Tiger Woods, Augusta, And The Court Of Public Opinion

At this point in time, I think this needs to be said.

Can we all just let this whole Tiger Woods thing go? Please? Can we just let the guy play golf again, and let him get on with repairing his world and his relationship?

Or do people really feel like they need to play bad parent and just keep scolding him?

I understand that he’s a high-profile persona in our society. And I understand that he’s become a role model to many. I follow all of that.

But first and foremost, the guy is human.

What makes it infinitely worse is that there are plenty of hypocrites in our society out there pointing fingers at him.

And imagine this – news just in. Masters chairman Billy Payne had some harsh words for Woods. We’ll get into those in a bit. But hey, Payne should be happy that Woods’ first tournament in 5 months was the Masters, with all of that media attention on Augusta. I’ll bet the sponsors loved that.

Remember though, that Augusta National is the home of the all-male membership club rules so eloquently defended by Hootie Johnson in 2002. Remember that Augusta is the home of the club that did not accept a black member until 1990, and has yet to accept a female.

Ah let the finger pointing begin.

Augusta National has had a bit of history on some delicate issues. Remember Hootie Johnson? The former Augusta National chairman told the world in 2003 that women wouldn’t be members at Augusta, and that

"If I drop dead right now, our position will not change on this issue”.

After Tiger Woods went so far as to say that they should take in a woman member, Johnson replied -

“I won't tell Tiger how to play golf if he doesn't tell us how to run our private club."

But Masters chairman Billy Payne certainly didn’t hesitate when he commented on Woods this year -

"It's not simply the degree of his conduct that is so egregious here … It is the fact he disappointed all of us and more importantly our kids and grandkids. Our hero did not live up to the expectations as a role model that we sought for our children.”

Of course, there’s more to the story than meets the eye, especially when the hypocrisy in their words is resounding:

“Augusta National banned all non-white golfers, including those that qualified for the Masters, well beyond the Civil Rights act of 1964. Augusta National did not accept their first Black member until 1990.”

I have a difficult time with pointing a finger at Woods when you don’t have your own back yard in order. Augusta may in fact be living in their own glass house, and throwing stones at the same time.

Beyond that, the world has pointed out that Tiger made a mistake. Or two. Or a dozen. It doesn’t matter. The media have pointed fingers at him. Many of his sponsors have left him. And Augusta National has chastised him. News item – people make mistakes, many of which they aren’t proud of and many of which they really would like to change.

At what point do people say “you know, the guy’s got a life to repair, some harsh lessons to learn about himself, and maybe we should just let him get on with trying to make a go of it”? I understand that the guy is in the public eye. Is it a sad scenario? Sure it is. Has he made some indiscretions that will affect him down the road? Sure. But amidst all the dollars and sponsorship and amazing talent, Tiger Woods is – human. Lest we not forget that. Now if those that do the finger-pointing in the court of public opinion have never made a mistake in their lives, then that’s fine. However, I would like to meet that person. If he or she actually exists.

Photo credit: bjornmeansbear