Golf and Tiger Woods

August 3, 2009 — My kids use to ask me how I could watch a golf tourney on TV. They always found it boring and maybe thought I was a bore because I did so. Well now three of my kids play the game and they don't mind watching it on TV now either. Funny how things change.

I've been an avid golf fan and player of the game almost all my life. I just think it's great fun hittin' that little white ball around the ol' cow pasture. Notice I said white ball. When the Scots invented the game they did not play with orange, green, or pink golf balls. Uck! The thought of trying to hit an orange golf ball almost sickens me. A golf ball is white...period! All other colors should be band.

My favorite golfer of all time is Arnold Palmer. He was magic in his day and yes I have been a proud member of his army for years. His age now precludes him from playing much if at all. But, in my book he has been the best. Oh maybe not always the winner, but no one has ever captured the imagination of golf fans like he has. What a great ambassador of the game. Then there is Jack Nicklaus. I always thought he was the enemy to Arnie's Army. I didn't care much for him in his early years, but he too is such a great player and person. Then there has been Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Johnny Miller, and guys still playing like sweet swingin' Fred Couples. All very good golfers.

But, when it is all said and done there is only one that is going to stand out as the greatest of all time and that's Tiger Woods. Or at least that is my opinion. Oh I know we all talk about different eras and different equipment and there is something to be said for all of that. But I think it is fair to make a statement that Tiger will be the greatest...isn't he always compared to those of a different era? He has had a very good year although through three majors this year he has yet to win one and I bet that does not sit well with him. He even missed the cut at The Open Championship. Yesterday he won the Buick Championship for the third time in his career and he did it without his "A" game. Of his four rounds he only had one that was absolutely stellar...a blazing 63 on Friday. The rest of the time he it the ball all over the yard. But when he sets his sight on winning there is no one around that can beat him. He has proven that time and time again.

So, I'll keep watching the golf telecast on TV and playing my occasional round. In two weeks I'm betting Tiger will end his major championship drought and win the PGA Championship. Even if he does not I'm betting he will make it damn interesting. He always does when he tees it up and it's what really matters!