Is 11 years old too young for professional sports?

[COrunner]

I came and flipped on the women's US Open to check the leader board and watched a few minutes of Lucy Li, the 11 year old playing.

When you watch video of her versus the other golfers it is very clear she is a child. I know that she got into the tournament by qualifying so I don't want to take away the accomplishment but I do not see the benefit for such a young child to be put into that situation. 16 year olds and above I can see the building confidence, using this to gain notice for playing in college or even using this as a stepping stone to go pro. I just don't see the end game for someone so young other than it can reflect poorly on her parents and make it seem like this is their dream for her.

Anyone have any thoughts good or bad?

 

[Goofyernmost]

I came and flipped on the women's US Open to check the leader board and watched a few minutes of Lucy Li, the 11 year old playing.

When you watch video of her versus the other golfers it is very clear she is a child. I know that she got into the tournament by qualifying so I don't want to take away the accomplishment but I do not see the benefit for such a young child to be put into that situation. 16 year olds and above I can see the building confidence, using this to gain notice for playing in college or even using this as a stepping stone to go pro. I just don't see the end game for someone so young other than it can reflect poorly on her parents and make it seem like this is their dream for her.

Anyone have any thoughts good or bad?

It depends on what happens now. She won't be there past Friday, but, if her parents and, so called, adult counselors push her like they did Michele Wie then I think it is just wrong. Michele is doing OK, in fact is currently leading in the Open, but, she never had a childhood, and that is something that we only get once. She should be allowed to have hers. A kid with that much talent will still have it in a few more years. In the meantime, I don't think that her being in the Open is a problem, she earned it and it must be great to be on the big stage like that at such a young age. That's one thing that they can never take away from her for the rest of her life.

 

[COrunner]

if her parents and, so called, adult counselors push her like they did Michele Wie then I think it is just wrong. Michele is doing OK, in fact is currently leading in the Open, but, she never had a childhood, and that is something that we only get once.

Agreed,

Michelle for some reason was pushed to compete with men and had this almost quixotic idea that making a PGA event/cut would somehow validate that she was a great golfer. There was so much wasted energy and initial fanfare with the LPGA that could have worked out much better for her.

I'd hope Lucy's parents look long term and not as a way to push her or cash in.

 

[The Crafty Veteran]

If the child can legitimately compete with the adults and wants to be there, I say no one is to young. If its just a publicity stunt, and with Michelle Wie part of me thinks some of her rise to prominence was, then shame on the adults for essentialy abusing the children.