13 year old golfer in US Open bumped and yelled at by another golfer for walking in her line

[FENWAY]

Ammaccapane, Wie in a dispute over etiquette
July 4, 2003
GolfWeb Wire Services


NORTH PLAINS, Ore. -- Danielle Ammaccapane allegedly pushed 13-year-old sensation Michelle Wie and later berated her over a breach of etiquette at the U.S. Women's Open, Wie and her father said Friday.

B.J. Wie, who caddies for his daughter, said the contact came on the 14th hole of Thursday's first round at Pumpkin Ridge. Wie played with Ammaccapane and Tracy Hanson.

The young golfer said Ammaccapane, a 16-year veteran on the LPGA Tour, was upset that Wie had walked in her line as she prepared to putt. Wie said she was trying to go behind Ammaccapane to get to her own putt.

The father claimed Ammaccapane bumped, pushed or brushed his daughter on the green.

In the scoring tent after the first round, Michelle Wie said Ammaccapane, 37, had words with her, although the teen wouldn't disclose what was said.

"I was really surprised, because I guess I've always played with really nice people," Wie said.

B.J. Wie would only say the exchange was "nasty," although he wasn't in the scoring tent at the time.

"She's young," B.J. Wie said of his daughter. "Danielle is 40, so Michelle is like a daughter. How can she treat a little girl like that?"

Ammaccapane, who has seven LPGA Tour victories and was playing in her 17th Open, wouldn't talk about the matter after her round Friday.

"I don't have any comments about playing, or etiquette or anything else," she said as she left the course. She and Wie did not speak or shake hands after the round.

[timbo37]

Wie needs to re-read the LPGA by-laws and find the bull-dyke sensitivity section.

[Butch]

Danielle Ammaccapane has ALWAYS been a first-class bitch on the LPGA. Always. Nasty attitude, jealous, unfriendly.

[kris]

I was thinking this also, she is just jealous cuz she isnt 13 and going to win alot of majors in her life time......BITCH!!

[nostaw1952]

Maybe Wie should've just kicked her ass-she's big enough to do so. Putting aside how many golfers her age have been this good, take these three groups: Asian, 13 years old, girl. You don't see that many in
any ONE of those groups who are six feet tall, much less all someone who is all three groups!

[FENWAY]

Maybe the teenager was lying afterall
----------------------------------------------------------
B.J. Wie now says no physical contact occurred
July 5, 2003
SportsLine.com wire reports


NORTH PLAINS, Ore. -- The father of 13-year-old Michelle Wie retracted claims that Danielle Ammaccapane pushed his daughter, saying Saturday there was no contact during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open.

"Michelle just told me that her description of the incident was incorrect," B.J. Wie said. "There was no pushing or physical contact."

B.J. Wie, also his daughter's caddie, said Friday that Ammaccapane pushed or bumped Wie on the 14th hole. He said the 16-year LPGA Tour veteran later berated the teenager in the scoring tent, which he described as "nasty."

He did not correct his characterization, but said he would not longer discuss the matter because he wasn't there.

Michelle Wie shot a 5-over 76 on Saturday and declined comment.

"She's too emotional," her father said.

Ammaccapane had a 73 and, after spending nearly 20 minutes in the scoring tent, hurried off the course without comment. She stopped briefly to sign an autograph for a fan, who said "Hang in there, Danielle."

Later in the day she released a statement.

"I was very upset and disappointed after being accused of something that was not true," Ammaccapane said. "Throughout my career, I have always played the game with the utmost respect, professionalism and integrity.

"I appreciate Mr. Wie's honesty today in setting the record straight."

Ammaccapane went on to say she respected Wie's game.

USGA executive director David Fay told NBC Sports that he thought the whole matter was "much ado about nothing much."

But he did say Ammaccapane gave the teenager a "talking to" in the scoring tent.

"The comments she delivered in my view were not delivered in the tone of Aunt Bea but in the tone of a drill sergeant," Fay said. "Many had to do with the behavior of her father, and the things he was doing or not doing as a caddie."

Wie said his daughter and Ammaccapane, 37, spoke again Friday, and the pro was "very nice to Michelle."

Wie, a 6-footer from Honolulu who has been hailed as the future of women's golf, has grabbed attention with her 300-yard drives.

Two weeks ago, Wie became the youngest player to win a USGA title for adults at the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links. Earlier this year, she played in the final group of the Nabisco Championship.

This is her first U.S. Women's Open.

[nostaw1952]

Oops! Well, like they said in "The In-Laws" about Peter Falk: so she embellishes a little![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[Bobby C]

<< "How can she treat a little girl like that?" >>


Your "little girl" is in the big leagues now.

Bobby

("Toughen up, buttercup!"--Papa Joe Chevalier)

[Cobramoon]

Go get 'em Michelle

never underestimate the importance of etiquette in golf-- things that may go unsaid at the country club are an essential part of being a tour pro... respect for your partner's game is monstrous.... and people will take note of even the most minor of mistakes.... some more gracefully than others, of course [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[Goo]

I am so sick of the rules in tennis and golf but especially golf. You always have to be quiet when the guy hits, why?? THe ball is just sitting there no one is guarding the ball, the ball is not moving......in baseball the ball is comming 90 mph and you are trying to hit it , if anything you should be quiet in baseball it is harder.

[BuzzRavanaugh]

This is on Ammacapane she is a bitch and hates her station in life she has been overshadowed by Nancy Lopez, Laura Davies, Jane Stephenson, Annika Sorenstam and Julie Inkster.

Walking in the line is a courtesy but with soft spikes it makes no difference where you walk.