
Professional golfers Natalie Gulbis, Rocco Mediate and Duffy Waldorf will play themselves on this Thursday’s episode of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” CBS’s favorite funnymen David Feherty and Gary McCord will also make cameos.
The episode, titled “Long Ball,” revolves around a “legendary” golfer who is murdered at a “high-profile tournament.”
Gulbis blogged about her experience and posted the above photo of herself on the set with — I’m assuming — other cast members at LPGA.com:
I am a huge fan of CSI and have been watching the show for many years. I was thrilled when recently asked to make a guest appearance! I especially enjoyed having the opportunity to experience the process of how an episode of a show comes together. I was able to watch firsthand beginning with the first time I read the script, to then being on site of the episode watching the crew film. It was an incredibly unique experience. I can’t wait to see how it comes together when the show is edited and airs. I feel that the fact that CSI asked professional golfers to make guest appearances is a testament to how much the sport is growing in popularity in the US.
Now I’m not sure if I entirely agree with that last statement and I believe Jim Frank would challenge it. Apparently while TV viewership and corporate sponsorships have increased in the past decade, participation in the sport hasn’t.
But considering the LPGA schedule features only 24 events, down from 27 last year and 34 in ‘08, any publicity is a positive. Gulbis is a great representative given her tremendous popularity among male fans for her cheery personality and swimsuit calendar. But will this generate a larger LPGA following? A small percentage might be enticed to ogle at the ladies playing good golf, but not enough to move the bar — every little bit helps, though.
As for Mediate and Waldorf, it appears the script was written to cast middle-aged, doughy golfers — you know, the stereotype of professional golfers — to reinforce that outdated image. Too bad it didn’t call for younger, more entertaining guys, such as Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia or even Sean O’Hair, who I suppose wouldn’t have been relatable to the show’s target demographic.
Oh well, I’ll still watch. /Setting DVR for CSI, 9PM on Thursday.









![Shane Bacon over at FanHouse is giving out awards for the 2009 PGA and LPGA Tour season. Last week he asked Patricia Hannigan from Golf Girl’s Diary to select the PGA’s “Best Dressed.” She chose an unassuming winner, 18-year-old Japanese phenom Ryo Ishikawa. He’s probably not the first guy you’d think of — Ian Poulter, Camilo Villegas and Adam Scott seem like they would be the front runners for their cutting-edge fashion. But that’s also why Ryo is such a great choice.
Here’s how Patricia described his style:
Color, cut and artful accessorizing are the main components of the Ryo style. A distinct Asian influence can be seen in the bright, saturated hues that define each outfit he wears. Always artfully blended with a contrasting solid, these powerful color notes are picked up in his visors, belts, shoes and gloves and stand out in a way that’s fresh and exciting.
Not to mention the Japanese simply have good style and Ryo showcases it better than most. If the kid can pull off a pastel, rainbow striped polo paired with lime green pants, then he deserves to win hands-down! It’s not close to his best look (or my favorite), but just saying.
Also, be sure to check out the tableau Patricia put together of some of Ryo’s color combinations here.
[Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images]](http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kqc8fdRImg1qzydsvo1_500.jpg)
