By Jack Crittenden
Thank you Tiger for your apology. Now, hopefully, we can move on.
When we did our first version of the Most Powerful People in Golf in 1999, we ranked Tiger Woods third, based on the promise of what he could accomplish. Tiger was young, and promised to bring in a legion of new followers to the game – people who were younger and more diverse. Unlike any other player at that age, he started a foundation to promote the game and he seemed committed to serving others in this capacity.
Two years later, he moved into our number one slot — again based hope. We wrote at the time, “So far there is little evidence that his latest success is making a difference. And if he doesn’t take steps to capitalize, it could be a disappointing waste of power.”
Unfortunately, all of the hope and promise turned to naught. The once jovial 23-year old kid who seemed committed to helping others, slowly allowed fame and money to outweigh his promise of hope.
The next time we saw him start something new in the golf industry, he was announcing that he would design golf courses — but only for the wealthiest people in the world. None of the juniors or disadvantaged youth that he said he would help in the early 2000’s would likely ever set foot on a Tiger Woods golf course.
And now we know that he also let his personal life slide from one of service to others into the self-serving pursuit of chasing women. I can only imagine that what started as a thrilling escape from the pressures of a very public life, quickly turned into obsession, and a horde of lies and deceit.
Like it has for so many other men, the lies we allow, slowly consume us. Tiger was perhaps able to keep the charade up longer than most because of his overwhelming wealth. He became adept at hiding the truth from his wife, his fans and the world.
But, anyone could tell that the kid from 2000 had changed – even long before his wife chased him with a golf club. And with his lost innocence went the hope that he would help build a new generation of golfers.
We should have never hoped that one man could save an industry. And we should not blame golf’s problems on Tiger. Many people in the industry did their own skirt chasing — albeit after the mighty dollar. How many developers tried to take advantage of that housing bubble? How many operators allowed their management to be lax, their service to suffer?
Many of us got fat on what was really a mirage. Tiger is not to blame for that. He is just a symbol — a very public symbol — of what happens the morning after a binge.
And finally, he has apologized for his sins — perhaps a little later than the rest of us. It is time to forgive him, forgive the overindulgent developers, and private club operators that pushed exclusivity. When we do, then we can all move forward and focus on making golf fun again.
Personally, I want to see Tiger smile again. I want to see private clubs reinvent themselves, and developers build courses for the masses.
We all have an amazing opportunity to reinvent ourselves for the better — to place the past behind us and become better people.
This is where our hope lies. Even if it will require a lot more pain to get there, I believe in forgiveness and the power of redemption. If Tiger moves forward with a contrite heart, there is nothing to stop him from finally capitalizing on that power we identified so long ago.
-Jack Crittenden is Editor In Chief of Golf Inc. magazine
Comments
Jack,
You are so right. Tiger got so big and so rich so fast that if indeed his initial intentions were righteous, he lost sight of them. What he must decide now is perhaps not how valuable he is, but rather how valuable he can be to the game going forward. He must not lose sight of the fact that he is still the most powerful person in golf, but he must also remember that the smallest good deed is better than the grandest good intention.
Here is how Tiger can save golf for the masses. Purchase struggling courses, lease them back to the operators at a favorable rate with a price control clause to keep the rate structure at a level that will appeal to the masses.
I don't have to forgive him to want him to start playing golf again and renew interest in the game. It really doesn't matter if I forgive him. If that is what he needs before he will start playing again, we may never see him play again.
Still...what makes him think he is a God? On the personal level, how a guy can "disconnect" his FAMILY from his "after golf" actions is beyond me! On the professional level, it's pretty bad when one person has so much influence in the golf industry! Pretty sick. Yell, forgive him...just like all the other jerks that have cheated on their wife. Golf should only get better.
TIGER isn't Special, he's just another weak-willed, self-centered, Greedy American!
As a guy who owned and operated an "entry level" Golf Course with my family for nearly 40 years, I say to TIGER and everyone in USA... WAKE UP!
This is a GAME that can engage anyone of any age and any level of skill. I should be FUN and teach us about the Values of honesty and diligence. My family introduced more new players to the game than TWENTY high-end resorts combined, but after years of struggle, we went belly-up due to INDUSTRY GREED. I was a Director of the NGCOA for nearly 15 years and watched as the Golf Industry focus went from GOLF to MONEY.
If Tiger wants ME to forgive him, it's time for him to come back and use his skills, influence and personal affluence to begin resuscitating the GAME of GOLF in AMERICA, instead of building BILLION DOLLAR Resorts in Dubai.
I heard someone on the radio say, “…Well, at least Tiger didn’t kill anyone..” Actually he did. He killed Tiger Woods. He killed the guy we THOUGHT we knew. He killed the foundation-starting altruist who wanted to bring golf to the masses. He killed the guy who was always as gracious in defeat as he was in victory. He killed the guy we all bought into; you know, the grieving son, the faithful husband and the happy father. When Jack passed the torch (symbolically) to Tiger at the PGA Championship some years ago, we all thought “what worthy successor”, at least I did. But that guy is gone. RIP, Tiger.
This goes all the way back to his childhood...They way he was raised by his father...Instead of talking to his son about birdies and pars, Earl Woods should have told him about the "birds and bees"...Actually, most of us men have a problem in this area of life, we need to be careful how we conduct ourselves around younger women...In Tiger's case there are no bounderies, no red light, everything in life is a green light situation...
Jack,
Do not confuse forgiveness with acceptance for his behavior. Sounds like you just want golf's community to accept the fraudulent behavior of a great athlete and move on to business as usual.
Had he not marketed himself to the world as a pillar of the community and a role model to family standards I would agree with your suggestion. Credibility in golf is the issue here, this sport/business has to distance itself from the likes of MLB, NFL and NBA or live with the consequences.
I watched him as a young man, along side his father, put on an all-day clinic for a bunch of inner city kids. As a PGA Professional, I watched him working with the kids. He did not do it because he had to, he did it because he wanted to reach some kids. OK, he screwed up and which one of us hasn't. I wish him Fairways and Greens and I hope he learns from this and holds on to his family. He may be the greatest golfer of all time and I am proud to have met him.
it is no one's business what Tiger does with his time.
no one is so righteous that they can pass judgement on this young man.
i felt sorry for him when this unfolded. period.
he did wrong. he got caught.
what he does or doesn't do is between him and God.
i have made many mistakes, done many selfish things and i have to live with that. and i have asked for, and have received forgiveness.
if our profession dictates how we live - this world has too much control over us.
our heart should dictate how we live. God knows my heart. God knows Tiger's heart. Elin knows Tiger's heart. let them be. let them heal. let the game go on. let us all look at the man in the mirror.....
Yes, we forgive because we are forgiven.
Like all of us, if Tiger changes direction in his personal life he will become richer in the things that matter most, family and his relationship with God.
It is not our place to choose winners and losers in life, it is God's.
I look forward to Tiger returning to golf because without Tiger as the measuring stick, it makes the wins of others somehow less spectacular. I have pulled for Tiger ever since he turned pro and I am pulling for him now.
This is comment I just sent to GolfWeek Magazine...
After reading your coverage of the Tiger Woods situation, Golf Week February 26th, 2010: “I am truly sorry”...
I though it would be a good idea go back to the beginning and see if we can find something in the past that could help all the concerned from the PGA tour, the media (especially the golf media, i.e. Golf Channel) and their illegitimate children the paparazzi...
Back in April of 2000, Golf Week’s young writer, Jeff Rude did a great work titled “Father plots path to greatness”...Earl Woods’ guidance of a golf-smitten son produces the game’s dominant force...
I read it over again and found some very interesting things that may have led up to this soap opera that we are experiencing now...
Earl Woods said, “he doesn’t believe in interfering with decisions regarding caddies, female relationships and swing guidance.” Wow, what a blunder, he could have told his son that it has been written, “a man who commits adultery lacks judgment, whoever does so destroys himself, blows and disgrace are his lot and his shame will never be wiped away”...”
When Tiger was interested in match play his father used mind games for about four months. After they completed this training, Mr. Woods said to his son, “Son, the training is over. And I’ll make you a promise: You’ll never run into anyone as mentally tough as you.” Can we spell Elin Woods...?
Earl says that only family will divert his focus on golf... “Kids undoubtedly will affect his outlook because they’ll be his first love. Mr. Woods again had a teachable moment with his son and did not take advantage of it...He could have told him that your wife is your first love and children are the product of the love between a husband and wife...
Lastly, when asked if he had any regrets about the molding process of his son, he said, “Absolutely none, it was flawless. The results speak for themselves.”
Loud and clear!
J
Nice sentiments: Tiger is a golfer and no doubt a "brand" but not an industry like Private Clubs and Developers. The comparison was confusing to me. It's not up to me to forgive him - and for what? It's up to his Creator, himself and his family if they care enough.
I can't grant a pardon for what he did , does, or will do.
Jack
To Jack. B.,
My point with mentioning developers and private clubs, is that many people in the industry went to excess - albeit in very different ways than Tiger. In regards to forgiveness, the act of forgiving is for us, not for Tiger. Forgiveness paves the way for us to move on. I hope that helps to clarify.
-Jack Crittenden
Jack
Given that clarification I should have ended my comments with my first two words written "Nice sentiment.". JSB
The day we see Tiger Woods show up to the Shell Houston Open is the day we know he changed his ways.
Yeah,
Lets get religion into it now. So far that was the only part missing. He should turn to God or Buddha, whoever he believes will help him get his ratings back up again. Give me a break.
What is there to forgive? This is a personal matter between him and his wife.
The big losers, is the golf industry and the PGA . Because they pushed this issue, and Wood's canceled the tour; people stop going to tournaments and buying golf merchandize.
When Tiger does not play; attendants at tournaments and sales drop 30%
Now everyone wants to hear him Apologize; and ask for forgiveness.
OK! He did it. Now let move on
Tiger has unconsiously sacrificed his self for the sake of us all. Perhaps we should all take a look back at history and learn the lessons we all came into being to learn. We are all about to learn some very hard lessons if we don't quickly take stock of our experience and see what we are doing to ourselves in every aspect of our lives. It is unfortunate, or not, but the Virtue of Suffering is that which brings the gift of understanding. We would do well to seek the gift from our sufferings and give thanks for the learning opportunity. In this way, we grow and advance the human spirit.
We all have made grave mistakes in our lives and it is through these experiences that we learn. There is good within the bad. So yes, we all should be able to forgive those that ask for same. If we don't learn the importance of Forgiveness, and the value of suffering moments, this paradigm shift will be very painful, to say the least. Anger, Judgement, Bitterness and Resentment are burdens we carry otherwise.
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