Annika Sorenstam mentioned the invitation to affix Augusta Nationwide was “one of many happiest days” of her {golfing} life. Golfweek’s Adam Schupak broke the news of her green jacket fitting one week ago. The ten-time main winner is the primary LPGA professional to turn out to be a member of the distinguished membership, which started inviting feminine members in 2012.
“I imply, what can I say? I’m extraordinarily honored,” mentioned Sorenstam. “It was a shock, I have to say that. I used to be so excited. … I’m a complete rookie, simply studying the ropes. I’m not likely certain the place this can lead, however I’m thrilled and excited concerning the alternative to not simply play the course however to get to know the members.”
Sorenstam addressed the information on Wednesday whereas becoming a member of two different pioneers of sport – Billie Jean King and Lyn St. James – in a digital roundtable to speak about Parity Week by Gainbridge.
Subsequent week, Gainbridge will sponsor three flagship girls’s occasions throughout three totally different sports activities, together with The Annika pushed by Gainbridge at Pelican, the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge in Seville, Spain, and the Girls in Motorsports North America “Girls with Drive III – Pushed by Mobil 1” summit.
Billie Jean King speaks onstage in the course of the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame Legends Ball Honoring Billie Jean King at Cipriani forty second Road on September 09, 2023, in New York Metropolis. (Picture by Roy Rochlin/Getty Photos for the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame)
King supplied Sorenstam her congratulations in addition to her large dream for golf.
“My prayer for Augusta is to have a girls’s LPGA occasion,” King informed Sorenstam and reporters on the decision. “I do know they’ve the beginner women, however I wish to see a professional event. So I hope that occurs.
“I believe you (Annika) will make a giant distinction. You stand for a lot and other people take heed to you and recognize you.”
The enduring King adopted that up with “No strain!” and everybody laughed.
The theme of the dialog was the shift that’s going down in girls’s sports activities, with King and others noting that progress has reached a tipping level.
The namesake for “Parity Week” is Gainbridge’s sister firm, Parity, a model sponsorship platform dedicated to closing the gender earnings and alternative hole in skilled sports activities.
Subsequent week, 180 feminine athletes will compete for $12.85 million throughout Parity Week. Forty % of Gainbridge’s sponsorship {dollars} help girls’s sports activities. The nationwide common is 9 %, based on Parity CEO Leela Srinivasan.
King needs to see it at 50-50 throughout the board.
What does Sorenstam consider a Masters Event for girls, a real signal of parity for the game?
“Don’t put her on the recent spot but,” mentioned King. “We’ve bought to provide her a pair years, man. She’s bought to get to know the members first. You’ve bought to get to know the way it works.
“It’s quite a lot of laborious work. It’s enjoyable, you continue to learn.”
