Michelle Who?

A 16-year old Hawaiian amateur has made the cut in the Sony Open in Honolulu--the youngest to make the cut in 50 years on the PGA Tour.

You would have thought today's headlines would be raving about Michelle Wie, but it's not about her. Instead the accolades belong to Todd Fujikawa. A young man born 3 1/2 months prematurely and only weighing 1 pound, 15 ounces. 16 years and 4 days later, he makes history and steals the thunder from Michelle Wie.

It didn't take much to steal her thunder though because all that is left of her is a whimper right now. She finished 14 over par and hit shots that I could make any day of the week--snap hooks, topped fairway shots, and balls into the water.

Playing with a taped wrist on both days and defying dr.'s order to rest her wrist for two months, she was out there. She and her team claim she calls the shots about her career. Hard to believe considering in the 60 Minutes interview, they listed David Leadbetter, a sports psychologist, agent, parents, and others in her entourage.

Let's say that she does though. She talks a good game, but it's not translating into her swing or her score. And, as the saying goes, action speaks louder than words. Look at the shots and her body language, and you know she doesn't believe to the core of her soul what she's saying.

I'm reminded of stories about Elvis and Michael Jackson. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Michelle is a drug addict or child molester. But, the people around those two were afraid to tell them "no, you're behavior is out of control and you need to stop it now." Perhaps, out of fear of being fired or cut off the money train, someone on Michelle's team needs to tell her "no more. Rest. And, when you're better, go to Stanford, play the LPGA and learn to win there first."

Who should be doing this immediately? Her parents. They need to step up and behave like parents who have the best interest of their daughter as their first priority, instead of mega-million dollar deals.

Next Corporate Event: Buck Shots or Balls?

In the U.K., shooting live birds is becoming increasingly a business event. Golf is still popular with company directors, but the rest are turning to hunting birds out in the fields.

One reason given for hunting's increased popularity is people can enjoy success more quickly than in golf. Another is when one hits the ball in the woods, while others are down the fairway, then conversation becomes sparse due to the distance between the players.

In the politically correct world of the U.S., I don't suggest you decide to switch from clubs to shotguns. Certainly, hunting with clients and colleagues occurs. In fact, I own a pistol and enjoy target practice every once in a while. But, I don't envision corporate advertisers throwing marketing dollars at the next Big Hunt or women inviting other women to go hunting.

Besides, you'll learn a lot more about a person while you play golf with them than you would if you went shooting. What happens if a person isn't seeing straight on your day of shooting? That same person may throw a club on the golf course, but it may be dangerous to be around that person when he or she doesn't have good aim that day.

Do You Have Your 2007 Golf Resolutions?

While you're thinking about your 2007 resolutions, add a couple for your golf game. Maybe you want to play at least a certain number of rounds of golf in 2007 for business or recreation, take a series of lessons to improve your golf game, or enroll in pilates or yoga classes to strengthen your core for a better golf swing and personal wellness.

Whatever your resolutions, be specific, write them down, and keep it where you'll see them often as a reminder.

The Golf Channel will be airing the Thursday and Friday PGA play, so click onto the Golf Channel to get their schedule for this week's PGA Opener, the Mercedes-Benz Championship.