The game was great before Tiger's era and will continue to be great after Tiger is gone and is playing 18 holes in the next world. Ben Hogan and Sam Snead will be right there with him, on the heavenly greens. Just think about it, chances are you're a golfer. Right? Suppose Tiger shows up on your green and asks if he can join your threesome or asks if he can play through. What are you going to say? Uh-huh, we thought so. Given half-a-chance, most people would almost certainly play with Tiger. Of course, there's no way they could match the caliber of his game, his handicap nor the arc of his swing. No way. But would they miss the opportunity? Uh-uh, no way buddy. You can bet the farm on that.
Its this spirit of the game that will keep Tiger from feeling the same isolation of Harry Stoner. He may feel a lot alone on that big stage, making the biggest swing of his life and career. A Lot Alone. Wagner and Shakespeare couldn't have invoked more drama and expectation. In that regard, its kind of a thrilling moment. One of the greatest athletes of all time has been humbled. And he's being humbled again. But he'll get up and go back to what he was doing in the first place. That takes a great deal of character. More than most bloggers got, chum.
Morality and ethics? What about those you ask? Yeah, since when do those have to do with what goes on in a player's...er, sorry...Freudian slip...athlete's life outside of the arena? You've probably slipped up somewhere along the way, at least just a little. Oh it was for a good cause, right? It was forgiveable. Half of the time, these things are forgiveable. Half of the time, probably not. Look at some other great figures in history - in general - that took a fall... Recall the proverbs, "Even Homer nods" and "Let he who is without sin...". And what about the damage to his personal life? Not really any of our business, even though the media and celebrity make it our business. Which is why even write and talk about Tiger and others, anyway. You see, if there were nothing to talk about, then there would be nothing to talk about. Right? Yeah, lets leave that argument where it is, because it is an argument that has no ending.
And that half-joking crack and others about being a player? Or a sport? That's going to go on and on... He might just have to grin and bear it. You see those things can be a help. Help him keep his eye on the ball. Groan... Keep him from tripping over his club...er, shaft...er, bag...Oh never mind! The point is, there are a lot of jokes and superstitions and lore about golf that go on and on with or without Tiger. It doesn't make things a farce. One bad thing, however. The name. Before there even was a Tiger Woods, there has always been this stupid superstition about the tiger being a symbol of disappointment and disaster. Well, it may ring true. But those things can be overcome...look at Katrina, Banda Aceh...and well, others...
But what about his brand, his business, his craft...his, his money? What about it? Do you have a brand? Do have a worldwide enterprise with charitable works based solely on your talents, your celebrity and - well - how the people have responded to you? Nope. Nothing like it? There has never been a brand like Tiger. Never will be. Until the next Great One shows up. And chances are, he or she is gonna have a fall too...
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FOM: Repentant Woods sorry for affairs ,Tiger Apology, Tiger Woods Apology Didn't Please Everyone, Did Tiger's Body Language Betray Him? and Tiger's Mother Defends Her Son
Revised/Updated: Friday, February 19, 2010; Sunday, February 21, 2010
Revised/Updated: Friday, February 19, 2010; Sunday, February 21, 2010
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