Does The Love Of The Media For Tiger Hurt Golf?
posted in My Golf Stories |If I were a tournament sponsor of a tournament that Tiger Woods is not playing in I would have to have a heart to heart talk with the likes of the Golf Channel and other broadcasters. It seems that most broadcasters want let each tournament stand on its own. During these broadcast and in the newspapers we are reminded time and time again that Tiger is not in the field. In my opinion this is not fair to the tournament, the volunteers, the other players in the field, the concession people and anyone else that has anything to do with the tournament, such as the beneficiaries of the charity money donations.
The fact that Tiger is the number one player in the world is not the question, but the fact of the matter is that there was golf before Tiger and there will be golf after Tiger. When Tiger chooses not to participate in an event, then those that do should be given their due credits for their abilities and not spend most of the brodcast bemoaning the fact that Tiger is not in the field. As a sponsor I would want my tournament promoted to the fullest and have nothing done to keep anyone away from the gates. The references are made too often that the tournament is not much if Tiger is not playing and this is wrong and can potentialy be harmful to the event.
Most of the media talk going into the weekend of The Masters is what will Tiger do. He has had a chance to play the same course as the other contestants and he is seven shots behind going into the final two rounds, I think this should speak for its self. The players in ront of Tiger have played better and deserve the credit up till this point. If and when Tiger or anyone else storms ahead then their play should be recognized the most. But, in the mean time give credit where credit is due