The PGA Championship has come and gone and with it another missed opportunity for Tiger Woods to recapture his magic.
My good friend Maurice Scott texted me and inquired, “How could could Tiger get so ordinary so quick?” That’s a good question.
One answer comes immdiately to mind. Show me a man who has female problems and I will show you a guy who cannot focus. We have all been there; only it is costing Tiger more money than we could fathom.
What about a lack of true guidance? Every great athlete has someone they can rely on for counsel. It could be a family member (which Tiger is one short of now) or a coach or mentor. With the passing of his dad Earl Woods, the mentoring has fallen in the hands of people he pays in some cases.
How about a coach? John Wooden, Bob Knight, John Thompson and other greats have had an impact on their players who have been able to excel at a level that has made them great. Tiger has no coach to speak of. He has parted company with two of the more well-known coaches already, and there does not seem to be anyone he has found who has given him a comfort level.
It kind of reminds you of Mike Tyson. You may recall when his mentor Cus D’Amato died, his life began to spiral out of control.
Everyone needs someone at some point, and at this point Tiger has no one.
Missed puts, errant drives and the ability to use cuss words with the regularity of a sailor fresh home from overseas duty is what it has come down to. Now, I have company.
Yes, he has lost it but he will also regain it. When? I have no idea but rest assured, he will get his groove on again. As for me? It may take a little longer. I have distractions, or at least that is the excuse I will go with this week.
Golf causes
While it is that time for golf tournaments to raise money for a variety of causes, the Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation’s event has been a mainstay in the spring and certainly should be commended for work that is put in it as well as the results that have come from it over the years.
Another one that deserves more than just a casual mention is the one put on by Tony Thompson of Kwame Building Group. Tony, like his family, has always been community-minded, and he puts on an event that has continued to grow whereas you mark it on your calendar. Money raised from this event goes to scholarship funds for those who are in need for college. As we all know, you can never save enough for college these days and every little bit helps.
What makes the Kwame Foundation Golf Tournament special is that you have a good turnout, great prizes, and a good course at Forest Park. There is also good competition. Those who carry pencils with erasers along with some creative scoring have their place in the event. It’s affordable by tournament standards these days.
The special item about this year’s tournament will be the unveiling of a mural that will be displayed in the clubhouse at the course commemorating the great black golfers of yesteryear who once dominated Forest Park’s course. The theme for the tournament and the mural is “The Bell Shall No Longer Ring,” signifying a time that when black golfers were allowed to play Forest Park but when a bell was rung they would have to get off the course or allow white golfers to play through.
Funny, while it was not that long ago the mere notion of that taking place is still appalling. Can you imagine if that were to take place with some aggressive golfers I know? Something along the line of “I wish a…. would ring a bell while I am playing to get off the course.” It’s sad but true, but it did happen.
It will be a great event that you may want to be part of if not to inhale the spirit of the event. If you need for information for the event to be held next Thursday, August 26, go to the kwamebuildinggroup.com. It will be time and money well spent.
