Michelle Wie will be a card-carrying member of the LPGA Tour for 2009. Good for her.

It’s a seemingly more mature and wiser Wie who showed up this week to do what she has to do if she wants to play – get a card. I say seemingly wiser because I don’t like that she isn’t speaking to the media. Dealing with the public and media goes with the territory and she better get used to it. Being a member of the LPGA isn’t a buffet table where one chooses which regulations to follow.

I heard commentators on Golf Channel say that it was okay for her not to speak to the media because she was concentrating on the task at hand. I don’t buy that. After all, other players gave interviews. It is statements (or lack of) like that that has rubbed people the wrong way about Miss Wie and her parents.

In early 2004 I wrote a piece – and got quite a bit of heat for it, and some praise – for saying the public and media should wait a while before crowning her the heir apparent.

Some misinterpreted what I wrote and took it as a shot at her personally. They then responded in kind to me, which always weakens one’s argument, and one comment said that Miss Wie would soon own my life (whatever the heck that means).

What I said back then is that she is a talented golfer and should head to the LPGA the best way – via Q-School or with a win.

I agreed with her decision to go pro and still think it the wise decision.

What still bothers me, however, is the fawning over her by certain media outlets who view her as the coming messiah of the LPGA Tour. We’re told that with Annika Sorenstam’s retirement, there is a vacuum that must be filled. Don’t names like Lorena Ochoa, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel mean anything? Pressel has struggled lately, but she’ll be back and Ochoa is merely the best female golfer on the planet.

Then there is the Korean golf factory that many on this side of the world resent. Joining Wie on the Tour next year will be Stacy Lewis who led the U.S. Open after three rounds this year.

While Wie certainly has the star power and has been marketed to the ‘Nth’ degree, ultimately, it is up to her to deliver the goods. I have little doubt that she will but to what extent remains to be seen.

I used to attend professional golf tournaments as a fan and for the past several it’s been as a member of the media. From my very first tournament, several things have rubbed me the wrong way about golf fans.

1. Golf fans seem to think they are on a first name basis with every player. “Oh look, there’s Phil over there.”

2. Once they see the media badge with photo ID and camera equipment (I do most of my own photo work), they pepper me with story ideas. Uh folks, I am about three thousand story ideas behind and the well is continually being filled by me. I’ll never get to them all. Second, Joe Smith shooting 66 to move to within 12 of the lead is not a story. If Joe Smith is blind, then it would be.

3. Drunk golf fans – especially those in the corporate boxes. Don’t you have anything better to do?

4. Fans who practice their golf swing with or without their umbrella after a group goes by. You look ridiculous. You don’t go to a baseball game and take practice swings in the bleachers, do you?

5. Fans who whisper when no golfer is within 250 yards of them.

6. "Get in the hole!" Yes, that is still around and it still sounds stupid.

7. Friends who are fans and want free tickets. Don’t ask. Let me offer. Besides, you didn’t cut me a deal on that brake job, did you? Nor did I ask for one.

8. The stuffy look and attitude of some golf fans.

9. Fans who ask if I’m following or cheering Weirsy (Mike Weir). Yes I’m Canadian, but no, I’m not cheering him. I don’t cheer, I observe. Besides, it’s a pansy nickname and I’m here to work.

10. Finally, those gorgeous female golf fans who don’t wear a whole lot on a hot summer day. That just isn’t fair.