Tim Clark's charity in South Africa tough to criticize

For some unknown reason, it’s tough to be critical about anything this week. Not that it’s a bloggers job to be pure criticism, mind you, but let’s be honest, it’s fun to lay the blast down sometimes. And therapeutic, I’m sure.

But in all seriousness, a great number of times, some good stories don’t get the ink they should because they’re not sexy enough. Case in point, the events of this past weekend’s Nelson Mandela Invitational in South Africa.

Now, just the name “Nelson Mandela Invitational” gives you a pretty good idea that charities will be involved, which they are – this year, the Invitational collected more than $750,000 for needy children.

Then, after Tim Clark and Vincent Tshabalala won the 36-hole, best-ball tourney, Clark donated his winner’s check to a hearing-impaired child to get a cochlear implant to better her hearing.

Hmmm, sounds fishy. Maybe Clark is working on his karma. He did finish tied for third at the U.S. Open this year, maybe he’s looking for that little extra lift in his Chi to give him a majors win in 2006. He must have some angle.

“You go and see these kids and right now at their young age they’ve had nothing but bad things happen. Yet they are filled with joy and to see that is amazing,” Clark said. “It’s hard for a golfer to ever complain about the life we have. One bad hole or one bad putt really doesn’t mean much at the end of the day.”

Nor does being too critical mean much at the end of the day, I suppose. Clark’s actions don’t require immediate canonization, but it’s a very nice thing to see. Let’s be honest, it’s fun to see positive things. And therapeutic, I’m sure.

–WKW