Big Turnout In Cape Cod for AJ & Kevin

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Jun 25, 2002 Source: Cape Cod Times Submitted By: Gina Cates Sorenstam impresses By ROB DUCA, STAFF WRITER MASHPEE - Annika Sorenstam brought her fluid, powerful swing to the Willowbend Club yesterday, and one look was all you needed to understand why the Swedish superstar is the No. 1 female player in the world. The annual Reebok-sponsored Cape Cod event will never attract Tiger Woods (he's a Nike guy), but it got the ladies' version in Sorenstam, who has been equally dominant on the LPGA Tour over the past two years. With five wins in 11 starts this season and 13 victories in two years, Sorenstam is without peer, even though her accomplishments are often over-shadowed by Woods. "I'm very competitive and I play the best I can," she said yesterday. "It's up to everyone else to decide if they want to write about it. I go about my own business. I'm proud of what I've achieved. "I work very hard," she said, explaining her success. "I stay in good shape, work on my swing. I live for golf." She's achieved plenty, and she's not ready to stop. "I like to win every tournament I play in," she said. "There are lots of goals left. I'm proud of my career, but you've still got to keep moving forward." Sorenstam, playing with Canadian Olympic figure skating gold medalist Jamie Sale, drew crowds rivaled only by those following A.J. McLean and Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys. In her first visit to the Cape, Sorenstam marveled at both the Willowbend layout and the turnout. "I like the golf course and I can't believe the crowds," she said after shooting 73. Unlike Sorenstam, Sale has only recently become a famous face. Her life changed dramatically after capturing gold with partner David Pelletier in the pairs competition at Salt Lake City, and she still finds her celebrity difficult to fathom. Perhaps no one yesterday was more thrilled than Sale after she met hockey legend Bobby Orr. "I met Bobby and I'm golfing with Annika Sorenstam," she marveled. "It doesn't get any better than this. It's kind of cool to get invited to these type of tournaments. I would never consider myself a celebrity." Sale said the enormous attention following her Olympic triumph has yet to settle down. "It's been a bit of a whirlwind," she said. "We bought a house, have owned it over a month and have only been there five days. That tells you something." TEEN SCREAMS: They shouted their names, clamored for autographs and got giddy looks on their faces whenever their two idols were in the vicinity. "I'm just waiting for my daughter to show up," said PGA pro Joe Durant. "I can't imagine what Beatlemania was like, but this can't be too far off." Durant played yesterday's round with Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean, while fellow band member Kevin Richardson was paired with Chris Riley. That meant a younger crowd, and a whole lot of teenage squeals. "Sometimes, it's just a little weird," McLean admitted. "But it's very, very flattering. I keep a picture of myself back in high school, when everybody called me a loser. Now everyone screams my name. It's so humbling." McLean is a regular on the charity golf circuit and plays to a 14-handicap. He unleashed a 260-yard 3-wood on the par-5 8th hole yesterday, but lost par to a three-putt. Still, his amateur team grabbed low net honors with a remarkable 49. "I got the ball off the ground today, which made me feel good," he said. CHANGING TIMES: What a difference a year makes. If Red Sox pitcher Derek Lowe had played in last June's Pro-Am, it's unlikely he would have been greeted with the affection sent his way yesterday. Lowe received nothing but cheers, saw only smiles and heard mainly words of encourgement during his round. That's what happens when you throw a no-hitter and start out 11-3. He agreed that the reaction would have been far different last season, when he was struggling as the team's closer. "It's a city where there's not a lot of patience, and you know you have to perform day in and day out or you're going to hear it," he said. "I know how people are here. Unless we win every single night, they'll be in a panic." Yesterday marked the first time since April 14 that the Red Sox were not in first place. Lowe blamed their June swoon on interleague play. "It seems to happen to us every June," he said. "I wish I knew why." Despite now trailing the Yankees in the AL East, Lowe said fans should be encouraged at tonight's return of Manny Ramirez to the lineup. "It's tough to win when all the pieces aren't there," said Lowe, who pointed out that second baseman Rey Sanchez has also been hurt. "But we hung in there. We were in first place when Manny left six weeks ago, and now we're only a half-game back. I think we've done a good job." McGEE GOES LOW: No pro enjoyed a better day yesterday than Andrew McGee, who led the field of 21 with a seven-under par 65, bettering Greg Norman and Steve Flesch by three strokes. Only four other pros broke par 72, all shooting 71. ANOTHER SUCCESS: The children's charities of Mashpee were once again the prime beneficiaries of yesterday's tournament. An estimated crowd of 6,300 attended, up significantly over last year, with the appearance of the Backstreet Boys being credited for the large turnout. Final figures won't be available until tonight, but $200,000 was raised for charity, not including gate receipts. A bid of $100,000 was made at Sunday night's auction by an anonymous donor, for which the person will receive a round of golf with Greg Norman at the Nantucket Golf Club. Comment on this item. Next Item: Swinging Backstreet Prev Item: BBCC Convention in Vancouver