Look, I get it!
The three or four of you out there who read my sports blog (optimistic) do not want to read another Tiger Woods story, or another article where I sing the golf pros praises. I hate to keep worshiping my golf hero and kissing his backside at every prospect, but I once again had an incredible Tiger Woods experience. Furthermore not only did I have an incredible Tiger experience, Tiger has once again had an incredible two weeks on the PGA circuit.
Tiger is the type of Iconic athlete that is either loved or hated.
There is no happy medium. There are plenty of great arguable points on both sides too. “He is too dominant, he owns an monopoly on the sport, and he is not fan friendly, he thinks he is better then the game and doesn’t need it.” All valid points against Woods. But sports history has had far greater villains who have accomplished far less.
So I realize those who hate Tiger, and read my blog are being alienated. However every sports journalist has a favorite. Howard Cossell had Muhammad Ali, and Steven A. Smith has Allen Iverson. And Peter Gammons has the Boston Red Sox. So why shouldn’t Tiger be my guy. As for the Blogers who actually stop at my site, if you’re a Tiger hater, stop reading now. Check back in two months, (optimistic) and maybe I will have something new to say.
I was in Chicago last weekend, once again working a corporate event at Cog Hill Country Club. Set up on the 12th hole, I watched Tiger up close and personal as he worked his way from the 11th to the 12th. I was so close to him as he walked through the crowd from hole to hole; I could have reached out and touched him.
The 12th is a Par 3, 212-yard hole. Tigers first shot was a line drive bullet straight up the fairway and right onto the putting green just 15 to 20 feet from the white flag. I moved in close to my corporate tent, which was up a hill to the left of the green. From there I watched Tiger’s second shot. After a few moments of mental preparation, Tiger hit the ball with a slightly aggressive tap. With his short swing the ball just kept rolling down hill along course with the hole.
The ball just kept moving and moving.
The noise of the crowd growing and growing, as the ball assumed this magical course.
Finally after what seemed like minutes. The ball hit the edge of the cup and sunk right in. A Par 3 in two of the most gorgeous shots I have ever seen on a Golf Course. The crowd went nuts, as Woods celebrated with his standard fist pump. From there it was a formality! Tiger took the trophy at Cog Hill and then it was off to Atlanta for the Championship at East Lake.
On Wednesday afternoon I was walking the course at East Lake Country Club in Atlanta looking for the concession tent where lunch was being served. Lost in my own thoughts, mainly thinking of food, I walked the spectator’s sidewalks between the sixth and seventh hole. East Lake Country Club was closed to fans, so only employees and tent workers were on the course. Suddenly while I was walking everyone around me had stopped. Golf carts and walking workers dead in their tracks as if time itself had come to a screeching halt. I remember thinking
“What the hell are these fools doing?”
as I walked on by. Then suddenly directly to my right, no more then four feet from where I stood was Tiger swinging his driver. He shot me a mildly dirty look, and I realized what I had just done!
I had just cut off Tiger Woods while he was preparing his tee off on six.
Embarrassed by my lackadaisical clumsiness on the course, I pulled off to the edge of the sidewalk, and watched the remainder of Tigers tee shots. I pulled my arms behind my back and stood at attention. Not even a mouse squeak could be heard from me. Turns out I was the fool!
Luckily Wednesday was just a practice!
But I highly doubt my interrupting the World’s Greatest Golfer slowed him down for even a second. Five days later, Woods recorded his 61st PGA victory. His victory was huge, as he was just crowned the first ever FedEx cup champion. A ten million dollar payday among other things. An accomplishment worthy of Tiger. Greatest golfer at East Lake, greatest golfer in August and September, and well on his way to the greatest golfer ever.
Ok, my butt kissing is done!
Now I promise to write something about MLB or the NFL and leave Tiger alone!
