I thought that the LPGA fought for years to get people to recognize the athletic acheivements of its players and not they're figures, but apparently they're ditching that thought and going back to the sexy. A New York modeling agency has hired seven LPGAers in an effort to doll them up and send them out into the world of advertising and sponsorships....

They are the Wilhelmina 7, a hand-picked group of seven LPGA pros represented by Wilhelmina Artist Management, a division of the New York modeling agency that includes such clients as singers Fergie and Ciara and actress Heather Graham.

Kim Hall was the first player recruited by Esch. The 26-year-old, a three-time All-Pacific 10 Conference player at Stanford, loved the photographs of her in a swimsuit. So did her husband, Casey.

"It was nice to feel glamorous," said Hall, one of four in the group who is playing in the U.S. Women's Open this week at Interlachen Country Club. "I'd rather be known for my golf, but it's a bonus when you're considered attractive. It's flattering. It's kind of nice to be one of the 'cute' ones."

The Wilhelmina 7 sounds awfully like the Oceanic Six doesn't it? Anywho, I don't really have anything against this idea on the surface but you can't have it both ways LPGA. Either embrace dudes looking at bikini photos of your athletes on the Internet or don't. Please don't try to lecture is in the future though if that's the angle you're taking.

The golfers include in the "seven" are: Minea Blomqvist, Sandra Gal (pictured), Anna Grzebien, Kim Hall, Johanna Head, Mikaela Parmlid and Stacy Prammanasudh.

I know what you're thinking....."WHO?" I have no idea either so here are some photos.

Modeling agency trying to add glamour to LPGA Tour (LA Times)