Michelle Wie - a Sure Thing for the Solheim Cup?

We all know, there are no guarantees in life. And...there are even fewer in golf. Certainly Michelle Wie learned that lesson the hard way, living in a world of unrealistic expectations, and dare I say, exploitation, by adults who were supposed to take care of her.

But Michelle was not alone. Others paid dearly for jumping on the gravy train - banking on Michelle like that she was the next card at the blackjack table - coaches, caddies, agents - greed drove them to her and greed busted them.

Michelle Wie experienced more highs and lows as a teenager than most of us face in a lifetime. Her story is fascinating and has recently been chronicled by journalist and author, Eric Adelson in "The Sure Thing - The Making and Unmaking of Golf Phenom Michelle Wie"

The story is not a new one, but Adelson, who first interviewed Michelle when she was only 10, does an excellent job of compiling what we already know of Michelle's life in a well written, compelling story, and adds to it some very interesting comments and insights from those closest to her.

I really enjoyed The Sure Thing, but I must admit I experienced every emotion possible as I read it - love, hate, excitement, frustration, hope, dispair, joy and fury. I had trouble reading it at times, but also had trouble putting it down.

I wondered if Eric Adelson felt the same way as he was writing it. I also wondered how he felt now about Michelle's future, given her recent successes at Q school, on the LPGA and being chosen as a captain's pick at the Solheim Cup. Luckily I was able to talk to Eric this week and get those answers:



I am excited about Michelle's future and I hope that she shows everyone who thought she was a has-been that her story did not end in 2007...that in fact, her life and legacy are just beginning at the ripe old age of 19.

Golfgal

Photos of Michelle © Photogolfe... Dreamstime.com