SoCal memorial held for LPGA golfer Erica Blasberg

[joeybee12]

CORONA, Calif. (AP)—LPGA golfer Erica Blasberg, whose sudden death last week at age 25 remains a mystery, was remembered during a public memorial service in her hometown Wednesday as a passionate competitor with a playful side and a generous heart.

Family members, friends and LPGA golfers praised Blasberg in person and on video during the service at Eagle Glen Golf Club in Corona where she played as a high school athlete. Two golf bags stitched with her name stood by her silver coffin.

She was “goofy, fun-loving and ultra-competitive,” Chase Callahan, her agent, told a standing room-only crowd.

http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=ap-golfersdeath-blasberg

[Auggie]

1. Photo:

[Awsi Dooger]

2. I was worried about Erica late last year

She obviously had become an alcoholic, based on her Twitter entries and numerous reports on major golf message boards. Las Vegas is a horrible city to live in if you have that weakness. With one exception, every Las Vegas friend or acquaintance of mine who died young was an alcoholic.

I'm convinced that alcohol played a part in Erica's death, probably an accidental death of alcohol mixed with drugs, perhaps Zolpidem. Her last reported activity was playing golf with a friend on Friday. She was found dead on Sunday afternoon. That leaves Friday and Saturday, the two major party nights particularly in Las Vegas. I think she was in no position to travel and therefore sent the wee hour text message to her caddie, saying she wouldn't make it to Alabama for Monday qualifying. Then once you back out of the trip, it's like a relief, and an excuse to drink some more.

Here are two links from one of the best golf blogs, one showing Erica last year, during the period it was obvious she had a problem. The second is a tribute including many pictures and anecdotes courtesy of her regular caddie:

http://www.weiunderpar.com/post/195431750/erica-blasberg-is-like-so-what-im-drunk

http://www.weiunderpar.com/post/615398001/the-girl-who-could-floor-you-with-a-grin

[LisaM]

3. Drugs.

A lot of young people are dying from bad drug combinations. Heath Ledger. Brittany Murphy. Anna Nicole Smith (not as young, but not old). Wake up, America.