Alexis Thompson's request for 12 exemptions....denied.

While she may have won more money than 33 other players; she is only 15 y.o. She will turn 16 y.o. next month. The LPGA has denied her request to have her exemptions on the 2011 LPGA Tour this season changed to limited vs her 6 she currently has. With one of the new changes however, she can shoot for  Monday qualifiers to earn more. Previously, only LPGA Tour members could do so on Monday Qualifiers.

Now, I'm sure alot of people have a strong opinion about the request and about playing Monday qualifiers. I personally think that at only 15 (soon to turn 16 yo), she needs to spend her time being a kid per se. She needs to not be thrown into a stressful and sometimes challenging environment. Finish school and then after school, if she forgoes college, then that's her choice. Until you're 18 yo, you can't vote, you can't marry (in most states without parental approval) and you are not considered an adult. If you ask several of the young professional players who turned pro at an early age, many would agree that it's best to wait. While she is sure to be playing golf for many years to come; she cannot get back her childhood and those "high school moments" and "relationships".

Look at Michelle Wie. She just had her rookie season last year on the LPGA Tour and just turned 21 yo recently. She finished her Senior year at Stanford missing the next to last tourney to complete finals. This is a young woman who has her head on straight. I wish all young women whose dream is to play the LPGA, would do the same. At any given time, a Golf career can be over due to injury, etc. What will they fall back on then? Get your education now and then devote your life to the Sport of Golf. It's a regret you won't have to deal with down the road.

Now, Go Hit Some Balls.................