Let Tiger Be Tiger

The Daily Oklahoman-NewsOK.com ^ | 2002-07-19 | Oklahoman Editorial

[rwfok]

This may be a response to the sports editorial that appeared in the Oklahoman a couple of days ago. It was very similar to a number of articles that appeared across the country deriding Tiger on his choice not to become embroiled in the debate over Augusta.

Here is the article from Wednesday. By the way, when did the DNC start faxing talking points to sports journalists?

[rwfok]

Sorry, here is the article from yesterday.

Tiger whiffs on his big shot to take a stand

[RonF]

"By the way, it's absurd to compare the men-only club rule with policies that once excluded blacks or Jews. Should women and men compete in the same golf tournaments? Is it "sexist" to insist that women can't compete against men in tournaments with the biggest payoffs? "

The issue isn't whether women should compete in the Masters. It's whether or not Tiger Woods should compete in a tournament that's held by a club that doesn't allow female members (both the Masters and the British Open qualify in this regard).

[Zon]

Woods, though, isn't comfortable in the role of world- changer. He wants to play golf. He devotes his time between tournaments to promote causes that aren't political. Yet those who want to abolish men-only golf courses think Woods should tee up their cause and hit that ball as far as his fame can take it.

It's as if she (Martha Burk, chairwoman National Council of Women's Organizations that started the flap) and the media expect they have a right of passage over Tiger Woods wherein he must accommodate them.

Tiger handled the media questions superbly.

[Movemout]

As I have said before, Tiger is an athlete who lets his club do his talking.

[Movemout]

CLUBS!

[yendu bwam]

The issue isn't whether women should compete in the Masters. It's whether or not Tiger Woods should compete in a tournament that's held by a club that doesn't allow female members (both the Masters and the British Open qualify in this regard).

Why shouldn't he compete wherever he wants? Why shouldn't men have a place where they want to hang around together (or women, for that matter)? Why is it any of our business?

[RonF]

I never said it wasn't. I was simply correcting a misstatement in the story as to what the issue was. No one is proposing that women be allowed to compete with men in PGA, USGA, or other golf events, but that is what the paragraph I quoted seems to say.

[Malcolm]

The left tries to politicize everything, to persecute everyone. A male-only golf club; the left turns this into crime against humanity.....

[7thson]

What bothers me about this entire mess is that the reporters - as far as I can tell - have not asked any of the other male golfers why they do not speak out. Guys like Woods and other minority sports figures who broke color barriers did so because THEY ARE SO DAMN GOOD at what they do. If a woman came around, played with Tiger Woods and consistantly beat him, course and sponsers would line up behind her.

[rwfok]

I read the paragraph you quoted as an aside, followed by a couple of rhetorical question. I believe that the rest of the article shows that the author has a pretty good grasp of the issue at hand.

Besides, is the issue whether Tiger should play at the Masters or is it if Tiger's fame and celebrity should be hijacked to support a political cause? Was Lee Elder attacked by sports columnists for not getting on a soapbox when he became the first black player at Augusta?

[yendu bwam]

Fair enough, RonF. As a member in a golf club, I wouldn't vote to disallow women, or join such a club. But I do believe in the freedom of association, and that those who want to peaceably get together should be allowed to.

[Tublecane]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that was a mistatement. The author of this piece was just trying to prove that women vs. men is different than minorities vs. whites by pointing out that we, as a society, still don't consider it "sexist" to seperate men and women's golf tournements. If we can seperate men and women in one area, it is logical to argue that we can seperate them in other areas.

[triplejake]

I don't think they ask other male golfers anything except "Why Can't You Beat Tiger?"

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

[Mike Darancette]

Amen to Let "Tiger be Tiger" the guy is a poster child for the work ethic and an American Treasure.

[RAT Patrol]

AMEN! Excellent response.

[zoyd]

Augusta is Augusta... they didn't offer Arnold Palmer a membership until over 20 years after his first Masters win.

They protect their membership rolls very tightly. Kudos for Tiger for not becoming too embroiled in other people's battles.

[cubreporter]

I agree. Here we go again trying to MAKE you like me and me like you. When will they ever learn that we have minds of our own and will be with whomever we choose no matter what. Tiger Woods is a class act. He is a giant in his sport. A gentleman at all times. A son to be proud of. A role model for young people without even trying and yes, he lets his clubs do the talking. You stand tall Tiger Woods. You are a credit to Golf and to your family and to your country. We are very proud of you and you did indeed respond to the question in the correct manner. Keep up the good work!

[Trust but Verify]

I agree with everything you said about Tiger, but someone will be along shortly to disagree with you and condemn him because he swears. No kidding. Just wait.