cover image Tee Times: On the Road with the Ladies' Professional Golf Tour

Tee Times: On the Road with the Ladies' Professional Golf Tour

Jim Burnett. Scribner Book Company, $24.5 (400pp) ISBN 978-0-684-83128-2

Burnett followed the LPGA through the 1996 season, from the opening Nabisco Dinah Shore tournament in Palm Springs, Calif., in March, to the ITT Tour Championship in Las Vegas in November. He uses this as a springboard to present a comprehensive, evenhanded picture of women's golf today, focusing as much on the athletes and the growth of the sport as on the play. Furiously competitive on the links, these golfers, in his depiction, are also respectful of the competition and loyal to the sport and their organization. All the major figures are covered here, with special attention to Nancy Lopez; British Laura Davies, the Player of the Year; and Aussie Karrie Webb, who took in more than $1 million for the year. The LPGA has waged an uphill battle to achieve even grudging respect, with many male golf writers still treating it condescendingly, some even derisively. For fans this will be an exciting and valuable survey. (June) FYI: Freelance journalist Burnett will denote 10% of his royalties from this book to the LPGA's golf program for inner-city kids.