My wife and I were talking about the Tiger Woods fiasco, and what it meant to golf, considering the greatest player in the world and the damage he has done to himself and the sport of golf.
Tiger and his former wife Elin?
First of all, in my opinion, golf is the greatest game ever played, and has demonstrated to be played by genteel and mannered men (and women) who put the rules on a pedestal and follow them to the end.
My wife said out of the blue, “What does this mean for the Masters?” I asked her what she meant? She said, ” in my estimation the Masters is made up of gentleman who have played by the rules on and off the golf course, and many if not all are successful in their area of expertise.” She went on to say that “Tiger can’t sully these men’s reputations, but these men certainly expect more from the Masters winners of their tournament and have expectations, that apparently Tiger can’t live up to any longer.”
She makes a good point. Bill Clinton did the unspeakable in the oval office with a young woman and still finished his term. The problem is, everytime I see Bill Clinton I am reminded of how classless this man is. How he degraded the office of the President of the United States with his lack of class and his uncontrollable urges? Pete Rose had a real gambling problem that was so severe that he put his whole career on the line and lost the bet. The legacy of Pete Rose at Cooperstown will never be, even though he was the greatest hitter of all time, he is but an asterisk in the footnotes of sports history.
If half of what is being said about Tiger, and his sordid affairs all over the country are true, how can anyone look at him when he steps up to the #1 tee at the Masters in April of 2010 and not think “how classless can this guy be?” What has he done to himself, his reputation, and the game of golf? Does he not have any respect for himself at all?
Maybe Tiger is sick? Maybe he needs professional help like any other addict needs help in overcoming an addiction that apparently he can’t control. If he was diagnosed with a sexual addiction problem, then the world will be more understanding an dmerciful.
I cringe to think about how embarrassed he will be when he plays in the British and US Opens this year. Then go on to play in the peer of peer tournaments, the PGA. I will be embarrassed just watching it unfold on TV.
Tiger has lost his reputation in the golfing world that he has worked so hard to hone the last 15 years. A reputation that had no blemishes or stains. A reputation beyond reproach so it seemed. Will his major victories ring hollow, or will he enlist the best public relations company that money can buy on this earth and remake himself into something he once was?
Young boys dreamed of being the next Tiger. Tiger dreamed through his foundation, and other non profits, of helping young kids become the very best they could be. He wanted a legacy that would reach generations long after he was through with golf.
Tiger, get your teeth fixed that your wife knocked out, get some professional help as soon as possible, most likely you have lost your marriage, but tomorrow is another day and in the near future when you have somewhat healed, you need to head to the driving range of life and start swinging ( a club).
Related posts: