I was thinking today about why people admire their favorite players.  It’s a new season and I’ve got to figure out who I’m going to root for all year!  But first I decided to take a trip down memory lane to examine my “fan habits”.

True confession #1…
In the beginning of the Tiger reign, I was not a huge fan.   

Ah, the Great White Shark. (I’m picturing the poster I used to have in my bedroom in high school)  Many of the things people love about Tiger are probably the same things that I loved about the Shark back in the day.  He was fearless on the course, he had that fast, aggressive swing, he could bomb a drive but also have good hands around the green, and he was good-looking (hey, I’m a girl, I can’t help it!).  He was charismatic and also generous. 

Even as his off-course interests took more of his time and injuries impacted his game, I was loyal…still am.  (I am wearing a Greg Norman turtleneck right now)  He will probably be remembered by many for what he didn’t accomplish or what he let slip away (no comments from the Faldo fans, you know who you are ) , but for me, I still have a great highlight reel in my head (and on VCR tapes).  Hopefully I’ll be getting a wedding invitation!

I realize that people move on, people get older, talent slips away, younger fresh talent comes on the scene, but I miss my favorite players being on the top of the leader boards…Norman, Freddie Couples, Davis Love III, Nick Price, Peter Jacobsen, Paul Azinger, and Tom Lehman come to mind right away.   When I was watching the skins game over Thanksgiving weekend I really enjoyed all of the flashbacks to old skins games-ah, the memories. 

I’m drawn to the players who have a positive attitude and look like they are really enjoying the game.  I like the “nice guys”.  I’m also a fan of the underdog.  In recent years I’ve added to my fan list – Adam Scott…well, I needed a replacement for Greg, and he’s a pretty good substitute!   Sergio Garcia…for his love and enthusiasm of the game…and his commercials.  Retief Goosen-quiet, solid, all around nice guy (even though he killed our fantasy golf team last year).  Ernie Els – love his golf swing, and again, nice guy (hoping for a big comeback in ’08).  I also root for Steve Stricker-great guy and he’s from the Midwest. 

What a great response...thanks for sharing, WorkingHack.  I sort of felt alone with the whole Tiger thing, so it is nice to know that there were probably others out there who were a little slower to convert than others.  I really never thought of the jealousy aspect - but that is really a great point.  I'm pretty sure I've uttered the words..."if I would have been able to have the opportunities Tiger had I could probably make money at golf, too" - hmm, just a little envy popping out in me.  Busted.

I've heard a lot of negative comments about Greg Norman over the years, and I'm sure my rose colored glasses kept him in a postive light in my eyes.  I laugh now thinking about how awful I felt for him losing the Masters - friends actually called me to tell me how sorry they were...how funny is that??!! 

Thanks again for your thoughts - we'll see what 2008 has in store!

Oh Chip....what a great post!

My True Confession #1:  I love watching golf meltdowns as much as a NASCAR wreck.  I know I know...I'm a horrible person....but it's the truth.  And the greatest had to be the Norman meltdown at The Masters in 1996.  (Sorry Chip).  Blowing that six-stroke lead in the final round to Nick Faldo has yet to be equaled....(maybe Jean Van de Velde, 1999 British Open). It's not that I wanted him to lose.....not at all.  I love The Shark but it's just too mesmerizing.

My True Confession #2:  I love watching Michelle Wie.  Whether she's in her own personal meltdown or she's actually winning I can't keep my eyes off of what she's doing.

True Confession #3:  I love arguing with Fairway Freddy on this forum.  I cannot tell you how much fun we've had Wie bashing or bashing each other....but I love you Freddy.  The time is NOW and we have a whole new season of golf to chat about.  I love this site.    

 Ah, Turko, what a great post...well, sort of...actually, just give me a minute while I get some kleenex to wipe the tears from my cheeks.  Okay - I'm good now.  I mean the screen is a little fuzzy through my red eyes, but don't worry about me, I'll be fine!!!  [:'(]  LOL  I can't argue the allure of the choke - but when it's your favorite player it's painful!  I remember I didn't even watch the last few holes...what fun memories!  But I did watch every moment of Jean Van de Velde.

Thanks for sharing!! (well, almost all of it!) hee hee 

If you haven't read Steve Gribin's latest blog post Mickelson vs. Pampling, I really think you should!  It was a good read and I appreciated him sharing his perspective of being out there watching these guys during the last round - okay, go read it and come back!! 

So after reading it, I've decided to put Rod on my fan list - partly because I'm a root for the underdog kind of person and partly because up until now I really didn't even know who he was.  But I think Steve makes another good point in that Phil has gained the popularity he has because he's worked for it - he makes an effort to interact with fans and press, he seems respectful of the game, it's past and the good fortune it has given him... which has given thousands of people reasons to be in his camp...I'll admit it, I like Phil - I especially like him when he's on my roster and he wins!!  But seriously, a part of the reason I like him is that I think he's a great ambassador for the game of golf.  I know he can come across as fake to some, but I think his fan base shows that more than a few people think he's worth rooting for.  I think he also does good work outside of the golf world and I appreciate that, too.

The question of whether Rod needs to "do something" to have more of a fan base made me think - at first I thought, yes - it can't hurt to have a good PR machine getting your name and face out there for people to see if you're looking for recognition, but you know, not everyone has the gift of creating a great public image, so maybe that's just not him.  And then I thought, well, if he puts his name on the golf map by winning a major or two, and having microphones stuffed in his face for awhile maybe more people will put them on their radar...so maybe just proving himself on the golf course is what it takes.  But my last thought went to...is that even what he wants?  Some people thrive on acceptance and notoriety, while others just collapse under the weight of it all...maybe doing what he loves, playing golf, is enough for him and his friends and family give him all the acceptance he needs...I don't know.

What I do know is that this article made me think, and I liked that.  What did you think?

yep, read that, and agree with a lot of what you said ... while I can empathize with Rod, I don't really feel sorry for him, if that makes any sense ... basically, everyone has a right to have / create / maintain any public image they want, and of course they are going to gravitate toward that which makes them the most comfortable and/or successful ... thus, if having a majority of the crowd rooting for his playing companion was a contributing factor to his errors late in the round, then he either needs to adapt his mentality such that that type of situation might serve to motivate him in the future (yeah, easy for me to say) or he needs to work on his public image so that more folks will root for him (again, easy to say from the cheap seats) ...

and FWIW, I'm a big Phil fan also ... if he's a fake, he's a darn good one ... I like the smile and the fact that he really notices and acknowledges the fans ... I like the I'm-almost-embarrassed-that-this-many-people-are-cheering-for-me head nod that he does as he walks up to #18 green ... I really like the go-for-it attitude ... and I really like that on top of all of that he seems to be keeping his priorities in order in his life ... there are certainly worse role models out there ...

Since I've already admitted to being a long-time Greg Norman fan, it will be no shock that this past weekend's British Open was like turning back the clock for me..up until Thursday I had sort of given up on cheering on the Shark...I mean, I'm still crazy about him, but does he really need someone rooting for his next golf course design, his latest bottle of wine, his next season's apparel line, or the latest golf community? 

But he posts a 70 on Thursday and I'm just a little excited - I don't want to get my hopes up, but then comes another Even par round on Friday and you can't wipe the smile off my face - the emails and text messages start coming from my friends (are you watching?  can you believe it? Go Greg!)...it's sort of hilarious because it feels like it did 10 (or 20) years ago when I'm wondering if he's going to pull off another win.  But this time it's different - it's true joy watching him on that course just swinging again...draining some great putts...there are no expectations - and even Sunday, as he tees off on the first hole I think to myself, even if he doesn't win, he's already made a statement...those first 3 days of golf were impressive! 

I wonder if he was trying too hard...even though he said more than once he was going to keep his expectations low, how does he not, just a little bit, think that he's got to go deep to pull this one off?  I got nervous everytime he pulled out the driver - and it seemed to fail him just a little.  As it becomes clear that he's just traveling too far down the leaderboard I'm still excited to watch every shot and to see him finish - 3rd place!!  Awesome!!  The 77 was tough, but watching him walk up 18 and seeing his appreciation for the fans, the course, and the Open it was just icing on the cake.  Winning might have made history for him, but he brought a spark back to golf this week that I hope will keep shining for the weeks to come.

And the only thing that would make me happier is to see him in the field for the 2009 Masters!!  Thanks Greg, for a great week of golf.