I was scheduled to go play a round of golf with friends the other day at a posh resort. Lunch was on the house as well as the round of golf and I was going with three other good friends. Just before I wrapped up what I was doing in the office to head out to the course, I mentioned to one of my friends that I was going to take my daughter to watch the Padres that night when we finished our round of golf. It was at that point that he told me to double check the time of the game because he believed it was a day game. He was right, and so I forfeited my round of golf and quickly sped home to pick up my girl and head to Petco Park so I could keep my word to my little girl. By the way, the seats were right behind home plate and we had a blast, but I tell you this story because having children changes your priorities.
I have four children. I was present at each of their births. My life has never been the same. There are times I want to do some things that as a single man or even newly married man I could do before that I can not do now. This golf outing is just one of the things that I have changed over the last 13 years to accomodate my wife and children.
Tiger is going through the same thing now after the birth of his daughter, Sam Alexis Woods. He just cancelled playing in this weeks Buick Open. This is significant because he has played it eight times and has won it twice. He is also the defending champ and had committed to being there prior to the birth of his daughter. My point in all of this is that many people believe having children will not affect Tiger's performance on the golf course. While I agree it will not make him worse for wear, lack of sleep, or weight gain, it has already affected one tournament. Tiger will play less than before over the next eight years. If he plays less he will win less. The two are inextricably twined. This is just my opinion and it has been known to be wrong, but this is why I believe the hallowed record held by Jack Nicklaus is safe. People will say that even if Tiger skips tournaments he will still always play the majors. Although I agree he will continue to play in the majors, it is the other tournament play throughout the year that prepares you for the majors. You do not just show up and win. Those days are over for Tiger.
On a side note, I was listening to David Feherty on the Dan Patrick Show the other day, and he said that Carnoustie, the venue for this year's British Open, is the hardest golf course in the world. When asked if it was tougher than Oakmont, he said that it was. I do remember vividly the last time the British Open was held at Carnoustie because that was the year that Jean Van de Velde exploded on the last hole with a snowman sending the tournament into sudden death with Paul Lawrie emerging as the winner. It should be a great show and I am looking forward to watching it.
Tiger Woods has single-handedly changed the game of golf more than any other human being this century. Not only have courses been lengthened to “Tiger Proof” them, but now the tour is considering implementing a new steroid policy with testing. Surely, one only has to look at Tiger on the television this past weekend, sporting that body armor to realize that he is the reason they are considering this new policy.
Now the question is how will Tiger respond to this new policy? When the tour decided to start testing equipment, drivers, for their coefficient of rebounding properties, Tiger supported the new program. He had nothing to hide even though some golfers insinuated that he was using “hot” equipment. Will he now support drug testing? His answer which is sure to follow should give us some indication of whether or not he is using steroids or will it? Of course he is going to come out and say that he favors the policy because to not do so makes him look guilty. Plus let’s not forget that Mr. Finchem, PGA Tour Commissioner, would never implement this policy without first consulting with Tiger and the PGA Tour Players' Association. Maybe assurances have already been given to Tiger that the testing will not be random, but totally voluntary. Who knows? (Although these steroid induced rages on the golf course are doing little to alleviate the fears that Tiger is on the juice.)
Certainly I do not have inside information on this developing event, but I do believe Tiger is somehow tied to this potential rule change. Prior to this US Open, Tim Finchem was opposed to steroid testing, but now he is singing a new tune. Maybe other athletes are putting pressure on Mr. Finchem. It would not be the first time that this has happened.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to watch Tiger at the Buick Invitational during the Tuesday round and if there is one player who can afford to take time away from the game and come back as strong as ever it is Tiger. It was wonderful to get to watch the pros drive the ball effortless down the middle of the fairways at Torrey Pines. The views at Torrey Pines are breath taking and the weather was phenomenal. There are some real perks to living in San Diego!
Back in December, I wrote a post stating that fatherhood would change Tiger’s life forever. Some bloggers agreed while most just assumed that Tiger would continue to play no matter what. Well, here is his latest quote on the impending birth of his first child.
Tiger’s life will be forever changed and as I said before, I predict he will play in even fewer tournaments once his child is born. Guessing how long this paternal drive will keep him away from tournaments is impossible to know, but in the immediate future it appears he will miss a few events.
Being a father of four, I can say that Tiger's life is going to be forever changed as is his golf game. He and his wife Elin are expecting their first child. Sleepless nights, midnight feedings, and being a proud father changes everything. Having children sets a whole new priority in your life. Tiger is already skipping the season opener, which is nothing new, but I foresee him playing less this season and he may even miss one of this year's majors. Phil was willing to pull out of the US Open when his wife Amy was expecting and I would expect no less from Tiger.
Being a dad is the best job in the world and the most demanding. I believe Tiger will succeed at it as he has in most other things in his life, but he will not without some sacrifice. If that means skipping a few tournaments to be a new dad, he will, and his ranking may suffer. This could be the year that Phil overtakes him at number one. Congrats Tiger on the pending birth of your new baby!
SoCalSportsFan
*Before any over zealous catergoy ####s get upset, I tried this post for half a day in Other and it never came up. For some reason Fox never post any of my posts unless I put it in NFL first. I have tried. So if that offends you, sorry, but I will continue this practice until Fox fixes the problem.*
Tiger Woods suggested that the PGA be proactive and start drug testing. He did not imply that anyone was using performance enhancing drugs, but he suggested that it could happen and that the PGA should take the lead and prevent it from happening rather than react to it when it does happen. Tim Finchem, PGA Tour Commissioner, said that he sees no reason to start testing for PE’s. I would have to agree with Mr. Finchem and here are my reasons:
1. To my knowledge there are no performance enhancers which help with hand eye coordination. Golf is a funny game. Players can be as lumpy as Tim Herron or as bulky as Craig Stadler and still be successful. Others players are as small as Corey Pavin and still win tournaments. Size has nothing to do with success on the PGA and steroids which help a player bulk up could actually be counter-productive. Hitting the ball further is more of a function of "swing speed" and not muscles. That is why a guy like Camilo Villegas can hit the ball 300+ yards when he is only 5'8" and weighs less than 150 lbs.
2. Performance enhancers like EPO help cyclists by giving an oxygen boost to their tired muscles. Cyclists and marathon runners need this boost to help, but not golfers. I am sorry, but walking 18 holes o####olf course at a snail’s pace while someone carries your clubs for you and you suck down a Dasani does not qualify as aerobic exercise. The body is not taxed enough to need a “boost” and therefore EPO would not benefit any golfer enough to make them risk using this type of enhancer.
3. The last category of enhancers would be “speed” or amphetamines. While some players may be using this form of PE, the chances are they are using them more as an illegal drug than to help them golf. Amphetamines are sometimes used as weight loss drugs or even for ADD. So this category might be something that you would find in some PGA golfer’s bloodstream it is highly unlikely that he would be using it to do better on the tour. If anything the player might develop the “yips” while putting while on “meth”.
So while Tiger Woods says all of the right things and encourages the tour to be proactive, I think Commissioner Finchem is on the right trail. It might be unpopular and politically incorrect, but I do think he is right when he says the PGA does not have a problem in the realm of “performance enhancers.” The real question is should they test for sedatives to calm the nerves of golfers as they look down the line of a three foot putt at Augusta.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way . . .
Charles Dickens wrote those words in 1849 and they may sum up how Tiger is feeling right now.He is on top of the golf world, but his personal life is at an all time low. He is married to a beautiful Norwegian model/nanny, Elin Nordegren, but loses his dad to prostrate cancer.As great as Tiger is on the golf course, he is not immune to the normal trials of life and this will be the subject of debate over the rest of this year.Every time he loses, golf analysts will discuss his mental state during the mourning process.If he wins, then they will discuss how focused and competitively fierce he is even in this time of bereavement.
In the world of sports, fans can get wrapped up in the tragedy of their heroes because we have all suffered the loss of a loved one. When Dale Earnhardt died, the entire population of the southeast mourned his death. Women shopping in Wal Mart wore black for the entire month. It was a very sad event and yet Dale Jr. races on because he has a passion for NASCAR. His dad instilled that passion at an early age and Little “E” continues to honor his father every time he gets behind the wheel of his Chevrolet. Tiger Woods is no different. As the old saying goes, "Life goes on."
Some people have tried to paint an ugly portrait of a man who forced his son into golf. This is not the picture of Earl Woods that Tiger has shared with so many nor is it the description that is given in the book Start Something written by Earl Woods and the foreword by Tiger. Tiger and his dad enjoyed a very special relationship that only a father and son can understand.
While Earl was not a professional golfer, he loved the game of golf and it impressed Tiger so much that at the tender age of two, he could swing a club better than most amateurs today. Earl was an athlete, a green beret, and above all else, a father. He loved his son and his son still loves him. Tiger will continue to play and honor his father both on and off the course.
Speculation abounds about how Tiger will perform now that his father has passed away. Rest assured, Tiger will continue to dominate. Without the distraction of an ailing father, Tiger can now focus on winning and that should frighten the rest of the field. Tiger is probably the fiercest competitor on the golf course alive today. His mind will not wander back to how his dad is feeling in CA, but he can completely focus on his game. In fact, he may just bury himself in the one thing he loves almost as much as his dad and that is golf. There will be a time to mourn and a time to heal, but in the end he will return to golf with the passion that Earl Woods instilled years ago. Every time he steps onto a tee box, he will remember his dad and the lessons he learned.
For the rest of the PGA tour there can only be one message, “Be afraid, very afraid!”
SoCalSportsFan
**Condolences alone will not help, but as fans of the game and as human beings, our prayers are with Tiger and his family during this time.May we honor your father in death by giving you the privacy you deserve to mourn, but we selfishly wish your quick return to the tour.**
Back in the first NGS, I started a post called SoCal's Daily Affirmations. In this post I get to basically rant about the things that I feel are relevant on that day, week, or month. This morning I felt it was the best way to once again post on numerous topics for you the blogging community.
UConn is lucky enough....Washington is unlucky enough...Memphis has some luck of its own as does UCLA. Villanova is playing really well and Florida will match up well against them, but LSU is good enough, smart enough, athletic enough, and dog gone it, I like them....
If you follow Golf you know that Davis Love III needs some daily affirmations today. Repeat after me Davis, "You are not Tiger, you are not Ernie, you are not even Freddie, but dog gone it people like me" (For those of you who don't follow golf, Davis Love just earned the notorious distinction of being the first golfer ever of leading a tournament on the first day and missing the cut on the second day. He shot a 65 on the first day followed up with an 83 on Friday missing the cut.)
Tiger Woods flew home to be with his dad the day before the TPC at Sawgrass. Tiger you are good enough to just stay home if you like. Your invite to the Master's is already secure. Go ahead and take a week off and let the new Tiger, Villegas take the stage. Keep your eyes on this rookie, Camilo Villegas, because he is fun to watch. He weights in at around 140 lbs put routinely drives the ball 310 yards. Camilo has a natural flair and is sure to be the rookie of the year. He is good enough and fun to watch. Is it me or is he just really taking the Tiger thing too far when he crouches like a Tiger to read the green on his putts? Hey, I guess if it works for you, keep it up Camilo.
Carolina just got a whole lot better by signing Keyshawn Johnson. Johnson, much like TO, has a reputation. For the most part he performed last year for Dallas without any incidents and was a perfect compliment to Terry Glenn. This is a good move for the Panthers as Keyshawn has been a perfect citizen since Tampa Bay and Gruden taught him that the coach and team has the power to fire you if you step out of line. He will be a great addition and only help Steve Smith be that much more dangerous. In my humble opinion, Keyshawn is one of the best possession receivers and is always going to catch the ball on third down for that 10-15 yards needed for first down. He has great hands and by golly he is just looks so happy in that SI swimsuit photo and does anyone have a nicer smile than Keyshawn. I can think of 19 million reasons for him to be smiling about now. Keyshawn repeat after me, "I look good, I am good, women love me and above all Carolina likes me...."
Did anyone else think that Adam Morrison looked silly on the floor after the Gonzaga loss? JJ was in tears too, but Coach K was there to console him. I was disappointed in the way Adam handled himself until I saw his quivering lips and that cheesy porn moustache and then I remembered he was just a kid. Adam, repeat after me, "You are good enough to play in the NBA, you have the skills, but stay in school one more year. With JJ gone you will be the talk of the town for the whole year. You can shoot the three, dunk the ball, and even post up on smaller forwards, and by golly the scouts love you.."(Is that Adam Morrison waving goodbye to his senior year?)
Well that is all the time we have today but keep your eyes peeled for more of SoCal's Daily affirmations.
Tiger Woods has single-handedly changed the game of golf more than any other human being this century. Not only have courses been lengthened to “Tiger Proof” them, but now 
Plus let’s not forget that Mr. Finchem, PGA Tour Commissioner, would never implement this policy without first consulting with Tiger and the PGA Tour Players' Association. Maybe assurances have already been given to Tiger that the testing will not be random, but totally voluntary. Who knows? (Although these steroid induced rages on the golf course are doing little to alleviate the fears that Tiger is on the juice.)
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to watch Tiger at the Buick Invitational during the Tuesday round and if there is one player who can afford to take time away from the game and come back as strong as ever it is Tiger. It was wonderful to get to watch the pros drive the ball effortless down the middle of the fairways at Torrey Pines. The views at Torrey Pines are breath taking and the weather was phenomenal. There are some real perks to living in San Diego!
Back in December, I wrote a 
1. To my knowledge there are no performance enhancers which help with hand eye coordination. Golf is a funny game. Players can be as lumpy as Tim Herron or as bulky as Craig Stadler and still be successful. Others players are as small as Corey Pavin and still win tournaments. Size has nothing to do with success on the PGA and steroids which help a player bulk up could actually be counter-productive. Hitting the ball further is more of a function of "swing speed" and not muscles. That is why a guy like Camilo Villegas can hit the ball 300+ yards when he is only 5'8" and weighs less than 150 lbs.
2. Performance enhancers like EPO help cyclists by giving an oxygen boost to their tired muscles. Cyclists and marathon runners need this boost to help, but not golfers. I am sorry, but walking 18 holes o
3. The last category of enhancers would be “speed” or amphetamines. While some players may be using this form of PE, the chances are they are using them more as an illegal drug than to help them golf. Amphetamines are sometimes used as weight loss drugs or even for ADD. So this category might be something that you would find in some PGA golfer’s bloodstream it is highly unlikely that he would be using it to do better on the tour. If anything the player might develop the “yips” while putting while on “meth”. 
Some people have tried to paint an ugly portrait of a man who forced his son into golf. This is not the picture of Earl Woods that Tiger has shared with so many nor is it the description that is given in the book Start Something written by Earl Woods and the foreword by Tiger. Tiger and his dad enjoyed a very special relationship that only a father and son can understand. 
Speculation abounds about how Tiger will perform now that his father has passed away. Rest assured, Tiger will continue to dominate. Without the distraction of an ailing father, Tiger can now focus on winning and that should frighten the rest of the field. Tiger is probably the fiercest competitor on the golf course alive today. His mind will not wander back to how his dad is feeling in CA, but he can completely focus on his game. In fact, he may just bury himself in the one thing he loves almost as much as his dad and that is golf. There will be a time to mourn and a time to heal, but in the end he will return to golf with the passion that Earl Woods instilled years ago. Every time he steps onto a tee box, he will remember his dad and the lessons he learned.
Hey, I guess if it works for you, keep it up Camilo.
