A car named Megane - Glamour on the European LPGA Tour
So two days before my trip to Europe, I get a stomach virus that did not let up no matter what medicine I took. Finally Thursday rolls around, I get on my 11-hour Air France flight to Paris, to connect to my 2-hour Zurich flight, then my 2-hour Lugano flight, then my 1-hour train ride to Losone, then my 20 minute cab ride to the hotel.
Needless to say that whatever rest I got on the Paris flight got burnt up by these connections. The good thing about it is that my new tunes selection on my iPod helped me pass time and my stomach virus went away by the time I checked in and hit the sack at 11pm on Friday - who says the life of a Tour Pro is glamorous...
After a night of deep sleep in these Euro-style miniature-size beds at the Albergo Losone, the official Players Hotel of the Deutsche Ladies Swiss Open, the local Avis manager brought me my car for the duration of the Tournament. I had requested a Ford Mustang for that little home feeling, but they didn't have any. He tells me he brought me a Renault Megane... Wow! It's got my name on it! And the key chain also has my name on it. Kewl! Thank god I learned to drive a manual stick shift when I was a kid because that's all they have here.
Losone - a Quaint Town in Italian Switzerland
I decided to take a drive around to get a feeling of this quaint little city of Losone in this "Italian" part of Switzerland. I had printed the Mapquest directions from the hotel to the golf course when I was in L.A. but they were completely backwards - the hotel concierge was much better than the computerized Mapquest directions.
What a beautiful little European town with a town square, small shops and cafes. Despite the thunderstorms and rain, people were still out going about their business - unlike L.A. were rain stops everything. I stopped to check out a few fashion stores - wooooweeee hot prices!!! Compounded with the lousy dollar to Euro exchange rate. I get a better rate through my Amex, but still things are expensive in Switzerland. I also noticed that in athletic stores PUMA is much bigger than Nike over here. Now I understand why they wanted to get affiliated with me, since I play the U.S. and European Tours. If you decide to visit this region, brush up on your Italian or bring an English-to-Italian dictionary.
My jet lag was starting to get to me, so I headed back to the hotel, went for a nice 2-mile hike in Switzerland's biggest Palm Park behind the hotel called Mte Vierte, got a light salad for dinner and in a few minutes I am going to leave the hotel's business center to head to my room. I am exhausted.
Tomorrow, surveying the golf course.
No sticks.
Just a pen, a yardage book, a greens schematic, and my local caddie.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO MY MOM & ALL THE GREAT MOMS OUT THERE!
Ciao (Bye in Italian),
Megan
14 Comments:
hey, nice touch, a megane for megan. with an e it makes you sound french or italian. in any case you seem like you're already having fun.
Megan,
I don't know about international travel, but I've found mapquest to be inaccurate a lot in the U.S. and Google Maps to be a little better.
You mean they don't have "Megane's" everywhere you go? Shame on them! If I'm ever touring, I expect "Kristene's!"
Glad you're feeling better!
Hi My name is David Fineg.
I have developed a line of clothing for women dedicated to the empowerment of women. Breast cancer research, the battered womens shelter, and the campaign to elect the first woman president, are the three recipients of the proceeds from the sale of the clothing. I hope you will take the time to look the clothing over and let me know what you think. The clothing can be viewed on my website tencups.com. I also hope you will find the clothing and the concept to be flattering and complimentary to women. Whatever you decide, thanks for your time and consideration.
i enjoy your blog
David Fineg
Ten Cups Golf
david@tencups.com
wow, what a sweetheart you are. I really appreciate it. I am new to blogging and all the computer literate stuff, but i did want to say that it was unusual to post that comment, megan, as it leaves you open to recieve "billions and billions' unrelated commentary. I would urge you to be careful in this regard. " he said out of the other side of his mouth acknowledging the posting" I could be way off base here
did you get a chance to read some of my stuff, or view any of the videos? did you
see the one entitled "why women should be in charge"? I am truly greatful. and i
will continue to read and enjoy. hope you will do the same. david
Megan,
I know from your earlier blogs that you are big fan of both Karrie Webb and Annika Sorenstam. It seems that you predicted Karrie's groove for this season(with her win today at the Michelob), but what's happening to Annika? You played a round with her, any insights?
Hi Folks,
It's 4:30am in Switzerland and I am wide awake. I am starting to slightly get over this 9-hr jet lag. Yesterday I woke up at about 1am, today 4am, maybe by tomorrow I'll be able to sleep in until 6am, which will be about normal for me and good for the rest of my week here in Losone.
Golfchick, I will request from them to have Kristene cars once you get on tour - lessons at Lost Canyons notwithstanding :)
David,
Good looking line of women's clothes. And thanks for your support to all those women's causes. They need to make more men like you down in Texas ;)
Jake,
I am not sure I predicted Karrie's great season, but thx for the credit. It's easy to predict wins for great champs like Karrie. For Annika, I think it was just her putter taking a week off when she need it it the most. Not missing a cut in almost 4 seasons is pretty outstanding...wish I could do the same :)
That's it for now. Keep posting your comments. I love it!
Now back to Italian TV...boy o' boy, they certainly are not shy about what to show on TV here ;)
Ciao,
Meg
Hey Megan,
I have been reading your blogs. Looks like you have been having fun :-). Anyway, I hope you have a great European Tour and play well. Good luck and can't wait till you get back to L.A. to hear the fun stories..
Glad to hear you got over that stomach virus. It seems like something's been going around recently.
On another note, that "Megane" car looks pretty weird. I think most of those european cars look weird though. As for me, I'd love to drive one of the new Mustang GTs ;). Oh So Sleek.
In response to golfchicks post, I agree. Google has way better maps and is much more helpful than mapquest.
Good luck on the course.
Megan,
I wanted to respond to you personally as well. You have certainly done a good job online, working with bloggers and other outlets -- I seem to see you all the time.
We obviously have a smaller presence on the women's tours than we do on the PGA Tour, but we do what we can to provide our staff players with the best opportunity to win. I wish you the best of luck with your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Jason Woodmansee
Manager, Global eMarketing
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company
5545 Fermi Court
Carlsbad, CA 92008-7324
Hi Megan,
You have a wonderful web site. I have a few questions for you about turning pro. How did you get on a tour. Did you have to go to a "Q" school or did you monday qualify for a few events? Was it hard money wise to turn pro? How hard was it to get sponsors? Thanks.
Megan,
I wanted to respond to you personally as well. You have certainly done a good job online, working with bloggers and other outlets -- I seem to see you all the time.
We obviously have a smaller presence on the women's tours than we do on the PGA Tour, but we do what we can to provide our staff players with the best opportunity to win. I wish you the best of luck with your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Jason Woodmansee
Manager, Global eMarketing
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company
5545 Fermi Court
Carlsbad, CA 92008-7324
Oh goodie, a few more comments...it's 5am here; just could not get myself to stay asleep for one more hour.
Kim - keep'on reading the blog, more fun stuff tonight or tomorrow (depending on your timezone).
Jason - yes the Renault Megane does look weird, but not any weirder than any of the Saturn or Mercury models...haven't seen the weirdest of all circulating around here, though we see them by the dozen in L.A....the HUMMERRRRRR ;)
John Keeler - last fall I did all 3 Q-schools, the LPGA (missed it by 2 strokes...a double bogey in the last round); the Ladies European Tour - got my card; and the Futures Tour (the developmental tour of the LPGA) - got my card there too...more details in my section called "About Megan/My Bio". And also see my Tour Schedule under the "On Tour" section. Thx for asking.
Jason Woodmansee from TaylorMade Golf- wow nice to have an official from TMAG come to my blog and comment on my web presence...Interesting timing -The Managing Director of my title sponsor just sent an email earlier today to Jim Leatherman & Tim Huet about the wasted time and wheel spinning that's been occuring from their end in the last 4 months...He copied me on it; he was pretty upset.
Well...I am going to grab breakfast and head out to the range at 7am.
Until next time,
Meg
Speaking of the Hummer, did you know they discontinued the H1 due to lack of sales. I guess they only sold like 50 last year. I suppose it's not too surprising with the ever increasing gas prices.
What are the gas prices like over by you in Switzerland?
Hello Megan
I'am a french golfblogger and also amateur freelancer photographer.
I saw your post on Mike Sigers's travelling golger blog, very happy to see you in europe.
I will be sure at the French Open in Arras, and perhaps in Switzerland this week end if it is not raining...
Will be happy to meet you at this occasion.
My golf photoblog is here :
http;//www.onedayoneshot.com
and my golf pictures galleries here :
http://www.pbase.com/isogood/golf_tournaments_year_2006
Hope your stomach goes better now, wish you good time and great results.
Patrick Micheletti
pamicheletti@free.fr
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