The tattered course I rode my bike to as a kid had no lush fairways, only patches of grass and weathered greens, and was nothing like the ones I watched on television. But the power of my vivid imagination fixed that. Nonetheless, golf gave me a newfound control of my own faculties that I could not previously unearth in other sports. However, it took time to develop my skills. I broke many a window with some of my stepfather’s orphaned golf balls as I perfected my swing in the old Chicago neighborhood where I grew up. And during those years I learned about how special golf was compared to most sports. I learned about integrity because it is one of few sports where you call penalties on yourself and score your own play. You have to be a gentleman. I learned that hard work fused with passion equals success. And I learned that it was the only way that three generations of men in my family could compete almost equally, based on various levels of skill and power, for the same goal of reaching Par. And as I grew older, I dreamt of playing on the greatest golf courses in the world. I wanted the opportunity to feel the perfectly manicured turf under my feet just like the professionals I admired. I also yearned for the chance to see my boyhood heroes up close.
I have done that. And I have imagined them playing along side me, during countless rounds with friends who pretended to be stars, on some of those historic courses. Despite my plus 12 handicap, I love the game more than ever. But most importantly, I love golf because it has always been known as a sport that demanded its participants to do everything with CLASS.
Even the way golfers celebrate success on the course is done as gentlemen. How often do you find competitors willing to give each other tips on how to be better? Golf greats such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, and now Tiger Woods and many others, have dazzled audiences with their performances each week …every one in their own way. Whether it was a putter used as a sword or the simple tip of the cap after making a 35-footer to win the match, or the now famous fist pump after an unbelievable shot, it has always been done with class.
That’s what makes what I saw this weekend, as well as previous weeks this season, sickening. I believe the crowd should roar to the heavens when a golfer does the unthinkable. But yelling, “Get in the hole!” when Tiger Woods just teed off on a 600 yard par 5 does not qualify. Learn the game. There isn’t a chance that ball is going in from there. And if memory serves me correctly, he didn’t hit the fairway. It is annoying to be distracted by the countless and shameful attempts of spectators wanting to hear their voices on television so they can brag to friends that they were there. Spectators found using cell phones should be immediately dismissed from the tournament grounds. Who cares if you spent your monthly beer budget on golf tickets!? You want to act like a fool, stay on the couch where you can scream as loud as you desire and crush cans on your skull until you pass out. And how can anyone talk about a ball going into the hole when the ball is still on the club face. Perhaps letting it hit the green and roll in the general direction of the hole might be helpful. I know the golfers on tour have what seems to be an unshakable focus but everyone has limits. I believe these “new age” spectators have surpassed that mark. I think they should start doing I.Q. tests at the gate. If it is not genuine, leave it at home. And this bad behavior appears to be contaminating the youth. Today I heard a young boy screaming as he leaned over the rope, “Great shot Tiger!” or something to that end as Tiger’s ball streamed into the right rough and his arms dropped in revulsion. I have one word for fans, or spectators, looking to disturb the peace and serenity of the game. QUIET! If you take the time to close your mouths and open your eyes, you might just see some of the greatest sports memories in your lifetime. But sadly enough, this is not the worst of it.
Recent displays at the US Open, described by Mike Freeman were more disgusting. http://mike-freeman.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6264363/15673061
And previous events such as the one involving Vijay Singh are on the rise.
The USGA is currently taking steps to curtail this behavior. http://golf.fanhouse.com/2009/06/22/heckling-at-us-open-leads-usga-to-alter-beer-sales-policy/
But I believe that greater changes are in order. My vote is to ban this type of activity altogether and oust those spectators who engage in this type of behavior from tournaments before they destroy the last remaining sport in the world with the level of class of the beloved game of GOLF. Beer sales should be limited and a policy put in place to monitor it. PSAs should be created to teach youth appropriate behavior on the course during tournaments. The new fans of the game need to be taught that this is not basketball or football or any other sport where falling down the bleacher steps may seem comical or even acceptable. It’s played in the natural environment for a reason. No longer can USGA officials give way to the requests of sponsors who will put up with just about anything in order to fill their pockets with gold. It’s time for the USGA to seriously tee off on this issue. Let’s see how things shape up for next season. And always remember to “Respect the game”. (quiet golf clap)
