Feature for August: Blair O'Neal

**Since the makings of this article, Blair has won the most recent Cactus Tour Event shooting 71-69-68 and beating the field by 6 strokes. She is also featured on a Golf Channel show called INFUZE MY GAME on www.golfchannel.com (Equipment Section)**

B begins the word, beautiful...it is also the letter that begins the name Blair. One could easily say Blair O’Neal is beautiful but do not let the glamour that Blair brings to the course throw you off track. Blair is one of the most competitive spirits on the Play Golf Designs roster as she demonstrated on the Golf Channel hit TV show, Big Break Prince Edward Ilsand, in which she made it to the final episode and fell just short of winning the title. Before we get to our Q & A interview with Blair, let us talk a little bit about Blair’s background and involvement in the game.

At age 13, Blair began playing on the American Junior Golf Tour and success was immediate; a election on the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup Team in Valderrama, Spain, member of the AJGA Cannon Cup Team, runner-up in the Woman’s Western Tournament and low medalist honors medalist at the AJGA Ping Phoenix Jr. Championship.

Blair went on to play collegiate golf at Arizona State University. As a Sun Devil, Blair competed in every golf event held during her four-year college career. She won 2 out of 3 NCAA Long Drive contests, making her one of the longest hitters in women’s college golf.

Blair turned professional in January 2004 and has since competed in the West Coast Ladies Golf Tour, the Duramed Futures Tour and professional Tours in Japan, Thailand, Korea and China.

In addition to being a professional golfer, the 5’10” blonde is an accomplished model on runways, in print ads, catalogs, magazine covers, websites and commercial advertisements all over the U.S. and Asia.This is something Blair did to help fund her golf career.

In 2008 Blair was named by SPORTS ILLUSTRATED “One of the Hottest 50 Athletes of All-Time” where she was voted into the final four in SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’s “World’s Hottest Athlete” contest. She also made it to the Final Four of the “In Game Now” Hottest Female Athlete competition.
Today Blair is focused on trying to qualify for the LPGA Tour for 2010 and we had the opportunity to sit down with Blair and talk about her golf, modeling and future.

Q: What drew you to the game of golf?

My dad introduced me to the game when I was 11 yrs old. He put my brother and I in a jr clinic and I just really enjoyed it from the start. I think I had a natural ability for it… so it was fun for me and I wanted to get better and better.

Q: What made you decide that golf was what you wanted to do for a living?

I pretty much knew when I was 11 that I wanted to be a professional golfer. I would see tournaments on tv and hear about the ASU players and their success. I was around golf and passionate about it from an early age. I’m not really sure how I knew… but I just did!

Q: What is your most memorable memory of golf (either amateur or pro)?

Definitely competing on the Big Break. It is unlike any other experience and making to the finals I really feel like I got the most out of the experience. Competing on the show- the pressure is on and you either perform or you don’t. Bottom line. It’s a lot of pressure and was a great learning experience.

Q: We all know you began modeling to help fund your career. Is it something you enjoy more than golf or something you do to pass the time before the season starts?

I really enjoy modeling but I love to play competitive golf. I like the competition. In some ways they can be similar but my passion is defiantly competing on the course!

Q: Who is your favortie model (either fashion, swim, etc)?

Adriana Lima

Q: Some of your photos are "risque". PGD has been ridiculed in the past for having "glamour" shots on our site, what is your argument about sexy women who play golf?

There is nothing wrong with a sexy women being able to play a professional sport. I have a range of images because I am also a model but as long as you are comfortable with yourself… it is what it is. There will always be

Q: Now onto BB...On the Big Break, contestants describe their nerves being out of control, you seemed to remain very calm and under the radar, what was it actually like to hit the first few shots and some of your last shots on the Big Break? How did you keep your nerves under control?

I think thru out the show I was pretty in control of my emotions and that really was my game plan. I payed attention to what I had to do and I know what it takes for me to play good golf. The hardest and greatest thing about BB is that is literally ‘one shot at a time’. People say the show isn’t like real golf. But if you think about it… it is exactly the same mentality it takes on the golf course to perform well. It’s a test of staying in the moment and focusing on the task at hand.

Q: What was your favorite challenge on BB? What was the moment in which you thought, "I can win this whole thing!?"

Breaking the glass was an awesome feeling!!

Going into this I felt I could win it. I never ever doubted myself and I took one day at a time. That was all I could do. One day at a time- check a day off - and move on to the next.

Q: What do you take from BB that you believe will help you in competition for 2010?

Being patient, focus on what I know I need to focus on, have a plan, and play my own game. I do that… and I will be just fine!

Q: Have you been recognized from being on the Big Break?

I have had people recognize me quite a bit. I’ve had people recognize me just out with friends, out to dinner, at the lake, and of course airports and the golf course. I was out at the Men’s US Open, for a PGD Event this year, and it was crazy walking thru the crowds and the people who recognized me. The show was still airing then and of course that is the perfect Golf Channel crowd!

Q: What are your plans for 2010?

Hopefully you will be watching me play out on the LPGA next year!

Q: You are one of the most popular PGD girls to date! What has been your favorite PGD event to host?

I was out at the US Open with First American Title. That was a great event and a lot of fun.

Q: What do you believe the future holds for women's golf?

Hopefully it continues to grow and we can get more viewers interested in the tour! Also, I think its important to introduce kids to the game and with programs like The First Tee, etc. the game can really grow.

Q: Why are you so passionate about PGD?

PGD will only make the focus on women’s golf grow. It is nice to have PGD because we can showcase our games and network with other companies who are passionate about golf.

Well, there you have it. One of the most popular girls from the Play Golf Designs Roster, Blair O’Neal. Athletic, sexy and a true competitor who truly embodies the philosphies of Play Golf Designs.

Would you like to play with Blair, or any of the other 22 professional female golfers on the Play Golf Designs roster? If so do not delay and navigate yourself over to,
http://www.playgolfdesigns.com/
or email Tina at
tina@playgolfdesigns.com

You can also learn more about Blair on her website:
http://blairgolf.com/

Watch out next month for new feature on another amazing female pro from the PGD roster

Where is the Glamour of Women's Golf?

Where is the Glamour?
A Simple Lesson & Formula To Success

PGD have decided to take a different approach to our normal Press Release. Let's focus on a write up that Nisha and I came up with about a month ago. I was at first reluctant to post it but then realized everyone else is blogging about this so we should as well!

This week the PGD Team has decided to talk about the future of the LPGA and what type of tour the future stars of the LPGA are working towards playing on.

I myself, Tina (Miller) Lloyd, unfortunately feel the LPGA has lost a bit of its glitz and glamour. When was the last time you KNEW what channel the LPGA was going to be on without having to visit their website? On the men’s side you just know it is going to be a Golf Channel broadcast during the week and a NBC broadcast on the weekends. What are the girls in college and on the Futures Tour really working toward?!

With the resignation of Carolyn Bivens, what a better time to discuss what the LPGA needs to do in terms of Marketing to “amp” up the girls out on the LPGA. President of PGD, Nisha Sadekar, and myself, have been bashed about our stance on what the LPGA needs to do, but have stood firm ground in our belief that women’s golf will survive this tough time if the necessary actions are done.

Remember algebra equations? (Yes, I know it makes me want to throw-up as well, but this one won’t! Promise.) Well here is our simple formula to success on the LPGA:

g2+f2+e2=LPGA SUCCESS!
Copyright ©Play Golf Designs 2009

You might ask, what does this stand for? Well that is why we are here…to educate you! Golf/Glamour+Fitness/Fashion+Entertainment/Energy=LPGA SUCCESS! The talent is already out playing the game- their golf games are amazing, the personalities are ready to shine…come on LPGA get with it! What we offer at Play Golf Designs will help the LPGA, 24 Elite Professional Female Athletes who excel in the game of golf. We are not in a competition with the LPGA but would rather work, side by side with them.

“This is what we have said from the get-go. It is hard to have face value for the tour when you are lacking the ingredients in the equation. It is not a competition between PGD and the LPGA but rather should be a partnership. We have been misinterpreted by media in the past, for the same exact thing that every media outlet is now saying the LPGA has been lacking, good marketing. We continue to work to advance women’s golf in any way that we can, both on and off the course!”

We hope the LPGA will continue to strive to better levels to promote all of its players, rather than a select few and we will continue to try and create more buzz about women’s golf, even if it means going out on a limb at times. The future does not have to be dull for women's golf, and if the marketing department would follow our formula, or event that of which was implemented by the former commissioner Ty Votaw (5 Characteristics of a Celebrity), the LPGA would not be so lackluster at this point in time.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this post. Please let us know how you feel about this via our twitter page, www.twitter.com/playgolfdesigns

For more information about Play Golf Designs or to begin planning your next event visit www.playgolfdesigns.com

For media inquires please contact:
Tina Miller Lloyd
Director of Marketing and Communications
(tina@playgolfdesigns.com)

Press Release June 22, 2009

Play Golf Designs Press Release for week of June 22, 2009

With what seems like it has been deemed US Open “month” in the golf world, the girls of Play Golf Designs have been hard at work. From traveling to the rain drenched NE for the US Open at Bethpage Black, to the Midwest of Mason, OH, our PGD girls have been representing both on and off the golf course.

PGD girls, AKA “Spice Girls”, president and CEO, Nisha Sadekar, Big Break Prince Edward’s Island stars Kim Kouwabunpat and Blair O’Neal, Ashley Gomes of Big Break 6 & 7 and the upcoming Duramed Futures Tour golf sensation Seema Sadekar, were all in attendance at this year’s US Open in NY. The five girls were hosting First American Title to a week of golf and various activities available at the US Open. The picture is of Kim and Blair on the 18th fairway at the US Open, in our cute PGD golf uniforms. Thanks to GolfWrx for the photo. The US Open was a huge success for the girls (and their rain drenched golf shoes) and PGD buzz is spreading more and more doing these corporate outings and events. To read more about the girl’s experience at the US Open please visit Kim’s Blog on about.com: http://golf.about.com/b/2009/06/18/kim-kouwabunpats-big-break-pei-diary-episode-9.htm


Over in the Midwest the Duramed Futures tour was having their Duramed Championship in Mason, OH. Of course there were many PGD girls in the field! Big Break PEI contestant, Caroline Larsson, was top PGD finisher in the Duramed Championship she finished T28 (+2). Big Break V Champion Ashley Prange finished T44 (+5) and Nicole Hage continued her good golf by finishing T52 (+6). Other scores include: Hwanhee Lee T52 (+6) and Road Trip Myrtle Beach star, Perry Swenson T65 (+9).

PGD girl and Big Break Ka’anapali star, Tina Miller played in the CVS Pepsi Pro-AM at Rhode Island Country Club on Sunday June 21. It was a great opportunity for Tina to showcase her personality and golf game on an exclusive stage. Pictured with Tina is Champions Tour player Dana Quigley, one of the many pros in attendance at this prestigious charity event.

In some TV entertainment news, PGD girl Blair O’Neal, has officially made it to the FINAL episode of Big Break PEI! Blair has ousted 10 other contestants to make it this far and the final episode airs on Monday June 29th at 9PM EST. Tune into the Golf Channel to witness the finale and to cheer on PGD girl Blair!

The PGD madness does not stop there. We actually have footage of some of the PGD Girls at the Duramed Championship! First is Nicole Hage courtesy of the Duramed Golf YouTube Site. In this video Nicole talks about how she has become the queen of Twitter! Here is the link to Nicole’s Twitter video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whl_Dj4CEms
Below we will have all the PGD girls Twitter names so you can follow all the action as it happens from them on the road!

Next video at the Duramed Championship is of the lovely and personable Perry Swenson. Click the link to watch the video of Perry talking about the championship before she tees it up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgX3M_aL4fs&NR=1

One video also on YouTube showcases the many beautiful pictures of Nicole Hage from her last Play Golf Designs glamour shoot, showcasing her beauty both on and off the course. You can see that video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSG0m5nX0Os

That wraps up what was quite the impressive week for the girls of PGD. Tina Miller will be featured this Saturday at 8am-9am ET on the ESPN radio show in Pittsburgh, which is a correction from last week http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/espnradio1250/

About 15 PGD girls will be headed to Louisville, KY for the Meijer Blessings in a Blanket Celebrity Golf Tournament hosted by Vince Gill and ESPN’s Tom Jackson. This event will be held on June 29th at Valhalla CC. We will have some photos and recap from the girls in next week’s release.

We have so much more exciting news to share with you, but unfortunately we will have to keep it all on the hush until next week! For now please check out all the media links below to see the PGD girls in the news for the week.

Also please enjoy the following Twitter names of our PGD girls and you can always follow PGD at www.twitter.com/playgolfdesigns

Nisha Sadekar: @NishaSadekar
Seema Sadekar: @SeemaSadekar
Blair O'Neal: @BlairAlana
Amber Prange: @AmberPrange
Tina Miller: @Tinamillergolf
Kim Kouwabunpat: @KimK04
Perry Swenson: @PerrySwenson
Nicole Hage: @NicoleHage

PGD In the Media this week:

Tina Miller on ESPN Pittsburgh Saturday June 27, 2009 at 8AM-9AM EST:
http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/espnradio1250/

Blair O’Neal on Devil Ball Golf by Yahoo Sports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/devil_ball_golf/post/Big-Break-s-Blair-O-Neal-is-definitely-not-drese?urn=golf,172199

Blair O’Neal on Deadspin:
http://deadspin.com/5299755/former-lingerie-football-quarterback-is-now-golf-phenom


Hwanhee Lee featured in blog:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/golf/2009/06/two_usga_championships_awarded.html

Kim Kouwabunpat on about.com:
http://golf.about.com/b/2009/06/18/kim-kouwabunpats-big-break-pei-diary-episode-9.htm

Ashley Prange featured in Cincinatti newspaper:
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090618/SPT/906190362/Stars+of+tomorrow+tee+off+today+in+Mason

Follow us on Twitter for updates on all things PGD!
http://www.twitter.com/playgolfdesigns


For more information about Play Golf Designs or to begin planning your next event visit www.playgolfdesigns.com

For media inquires please contact:
Tina Miller Lloyd
Director of Marketing and Communications
(tina@playgolfdesigns.com)

Press Release for week of June 15, 2009

Play Golf Designs
Press Release for week of June 15, 2009


As the men’s US Open week begins at Bethpage Black (in NY), five of our PGD Girls will be out promoting women’s golf and the Play Golf Designs brand amongst the men stars of the PGA Tour, at the US Open. Dubbed as the “Spice Girls” the fab five consists of: President and CEO Nisha Sadekar, Seema Sadekar, Ashley Gomes (Big Break 6 & 7), Kim Kouwabunpat (Big Break PEI) and Blair O’Neal (Big Break PEI) are the five Play Golf Designs girls playing golf on some of the best NY courses this week, as well as interacting with players and sponsors at the hospitality area on #18 at the US Open. We will have more on the girls experience in next week’s release.

Speaking of Blair…she is in the final three on the Big Break Prince Edward Island TV show on the Golf Channel. The finale is drawing closer and Blair has beat out 9 other contestants in hopes of winning the show and the show’s grand prize, $100,000! There are only two episodes left. Tune in next Monday June 22, 2009 at 9PM ET only on the Golf Channel. Not only that but Blair was featured on many online outlets this week (see below). One highlight to her many articles was being featured as the Maxim Girl of the Day. Congrats to Blair on all of her success both on and off the course!

In other exciting news, PGD girl Nicole Hage qualified for this year’s US Women’s Open at Saucon Valley CC in Bethlehem, PA July 6-12, 2009. This is Nicole’s 6th US Women’s Open!!! Nicole went straight from the Duramed Futures Tour Michelob ULTRA Championship in Decatur, IL (where she finished T10 at -7 under par), and played 36 holes and shot 68-76 (even par) to qualify for one of the finest tests in women’s golf. We wish Nicole all the best of luck and this week she is playing in Mason, Ohio at the Duramed Championship.

Other scores from the Duramed Futures Tour Michelob ULTRA Championship in Decatur, IL are: Ashley Prange T17 (-5), Hwanhee Lee T59 (+3), and Chris Brady T63 (+4).

Wrapping up the golf action this week was PGD girl, Aree Song’s, performance in the McDonald’s LPGA Championship in Havre de Grace, MD in which she finished T57 (+5).

We will be doing some interviews this week. One in particular is TONIGHT with ESPN Radio in Pittsburgh, PA featuring Nisha Sadekar and Tina Miller. This interview will be tonight at 9PM ET at:
http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/espnradio1250/

To play golf with any of the girls mentioned above, or to have any of the elite 22 professional golfers host your event, please visit www.playgolfdesigns.com for further information.


PGD In the Media this week:

Aree Song featured on Golf Channel.com’s Shag Bag
(http://www.thegolfchannel.com/shag-bag/teen-phenom-finding-life-burnout-29814/)

Nicole Hage: First round wrap up article about Twitter
(http://duramedfuturestour.com/2009/W061109.asp)

Tina Miller: Interview with Tom Horan of Speaking of Golf
(http://speakingofgolf.com/)

Blair O’Neal featured on Maxim:
(http://www.maxim.com/girls/todays-girl/82457/blair-oneal.html)

Blair O’Neal Arizona Central
(http://www.azcentral.com/sports/golf/articles/2009/06/17/20090617spt-whatsup.html)

Blair O’Neal on National Ledger
(http://www.nationalledger.com/artman/publish/article_272626525.shtml)

Blair O’Neal featured on Golf Channel.com’s Shag Bag
(http://www.thegolfchannel.com/shag-bag/big-break-finalist-oneal-checks-mcdonalds-wie-29816/)

Blair O’Neal on Washington Examiner
(http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sports/48116377.html)

Blair O’Neal on Baltimore Sun
(http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/golf/bal-sp.lpganotes13jun13,0,5452363.story)


Follow us on Twitter for updates on all things PGD!
http://www.twitter.com/playgolfdesigns

For media inquires please contact:
Tina Miller Lloyd
Director of Marketing and Communications
(tina@playgolfdesigns.com)

Sacred Heart University Event and More!

Last week marked very productive week for the Play Golf Designs brand. Many of the professionals were out competing and some even caught red eye flights to represent PGD at a couple charity events across the country.

Nisha Sadekar, CEO of Play Golf Designs, Nicole Hage (Futures Tour) and Candy Hannemann (LPGA) all flew out to Connecticut for the Sacred Heart University fundraiser. The event was a huge success! Nicole did a “Power Drive”, while Candy did a “Beat the Pro” competition. Two pros at one event is a unique concept to incorporate into any charity or corporate outing and PGD offers this and much more.

Also last week 14 of the 22 elite professionals of Play Golf Designs were either playing in the LPGA State Farm Classic (Springfield, IL) or playing in the Duramed Futures Tour Titan Tire Challenge (Marion, Iowa). Kim Hall (San Antonio, TX), just missed making the 36 hole cut with a two-day total of 143 (72,71). Jeanne Cho-Hunicke (Suresnes, France) and Aree Song (Seoul, Korea) also missed the 36 hole cut. All three are in the field this week for the LPGA McDonald’s LPGA Championship in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Coverage begins on the Golf Channel starting Thursday 12:30 PM ET.

Four of the nine Play Golf Designs girls playing in the Duramed Futures Tour Titan Tire Challenge made the 36-hole cut. Nicole Hage (Coral Springs, FL) finished T30, 74-73-72, before hopping on a plane to CT for the Sacred Heart University Event. Also making the cut were the following PGD professionals: Big Break V winner, T30 Ashley Prange (Noblesville, Ind.) 69-78-72; Road Trip Myrtle Beach Star, T45 Perry Swenson (Charlotte, N.C.) 73-73-75; and Big Break Prince Edward Island contestant, T65 Caroline Larsson (Stockholm, Sweden) 71-78-77.

This week three PGD professionals are up in Canada playing in the CN Women’s Tour event at Cutten Club (Guelph, ON). Courtney Erdman (Altadena, CA) and Amber Prange (Noblesville, Ind.) are both in field this week along with Shayna Mijajima (Maui, Hawaii). Courtney Erdman, contestant on the Big Break Ka’anapali, hopes to follow up her second place finish in Vancouver with a win this week. The winner of any of the CN Women’s Tour events will gain an exemption into the CN Women’s Open in early September.

This week begins one of the Duramed Futures Tour “majors”, The Michelob ULTRA Players Championship (Decatur, IL). In the field are eight PGD professionals: Nicole Hage, Seema Sadekar, Amber and Ashley Prange, Perry Swenson, Chris Brady, Caroline Larsson and Hwanhee Lee.

Concluding the golf wrap-up this week are the following PGD professionals who have advanced past the first stage of US Women’s Open Local Qualifying: Seema Sadekar (Toronto, Canada), Ashley Gomes (Pleasanton, CA), Chris Brady (Charlotte, NC), Blair O’Neal (Scottsdale, AZ), and alternate position Amber Prange (Noblesville, Ind.).

Congrats to all our PGD girls who are making a difference both on and off the course!

PGD In the Media this week:

Her Goal: Stand out in golf, and, in general
Article Featuring PGD Pro Seema Sadekar
http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090604/SPORTS/706049917/1008

The CN Women’s Tour Rocks!
Article Featuring PGD Pro Courtney Erdman
http://www.insidegolf.ca/content/view/106988/360/

A Little Flash on the Links
Article Featuring PGD Pro Seema Sadekar
http://duramedfuturestour.com/Entertainment/Features.asp?page=Features/FS052809.ssi

Follow us on Twitter for updates on all things PGD!
http://www.twitter.com/playgolfdesigns

For media inquires please contact:
Tina Miller Lloyd
Director of Marketing and Communications
tina@playgolfdesigns.com

Seema Sadekar: A Little Flash On The Links

Duramed FUTURES Tour member Seema Sadekar of Toronto is the first to admit that she doesn't want to look like any other player on Tour. That would explain her over-the-top gold-colored golf bag with silver glittery side panels edged by rhinestones. Or even the bling-bling glittery matching headcovers that make her sparkle like the celestial heavens.

"I think that golf needs to be a little more fun and I've always liked to be loud and flashy," said Sadekar, a second-year professional who played college golf at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Sadekar says she wanted to bring a little "diamonds and gold" to her golf bag and got some help in designing her tour bag from big sister Nisha Sadekar, a former Tour member. Big sister Nisha runs her "Play Golf Designs" business in Las Vegas, which lines up professional women golfers for corporate client golf outings in Vegas.

And when little sister Seema shows up either on the Duramed FUTURES Tour or for rounds of corporate golf in Vegas, she no doubt, leaves an impression wherever she goes.

"I like to be different," she said. "And this bag is so me."

For a direct link to this feature, please visit: http://www.duramedfuturestour.com/Entertainment/Features.asp?page=Features/FS052809.ssi

Golf-Babes: In Defense of Play Golf Designs

The article is a screed against the notion that female athletes (and the leagues they belong to) might use their looks to gain attention and new fans. Not exactly an original subject; that debate has been going on for decades.

Let me just state before continuing that I am aware of the irony in a site called Golf Babes offering a defense against charges of exploitation of female athletes. But my positive content and the steady stream of always positive feedback I get from women touring professional golfers leaves my conscience clear.

I'm also aware of the irony of a writer composing a none-too-original piece criticizing the marketing of female athletes deciding he'll "sex it up" with a gratuitous and insulting comparison of some of those athletes to "escorts." Well played, Mr. Gregory. Out of one side of his mouth he gets to tell the world of his moral rectitude and respect for women; out of the other side he gets to call some of those women whores. Jackass.

If Mr. Gregory really wants to show off his credentials as a defender of women against exploitation in the sports world, perhaps he should write something about Time's sister publication Sports Illustrated. Word on the street is that once a year SI - owned by Time, Inc. - publishes an issue full of nothing but scantily clad, barely clad, sometimes semi-nude women ... for no discernible reason other than corporate greed. And they use these images to the hilt with major yearround play on the magazine's Web site, plus lots of video, DVDs and even TV specials.

Hey, it's not like male athletes aren't out there selling a look. Sports marketing is all about selling a look. How many fashion spreads in GQ have athletes done over the years? How many football and basketball players have posed for posters?

There's a big difference, though, between male athletes and women athletes when it comes to marketing, and that is the huge deficit that exists between the money and attention available to each.There's just not much money (relatively speaking) availabe in women's athletics in the United States. The entire purse of a Duramed Futures Tour tournament is often smaller than the winner's share only at a Nationwide Tour event.

If Mr. Gregory can click his heels, crinkle his nose, blink his eyes, snap his fingers and make these disparities disappear, well, what's he waiting for? If his delicate sensibilities are offended by a female athlete posing for a simple glamour shot (or posing in a bikini for his corporate cohort's annual flesh-fest), maybe he should start campaigning for more sponsorship opportunities for those athletes rather than attacking their entrepreneurialism.

Mr. Gregory looks at a few glamour shots on the Play Golf Designs Web site and imagines escort services. Who's doing the stereotyping? Who is betraying an inability to recognize women for something other than their looks?

The touring professionals who work with Play Golf Designs are independent contractors. They are businesswomen responsible for their own financial success or failure. They don't have an annual salary or paid healthcare and vacation time like employees of Time. They don't have the big-dollar opportunities available in men's golf; in fact, many of them play on developmental tours where the check for finishing 15th might not even cover the hotel bill for the week.

And Mr. Gregory attacks them over a few glamour shots. He must walk through life cringing at the site of skirts above the knee, averting his eyes if - gasp! - a little cleavage enters his field of vision. Grow up.

I've had the good fortune to be acquainted with Play Golf Designs founder Nisha Sadekar, and several other of the Play Golf Designs golfers, for several years. All the women who work for Play Golf Designs are professional in every sense of the word. They are fierce competitors. The are all intelligent (Yale and Stanford are among the schools present on their resumes) and extremely hard workers.

"I personally have hosted several PGD golf outings, and I can assure you that Nisha Sadekar runs her events with class and only the utmost professionalism," says Kim Kouwabunpat, one of the PGD professionals. "We are professional athletes who compete at the highest level and all of us take our professional image very seriously. If you were to profile the 22 athletes on the PGD roster you would find that they consist of former top collegiate golfers from leading Division I universities such as Stanford, Duke, UCLA, and the University of Texas; former NCAA champions, current LPGA touring professionals, and top developmental tour players. I highly doubt that any one of these professional golfers, whom are very highly respected amongst their peers and colleagues, would ever join or even be associated with an organization that could be construed as an 'escort service'."

Nisha herself is a whipsmart businesswoman who has built from scratch a very successful company in a short amount of time.And yes, her company is marketed in a fun, flirty way. There are many such companies out there, companies that match up professional golfers with corporate outings - Mr. Gregory may not be aware of it, but every player in golf, up to and including Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer, hires himself or herself out for corporate events. These management companies also match their clients with club events, with clinics, with other "appearance fee" opportunities. It's one way the bigshots in the game pad their bank accounts; it's one way the up-and-comers try to make ends meet. (Mr. Gregory manages to throw "bachelor parties" into his article, while failing to mention all the charity events that PGD professionals attend. Again, who has the dirty mind here?)

Play Golf Design's "hook," so to speak, is that its roster of professionals is comprised entirely of women. And if all of those women happen to be smart, funny, and attractive? In what industry, in what line of work, would that not be played up in the company marketing plan?"Why isn't it OK to dress fashionably and be proud of our femininity without being criticized?" asks Kouwabunpat. "A polished, well-rounded look is marketable and a marketable image is good business."If you read the Time.com article you're given the impression that something dirty is going on at the Play Golf Designs Web site. But anyone who then clicks over to the PGD Web site will be left wondering, "What in the world was that guy talking about?"

Glamour shots. The horror.

Please view direct Link: http://golf-babes.blogspot.com/2009/05/in-defense-of-play-golf-designs.html

Kim Kouwabunpat: In response to Time.com

"I’m appalled by the ignorance displayed in the recent article written on Time.com about Play Golf Designs Inc. It’s clear that Sean Gregory has failed to do his due diligence in researching what PGD is truly about. The claims he makes of PGD being an “escort service” are offensive, unfair, and completely inaccurate. I personally have hosted several PGD golf outings, and I can assure you that Nisha Sadekar runs her events with class and only the utmost professionalism. We are professional athletes who compete at the highest level and all of us take our professional image very seriously. If you were to profile the 22 athletes on the PGD roster you would find that they consist of former top collegiate golfers from leading Division 1 universities such as Stanford, Duke, UCLA, and University of Texas, former NCAA champions, current LPGA touring professionals, and top developmental tour players. I highly doubt that any one of these professional golfers, whom are very highly respected amongst their peers and colleagues, would ever join or even be associated with an organization that could be construed as an “escort service.”

Why isn’t it ok to dress fashionably and be proud of our femininity without being criticized? A polished, well-rounded look is marketable and a marketable image is good business.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but Gregory probably did not realize that in writing this controversial article, he is jeopardizing the business, careers, and livelihoods of Play Golf Designs and the 22 Professional Golfers on its roster. Since joining PGD in 2006, my career has benefited greatly from the positive exposure and PR provided by Sadekar and PGD. Gregory’s misguided comments are essentially tearing down what we all have worked hard to build within our careers. As a responsible journalist Gregory needs to make sure he knows what he’s talking about before making such ridiculous comments that could negatively impact so many dedicated individuals.

I’ve been an avid competitive golfer since the age of 10. Just by the amazing nature of the game, golf has taught me so many important life values such as hard work, perseverance, determination, etiquette, and most of all, integrity. I see the game as a wonderful educational tool to teach any young person what it means to have class and teach them the same tools golf has taught me throughout my life. I hold onto my morals and values with conviction and would only be associated with outstanding organizations like Play Golf Designs.

I’m proud to be fully involved with Play Golf Designs and support Sadekar in her courageous movement towards a Nouvea World of Women’s Golf. We need people like her to break down barriers and to challenge stagnant stereotypes. I don’t see women’s golf progressing in the right direction at the moment. In the end, we will all be thanking Sadekar and Play Golf Designs for bringing women’s golf to the next level and letting the world see how amazing, beautiful, and strong women can be.

http://web.me.com/kimk04/Site/Kims_Diary/Entries/2009/5/23_Time.com_Article_Displays_Ignorance.html

Kim Kouwabunpat

Stanford University

‘04 Ladies Asian Golf Tour

‘07 Duramed Futures Tour

‘05-‘07 CN Canadian Women's Tour '06-'07

Play Golf Designs, Inc.

Time.com & Ignorance

I am grateful to the editors of Time.com for choosing to write an article about Play Golf Designs, a well respected golf business with tremendous potential. However, I was hurt, offended and outraged by the way our firm was characterized.

First, The Headline – “Lady Golfers for Rent: Escort Service for Duffers? - Was stunningly offensive and an absolute mischaracterization of Play Golf Designs. Our professionals are some of the World’s best Professional Golfers and are hired to participate in golf outings throughout the world, just as male pro golfers are. They are hard-working and talented, just as male pros, and PGD and our professionals deserve the same respect and acknowledgement for their ability. In regards to the fact that our professionals happen to be attractive, as well as talented athletes, does not give Time.com, or anyone, the right to call our business an “escort service,” which has a clear connotation that is unequivocally wrong.

Also, I was misquoted several times in the article, and those statements were used to make it look as if I was insulting the LPGA. The LPGA is the highest platform in women's golf, a platform to which many of our professionals aspire.

Lorena Ochoa is the world's number one female professional and deserves notoriety for achieving great success. When discussing Lorena with the reporter, we spoke about fashion only. My quote, "Who cares!” was made in reference to her attire, not to Lorena or her skills. The fact that it was used by the reporter to insinuate otherwise is unethical. Lorena is a role model, an amazing player and of course a noteworthy icon in women's golf.

The Professionals at Play Golf Designs are also outstanding role models and have helped to expand the interest in women's golf. We are a strong and upstanding business that generates interest and awareness in golf. Although I am pained and disappointed in how Time.com characterized us, I firmly believe our fans, clients, vendors and potential customers truly know who we are, and what we stand for: Great golf, great outings and creative and fashionable fun. I am a professional business owner and we deserve more respect than time.com displayed in us.

Play Golf Designs is not ashamed to showcase its professionals as beautiful women. In fact, our strategy honors women and follows a tradition of beautiful female athletes being unafraid to be beautiful. From Jan Stephenson to Natalie Gulbis, and many others, the LPGA itself has long benefitted from the popularity of its top athletes who also happen to be beautiful. In tennis, Anna Kournikova, Maria Sharapova, as well as Venus and Serena Williams have been lauded for their beauty, as well as their skill. They've even appeared in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, as was race driver Danica Patrick. If one of these athletes is hired for an outing or exhibition, would Time.com dare call them "escorts?" I doubt it.

Sincerely,

Nisha Sadekar, President - Play Golf Designs Inc.

Time Article Link: http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1900046,00.html

April 1st, 2009: Waggle Room Interview with Nisha Sadekar


Nisha talks about growing the Play Golf Designs name, brand and roster. She offers some fun advice to the LPGA and discusses how she got into the golf business with a competitive and fun spirit.

For a link to the entire interview, click here: http://www.waggleroom.com/2009/3/31/817282/the-19th-hole-golf-show-3-31-09

Wednesday March 25th, 2009: Play Golf Designs' Professional and LPGA beauty, Anna Rawson, is the new spokeswoman for GoDaddy.com "The 27-year-old Australian will be teaming up with Danica Patrick, Candice Michelle of the WWE and poker star Vanessa Rousso to help promote the service, which sells domain names. Not a bad foursome for GoDaddy to bring to the first tee, if you ask me." - Shane Bacon, AOL News

Congratulations to Anna Rawson!

For a link to this story, please click here: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2009/03/24/anna-rawson-new-godaddy-com-girl/#cont

Channel 3 Las Vegas

Nicole Hage Photoshoot & Golf Babes

Saturday March 14th, 2008: The beautiful and talented Nicole Hage was featured on the popular Golf-Babes website this week and some of the new images from her PGD Photoshoot were released.

Nicole talks about her upcoming 2009 season on tour, "Going into this year I feel like I have the confidence to compete and that my game is in a good place. ... One of my main goals for 2009 is to put myself into contention every week."


The Photoshoot was done with photographer Tom Laveuf in Miami, Florida. For more information on Tom Laveuf and his incredible work, visit http://www.tomlaveuf.com/

For a direct link to this feature click here: http://golf-babes.blogspot.com/2009/03/nicole-hage.html

Tina Miller ties the Knot!

Tuesday February, 26th 2008: Tina Miller's Wedding

Tina Miller said "I do" this past week in Miami to Mr. Rhys Lloyd. As mentioned on www.golf-babes.blogspot.com, the bridesmaids were all smiles by her side. PGD Professionals(from left to right), Courtney Erdman, Tina Miller, Kim Kouwabunpat and Nisha Sadekar are featured in this memorable picture!

For more information click here: www.golf-babes.blogspot.com/2009/02/tina-miller-wedding.html

Congratulations Tina!

Kim Kouwabunpat: Hottest Golfer Alive

Thursday February 26, 2008 - Kim Kouwabunpat is on fire!

With a spot in the first ever Big Break filmed in HD on the Golf Channel, a Hottest Golfer Alive shout-out, a featured write-up in Inland Empire Magazine and a sexy new website with over 1000 hits in the first few days, Kim Kouwabunpat (aka BUNZ) is on fire!

Check out all the glamorous "BUNZ" media, including some new fashion, golf and swimsuit images!

Inland Empire Magazine, Page 51 - Click here: http://www.zinio.com/express3?issn=0199-5073&o=ext

Young, Famous & Fashionable - Click here: http://www.yff365.com/profiles/blogs/hottest-golfer-alive

Kim's Fun & Sexy New Website - Click here: http://www.kimcanyouoneputt.com/ or http://www.kimkouwabunpat.com/

Good Morning America

Friday February 13th, 2009: Good Morning America

Play Golf Designs was featured on Good Morning America as a unique Valentines Day Gift Package for your significant other.

Courtney Erdman, Marie-Josee Rouleau and Shayna Miyajima were the 3 featured PGD Professionals featured.

To view this link, click here: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6868914

PGD Named in the Thrillist V-Day Gifts HQ for 2009

Thursday, February 12, 2008: Thrillist.com announces Top Gifts for Valentines Day. Play Golf Designs is chosen as Las Vegas' top choice!

Play Golf Designs' golf entertainment services and exclusive packages were selected by the popular male entertainment site

http://www.thrillist.com/ as the "it gift" in the fun and fast-paced city of Las Vegas.

To find out what the "it gifts" are for cities across America visit: http://www.thrillist.com/valentinesday

Happy Valentines Day from PGD Professionals and Staff!

Bushwood Country Club: Amber Prange Interview

January 28, 2009: Amber Prange Interview

Tell us about your work with Play Golf Designs – what is involved in that?

Play Golf Designs is an incredible company that I work with. They are based in Las Vegas, and offer golfers the ability to book a complete package at the best courses in the area. Packages include golf with one or more of the Professional golfers on the staff at PGD (including me), and it provides a great opportunity to meet and get to know the pro's the PGD roster. For us, it is a great chance to network with people who are passionate about golf and meet our fans.

What has been you most memorable experience with PGD?

Meeting someone who helped me get into LPGA Q- school.

For more information and full interview with Amber Prange, please visit: http://bushwoodcountryclub.blogspot.com/2009/01/amber-prange-touring-professional.html

Client Golf Entertainment is 2009 PGD Signature Service

January 7th, 2009: Play Golf Designs announces Client Golf Entertainment as their feature service for 2009. Directing their services to corporations and businesses looking to entertain their clients with the game of golf. Seen below are Blair O'Neal and Marie-Josee Rouleau conducting a clinic for Play Golf Designs clientele.

The PGD professionals featured on the back of the card include Seema Sadekar, Kim Kouwabunpat and Amber Prange.

Play Golf Designs and their Professional Team would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. All the best to you and your family & friends for 2009.
If you would like to recieve one of our promotional items, please send us an email with your address to admin@playgolfdesigns.com