Something old (school), something new (school), something borrowed (Highland Meadows), something blue (pink).

Nancy Lopez and Paula Creamer did not play in the 2009 Jamie Farr. The LPGA veteran, Lopez, has been bothered by a foot injury that may require surgery in the near future. And yet there she was during the second round soaking up the moment and cheering alongside other members of the gallery.

The defending champ, on the other hand, or should I say thumb, had to withdraw because the joint on her left thumb had swelled to the point where cortisone became part of her diet.

And yet the “Pink Panther” was there a day after making one of the toughest choices of her career.  Creamer sat down and signed dozens of autographs for her adoring fans during Friday’s second round.

Lucky for you she’s right-handed.

With the future of the Jamie Farr stuck in a divot, both Creamer and Lopez did the tournament a great deal of good will. Keep in mind they didn’t have to do it.

They wanted to do it.

You could sense by talking to Lopez that she desperately wanted to partake in the 25th anniversary edition of the Farr. It’s hard to believe that though she never won (she was runner-up four times), the hall of fame golfer still took time out of her schedule to spread her love and appreciation for what the Jamie Farr does, not only for the LPGA, but for local charities.

Meanwhile, Creamer compared her inability to defend her title to sitting inside while the rest of the kids are at recess.

As if the two were playing tag out on the playground and without even thinking it, Lopez could indirectly be telling Creamer:

“You’re it!”

At the age of 23, you could understand an, at times, immature Creamer stomping her feet and blowing off an appearance after she withdrew.

Perhaps with a gentle nudge from her parents and agent, Creamer did the classy thing.  She threw on some pink, drove to the course, talked to the media and said “hi” to her fans.

But will it be goodbye?

Without question, the biggest question throughout the tournament was, “Will the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic be around to blow out the candles on its 26th birthday cake?”

What Creamer and Lopez did, not only for their image but the image of the Farr, was show that this tour stop matters.

It is true late on Sunday afternoon; one golfer stands with the oversized check and takes some pictures with Jamie Farr and the Owens Corning Pink Panther. It’s the highlight of that athlete’s weekend.

However, think about how amazing the days, weeks and years will be for the charities and children affected by the money raised because of the tournament.

Jamie Farr tournament director Judd Silverman said the public will be pleasantly surprised with the amount of money that will be handed over to the children charities later this year.

These bountiful gifts bequeathed in the middle of a recession.

But like Lopez and Creamer, the economy will pick itself up once again. A golfer doesn’t quit after one bad round, and the LPGA shouldn’t quit on the Farr.

If this is the last one, my memory will be Lopez standing outside the ropes, clapping and cheering with fans who more than likely once golf clapped for her.

It will be the “Pink Panther” defending her good name even though she couldn’t defend her title.

Ryan Fowler is the Weekend Sports Anchor at NBC 24.  He can be reached at bgsualum03@hotmail.com.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Sports, TV Time Out.
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