Annika Sorenstam, the first woman in 58 years to play on the professional men's PGA TOUR. Annika Sorenstam the woman we all fell in love with.

Accepting a sponsor's exemption, the 32 year-old Swede, teed it up at the Bank of America Colonial in Fort Worth. Annika's girl next-door image, length she hit the ball off the tee (averaging around 275 yards), the engaging smile, easy manner and straightforward dialogue captivated millions. She was the kind of gal a mother would want her son to marry.

Never mind one TOUR pro, V.J. Singh who said, "What is she going to prove? We have our TOUR for men and they have their tour." He added something too that if she made the cut he wouldn't play with her. An odd comment coming from a dark skin Fijian, who was thrown off a tour for two years for signing an incorrect score card. Translated - cheating. Had he ever been on the receiving end of discrimination before? After all, this was a centuries old lily-white male bastion, this sport, golf.

Annika stated that she accepted the invitation because she wanted to put herself up against the best in the world. She wanted to see where she stacked up. That had already been proved on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour. She was their best. The TOUR had seen the likes of Louise Suggs, Patty Berg and "The Babe" in their heydays. What could Annika learn from this experience? She could walk away with new expertise that would help her play at even a higher level. She wanted to try!

Now was the time to realize a life long dream! This was to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Before the first round started this world-class athlete stated that she was a little nervous, anxious and even felt a little sick to her stomach.

The international press coverage was staggering. Not even Tiger had had to endure this non-stop scrutiny in his 1996 debut as a professional.

As the first round progressed, Annika seemed to have her nerves and adrenalin rush in check. She missed only one fairway and four greens. Her one over par 71 was a fait accomplit. Her respectable second round 74 left her short of making the cut. The experience was obviously draining and exhilarating at the same time.

Swedish coach and mentor Pia Nilsson said," I think she once again confirmed for herself the importance to listen to your own brain and heart and be courageous with that no matter what the other people's opinion." Pia also felt Annika found out she can handle herself on and off the course under extreme pressure. "She will be an important role model for future generations" Pia stated.

Annika can now continue with her goals of winning more majors on the LPGA and improving her putting while off the course buying more extra luxuries for her home, her one self-indulging passion. Vacations with her husband David, near their house in Tahoe provide a great escape. To him she is just Annika and not a celebrity. He is a good golfer in his own right and they enjoy skiing and snowboarding together, Annika notes.

As the world watched, we all were reminded living a dream, any dream, takes hard work, courage and dedication. There's no doubt she was one of us, we understood her quest. We have all had dreams. We laughed, cried and smiled all the way with her. Perhaps some of us will now try our secret unfulfilled dreams. This was more than a tournament. As Bob Schiffer said on CBS' "Face the Nation," "Champions are willing to risk failure to find out how really good they are." No question, she showed us, she's great! She made history and will continue to on and off the course.

Helen Casey (Naples, FL) writes from personal experiences with golf's heroines and internationally known women in golf such as Barbara Nicklaus and Annika Sorenstam. She is a golf columnist, radio reporter and one of the founders of Women in the Golf Industry.

from Ladies Golf Journey - June 2003