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On the TUNNEYSIDE of SPORTS May 20, 2013 #437
Up next..."It was fun".
After further review..."I hit it so good today. It was
fun" said Tiger Woods after last weekend's The Players Championship
tournament. It was fun? Really? If it was fun Mr. Woods, please tell your
face! Throughout the play all four days there was nary a smile that
crossed Tiger's face. Of Course when David Lingmerth, a surprising
unknown, failed to birdie the 18th (which would have set up a
playoff with Tiger) the camera caught Tiger breaking out a huge smile and
saying, "How 'bout that!" OK, Tiger, how 'bout a smile on the
course from time to time?
This is not critique of Woods, per se; he certainly is
entitled to his own style of play. This is more about behavior of
athletes during competition. Tiger was raised as a strong-willed competitor;
and saying he was going to "kick-butt" in a tournament was
practically his verbal trademark. His focus during competition is fierce,
to say the least, and he is arguably the best golfer in the game today.
He certainly is to be congratulated on his four tour victories in 2013,
alongside his 78 career PGA tour victories. But he should remember the
many great golfers who preceded him and the many more who will follow.
What snared Woods in controversy once again was an ugly word
exchange born on the second fairway in round three of the tournament.
Sergio Garcia hit a poor shot from the fairway; he later blaming Tiger
for a distraction that was caused by Tiger taking a club from his bag and
the responsive loud cheer from his fans. The two batted irate words back
and forth during a weather delay that day. Was a simple apology too
difficult for either golfer to take? That often seems to settle disputes,
if said sincerely.
The game of golf is a "Gentlemen's Game" and for
the large majority of players, both amateur and professional, it is
played that way. Generally on their own, golfers observe regulations
concerning placement of the ball as the "book" demands. Even
Junior golfers are required to learn and observe their "Nine Core
Values". Playing golf for a living subjects one to constant and
extreme pressure. But this is a choice the professionals make, and we
should expect them to practice the common courtesies of the game.
Will you treat any game, including the game of life, with
gratitude, enjoyment, and respect?
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