Hope all is well... For most, I guess this is spring vacation week, so get out and play some golf with your kids. I was able to do that this week in Hawaii - the advantage of having a wife that gets invited on movie junkets. Everyone thinks I have a cool job, but Sandie beats me hands down.
It was one year ago next Monday that my dad passed away. During my vacation, I had some quiet time to reflect on some of my memories with him. Other than the Cuban missile crisis, they all seemed to be sports oriented. I so remember him talk about the Yankees of the late 20’s. He watched Ruth and Gehrig; he watched Willie Mays and Joe DiMaggio When the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, we got season tickets; when the Lakers moved to Los Angeles, we got season tickets..... I think watching these greats had much to do with his success. He always talked about man's ability to focus on individual goals.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to see from the stands so many incredible sports moments. I got to see Fernando Valenzuela pitch two no-hitters; I got to be a part of the longest running infield in Dodger history, Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey; I was in the stadium when Kurt Gibson hit his famous home run. Of all I saw, Orel Hershiser’s scoreless inning streak was, by far, the most amazing. During that streak, I saw something most athletes only pray about. Being an athlete in complete command of his body, mind and soul; an athlete in such control his competition basically melts at his site...
In 1971, I saw the ultimate success, not from one basketball team, but from two. The Los Angeles Lakers got Wilt Chamberlin, the games greatest scorer, to realize that by changing his game he could win a World Championship. They also managed to win 33 in a row. 1971 also saw the start of an 88 game winning streak by John Wooden’s, UCLA Bruins.
Of all these moments, last Sunday moves right up the list. The only problem with Sunday... it wasn’t a major. As Tiger stood over his putt on the 18th hole, I knew it would go in. That is what he does. What makes him so great? He loves doing it. His greatness shines like the most vibrant of rainbows. He allows it to be exposed. Through all his desire for privacy, when it comes to his golfing success, he allows each of us to share in his glow. The look as the putt rolls in; the fist pump; the smile; the hug... always the same order, yet always so new and real.
If Bay Hill was the one that concerned all the pundits, what happens now? As I am writing, I am watching and Tiger is one off the lead. Gosh, wasn’t it just a few months back when a number of reporters and Golf Channel “experts” were telling Tiger he should fire Hank? Well, Hank, you hang in there... you get to keep your job for a couple more weeks. But, if you are concerned, at some point in the next year or two, I assume Tiger will lose and then people can start asking for your head again.
Just a couple of questions as we come to a close:
- Does anyone care about who is number two?
- Does anyone care about the 2nd field in side-by-side events?
- With the great news that the Tour has approved the use of the TPC only for the EDS Byron Nelson, will we get the field we deserve?
