How many more negative articles can be written about past-told events that came to light more than a year ago? Is the nation’s appetite for negative-based journalism so prevalent that not one editor of any news organization will stand up and say, “THE TIGER WOODS’ SCANDAL?? THAT’S ENOUGH ALREADY!!
Geez.
Some say Woods’ affairs began as far back as 2003 and maybe even earlier. Although the STORY essentially belonged to 2009 (having surfaced in November of that year), it is touted as having been one of the biggest scandals of 2010.
Various sports news organization editors seem to choose the most unflattering photo of Tiger when they want to pictorially illustrate a negative point or story. Is this really news, or is using a poor quality photo part of some editors to paint Tiger as a really bad person?
It is true: Tiger brought his world down around his own ears with his infidelity. No one denies that, not even Tiger. As a result of his actions, Woods suffered the loss of his number-one ranking in world golf, the loss of sponsors, the loss of respect from many once-adoring fans and—most tragic of all—the loss of his marriage. Yet, after thousands of articles and stories, along with radio and television and internet banter, we still see writers and sports editors continuing to “milk” this story to death.
Tiger appears to have made significant strides in adjusting to life as a divorced father of two beautiful kids. His is busy rebuilding his on-course-off course image, which seems to be taking root. There is also evidence that Tiger is employing a new and fresh approach to the game of golf. Steve Williams, Tiger’s caddie, recently announced that the changes in Wood’s swing and the quality of his game have “turned a corner.”
The year 2011 is expected to be one of the most exciting in golf since 1996. That year marked the emergence of a young Tiger Woods, fresh off winning his third major (the US Amateur) and from having made his famous “Hello, World” comment at the Milwaukee Open. The next fourteen years of golf were like none in history as record-after-record was broken by the young Southern Californian. During those years the world awoke to golf shots and achievements never before thought possible by a single individual. Much has been written about Tiger’s amateur and professional wins and that will continue for the rest of his professional career. He will always be compared to the greats before and after him, as he should be.
It is now time to focus on what Tiger’s 2011 prospects might be as he faces the slew of young talented professionals, anxious to professionally “knock him off” golf ranking’s top spot. They include Rory McElroy, Graeme McDowell, Paul Casey, Sean O’Hair, Kevin Na, Anthony Kim, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Padrick Harrington, Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker, and tour rookie Joseph Bramlett along with a host of other worthy veterans and newcomers. Golf fans deserve to read and hear stories about these and many other golf professionals who are seeking their place in golf history and the nice feeling that comes with beating the best on any given Sunday afternoon.
That is the golf story that I am looking forward to reading and hearing about.
The 52nd Bob Hope Classic, scheduled for January 17-23 at four La Quinta golf courses, is the first of the mainland stops for golf’s new season. One of the most tradition-rich tournaments on the PGA TOUR, the Classic features 128 professionals and 384 amateur contestants and includes a stellar list of celebrities. You can log onto http://www.bhcc.com for tickets and other tournament information.