TRUE GUTS

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TRUE GUTS:

The two-time U.S. Women's Open champion was playing in the last group Saturday and was just one stroke off the lead when she strained a muscle in her lower back. Hurting on every swing and barely able to continue, King shot a 10-over 82 and fell out of contention.

http://www.golfweb.com/u/ce/multi/pgatour/0,1977,2600794,00.html

King of pain Timing was the most painful part of Betsy King's back injury.

The two-time U.S. Women's Open champion was playing in the last group Saturday and was just one stroke off the lead when she strained a muscle in her lower back. Hurting on every swing and barely able to continue, King shot a 10-over 82 and fell out of contention.

"It's kind of scary," King said. "One second I'm a shot out and then one swing later ... It was more of a shock than anything."

King fared better Sunday, shooting a 79 to finish tied for 46th at 14 over.

She decided to play even though she knew there was no way she could be competitive with her injury.

"When you're playing against the world's best golfers, my swing was like a 10-handicapper," King said. "That's basically what I was the last two days. It was tough."

Amazingly, she played the last five holes in two under.

"I guess it's like any 10-handicapper, eventually you hit a few good shots," she said.

King received treatment for her back after Saturday's round and was given medicine by her dad, a retired doctor, that left her feeling "woozy" during her round Sunday.

Though she joked that part of the incentive for playing was a paycheck, her main motivation was the tournament itself.

"To be a shot out of the lead (Saturday) and then make nothing of the week, I just couldn't stand that," King said. "If it had been a regular event I probably wouldn't have played, but because it was the Open I just wanted to finish."

-- cpr (buytexas@swbell.net), July 24, 2000

Answers

And for many years, on Wednesday nights, Betsy King was also the leader of the Prayer and Bible Study Group of the LPGA, something the Press left out of their stories about a few members of the LPGA who were gay.

-- cpr (buytexas@swbell.net), July 24, 2000.

Maybe it's just me, but I find people like that more of an inspiration than some coked-up running back with a $7 million no-cut contract.

-- I'm Here, I'm There (I'm Everywhere@so.beware), July 24, 2000.

I've met Betsy several times. She is a low-key classy lady.

-- Hiway (Hiway441@aol.com), July 25, 2000.

King received treatment for her back after Saturday's round and was given medicine by her dad, a retired doctor, that left her feeling "woozy" during her round Sunday.

FWIW, King was drugged. What difference does it make that she used pain killers as opposed to cocaine, "I'm Here"? Good for her that she honored her commitment to the fans, her caddy, etc. I don't look down upon her for using drugs to get through her pain more comfortably. Painkillers are a great boon to the quality of life during this time in history. That she swallowed script as opposed to snorting/smoking street drugs is irrelevant to me. Pain is pain is pain.

Best,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), July 25, 2000.


"And for many years, on Wednesday nights, Betsy King was also the leader of the Prayer and Bible Study Group of the LPGA, something the Press left out of their stories about a few members of the LPGA who were gay."

Wow, I didn't know Betsy King was gay. Of course, I didn't even know who she was until you posted this article. You hear so much press about Christians who have a problem with gays and lesbians that it's nice to hear of a group who not only welcomes them with open arms but includes them in leadership positions as well.

-- Tarzan the Ape Man (tarzan@swingingthroughthejunglewithouta.net), July 25, 2000.



Bingo1, I have no beef with athletes who use whatever drugs necessary to function. Like you said, "pain is pain is pain," and if they need it to function in their sport, so be it. I just draw a distinction between functional drug use and recreational drug use. While she was using drugs to hit a golf ball, some of these coddled athletes are using drugs and then hitting their girlfriends, wives, innocent bystanders, etc. That part of it has nothing with alleviating pain on the playing field.

-- I'm Here, I'm There (I'm Everywhere@so.beware), July 25, 2000.

Thank you for your balanced response.

I've found many of us who've used drugs "recreationally" also used to ameliorate pain. Physical, psychological, spiritual...pain is pain is pain. I cannot imagine the intense pressures associated with playing professional sports. So although I cringe at the millionaires who can't stay off the pipe, I really have no business judging them.

Best,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), July 25, 2000.


Betsy's gay?? Must be a fairly new area for her. Her husband and daughters might be a little suprised by this news. I'm not saying I don't believe it, I'm just saying it's hard to believe.

Betsy is about the classiest lady on tour.

Dottie Pepper - ya gotta like her. Spunky as hell and cute as a button!

Christie Kerr caught my eye this past weekend. Definitely a star in the making.

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), July 25, 2000.


This is typical of the SLOPPY READING that people do here and of what they find on the net. Betsy King is not gay. She is a sincere and devout Christian who is unmarried. Her whole life has been about *GOLF* since finishing Furman.

I never posted that she was gay. She makes a nice contrast to the stories the press chose to write about the LPGA last year.

King is also NOT MARRIED nor has any children. She *works* at golf. It is her career. In one interview she stated that after her career was over, she might consider getting married.

-- cpr (buytexas@swbell.net), July 25, 2000.


"And for many years, on Wednesday nights, Betsy King was also the leader of the Prayer and Bible Study Group of the LPGA, something the Press left out of their stories about a few members of the LPGA who were gay."

WAIT A MINUTE! If Betsy King isn't gay, why did you bring gayness up?

Actually, I knew she wasn't gay. I was making a sly comment on your sloppy writing. Your juxtaposition of subjects (Betsy's faith and newspaper stories of gay golfers) makes it seem as though she is gay. Your paragraph seems to bring up her bible study as an overlooked facet of her life as a gay golfer.

It would have been very easy for you to simply add a few extra words, as you did with your follow up comment, "She makes a nice contrast to the stories the press chose to write about the LPGA last year."

-- Tarzan the Ape Man (tarzan@swingingthroughthejunglewithouta.net), July 25, 2000.



She's not married??

I could have sworn her husband and daughter were there when she won back-to-back US Opens in 89 and 90. Maybe is was a brother and niece??

Oh well, ya learn something new everyday........

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), July 25, 2000.


Could have been cousins. For some reason, I think she is an only child. The LPGA really missed a few great chances for PR not only with The Betsy but with some of the other players when the nasty stories about the gay women were running. For years, there were married women with kids playing on the tour and there still are. In addition, a lot of the charity work was never mentioned. King and others from the LPGA went to Roumania to help save children when any help was critical there. I doubt the Roumanian children cared whether any of the players were gay or straight.

I'm just praying that Betsy is OK and there was not serious damage to her back. Saturday AM, I was thinking how wonderful it would be if Tiger and Betsy both won. Especially since Betsy unlike Woods had to wait over 8 years to win her first tournament.

-- cpr (buytexas@swbell.net), July 25, 2000.


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