For golf to thrive in China, so must freedom

Going to school in Alaska, I got to know author and now-politician Mike Doogan, the popular former columnist with the Anchorage Daily News. He once relayed a story about attending a seminar with Russian journalists just following the Cold War.

“Everything that’s happened in the last 50 years is news to you,” Doogan told the Russians.

Which, of course, was a harsh truth. During the communist reign, Russian journalists - and citizens - knew what the State decided they should know.

In 2007, with the glorious information tool known as the Internet available, the ability for literally billions of people to acquire knowledge has never been higher. But still, many are in the dark.

A warning from Amnesty International makes it very clear: the internet “could change beyond all recognition” unless action is taken against the erosion of online freedoms. The Amnesty International Report singles out China as a leader in controlling the Internet to suit the state’s purposes.

“The Chinese model of an internet that allows economic growth but not free speech or privacy is growing in popularity, from a handful of countries five years ago to dozens of governments today who block sites and arrest bloggers,” said Tim Hancock, Amnesty’s campaign director.

It is part of the dichotomy that is China. On one end, it is a society that will gladly seduce foreign business and say all the right things to enhance its economic prospects. On the other hand, it’s a nation that keeps a boot on the neck of its citizens. When Jack Nicklaus was in China recently it was all about business, as he lavished praise and optimism on the nation’s golf scene.

“Asia is the place where the most growth will come from, and there will be more young players being introduced to the game here than in any other place, by comparison to what we have seen in the past,” said Nicklaus. “It is a relatively new game here in Asia and I’m confident the growth will be good in this region.”

As someone who has designed golf courses in China and looks to personally benefit from the growth of the game in that mammoth nation, Nicklaus’ interest in China is obvious. Nonetheless, the Golden Bear remains golf’s best ambassador, and he is plainly aware that the sport of golf would benefit from a golfing China. As a golf ambassador and business man, however, Nicklaus must know that a free China would be a far greater asset to golf, and the world.

Obviously, this isn’t a call for Nicklaus to become an activist. In fact, the term “Activist athlete” has just about no meaning any longer, as few athletes or former athletes are willing to share any opinion that may offend potential sponsors.

Nonetheless, Nicklaus is beyond all that. His credentials are etched in stone and he’s as rich as four men need to be. And as someone who is universally appreciated and respected, even by those that barely know him, he is the type that should not be worried about a China blackmailing of “Don’t mention our human rights issues and you can do business with us.”

Just a throwaway line by Nicklaus about China’s censorship issues or myriad other human rights issues would have strong reverberations globally. And if there is anyone who can get away with pointing out the ignored 600-pound gorilla in China’s living room, it’s the Golden Bear.

When a businessman fires an announcer due to public outcry, it’s not censorship. When a government shields its citizens from information it doesn’t want them to have, it is censorship. And China has helped embolden other countries, showing them the benefits of an ignorant public.

It is not Jack Nicklaus’ or golf’s job to fix China. But if golf wants a booming relationship with the Asian nation it should happen on golf’s terms, not China’s. Anything else either means you agree with their policies, or that your soul has been sold to the highest bidder.

–WKW