DanMargarita.com

She seems to be hailed as the Jackie Robinson of golf, but it should be remembered that Babe Didrickson Zaharias played in a PGA event in 1945. So in reality she's more like the Larry Doby (the second black modern Major League baseball player) of professional golf. Actually, Robinson wasn't even the first black ballplayer. That honor is held by Moses "Fleet" Walker who played in 1884, so in reality even Jackie Robinson wasn't the Jackie Robinson of baseball. I guess being second would make Jackie Robinson the Larry Doby of baseball. I'm not sure whom that would make Larry Doby.

Of course I'm using the facts to my facetious benefit here. Walker and all other ballplayers of color were soon banned from organized baseball until Robinson reintegrated the game in 1947.

Some have criticized Sorenstam's entrance into the Colonial as a publicity stunt. Attempting to fly around the world in a balloon is a publicity stunt. If she tried out as a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, that would be a publicity stunt. She's the best female golfer in the world, so seeing how she would stack up...let me rephrase that, how she would fare against the men is a natural progression.

PGA star Vijay Singh said Sorenstam doesn't belong on the men's tour and that if paired with her, he would withdraw from the tournament. I haven't heard an attitude like that since I was in the fourth grade at Robin Hood School when the boys and girls were forced to hold hands upon going out to recess.

As I recall "ick!" was the most common male response.

Sorenstam faltered on the second day and missed the cut. Undoubtedly nerves came into play. I can’t imagine how much pressure there would be with millions of people following your progress. Heck, I get nervous on the first tee at Unicorn Golf Course with no one but my playing partners and the next foursome watching me. At least Sorenstam didn't dribble one 50 feet off the tee as I've been known to do. Come to think of it, "Double Trouble" is a pretty pressure-packed hole at Hago Harrington's Miniature Golf Course.

The PGA seems to have problems moving into the 21st century with regard to women. A big row was ignited last year when Augusta National Golf Club chairman Hootie Johnson defended his decision not to allow women to join as members. Nobody said a word when the Village People announced that they had the same policy. Perhaps Johnson will make small, progressive steps like first allowing "barefoot and pregnant" women to become members.

Women have come a long way, but still have a long way to go. Sadly, about the only area in which theyve equaled men is in lung cancer rates due to increased smoking.

Now, women are making forays into the male world of sport. Soon the day will come when a woman can come home, have a few beers and bark at her spouse to get supper.

Perhaps one day we'll turn on a Major League baseball game and find a woman standing at first base scratching and spitting.

Are you ladies sure you want total equality?