This Week at WorldGolf.com: March 21, 2007

Vijay Singh may not coddle golf writers but with 31 wins on the Tour, he deserves his due

If ever a golfer hasn't gotten his just due from the golf world, it's Vijay Singh. In capturing the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Singh notched his 31st career PGA Tour victory - a record 19 coming after his 40th birthday.

At 44, Singh has won more than any other non-American in Tour history and is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Add to that the fact that he managed the unthinkable - he was ranked the No. 1 golfer in the world during the Tiger Woods era. He grew up poor and, through sheer force of will, thrust himself to the upper echelon of the game. No one hits more golf balls than Vijay Singh.

But Singh is a private man who has had his run-ins with the press, and when he speaks, he says whatever he thinks. And while it can always be said Singh could work to build a better relationship with the media, so what if he doesn't? A quick read of a blog by Craig Dolch of the Palm Beach Post, however, shows that many in the media are unwilling to let Singh's accomplishments speak for him.

"Singh's story doesn't resonate like it should for two main reasons: 1) Singh doesn't trust the media ... and rarely gives reporters true insight into his life and past; 2) Singh's sometimes hostile approach to the media turns off many reporters," Dolch writes.

Dolch then goes on to tell some petty story of Singh parking in the media parking last week, adds a cannibalism jab, and concludes with "It's hard not to admire what Singh has done as a golfer. But it's harder still to admire Singh the person."

Singh's fans were quick to respond, including one who wrote "Every time he wins, the reporters sully it with these little casual asides." And the commenter was absolutely correct - Singh leaves Woods buried in the field in Florida, and the best some can come up with are complaints about petty parking issues and other slurs.

That he doesn't snuggle up to the press is Singh's business. As a journalist, his attitude is of no concern to me but his accomplishments are. Luckily, his fans also see the simple truth that some seem eager to bury - that Vijay Singh is one of the great competitors to compete on the PGA Tour.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Kiawah Island awes with ocean
views and unforgettable tracks

As a Carolina golf destination, Kiawah Island, S.C., might not get the kind of press as Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head Island. But in the hierarchy of golf in the Carolinas-especially luxury golf-it is second to none. About a 30-minute drive from Charleston, among tidal creeks and marshes, Kiawah Island is home to arguably the finest high-end golf courses in the southeast.

Also: Go ahead, dump a warm bucket of luxury on yourself

Dubai booming as Woods, Garcia
and Norman take aim at the Emirates

Golf courses in Scotland, Ireland, England and Spain are the ones that usually come up when talking about great international golf destinations. But that's starting to change. The United Arab Emirates has been doing everything it can to transform its coastal boomtown of Dubai into a world-class golf destination. It's working.

Also: Lay off Tiger for selecting Dubai for his first course

Podcast: Michelle Wie's woes,
Tiger's troubles, and The Shoe Tool

In this week's edition of the Golf for Beginners podcast, hosts Barry and Stacy Solomon discuss Michelle Wie's ongoing struggles, as she slips to number 17 in the Rolex rankings. Also, the dynamic duo takes on Tiger's negative self talk, offers pointers on how to temper your golf swing, and reviews The Shoe Tool.

Blog: By lengthening courses, golf is off track, Dr. Gary Wiren writes