back up to the 10th, 9th, and 18th holes.
Down the 18th fairway came Christine and her group. Expecting to see a bundle of nerves, what I noticed instead was a professional who was calm, cool, and collected. And she was smiling from ear to ear. And even though she missed her first LPGA cut by one shot, she represented MSU with class and exhibited the necessary skills that will land her full-time on the LPGA Tour one day.
To see Christine in action at the Meijer LPGA Classic, click on: http://youtu.be/xnlHa5Ppyqg
If you are interested in helping Christine achieve her dream of making the LPGA Tour, there is a gofundme site set up: http://www.gofundme.com/d54mb9udc
If you’re interested in seeing more on the Meijer Classic participants, please click on this link: https://vimeo.com/134947790
