Annika is everything we want in a star

Stu — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:21:05 GMT

I agree with everything you said, but I'd like to add a word about Annika: Class, like my all time favorite baseball players Ernie Banks, Al Kaline and Hank Aaron.

Annika is everything we want in a star

Buzz Kennedy — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:21:12 GMT

No body is perfect.....but Annika is as close to perfection as the good Lord allows. I'm sorry to see her go, but happy for her, too.

Annika is everything we want in a star

Ray, Lancaster, PA — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:40:18 GMT

I agree with the author of this article 100%. Annika has been nothing but the model pro, and a marketers dream. Class, skill, compassion are words I would use in calling her the greatest women's golfer of all time. Now she is a few years my sr. however I follow golf and have for years. Has she dominated like Tiger? Maybe, in some respects and not in others. She will be missed and I can not wait to watch her play celeb events with a mic on her. Oh and good luck with any and all of her dreams and aspirations.

Annika is everything we want in a star

Warren Kaplan, Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:08:14 GMT

Annika is a class act, the epitome of professionalism. A few of the pro's on the men’s side should take note. Are you listening Rory?

Annika is everything we want in a star

Michelle, Houston, Texas — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:51:56 GMT

I never really took that much of an interest in golf until Annika. I have always admired her, and I will never forget the players (VJ) who shunned her when she attempted to play on their turf. I applaud her quiet dignity and her success both on and off the course.

Annika is everything we want in a star

Jaime Thousand Oaks, Ca. — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:09:59 GMT

I am a fan of Annika, I am going to miss her. I myself play golf and watching her has help me a lot.

Good luck &thank you

Annika is everything we want in a star

Jim, Reno, NV — Tue, 13 May 2008 23:12:59 GMT

Annika is definitely the epitome of what a professional athlete should be!! Hats off to a wonderful career, a wonderful record, and a superbly wonderful person!!

Annika is everything we want in a star

Tom Z, Williamsburg, VA — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:44:07 GMT

Having followed Annika this past weekend as she won going away, she is the definition of an "athlete with class". Never complaining, never using excuses for her performance - as it was just two years ago she failed to make the cut here, stopping her own very long streak. The tour will miss her as will her many fans. I'm sure VJ Singh could learn a little (well a lot) from such a great role model for all athletes.

Annika is everything we want in a star

Bob, Columbia, MO — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:48:08 GMT

Great article......I guess that's why most writers have trouble believing Brett Favre has really retired. He's doing the same thing, but no one believes him.

Annika is everything we want in a star

harvey howells — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:24:42 GMT

Behind, perhaps, only Arnie as the classiest person in all of sports.

Annika is everything we want in a star

David.los angeles,ca. — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:28:46 GMT

Sorenstam dosen't fool me at all.I remember her comments about korean golfers being unable to communicate to the media because of language barriers.It was an insult to all foreign golfers.Sorenstam is upset because these young golfers (ochoa)are beating her silly.

Annika is everything we want in a star

David.los angeles,ca. — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:29:11 GMT

Annika is everything we want in a star

Dick Roberts,North Reading,Ma. — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:09:26 GMT

A nice story and very well written. I was not aware of her retirement plans but pleased to hear she is satisfied with her career and is moving on. I'll
look for more of Mike's stories now--I like his style.

Annika is everything we want in a star

bob reilly — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:13:25 GMT

She is a Lady..and will be missed...best of everything

Annika is everything we want in a star

Al--Mobile, AL — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:48:53 GMT

It will be distressing to see her go. She is a great player who never blamed bad luck for a loss. Jack, Arnie, Gary, Tiger, Annika, Nancy all defined winning with grace and losing the same way. A credit to the game of golf and sports, generally.

She will be missed.

Annika is everything we want in a star

Rick Bean, Tucson, Az — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:22:17 GMT

I am sorry to see her retire. She will surely be missed by all of her golf fans. Congratulations on a very sucessfull career. I hope to play one of your courses, if you build one in Arizona...

Annika is everything we want in a star

Mary Jo Bartell, Grand Junction, CO — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:12:49 GMT

Hear Hear, I will truly miss watching her play. She has always been a bright spot while I have been watching golf and cheering her on. I wish her happiness as she embarks on her new adventures.

Annika is everything we want in a star

Jackie Williasm, Chicago, IL — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:17:52 GMT

I will miss Annika and I truly wish her the best. Fan in Chicago

Annika is everything we want in a star

Keith, Grand Junction, CO — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:23:26 GMT

Have to agree with you, she has been a class act her entire career. I think after playing at Colonial she seemed to smile more while on the course but, she never lost her focus.

Annika is everything we want in a star

Bill Yadon, Berlin WI — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:36:19 GMT

The sports world is littered with athletes that left too late rather than too early. Names like Aaron, Mays, Mantle, and Bonds for baseball; names like Chamberlain, Jabbar, and Jordan for basketball; and names like Unitas, Namath, and Smith for football. When you come to golf, sadly, there are names like Palmer, Nicklaus, and so many others that hung on until past the bitter end (courtesy of the Champions Tour). Then, saddest of all, you have to include Muhammad Ali in the list. He was "... the greatest of all time". He was, how sad.

Every once in awhile a special athlete quits while on top. I think of Bill Russell, Jim Brown, and Barry Sanders. These gentlemen (and I've met all three of them) didn't care about the numbers, they cared about performing up to their abilities. Obviously, they may not hold any career records, but so what? While I want to see Tiger win 25 majors, something deep inside me tells me that I'd really rather see him win his 19th major (Nicklaus) in the same tournament that he wins #82 (Snead)... and hang up his Nikes.

Annika has exhibited nothing but class her entire career. I'm not surprised that the numbers aren't her life's goal. I think back a few years and I wonder how she could even pull the club back that day at Colonial. She's a strong, strong woman. I admire her accomplishments, many of which were achieved during the most difficult times of her personal life. When she said she wasn't going to try the PGA again, she meant it. I'm sure she means this, too.

The NFL can have its Pacman Jones', the NBA its Latrell Sprewells, and Major League Baseball its Roger Clemens'. It is nice to see Class (with a capital C) in an athlete.

Annika is everything we want in a star

Bud Angus, Englewood, Fl — Sat, 17 May 2008 10:23:35 GMT

She's a step ahead of Tiger at this point. If he stays holed up in his own little world, he will never ge the total golfer she is.