***THIS POST MAY CONTAIN NOT-SO-THINLY VEILED REFERENCES TO A FOUR-LETTER WORD THAT MAY OFFEND SOME***
After four straight days of golf (mine), I watched the end of four other days of golf (Tiger's.) He stood over his putt, made it and his overwhelming excitement at making the putt made for a memorable sports moment.
Photo from Donald Mirelle/Getty Images
As Tiger high-fived his long-time caddy, Steve Williams, my high level lip-reading picked up Tiger's emphatic exclamation of, "F*** yeah!!!"
The first thing that went through my mind was that Tiger would easily fit in with any of the groups I play with. At my age, there aren't that many sports that one can play which challenge your body and mind while also building unique relationships with your partners and competitors. It was no U.S. open, but several weeks ago, my partner Stef and I dominated (albeit the last flight) and won a tournament. During those two days, we made some amazing shots and I'm sure that at least one was punctuated by a resounding "F*** yeah!" accompanied by a high-five. So does it shock me that at the end of one of the major tournaments in professional golf, in front of thousands in the stands and millions on TV, Tiger didn't smile, tip his hat and say, "Jolly good?" F*** NO!!!
The second thing that went through my mind was that some people are going to make a big deal about this. Over the next few days we are going to hear:
He shouldn't use that word on national television. (My response, then don't put cameras on his every move and utterance for four days of a tournament! Or have a time-delay so the networks can be selective about what ends up on our TV screens.)
Why does he have to use that word? (Because he just sunk a long birdie-putt to force an 18-hole playoff in the f***-ing U.S. Open!!!)
He should be a better role model for kids. (He is a golfer. He's really good at it. He goes out and does his job...really well. He didn't ask to be your kids' role model. Be your own good role model. Find good role models in your community. Because, let's face it, your kids have a better chance of following in the footsteps of the well-mannered teen in your neighborhood who is an Eagle Scout {hi Hunter!} and is going to go off to college to become a doctor, than playing on the PGA Tour!)
I'll be watching the 18-hole playoff today and rooting for an exciting, competitive round of golf between Tiger and his adversary-for-today, Rocco Mediate. And if you want a role model for your kids, you might want to consider Rocco who maintained that he played his best and did all that he could do and there was no way he was going to root against Tiger making that putt. I applaud Rocco for being a great sportsman just as I applaud Tiger for exploding in the excitement of a great sports moment. F*** YEAH!!!
Di
You crack me up. I thought some of these same things as I watched the end Tiger's round. I am glad you posted this. By the way, I was surfing some blogs this morning and came upon you at the Thursday Thirteen blog where you are a featured blogger. I enjoyed reading your post, and plan to make return visits. My husband is the golfer in our family. I love to ride along and started to learn the game for myself several years ago. Then, I got pregnant and the heat of Texas scared me off the course. Now I have a one year old and haven't figured out how to get back out there. I think I will start scheduling some grandparent time with my Grace and during this time go play some golf with my hubby!!! Nice to meet you!
Posted by: Lisa-blessedwithgrace | June 16, 2008 at 11:45 AM