Editors' Blog Blogger Bio
Shifting Styles and Women's Golf
It's amazing how much things change in twenty years.
I'm not talking about major things here... like the fall of Communism or the rise of the Internet... but rather subtle things, like language usage, clothing styles and color pallets; the kind of changes that evolve so gradually you don't really notice until you find a piece of the not-too-distant past and realize it looks strangely dated. That's what happened to me when I came upon this LPGA Player Guide from 1988.
I was an art history major in college and I've always had an appreciation for vintage graphics and 20th century art, so soon after I became obsessed with took up golf, I started collecting golf memorabilia.
When I spotted the Player Guide the first thing that struck me was the demure pose and downcast gaze of the cover girl, Hall of Fame golfer, Ayako Okamoto. Rendered in soft shaded pastels, the illustration seemed remarkably muted, its subjet almost...disempowered.
I can only imagine the 2008 Player Guide, if a paper copy is even produced, will feature an assertive, high contrast photograph of Lorena or Annika or Paula, confidently addressing the camera or captured in powerful mid-swing. The photo will exude the kind of strength that says, "These Girls Rock".
Looking at the 1988 Ayako Okamoto cover it seems the LPGA marketing slogan of the time must have been, "These Girls Whisper... Politely". Obviously the LPGA has changed, along with our times. Like everything else, it's become much more marketing and media oriented, and the glitz, glamour and excitement are part of what many of us love about it.
I'm happy to have found the 1988 Player Guide though. Through it, not only did I learn about the amazing Ayako Okamoto, a golfer who, I've got to admit, I didn't know anything about before, I also gained a renewed appreciation of the cultural shift that's taken place in just the past couple of decades.
Lovely article.
1988 seems like yesterday to me and it's so hard to believe it's twenty years ago! I love the excitement of today's LPGA amd I know it's grown a lot in popularity but I have to admit that I sometimes miss the quieter, less flashy days. I guess that makes me old :)
Twenty years has gone by in a wink. Yet the world has changed dramatically; in style, perspective and vision. My daughters could never imagine a world where they wouldn't have equal opportunity, or be bold and outspoken about their views. But it's always important to understand how far we've come, and what the responsibilities are, now that we are bravely front and center. And looking the world squarely in the eye. A sensitively-written and insightful article!
Thanks so much d:o)
I'm so glad to be living in this era but it's only natural to be nostalgic for the past. Since the beginning of time one generation has always said to the next, "life was so much simpler back then", and in some ways it was. I guess the best bet is to remember the good things and learn from the bad. In golf and in life.