The fallout from Kelly Tilghman’s “lynch him in a back alley” comment about Tiger Woods is slowly coming to a close, as pundits, golfers, fans, and just about everyone has made their opinion known about Tilghman’s Golf Channel gaffe.
This is often the positive side of such remarks. It creates a dialogue. People talk, discuss, debate, often angrily. Some see Tilghman’s remark as pure racism, while others are willing to cut her some slack and rail against the horrifying culture of political correctness that obviously makes their lives hell.
Looking back, however, you see a big hole in the storyline - Tiger Woods. Sure, Woods was gracious and prompt in his dismissal of the comments and in his positive attitude toward Tilghman. But that’s not the point. Here’s the point that everyone has thus far missed: If Tiger Woods were not on the PGA Tour, such incidents wouldn’t occur.
You see, even 11 years into a miraculous career, Woods (whose father was African-American) remains the only African-American golfer on the PGA Tour.
So in the end, the answer is simple: Tiger Woods must be thrown off the PGA Tour. No Tiger, no racist remarks toward African-Americans. In fact, no mention of African-Americans at all. It’s that simple. Sure, it would be wholly unfair to Woods, but think of all the hard-working folks who have to write about golf and talk about it and play it. Like Tilghman, or Fuzzy Zoeller, they could just be one statement away from forever being looked at as a racist.
Without Tiger, that problem is solved. Vijay Singh likely has to go, as well, because golf writers from around the globe have shown they can’t stand him, so to keep it from becoming a racial issue, his Tour card must be pulled. But that decision can wait. For now, the move the PGA Tour must make is clear - get rid of Tiger Woods, and you end racism on the Tour.
The PGA Tour and the golf industry as a whole has done yeoman work in keeping African-Americans from reaching the highest levels of golf. So while currently Tiger Woods is both the best and most followed golfer the PGA Tour has on its roster, the fact is, by just being there, the opportunity for racism exists.
Tiger Woods must be fired from the PGA Tour immediately. Then, and only then, can the white announcers, white golf writers, white PGA Tour executives, white golf industry executives and white golfers be free from the embarrassing scourge of racism that can come exploding out of them when they least expect it.
–WKW
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(No...Sarcasm isn't always easy to get)
Maybe you ought to educate yourself before you spout off. Golf was doing very well (experiencing a boom, in fact) before Tigger hit the scene. He has helped immensely, of course, but, I hate to break it to you (not really), the game is a lot bigger than any one player -- even him.
Now, why don't you go back to your NAACP meeting.
Something tells me you're not much of a golf fan, or, at least, you weren't until the Woods era. In 1996, Tom Lehman was the money leader with a total of $1,780,159. I'd say that's a nice piece of change. True, prize money has risen precipitously -- and Woods has contributed to that greatly -- however, it had increased tremendously during the previous 12 years as well.
Thus, your assertion that golf wasn't doing very well is not very tenable. And, Aaron, where do you get your "85%" figure? Please reveal your source.
Truth be known, if anything, golf has shown signs of decline just during the last few years. Or did you miss all those stories about how many people are quitting the game?
By the way, I don't imply that this is Woods' fault. However, I also understand that golf was healthy without him and will endure even if he disappears tomorrow. Again, the game is far bigger than any one individual.
Good post...I think one of the reasons that so many people are leaving golf is because of the expense. Today, on a public course, the average round of golf with a cart is probably $50.00 per person. About the cheapest private club will run you around $5,000.00 per year after the initiation fee. Of course, I have not mentioned how expensive golf clubs have become. Golf has become an upper echelon sport of society.
I like Tiger, however, money has blurred his vision about golf. I think golf is rank about number 4 on his priority list. Whenever he is playing you always know that he knows where the camera is at all times. When he makes certain gestures after a great shot, he is thinking how best to market that gesture. Hey kid, want my autograph?...you can purchase one on ebay for $1,200.00 bucks. Well, I guess this is what he must do so he can become golfs first billionaire. Too bad.
It is acknowledging racism in the sport of Golf. It promotes dialogue also.