It often transpires in every sport at one time or another, a talent so unique, so incapable of the inherent wisdom of his or her years, succumb to the passions, temptations, and desires of living the anointed lifestyle.

Stalwart: one who exemplifies behavior considered stout, strong, brave, and valiant.

Pre-eminence: state or character of illustrious, distinction, domination, valor, and significance.

These descriptive adjectives above have often been linked to the character, skills, abilities, and dominating performances of one Tiger Woods on the golf course. Woods has the innate and learned ability to dominate, destroy, and live the Spartan lifestyle normally associated with warriors training for conflict, with one caveat, devoid of ascertaining frugality or avoidance of luxury. Built for survival, built to weaken lesser opponents, and seemingly emotionally gifted by his ability to monitor his own self-awareness and impulse control, however, shockingly, almost inexplicably, and perplexingly, his once clear goals have become misaligned with his spurious behavior. Suddenly, his moral compass has begun to spin out of control like an overloaded electric meter on Christmas night. The accolades, the ability to enamor, to create a higher sense of purpose for the live spectators and engrossed television viewers, have slowly eroded into the sea of malcontent.

Detractor: to take away from, as from quality, value or reputation, to speak ill of, and reduce in value or importance.

Now, the detractors have surfaced like a pimple on prom night. Watson with his vitriolic comments on Tiger’s flawed moral principles and his lack of discipline for the game Tom so intrinsically embraces. Parnevick, who introduced the couple, saying he is disappointed in Tiger’s recent actions and ill-advised behavior. Now silent whispers from strategic alliances emerge, a public shaken by the scandal of infidelities recoils, and the previously written scripts of innocent behavior, charming gestures, and impeccable character, suddenly need to be exonerated and rewritten. Quite a polarizing game of conspicuous consumption and excess from someone who seemed to be so altruistic.

Does it bear prudence that some people derive pleasure at the thought of someone else’s suffering or misfortune, especially when it is self-inflicted? Do you think some of the current PGA rank and file members have actually, maybe just a little bit, enjoyed Tiger’s fall from grace? Antiquated veterans struggling to maintain their tour card enjoying some harmless dialogue about the genesis of Tiger’s demise, offering their own proactive theories. New, fresh faces on the tour, reserved in their discourse about the subject, just ecstatic to be living the dream, but surmising the possibilities. Maybe some tour players believe that the playing field will be a little more equitable now in terms of penalizing players for conduct unbecoming of a PGA tour professional. Will the club throwing cease? How about the swearing? Curtail the undisciplined behavior on and off the links? Fate, once an all encompassing ally for Tiger, has suddenly deteriorated into a vacuum for this pro.

Every man has to bear the brunt of his immoral actions, albeit from a trusted friend, the person who you scorned, condescending neighbor, social pundit or a close ally at work. Cynical advice will be offered, both positive and negative reinforcement will be fervently forthcoming, and closure should come before the Cubs win the World Series. The continuous rationale and analysis of Tiger’s infidelities will be infinite, it will never cease, it would be like trying to stop yourself running down-hill on a rain-soaked pavement with penny loafers on, it will not yield a successful result.

The number one player has dropped his golden chalice, had time to read a plethora of condescending remarks from his peers, writers, and the public, and through his illicit behavior he has cultivated an environment of mistrust. It has been said, that once you lose a customer to your competition because of neglecting the wants of that particular consumer, it is doubly hard to get that individual back. I wonder what the time frame for forgiveness and acceptance will be from the public? For some, skepticism will reign, and old wounds will not heal swiftly. For others, they will relish at Tiger’s virtuoso and cunning ability on the golf course. Certain sectors of society will have apathy for Tiger, while others empathy. Through his tenacious work out regime, strict code of commitment to the game, and his laborious efforts to be the dominant thoroughbred once again in the game, it just might be an auspicious summer for a Tiger.

Robert Needles