Which anniversary am I referring to? Well, on March 23, 1929, the first phone was installed in the White House. And in 1985 Billy Joel wed supermodel Christie Brinkley, who is now on her fourth marriage. Then in 1997 Phil Mickelson won the Bay Hill Invitational, his 10th victory on the PGA Tour. Besides that — and most important, of course — in 2009 WeiUnderPar.com officially hatched.
Yes, I can’t believe it, either. WUP is already two years old. Websites, they grow up so quickly. As cliche as it may be, it feels like just the other day that I wrote “My Apology to Everyone” to mark WUP’s one-year anniversary, which seemed much more monumental. To be honest, I almost forgot this very important date. That’s probably because the days have started to blend together since I’ve been on the road covering the Florida swing the past four weeks.
Speaking of which, I remember watching and blogging about the Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Invitational from home in 2009. You know, the one where Tiger drained a birdie putt on No. 18, beating Sean O’Hair and capturing his sixth title at the event. I posted the YouTube video of the winning clutch putt, which I replayed at least a dozen times. It was Tiger’s first win since returning from the knee surgery that benched him after his memorable US Open victory at Torrey Pines in 2008.
And here we are. Two years later, we have no idea what to expect from Tiger anymore. I wouldn’t mind witnessing some of that old school magic and actually being on-site as credentialed media, covering the event.
I kicked off the blog with a post that included a YouTube clip of Fred Couples making an ace on No. 13 at Sawgrass in 2006. It was only fitting that I wrote about Freddie because as a fellow Seattle native, his story helped inspire me to start playing the game and grow to love it (read about it here). I couldn’t find a video of the one on No. 17 in ’97, nor the shot on No. 12 at the ’92 Masters. But whaddayaknow, I just did a Google search and found one of my favorite Masters memories (which, I learned yesterday, is also Johnson Wagner’s.)
If you’re a long-time reader, then you know I tend to get very sappy during holidays or when reaching certain benchmarks. I’ll keep that to a minimum today, partly because I’m sitting in the media room at Bay Hill and people might start looking at me funny if tears starting streaming down my face. Here’s an excerpt from my one-year anniversary post that still holds true a year later:
Looking back, the work I’ve dedicated to the blog and the opportunities I’ve received have made the past year (and four days) an incredibly rewarding and educational experience. But damn, it’s also been exasperating and difficult. As satisfying as the triumphs have been, the disappointments, the rejection and the uncertainty haven’t been easy to stomach at times. But hey, no one said this was going to be easy. It’s freaking hard. No shit, right? That said, I’ve never been more excited not knowing what comes next (okay, maybe that’s a little bit of a lie; still working on that whole patience thing). Nor have I ever been happier with the journey I’ve chosen.
So I’ll get to the point — which is something I don’t get to say enough: Thank you, readers. You guys are what make the hard work, long hours and stress (I know much of the time it looks like my job is all fun and games, but do you really want to hear about the other stuff? Um, no.), along with the fun and learning, worth it and have helped turn what started as a hobby into a profession I love.
Being able to share the reporting, stories, experiences, etc., and providing you with coverage of golf from a non-traditional perspective is a privilege and honor. I strive every day to better this site and to give you the best reports to my ability. And your feedback and support are what make that possible.
So, I have a small favor to ask of you guys — if you have a few minutes, we’d love to hear your (constructive) feedback.
*What are your favorite type of posts? Least? (Tiger gossip isn’t an option as answer.)
*What do you like most about WUP? Least?
*What would you like to see more of?
*What kinds of things would you like to see that I don’t already cover? (Keep in mind, I’d like to cover EVERYTHING, but I’m only one person with limited support and this is a start-up small business. In other words, taking helicopters to play golf courses around the world is out of the question.)
*How often do you check WUP a day (or week)?
*What do you think of the quantity of posts/day? Is it good as is? Or would you like to see more?
*Anything else?
If you’d prefer, you can send your thoughts to me via email — steph.wei@gmail.com
Again, thank you for your time and support.
Of course, I think this goes without saying, but I’m forever grateful to the SI Golf Group, the Tour, my mentors (you know who you are), and contributors (Intern Kevin, Conor, Merf, Tom, etc.) for their help and kindness, especially when I’m drowning in work and my other obligations — my blood pressure is particularly thankful.
Here’s to another year of lessons and benchmarks. Cheers.










*What are your favorite type of posts? Least?
FAV: Behind the scenes
LEAST: Ones like this that are 100% about the author.
*What do you like most about WUP? Least?
MOST: Stories that major outlets don’t pick up, don’t cover, Twitter battles, etc.
LEAST: Name dropping
*What would you like to see more of?
Coverage of Am events that matter, USGA, Western, Publinx, NCAA, etc.
*What kinds of things would you like to see that I don’t already cover?
See above
*How often do you check WUP a day (or week)?
Twice
*What do you think of the quantity of posts/day? Is it good as is? Or would you like to see more?
Some days are heavy, some days are light, ebs and flows I suppose. More is better.
*Anything else?
More WAG stories I guess.
Steph,
Congrats on two years! As you requested:
*What are your favorite type of posts? Least? (Tiger gossip isn’t an option as answer.)
I read your blog because I get things I can’t through other media outlets, or because your perspective is different from everyone else (you have less fear and more humor).
My least favorite is the recap of the “Tour confidential” weekly round table. I think you are (understandably) more restrained (or perhaps more edited) there.
*What do you like most about WUP? Least?
I like your understanding of the “dream” these guys are chasing and the perspective you bring from your junior golf days. Not many golf writers have that combination and it shows.
As for least, see above, though I still enjoy reading them, just not as much as some of the other stuff.
*What would you like to see more of?
Tell me more about the challenges of breaking in to the world of a professional golf writer. You are taking a decidedly original path in to a world dominated by middle aged white guys. What is that really like and how are you deciding what path to take?
*What kinds of things would you like to see that I don’t already cover? (Keep in mind, I’d like to cover EVERYTHING, but I’m only one person with limited support and this is a start-up small business. In other words, taking helicopters to play golf courses around the world is out of the question.)
I think your instincts are great on this one, as it seems to me you are letting your own curiosity guide you. Keep it up.
*How often do you check WUP a day (or week)?
Three or four times (I’m a golf addict and I need help).
*What do you think of the quantity of posts/day? Is it good as is? Or would you like to see more?
I’m a golf addict. Of course I want more!
*Anything else?
Please avoid the temptation to become more like established golf writers. Your hook is your unique approach and perspective.
By the way, hows the ankle? Hope your felling better.
Best,
Matt from NYC
Like most? The behind the scenes stuff, when you have a unique takes on stories just from knowing some of the guys (hey I like the insider stuff, just as long as you’re acknowledging it)
Least? When you write the same story with the same convention wisdom already going around on golf.com etc. Also I’m a big fan of sarcasm and some cynicism, but when it just becomes cynicism for cynicism’s sake it’s boring, and a lot of golf writers seem to fall into the trap (esp when writing about Tiger, he irritates me so I’m just going to blast him etc)
I’d love to see more coverage of LPGA tournaments if you can swing it, but get the whole limited time and budget thing. I think the content here is pretty solid overall
Always more posts
, but seriously we readers tend to be relatively insatiable
And how often I check it depends on how much I am procrastinating on any given day, also how likely I think it is there’s going to be a new post
Fav is definitely behind the scene stuff, inside the rope, especially the funny stuffs.
Not a lot that I don’t like, maybe the desperate house wife, gossip girls type stuff.
I check it twice a day and I like it that there’s always new stuff every time that I check back.
More videos, interviews. Keep up the good work.
i echo jb’s comments. overall i like the site and it’s content, except when it delves into inserting yourself into the story. i get it. you know people. you know ryan moore, mackenzies, etc…from your AJGA days. your competitive rounds on the innisbrook course.
maybe you could add course and equipment reviews of stuff that you like/dislike.
overall good stuff…
So far, I am clearly in the minority…I love the personal stuff. There is so much mundane and predictable crap out there, what you do is refreshing to me. It’s also fun to hear about some of your friends/lesser known players; I’m not sure how you would do that without being part of the story.
I wouldn’t change much…
I check once a day…
bent
well I just wrote a little bit in the other thread, but I’ll answer here too
*What are your favorite type of posts? Least? (Tiger gossip isn’t an option as answer.)
I like to learn about the players. So I like profiles and interviews.
*What do you like most about WUP? Least?
See my last response for what I like. I enjoy an insight into life as a pro. I don’t like typical media soundbites. And as others said, that the blog comes off as being about you a lot.
It is possible to write about the PGA, and draw on your experiences and put yourself in the story, without it coming off as being about you. I hope you find that balance.
*What would you like to see more of?
Read down, I answer this later. Also, Balls In The Air needs to return.
*What kinds of things would you like to see that I don’t already cover? (Keep in mind, I’d like to cover EVERYTHING, but I’m only one person with limited support and this is a start-up small business. In other words, taking helicopters to play golf courses around the world is out of the question.)
More LPGA. Also, clearly you already do travel to golf courses all over, no? Don’t pretend you don’t do that, we see your Hawaii pics and trips to majors and every tournament every week! I’m kind of baffled how a small business can travel so much, esp. to fancy golf courses. *shrug*
*How often do you check WUP a day (or week)?
Daily, maybe more if I’ve commented or am tracking a thread.
*What do you think of the quantity of posts/day? Is it good as is? Or would you like to see more?
Generally fine, though I sometimes feel it is inconsistent. Like one day it’s 6 posts, and then there’s none for a few days. Also there’s definitely times, when after a big golf event/moment, I’ve come here and seen nothing. Sometimes I want to use this place to comment on what’s going on. So maybe an occasional “here’s a post to talk about this tournament!” would be nice, so we don’t have to wait until you get a report up or anything.
I’m still trying to figure out how a blogger gets media credentials to PGA tour events.
I love your “Game Face”.
yes, THAT olympia, so of course i love all the stuff about the PNW players. i think you should just keep doing what you are doing. that’s why you have a faithful following. and i also am in the minority it seems as i like the personal stuff thrown in every now and then.
and as i read your blog through an RSS feed, i see it whenever it’s posted.
cheers,
iceless
To borrow from Bruno Mars…
‘You are amazing, just the way you are…’
Congratulations Steph, i’ve enjoyed and continue to enjoy reading your blogs. It’s good being kept up to date with the latest news and events in this great game.
Great memories for that 1992 video. I still don’t know how Freddie’s ball stayed up that year.
I’m feeling sappy myself. Two years?? Wow. If we had a rocket like you in the 50′s, Sputnik would have never gone up first.
Ok Mother Hen- Any new ventures or suprises you plan to hatch this summer??
Steph:
I’ve been reading your blog since nearly the beginning. Keep up the good work.
I like your behind the scenes articles the best. Need more of those. I’m not really interested in Tiger gossip, so feel free to let the mob handle those stories.
And I like your articles when you play a nice course. So get with it and get on Pine Valley…
Congratulations Stephanie. I’ve enjoyed the entire ride.
I really love how your use of great photos enhances the stories you tell. More photos!
Also would love if you could focus more on LPGA and Amateur golf. You have a unique way of really making Golfers seem more “human” and the Women’s game could really use someone with those talents.
I go to the site whenever you tweet me a link.
The snarky posts are my favorites and are what set your blog apart from most others.
I think I agree with the people who say you need to find a little bit of a balance.
I wouldn’t stop doing anything you do, but perhaps you could organize your site so that different posts would fall under different pages, not unlike a traditional newspaper. Your Front Page could be dedicated to your mainstream golf work, and there could be other sections dedicated to more personal posts. It might be a little less intrusive for those who don’t enjoy when “it’s about you” but it’d still be simple for everyone to find.
I think you run into trouble for two reasons:
1. People are jealous. I wonder how many golf blogs have been started since you started yours, hundreds? And, I imagine no one is experiencing the success you have, so that is going to annoy people. Writers are a jealous breed by nature I think, and I imagine many read your stuff and conclude that they could easily do what you do…I’m not saying that is the case.
2. Whether it is your intention, or not, you do give the impression you are friendly with certain players and other tour insiders for lack of a better term. You kind of started this as a voice of the fan type thing, but now as you get to more events and meet more people your experience is less and less like that of a regular fan. So, I’m sure you don’t read KSK, but they rip Peter King to shreds every week for some of the stuff you do (mentioning nice accommodations, chatting with a tour wife who has become a good friend) things of that nature. I’m not comparing you to Peter King (although there is no shame in that, the guy has a ton of fans along with his loyal haters), but just pointing out there exists on the internet this mentality to pick people apart and this stuff makes you an easy target. Oh, your not friends with Jason Day’s wife? You just watch on your couch? Poor you. That type of thing. That’s not what I’m thinking, it just can be read that way, I think.
You seem unafraid to take the occasional shot at a player which is fine, I know Mickelson and a couple others are favorite targets, but I sense you’d never take that type of shot at Ryan Moore. Whether that is true or not, that is how it comes across. And so, the more people you meet, and get friendly with I think the more people are concerned this will turn into a blog that reads like you hanging out with your buddies (which won’t be that interesting even if your buddies are Tour Pros), because it will become too inside and too biased.
Now, I don’t think there is a single reporter in the world who doesn’t have a bias or two, but sometimes your style brings it right to the forefront. If you think a player is funny, all you have to do is relay the story and people can judge for themselves. You don’t have to lead in with, I saw so and so on the range today and he’s the funniest guy ever…I think that is just your gregarious nature, but you should know it will rub some the wrong way.
I personally like almost all of the stuff, though I do feel like you are almost falling in with a crowd out there…again, I would have no idea of knowing if that is true, it is just an impression I get from reading your stuff.
A final suggestion, I think it would be great if you participated more in the comments section. I don’t know how closely you monitor it, and I imagine you don’t have a ton of time, but it seems like the only times you pop up is to snap back at someone. Sometimes if someone asks a specific question, but I think it’d be nice if you popped in, just to participate in the thread every now and then. I don’t mean responding to every single comment.
If it ain’t broke …
Those are some good points that I totally agree with, Mike82.
Anyway, here’s my point at its core:
Steph seems to be at various times media/reporter, pundit, golfer, golf fan, players’ friend, and a snarky blogger.
That’s probably too many hats. You can balance some of those, but I think all of them is impossible, and create a lot of conflicts (the evidence is in these comments). Pick one or two–are you a big fan who is now thrust into the PGA world? Or are you going to cover it as a reporter with competitive golf experience? Or maybe you just want to be snarky towards Phil and hang out with Ryan and Paige in your bathing suit on yachts?
I don’t know the direction you want to choose. I’d like a balance of fan/reporting myself, but I realize that there are people who here who like snark about Phil Mickelson being fat LOLZ or Anthony Kim being a party animal or Sergio not having any passion. This stuff is what bugs me, esp. when it’s really not true, but I guess it doesn’t others. I know the web always skews to the snark. Maybe it’s a way to get hits, I don’t know.
Anyway, pick a direction and do it well.
Variety rocks.
Variety and diversity is what keep this blog interesting. Predictability is boring; I want this to be a box of chocolate.
Hi Steph,
Love the site and check it almost everyday. I think all the tour stuff is great.
I live in Christchurch, New Zealand. Most famous for the mega earthquake we had last month (not sure if it made USA news, we are not important down here, lol). But me and my golf buddies all check the site. Just letting you know that your writing is being read in New Zealand and we enjoy it.
Keep it up.
I guess what I really like about WUP is the stuff I don’t see or can’t get anywhere else. I like the behind the scene stuff, the preparation stuff, the before/after round stuff, the off course stuff. If all I wanted was pure on the course golf stuff, I can get that anywhere. I like things about players breaking into the pro ranks. I like hearing about other people in the game/tour…caddies, reps. etc.
I don’t really understand the rehash of confidential every week. I really like PGA confidential, that’s why I read it every single week, at golf.com.
I guess what I really like is that you can do things others can’t or won’t do. In other words, you’re an irreverant smart ass/serious golf journalist. I like that you understand the seriousness of what you cover but do it in a way that is, at times, not so serious.
WUP is never mundane. Mundane I can get anywhere.
Keep up the good work and THANKS for it all.
Congrats Steph, love reading your posts. Appreciate your hard work, and keep up the GOOD work!!
*What are your favorite type of posts? your personal interactions and reactions to players, courses, and issues. The subjectivity that you provide is a relief to those of us sick of reading template-type overedited watered down objective drudgery with no real insight unless it’s holier-than-thou opines. Your personality, intelligence, style, and humor are the core of your product and MUST remain in order for me to keep reading And, let’s face it, a cute young golfer chick’s reactions to the Tiger muckraking is as entertaining as anything out there! Least? balls in the air/fantasy – I think prognosticating is a waste of time and energy, just enjoy what happens and embrace/explore the reality.
*What do you like most about WUP? that you are your own editor Least? It seems like sometimes you hold back for fear of backlash. We’re all here to see what you do next, whether we agree with it or not. Post what you feel. If you get extreme reactions either way, you know you’ve struck a chord. Just don’t turn into a sensationalistic attention hog, which you are obviously not based on what I can see from your demeanor in your videos. Which brings me to another point: Although you are intelligent, attractive and an excellent reporter, you are palpably uncomfortable on video. A big part of your appeal is your lack of egotism which makes for great writing and cute photos but translates to awkwardness in motion images. Either get some camera interviewing coaching or avoid it. The interviews seem painfully forced at this point and I think you make your interviewees uncomfortable because of it. But that’s just my amateur opinion – I could be wrong!
*What would you like to see more of? you: your life, your feelings, your image (still shots for now), your personal experience of all aspects of covering the golf world – up close and genuine
*What kinds of things would you like to see that I don’t already cover? (Keep in mind, I’d like to cover EVERYTHING, but I’m only one person with limited support and this is a start-up small business. In other words, taking helicopters to play golf courses around the world is out of the question.) more interviews and coverage from the LPGA – you have tremendous connections there that are under-utilized. Go to the PGA to witness the main action and get paid, but leverage your technology savvy (and language skills) to bring your unique perspective to the LPGA product. They need you and will probably crank up your traffic. The ladies also have far more interesting personalities than most male golfers!
*How often do you check WUP a day (or week)? every few days – more during interesting tourneys or golf stories (read: Tiger smut – I’m not afraid to admit it)
*What do you think of the quantity of posts/day? Is it good as is? Or would you like to see more? good as is
*Anything else?
Thanks for everything. I found you on a link from Shipnuk during the Tiger mess and have been an avid follower ever since. Next time you’re in NC (ie Quail Hoolow, Sedgefield, or random trip) I would love to host you for a round at one of my clubs (if my video comments haven’t completely pissed you off). Happy Anniversary and keep up the great work!