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.

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/

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

PGD Professionals to be featured on Big Break XI: PEI

Golf-Babes.blogspot.com announced the next contestants of the fun Golf Channel Reality Series, The Big Break. This time, the contestants battle for their big breaks in Prince Edward Island (PEI), a small province on the east coast of Canada.

A brief commerical aired during the Big Break Michigan Finale yesterday and we were happy to see glimpses of the new cast. Play Golf Designs is very excited to annouce that 3 equisite professionals from their player organization will be cast members on the show. Kim Kouwabunpat, Blair O'Neal and the newest addition to the PGD squad, Caroline Larsson.

Kim "Bunz" Kouwabunpat

Blair "OMG" O'Neal Caroline "Sweedish Beauty" Larsson

For more information on the contestants of next season's Big Break, please click here:
http://golf-babes.blogspot.com/2008/12/women-of-big-break-xi.html

Playboy Sirius Satellite Radio features PGD Professionals

On December 5th, PGD Professionals Kim Kouwabunpat and Courtney Erdman made guest appearances on Sirius & XM Playboy Radio in Los Angeles, California. Promoting the Play Golf Designs business concepts and activities, Kim and Courtney were a hit!Discussing fun and exciting golf tips and challenging the producers and hosts to a putting contest, Kim and Courtney were a hit! For more information and to listen to the taping of the broadcast, please visit: http://www.siriusradio.com/

Thrillist.com Features Play Golf Designs

Thrillest.com: November 25th, 2008

Featured in image: Seema Sadekar, Kim Kouwabunpat, Amber Prange

Get non-threatening instruction from a hot woman, with Play Golf Designs.

Based in Vegas, but available throughout the U.S. and Canada, PGD offers your group (or just you) a roster of attractive female instructors who've succeeded everywhere from the NCAA, to the Duramed Futures Tour, to the LPGA, and whose temperaments allow them to set aside pride and informally instruct guys who pretty much just suck.

How it works: first, select the # of girls you'd like, then pick your top choices based on accolades (“NCAA All-American”, “Female Golfer of the Year”, "Sexiest Golfer in the World”) and a gallery featuring both action shots, and shots taken in impossibly short shorts and heels.

On game day, you’ll start with an hour clinic (chipping, putting, the dreaded flop shot), then hit the course, learning by watching/ogling, and from an instructional method that mixes kindness, understanding, and a touch of sweet passive aggression.

Find out who beat you out of Sexiest Golfer of the Year at http://www.playgolfdesigns.com/

For more information and a direct link to this site please visit http://www.thrillist.com/nation/play-golf-designs

Featured in left image: Tina Miller