Tiger Woods Story and Thoughts

- Chris Mile wrote from the December 14th, 2009 Newsletter:

I can’t get him off my mind and it seems that I am not alone. I have seen and laughed at many of the jokes, but something else is going on. Yes, there is humor, but there are a bunch of other thoughts on things like tragedy, disappointment, fame, fidelity, hubris, forgiveness, and deception.

I would like you to share your thoughts on Tiger’s problems with the Miles of Golf community. Assuming you pass a civility test, we will post your perspectives on the MOG Blog. There are over 9,000 customers in the MOG community, so you will be heard. As you may know, we have a contest with each issue of the Times. This week’s contest awards the most thought provoking comment about Tiger a new Nike driver. For details go to the Contest section of this newsletter.

Here is one of my thoughts about Tiger. As difficult as it is for Tiger and his family right now, his problems don’t compare with the guy who has two children, a mortgage, and no job.

I am not sure if you have seen Tiger’s latest remarks, but they are on this link:

http://web.tigerwoods.com/news/article/200912117801012/news/

Below, are your thoughts on the story:

People may now more fully appreciate the significance of Jack Nicklaus’ historic achievements. His success was possible not only because of his great skills but also in large part to dedication to his family despite his great success. It is here that Tiger falls short. Golf will always be a great game IF its greatest underlying premise also endures. Those traits include honesty, integrity, and compassion without which success is hollow and meaningless.

Respectfully,

Mark Darnell

I find it curious that Tiger had enough time away from his wife to accomplish all of this infidelity. It’s not like she has to stay home to hold down a 9-5 job. Where was she during all of this?

There are always two sides to the coin. Perhaps he married her only to have children; perhaps she married him for the money. Perhaps it’s none of our business. The press seems to be scolding “bad” Tiger and sympathizing with “good” Elin; those roles may easily be reversed. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

The losers in the situation are the children, because their parents will never have trust in each other again.

R. Schleh

To me, the whole Tiger thing has left a pall on what we believe, or what we want to be real. Tiger was our (golfer’s) Santa Claus. He wore the same color red, he always came through in the clutch, he did things that seemed impossible. The only difference is, unlike Santa, who we put our faith in cookie crumbs and an empty glass of milk as proof of existence, we actually saw Tiger perform his magic.

Now we all feel we’ve been had. We don’t know what to believe. It’s like I’m a third grader again, the one who stood up for Santa when my classmates laughed at me and told he wasn’t real. But he was real, he had to be real. Right?

Imagine my disappointment later that day, when my parents told me my classmates weren’t lying. The sadness I felt then, seems an awful lot like the sadness I feel now.

Lon

Everybody falls short and makes mistakes, it will be how he responds that truly reveals his character.

Travis Clayborne

The remarkable part of Tiger’s story is NOT that he had girlfriends before or esp. after he married- the story is remarkable because of how high we- his fans, the media. Tiger himself, his coterie and IMG- placed him on his lofty pedestal, reserved for larger than life figures, and how long we kept him there. Tiger’s precipitous fall from grace has more to do how high he started than how low he has fallen.

Reed Newland

Here are my random thoughts re: Tiger Woods:

First, I wish Tiger and his family a speedy recovery. I pray that TW is committed to the rebuilding process, and I hope Elin can forgive and turn this into a growing, bonding experience.

Second, I refuse to sit in the seat of judgement, and I have a great deal of contempt for the so-called journalists who are capitalizing on the Woods’ family tragedy. Leave him alone, give him space and privacy and time to heal. There are those who say that he chose the public eye and deserves this microscope. That is just another journalistic lure into the amoral world of celebrity gossip and news-rag sales.

Thirdly, I believe TW will gain insight and perspective that comes from making a mistake and fighting to save his marriage. He is now on a playing field where money does not spare him from heartache, and he now knows that tragedy does not recognize status or income level.

Lastly, we need to send a clear message of forgiveness to Tiger as we “forgive those who trespass against us”. May we climb down from the pedestal of judgement and sit at the table of forgiveness. Tiger deserves a second chance. Are there any here who would not plead for the same for themselves?

Respectfully,

Dave Kamke

There are a million stories in the Naked City. Now there are one million and one.

The revelations concerning Wood’s reported transgressions stirred within me conflicting emotions: The usual; a man who had everything, a man of unparallel talent and skill, a man of character and class, a man who was just so good at his chosen profession that deep inside, we wanted him to fail. Just to prove that he was indeed a human, we wanted him to fail, at least occasionally. However the reality of his failure has not brought joy to anyone. Perhaps in spite of our wish to see the human side of Tiger, this is not the human side we had in mind.

What Tiger and golf had represented to me was a glimpse of a society built on good character, hard work and perseverance. A society far removed from today’s crude, vulgar, and classless participants.

The King is dead. Long live the king.

Dennis G. Fassett

Six years ago at a Monday meeting of our office I asked my fellow workers if they knew the scores of the past Saturday’s college football games, they all knew the scores, I subsequently asked them if they knew how many soldiers had died in Iraq that week, not one of them knew.

It is time to stop thinking about Tiger Woods, think about the soldier, golfer or non-golfer who is in Afghanistan or Iraq fighting for his Country or the Father, Mother, Wife, Husband and the children that are mourning a fallen soldier.

Vic Munoz

I think it is sad. It goes to show that no matter how famous you are. How much money you have. How good you are. There are other thing in life that is more Important… being smart, being loyal and being a husband and father first. He has a lot of growing up to do. Lets hope and pray that he has learned about life like he learned about golf. After all this is done lets hope he can continue his golf career.

MORT HIRSHMAN

The disclosure of the shear number of women and tawdry affairs Tiger had seemed surreal to me. It still does. I realized quickly that the pain and suffering his wife and family were going through should be the main concern of any decent person. Because children are involved, Tiger needed to do what ever it took to try to make amends, if that is even remotely possible. It now appears that by quitting golf indefinitely, he is headed in the right direction.

As the initial shock has worn off, I’ve developed a personal, selfish sadness because something so great in the game of golf has been forever changed. I’ve watched every tournament that Tiger has been in for over a decade, joined in his sadness when his dad passed away, was happy with him when his first child was born, worried when injuries threatened his march towards Jack’s record, reveled in his spectacular victories. But now it is all changed. I have no doubt he will play again and probably pass Jack’s record. But I will watch a little less and I will care a little less and that makes me very sad.

Fred Sertage

I’ll stay away from all the usual comments…

Anyone who is wealthy and well known can never be completely convinced that he is liked, or loved, by someone else just as a person, rather than as a rich person whom it is advantageous to know. Think of how a pet dog relates to you…the dog who loves you doesn’t know you’re rich, or poor. That’s what we all want from a mate.
I think there is zero chance Tiger will hit 18 majors, let alone 19 because
1. We all peak, physically, at age 27. Tiger will be seven years past that in a few days. His best years are behind him, and he’s getting older every day.
2. Bad experiences punish us, all of us. Palmer’s collapse at the 1966 U.S. Open is the best example, but Snead’s 8 at Spring Mill (on a par-5 hole) cost him his first chance at the U.S. Open, which ‘cursed’ him throughout his career. If he could have shot 69 in the last round of every open he played, he would have won 7 of them. Tiger’s final round at the PGA this year will never leave his consciousness.
3. Up until now, when the other golfers were in a Tiger Tournament, each was one of the Others. They were all deluded into thinking that Tiger was superhuman; now, none of them. Especially Parnevik.
4. Starting in the U.S. Open of 2007, Tiger’s putting in majors started to get tentative…for him
5. He started to close badly – bogeying in – three years ago, in majors
Given that Tiger is smart enough to appreciate that he won’t break Jack’s record, what’s the point of him working his butt off at a game where his skills are beginning to diminish, his reputation as a man is tarnished, and he’s already won everything there is to win?
Tiger’s father was divorced and remarried. He was the driving force behind Tiger, and he died in 2006. My guess is that Tiger wants to surpass his father in everything, including not being a divorced man. He has children, and knows about being part of a ‘blended’ family. If he thinks he can convince his wife to stay married to him, he’ll do anything, including give up golf totally, to do it.

Nat Ehrlich

I was taught so much about character, drive and commitment by watching Tiger.

A fantasy goal, but always reaching to be like him. Now what?

Ron Hackenberg

Tiger Woods’ Bio with spelling fixes

1977 – Tiger’s first birthday. “Let’s go Tiger. We’re going to Miles of Golf’s Cluboratory to get you fitted for a set of irons.”

And so it all began, Tiger trying to make up for years of lost time.

Rick Wiker

Tiger was raised to be a professional golfer. He is an only child who appears to have had such a highly structured childhood that it was not a childhood at all in any conventional sense. This, when combined with the adulation that came to him at an early age, prevents him from bringing the same mature discipline to his personal life that he brings to his professional life.

Dave McDowell

Tiger and his game will never be the same. Because of what happened, he will not catch Jack’s record.

Too bad. He had it all.

John

Having experienced this exact situation myself, I understand why Tiger has made the decision to take a leave from golf. The brevity of the situation cannot be understood unless you have walked in the shoes of those that have hurt themselves, their family, and their friends in this way. No one will ever understand how or why someone with so much could make the decisions he has made. He now has to live with the embarrassment his lack of judgment has caused himself and his family. I hope and I pray that Tiger and his family can move past this traumatic time and prosper as a healthy, loving, nurturing family once again. I know Tiger will take all the necessary time he can to ease the pain of not only himself and his family, but the golfing world and his fans. Sure we will miss seeing his fist pumps on the 18th green when he drains a tournament clinching putt and his overall grinding nature on the golf course. I think we as a society need to refrain from immortalizing these exceptional athletes, it only causes us to pass horrific judgments when we find out they are not “perfect.” Shame on us for taking liberty in creating humor in the face of one of our fellow golfer’s time of pain and suffering!

Sincerely,

Patrick Sluck

More than any emotion felt through all of the Tiger fall-out, for me, it is disappointment. Tiger was that larger than life human being that was ordained to be above any and all. The power of the Tiger brand was unquestioned. Tiger equaled excellence, commitment; the highest standard in any conversation. The Tiger brand had all of the success that anyone could ever dream of having along with a beautiful family. He was the ultimate combination of talent and hard work who realized all of his potential and became more than just the best athlete on the globe…ever.

He was a role model for so many demographics regardless of race, ethnicity, age or sex. Despite Charles Barkley’s position that no athlete should be a role model; Tiger was that role model for so many because of what his image stood for and for how he was marketed to us all. From the loss he felt with his father’s passing to the incredible US Open win on one leg to his undying commitment to The Tiger Woods Foundation, we all were a part of Tiger Woods and he was a part of all of us.

In golf he was superhuman and his image was projected to be that as well. In reality, his golf is still superhuman. In life, however, Tiger Woods is merely human. His image and persona were a facade. For all that we thought Tiger Woods was and what we have found that he really is, is more disappointing than anything else. It’s disappointment in him as a person and disappointment in all of us that we bought into the hype regarding his persona, image and brand.

So, in the end, we are disappointed that Tiger is just a person like the rest of us. He’s not a superhero, he’s not a role model and he’s not father and husband of the year. He is just the best golfer and athlete in the world and we will view him in that lens from now on.

Jeff Kellstrom

I’ve been told that most cats have nine lives. Mr. Woods has at had at least 12 that we’ve heard of. But when every thing is said and done, he is a “Tiger” after all. In his next life he will have to be able to rid himself of those pesky, identifying stripes. But then we all know how that will turn out, don’t we.

Kenn Scheffer

For what it’s worth, here are my thoughts:

On what planet could Tiger imagine that this would not come out eventually? From an outsider’s perspective, he has a remarkable, God-given talent for playing one of the hardest games ever invented. He has more money than he could possibly ever spend. He has a beautiful wife and two beautiful kids. He has physical health. He has (had) and opportunity to do an enormous amount of good with his fame and fortune. He may yet set every record for winning majors, for winning tournaments, for scoring, for putting, for hitting “impossible” shots, but now that his true character has been exposed, he’ll NEVER be another Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer, or Gary Player…..or Phil Mickelson….or Mark Calcavechia….or Kirk Triplett….or…or…

Bill Monger

I send my response to Chris’ request to the parents of golfers at Miles of Golf. As the “news” of yet more of Tiger’s pecedilloes hit us ad nauseum on a daily basis, think about Tiger’s life and the choices that were not made by him, but the choices made for him. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not relieving Tiger of any blame in this mess. He is a grown man after all and made those particular decisions on his own. What I do see is a continuation of the disturbing trend of young athletes being packaged and bred for success only to have either performance or societal issues upon reaching adulthood. The names are familliar to all of us. Tiger, Michelle Wie, Sean O’Hair, Ty Tryon. Things were perfect for all of them. Parents chucking it all to make little Johnny or Susie the next greatest thing. The best equipment, AJGA tournaments, teaching pros, sports psychologists, personal trainers and doting parent(s) walking along every shot of the way.

The missing ingredient in all of this is what is little Johnny’s or little Susie’s input in this whole scenario? Kids are loyal by nature and want to please their parents. So when the questions arise, do you want to play golf today? Or, do you want to hit another bucket of balls? The answer is most likely to be yes. As parents, we must disseminate whether that response was out of loyalty or out of a true desire to play and improve at what is agruably the greatest sport in the world? Kids MUST be allowed in this process. They MUST learn to make decisions on their own. They MUST be allowed to make mistakes. Finally, they MUST learn accountability for their actions. Make the kids good people before making them good players.

In Tiger’s case, I fear he wasn’t allowed any participation in the process of what his life was going to be. Ditto for Michelle, Sean and Ty. In the best case scenario, each of them were involved in awkward social situations because of decisions that their “handlers” made for them. In the worst cases, lives become ruined as in the case of Tiger & Elin or Sean O’Hair and his father. Oh sure, they might have success and money, but is this really how we want them to turn out? Is there true happiness in their lives?

My dear friend Paul Haase, is fortunate to teach many of the finer junior players in the area. Perhaps I should restate that. YOU PARENTS are fortunate that Paul Haase is teaching your kids. Of all of the kids he has taught over a nearly 40 year teaching career, I believe exactly ONE has gone on to play professional golf. Conversely, the list of Universities that “his kids” have attended is among the best this country has to offer. He says he is blessed to have the quality of person that he does. He says he can teach anyone to golf. He can’t help them become better people.

To close, let your kids be kids. Make them good people. Don’t make the game a job. Let them enjoy the game. If you do, you are giving them a gift that can literally last a lifetime.

Humbly Submitted,

John Pearson

Not one ounce of sympathy from here. You summed it up in one sentence Chris when you said “his problems don’t compare with the guy who has two children, a mortgage, and no job.” This has become an all too familiar story relative to famous (or infamous) people enjoying great wealth, notoriety, position, etc. What causes the mental vacuum that convinces the Tiger Woods’ of the world that they are without any responsibility to their family, their supporters, and their consumers? I don’t know and I really don’t care, but I do know that I don’t have buy Nike products or anything else with “TW” associated with it. As for the Nike driver you’re providing to the winning comment - here’s a suggestion, donate it to a high school golfer who’s playing with a set of used clubs, or give it to someone who can’t buy any new clubs because they lost their job this year. The only fitting conclusion to the TW story will be to learn that he’s acquired a screaming case of aids from one of his “extra friends” and that he will no longer be a distraction to the wonderful world of golf.

Respectfully,

Larry

I agree with Chris.Many guys in a similar situation would not be as lucky.

Tiger basically wrecked a probably sponsored car, which had some windows smashed by a probably sponsored golf club.

He probably was even bleeding on some sponsored clothing.

I understand it’s rough, but “regular” guys would have it much tougher, if they ever came into this situation…..

Jens Kretzschmar

I’ve been a Tiger fan for as long as I’ve been a golf fan, but I’ve never thought of him as somehow being a better person than me. I simply loved watching him play golf - didn’t know anything about his personal life, didn’t want to know anything. But I guess I always assumed he was, at least, on okay guy. Honestly, it’s not like me to pass judgment on someone I’ve never met, but if half of the story is true (and from Tiger’s own statements, it looks like more than half is true) then he is NOT an okay guy. We’re not talking about a brief, celebrity fling or one lonely night on the road here. Ten mistresses in two and a half years isn’t simply human weakness - a youthful mistake anyone could have made, or one chalked up to the pressures of being famous. No matter who you are, that level of disregard for your sacred vows shows a serious lack of moral character and integrity - two traits we can usually take for granted in golf.

I’m a pretty rational person and I hope I can separate the man from the golfer, and still enjoy watching him win tournaments when he returns. I’m certain there will be many fans who can’t or won’t. The huge crowds will still be following him at every event, but a lot more people will be rooting against him now. Will there be hecklers shouting in his backswing? Tense confrontations between Tiger (or rather, Tiger’s security detail) and members of the gallery, or emotional outbursts between pro-Tiger and anti-Tiger golf fans? The question of whether to forgive and forget - or at least to ignore - could be a polarizing force in a sport where, for the most part, everyone is used to being pleasant and getting along.

Respectfully submitted,

Dan Plonka

As this holiday time brings thoughts of family, home, goodwill and kindness; for Tiger Woods I expect it to be a very, lonely time. He has shown little regard for that, which most people are thankful to have in their life. Especially at this time of year. Money and fame combined with personal selfish have made for a somber, holiday season for Tiger. Let’s hope Santa’s gift to Tiger Woods isn’t just a stocking full of coal but a nicely, wrapped box of moral fiber and humility.

C.T. Meagher

Tigers education in opposite sex relationships was never developed in his youth, and his wealth and acclaim has fostered his experiencing it in a harmful and injurious way.

One of the great anomalies in life is in that often times the need to excel in any one endeavor leads to travesty in others.

Garo Tread

In response to Chris Mile’s comment comparing Tiger’s “woes” to the poor guy with two kids, a mortgage and NO job…personally I think Tiger’s WORSE OFF, because the other bloke probably still has his integrity intact, and that’s something all Tiger’s $$$Millions can’t buy back.

C.H. Koenn

How much has race played a part in the media hype over Tiger’s infidelity?

If Tiger’s wife was black, would the media hype been the same?

Below are excerpts from a Jason Whitlock column (FOXSports.com national columnist):

When I talked with sociologist Dr. Harry Edwards, he addressed the racial dynamic more seriously.

“If Elin were black, this would be on the scale of Mike Tyson and Robin Givens,” Dr. Edwards explained. “It would’ve lasted a while and then it would just go away.”

That may sound preposterous to some, but it’s not. The media and the public overreact to whatever crimes/unfairness befall an attractive white woman (Natalee Holloway). Jordan, Ali and Magic all managed to play on their black wives without receiving much criticism. Shaquille O’Neal just finished off the remaining credible pieces of his marriage to a black woman by allegedly having an ongoing affair with Gilbert Arenas’ fiancee. No one cares. But this brown-skinned golfer is facing ruin because he cheated on his white wife.

“You’re getting reverberations of O.J.,” Dr. Edwards said. “White America, corporate America feels betrayed. Tiger was accepted and given all the perks and benefits and now they feel betrayed, the same betrayal they felt with O.J.”

Harry Laughlin

Some have criticized Tiger for being duplicitous, since his public image was so clean-cut before these recent events. I tend to disagree. Criticize him for his transgressions, ok, but don’t blame him for appearing “holier than thou.”

It occurs to me that Tiger never set himself up as a paragon of virtue. His public image was mostly clean-cut, excepting the occasional cuss word after a bad shot. This positive image was created primarily by his penchant for privacy, not by any attempt to claim virtue.

Although his golf has always been very public, he worked hard at maintaining personal privacy, sticking to golf and not even venturing opinions on issues outside of the golf arena. He also surrounded himself with people who respected his privacy, at times casting out those who became too public (for example, his former caddie Fluff Cowan).

His success at maintaining a very private personal life – combined with his virtuoso golf game – led the public to assume his personal life was as virtuous as his golf was virtuoso. Now we know he’s not more virtuous, but when he returns to golf he will again be a virtuoso. This not does not make him duplicitous, just more human.

Brent Rector

My wife and I were Tiger’s biggest fans. We still are. Unfortunately, he proved to be just as human as the rest of us, maybe more so because of his fame and wealth. It happens so often that it should be predictable. When the rich and famous start believing in their own press clippings, when they believe they are above all “normal” moral codes, and no one has the guts to tell them any different, they can be in for a very rude awakening. Unfortunately, this happened to Tiger. That being said, I hope that Tiger and Elin learn from this and, hopefully, work it out.

Jim MacBain

A STEP FORWARD

Promises are made to be broken. At least that’s what Aesop said around 580 BC. Yes… THAT Aesop. The one with the fables about the Tortoise and The Hare, The Ant and The Grasshopper and so on. So we can safely say that people have been breaking promises for, well let’s see… at least the past 2500 years (and certainly longer if you take into consideration the Greek, Egyptian and Chinese civilizations at their peaks). Business promises. Political promises. Promises of fidelity and morality. These verbal contracts – if you will – that outline how a person will act or behave with regard to another person. I promise to deliver this furniture to your house. I promise to find you a job when I’m elected. I promise never to hurt you. I promise to love and to cherish you until death do us part.

“I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children.”

We like to say that a man’s word is his bond. After witnessing broken promises by so many people – private and public - just in my lifetime, I wonder is there anyone we can believe? Does humanity just not have the ability to make and keep promises? Is a promise something that is too good to be true? Is a promise really just a collection of words that create the illusion of stability between people? Between business associates… Between lovers… Between a husband and a wife. Is the mirage most visible when the “promissee” feels safe and cared for and the “promissor” seems important and worthy of trust?

“I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I’ve done, but I want to do my best to try.”

To me, a promise is something that is still rather special and is not to be made lightly. It is an expression of the faith we have in another person. It is the extension of trust that we give to others. A promise is a reminder that the only thing we truly possess in this life is the ability to give the best – or the worst – part of ourselves to other souls on this planet. This duality of light and dark resides within all people. The light in humanity makes a kept promise something special because the darkness in humanity makes it something very fragile.

“I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding.”

We’ve all seen the light in Tiger Woods. His athletic accomplishments elevated him to the status of a god in our society. His means have allowed him to provide wonderful things for underprivileged children. He is living the dream for the rest of us. He has money, athletic skill, worldwide fame, good looks, a big house, a big boat, a beautiful wife and two healthy children.

The darkness in Tiger helped break the promises he made to everyone. He broke the inferred and actual promises he made to his business associates, his fans and his wife. He is no longer someone to believe in. Another young god fallen from Olympus. He is – after all – simply human.

“Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.”

We are all human. We all step forward and fall back. Tiger is the only one who really knows if he’s truly sorry for the promises he’s broken. Should he have done things differently? I think so, but the obstacles on his path in life are different than mine. I do not hold him in quite the same awe as before, but it is not my place to judge him during his struggle in this life. And we all have struggles as human beings. Two steps forward and one step back. Shouldn’t we encourage each other to take that step forward? Then there’s extra room in which to support each other when we inevitably fall back.

- Jack Carlson

Tiger has a good heart and what has happened will go away. His good deeds far surpass his bad deeds. He will come back as good as ever. Golf and us need that to happen.

Mark A Calcatera

What I find the most remarkable about Tiger is the number of great golfers who rose to number two in the world only to fall back in the pack while he remains number one. What a testament to consistancy dedication to practice. I hope we see him back on the course sooner than later.

Jeff Zeldes

What is greatness?

I found myself asking this when the stories erupted about Tiger and his personal life ( preceded by something extraordinary in his professional life: throwing his driver which ricocheted into the crowd during tournament play in Australia ).

After that, all the superlatives about his supernatural skill and concentration and his ability to handle distractions came unraveled. He was unable to handle the distractions of vice, greed, and pride.

Greatness, I think, is about making wise decisions in moments when no one is watching as well as when literally everyone is watching, when one executes the minute particulars of everyday life with the same precision as the 82 yard gap wedge. Because when all is said and done, what you do or don’t do ends up being about…choice. Judgement is something you get to use first, but then gets used on you when people look at what you’ve done and determine what kind of person you are - great, or not so great.

Sean Kesterson

Thought #1: Education, fame, fortune, the foundation, sponsors, privacy ….Tiger stated many times that his mom was the disciplinarian and his dad was responsible for his training. I’m wondering how long it’s going to be until we hear from some woman that she was Earl Woods mistress years ago.

Thought #2: I think Tiger’s hiding because he has some extensive facial and/or teeth injuries that are healing or requiring corrective procedures.

submitted by

Vicki Holland

Tiger Woods has been hailed a fine, respectful, historically mindful, rule abiding master of this game we all love, called Golf. Golf is a game of integrity. It is well known that Golf, and its time honored rules, are mostly self–assessd. Therefore, I would have hoped that Tiger would have “carded a better score” for him and his family if only he would have called this penalty/“transgression” on himself much “earlier in the round.” His only worry now is that he must deal with this rule violation with his “foursome”(wife Elan and children Sam and Charlie) and his foursome alone. Golf is game for life. It should teach us all, from a 10 handicapper, husband and father of four from Chelsea, Michigan to arguablely the greatest golfer that has every put a club in his hand , how to be forthcoming, humble and contrite.

PS. I sure hope his young family, his life long foursome, will allow Tiger the same latitude that my weekend golfing foursome allows me on the first tee…..

“A mulligan.”
Jonathan F. Lane

When the scandal erupted I wasn’t really shocked. When you see Tiger on the golf course it is obvious he is the most competitive golfer out there and everyone seems to defer to him, with the possible exception of Vijay Singh. He seems to have ice water in his veins at times and I began thinking that while this makes him a great golfer, if he can’t “turn it off” off in his private life it could lead to problems. Perhaps that is why Phil Mickelson seems more human than Tiger.

Charlie Pierce published a piece in GQ in 1997 revealing Tiger’s juvenile behavior back then. The gist of his story back then was that the young Tiger cussed, told dirty jokes and chased women. Tiger’s agents at IMG mounted a big push back and it appears no one actually followed up much on the story.

My wife also believes that it may have something to do with the way he was raised. He was such a phenom perhaps he didn’t have a real childhood and if you saw his father in public he seemed like a dominant personality and his mother seemed to deferential.

We are used to seeing these stories on other pro athletes so maybe it is just golf’s turn. I think it will be more interesting to see how the PGA does without him. So no pity for Tiger, he dug his own hole, but empathy for his wife and kids.

Brian Fitzgerald

Tiger built his life on golf and he did it very well. He has been the best clutch player to ever play and now he has to build part of that life over again. Those who say that he has ruined our view of his accomplishments, makes me laugh. Not sure what his out side life has to do with his professional life. I am dissappointed, surprised, and caught of guard, YES. I enjoyed watching him play golf, hitting shots that no other person on the golf course that day could pull off. I have never, nor will I ever understand this concept of stalking famous people. Before Tiger I was a shark fan. I saw Greg norman play at the Buick Open, I watched him play a few holes and then I moved on. Tiger is famous for golf, he is still a great golfer and hopefully he will get his personal life around and return to golf a better man off the course.

Ralph Kridner II

Leo Durocher [who?] said it all: nice guys finish second. In order to be a successful competitor in any sport, it is NECESSARY to have the kind of personality that is not only untroubled by being disliked, but desirous of it. If you are a winner, you will be disliked – even hated – by everyone you beat, and the more you win, the more their envy grows. It took almost 34 years for Tiger to develop his personality, with the aid of his parents. He has embraced it. Can he change? Only by becoming someone else, who is not the best golfer on the planet.

Case in point: Nick Faldo overcame his early nice-guy “Nick FOLDo” loser persona and became Nick the P****. He transformed himself BACK into his earlier self by being paired with his erstwhile sworn enemy, Paul Azinger. Now he’s Sir Nicholas, KBE.

Tiger has no Mr. Nice Guy to revert to. He doesn’t need the money, or the rigors of playing Tour Golf, and it’s doubtful that, at his advanced age competitively (remember, he’s been a Tournament-playing Golfer for 24 years). My bet is that he’ll attempt a comeback (irresistible) and then, when he realizes that he’ll never be the best again, go away from golf.

Finally, Earl Woods, his father, predicted in a 2001 interview that Tiger would win 14 majors! Smart guy, that Earl.

Nat Ehrlich

Like many other people I felt this huge sense of betrayal. Gosh, I wonder how his wife and close (not in the know) friends felt. As I thought about it, I felt silly for feeling betrayed. I like to think that I am beyond putting athletes on pedestals and projecting my ideal of what they are, but that is exactly what I did with TW. Why? Probably a perfect storm. Foremost is the immense talent mixed with immense drive. I always think that this is what it must have been like to watch Babe Ruth in his prime. Then there were all of the other things: his multi-racial background. His everyday socio economic status. His youth. His mind. Then we had IMG/Nike craft all of this and more into The Perfect Human Being Golfer Philanthropist Family Man image.

Shame on me for willfully ignoring all the signs of selfishness and narcissism that were put in our face every day. His repeated dissing of fans seeking autographs. His notorious reputation for ridiculously low tipping of clubhouse attendants and anyone else who served his needs. His glares when anyone breathed wrong during his swing. His absolute unwillingness to refrain from his foul language while on TV. His childish anger when anyone had the audacity to analyze his swing and suggest a flaw.

If you want the clearest juxtaposition of the difference between a golfer who seems truly a good person and a golfer in love with himself, go to YouTube and find the recording of Justin Leonard’s victory speech after winning the Open. Then compare it to any victory speech by Tiger. One is humble, gracious and genuinely overcome with emotion at the realization of an accomplishment. The other merely pretends at these things.

Is Tiger an awful person? Yes. Here is the guy known as a deep thinker on the course, always thinking many steps ahead, always seeing the big picture, always wondering how each move will play out in the long run. Yet when it came to his wife and two children he did not think past the end of his…um…nose. Only an awful person would engage in such reckless behavior knowing that the result would be the utter public humiliation and devastation of his wife. And, (as Margie said in FARGO) “for what?” Cheap (in the human, not the economic, sense) thrills.

I will watch when he comes back. I will enjoy his golf, just as I continue to watch Woody Allen movies knowing what a bad person he is. But it won’t be the same. That’s not his fault, it’s mine.

Joe Burke

Dear Tiger,

I don’t think we really know who you are!

In addition to chronicling your many outstanding accomplishments on the golf course, the media has portrayed your image as one of integrity. As were millions of others, I was drawn into recognizing you as this icon.

I understand the special privileges confronting you. Not so strange based on the myth of the celebrity. You helped yourself to the candy. The choices you made were simply because you could and you couldn’t resist. You have proved to be merely human and have indeed erred.

The lesson here is a troubled and difficult one for us, the public. And we cannot help you. You made the bold decisions you did. Now can you make the tough decisions?

We want to hear from you.

I want to know who you really are.

Tim Bortles

Fred Sertage

To close, let your kids be kids. Make them good people. Don’t make the game a job. Let them enjoy the game. If you do, you are giving them a gift that can literally last a lifetime.

Humbly Submitted,

John Pearson

- Thank you to all who have submitted their thoughts on the Tiger Woods story.

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