RE: Tiger Woods Speaks to the Golf Channel

Tiger Woods conducted a one on one interview with the Golf Channel’s Kelly Tilghman. The interview was billed as a no holds barred interview in which Tiger would face the hard questions he has so far avoided by holding a press conference that did not include taking questions from the media.

As I watched the Golf Channel interview I couldn’t help but think that this interview was a bit scripted. I am sure that Tiger knew what questions he would face and that he already had a very well written answer prepared for each one. He again appeared very well prepared and at times he didn’t really answer the question he was asked.

He took full responsibility for the incidents that occurred and that no one in his inner circle knew about his escapades. That’s simply hard for me to believe. Someone other than Tiger had to know about these alleged affairs. It’s almost impossible to think that Tiger kept his behavior hidden to everyone including his caddy Steve Williams who probably spent more time with him than his wife.

Whether Tiger Woods did have all the affairs he is accused of having or not, he didn’t do anything more than other powerful men have done. In his first press conference Tiger said that he took advantage of the temptations that his fame and money afforded him. I couldn’t agree more with that statement. Let’s face it we had a presidential candidate that had a love child and that made a sex tape with his mistress. I haven’t seen nearly the outrage over his actions that I have seen about Tiger Woods and his transgressions.

RE:Tiger Woods Announces Return at the 20110 MASTERS Tournament

Tiger Woods announced his return to professional golf at the 2010 MASTERS Tournament. Woods has been in the news and embroiled in a highly televised scandal following an early morning car accident in Nov of 2009. Details of Tiger woods personal life have the subject of an onslaught of media coverage regarding alleged infidelity and numerous mistresses.

Tiger Woods now makes a major step toward regaining some sense of normalcy in his life by return to the game that brought him so much fame and success. His decision to return at Augusta indicates that Tiger wants to avoid the media crush that he will encounter when he comes back. It is a well known fact that Augusta National Golf Club and Masters have complete control of their tournament including the media. I doubt that Tiger will face any real probing questions when he enters the media center to Augusta National.

However, the day will come when he won’t have the protection of the Masters and he will face tough questions from media that want to know details of what happened that November morning when he wrecked his SUV. This story is far from over and I think that Tiger is simply delaying the inevitable as it related to the media and what they want to know.

RE: When Will Tiger Return?

Rumors are abound concerning Tiger Woods and his return to professional golf. I think he will make his return at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill 2 weeks before the Masters Tournament. There is also talk that he will return for at the Master in April. The reality is that no one besides Tiger and his team have a real idea of when the world’s number one golf will make his return.

Golf misses him dearly and the sooner he returns the better. Tiger moves the needle and people are engaged in the game of golf when he plays. I would like to see him defend his title at Bay Hill and get a tune up before the first Major of the year at Augusta. Hut only Tiger knows when he will come back.

Tiger Speaks

Finally Tiger Woods came out of his self imposed exile and help a press conference to discuss his recent personal issues. This made for television event was held the PGA Tour headquarters in Ponte Vedra Fl. Tiger Woods and his team hand selected the attendees including the media. The key point was that Woods would not take any questions from the media in attendance prompting the Golf Writers Association of America to boycott the event.

As I watched the press conference Tiger appeared to be very sincere and contrite. Despite the fact that the statement seemed rehearsed and forced at times. He admitted his wrongdoings and apologized to all the people he hurt including the young people who saw him as a role model. He also defended his wife Elin insisting that there was never any incidents of domestic violence in their marriage.

Regardless of whether you believe Tiger Woods this is still a private matter between him and his wife. Plain and simple. I realize that he is a public figure but at the end of the day he has to make amends with his wife.

I just want to see him back on the golf course. Tiger said there is no timeline for his return to professional golf. I hope that he returns and returns soon. Golf needs him and I want to him resume his quest to surpass Jack Nicklaus as the all time Majors winner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs8nseNP4s0

Ed Wanambwa

Square Grooves are not Square Business

The 2010 PGA Tour season has already been hit with the Tiger Woods scandal and now comes the Square Grooves controversy. In 2010 the PGA tour banned the use f clubs with square grooves. The ban was imposed because research conducted by the USGA showed a distinct performance advantage with urethane-covered balls when using clubs with Square Grooves. In effect this ban was supposed to equal the playing field and make the game more competitive. But there was one glaring flaw with this move, a huge loophole called PING. Ping wedges made before April 1, 1990, are approved for competition because of a 1990 settlement fromPing’s lawsuit against the USGA. In other words in 2010 a player could put PING Eye 2 wedges into play and not be in violation of the square grooves ban.

World # 2 player Phil Mickelson along with a few other tour players did just that. They put a set of Ping wedges into their bags and set off a firestorm of criticism from fellow competitors. Tour Player Scott McCarron came out publicly and said that using Ping wedges amounted to cheating and violated the spirit of the game. Mickelson fired back with claims of slander and even hinted at possible legal action. But I have to agree with Scott McCarron on this one.

Yes McCarron comes off sounding like a cry baby but he has a point. Golf has always promoted itself as The Gentlemen’s game. Golf is the only game that players call fouls and penalties on themselves and the worst thing that can happen to a professional golfer is be labeled a cheater. The are numerous examples of golfers calling penalties on themselves that resulted in lost championships and lost revenue. But in the spirit of the game, honesty and integrity are paramount. So by using the PING loophole to side step the square grooves ban is a shady.

I agree Phil Mickelson isn’t a cheater. He simply taking advantage of a loophole that the PGA Tour and USGA should have closed prior to instituting this ban. So in essence he is within the rules of the game, sort of. If you know that square grooves are banned then don’t play with them at all. Even if there is a loophole that allows you to put them into play. I feel that as professional golfer and an ambassador of the game, a player should adhere to the rules at all times and remember that they represent what the game of golf stands for.

"Keep it in the short grass"

Edward S. Wanambwa

wwww.thegolfwriter.com

Has anyone Seen Tiger Woods?

To all the people on my email list, ENOUGH WITH THE TIGER WOODS JOKES! I have probably deleted them anyway. I know every story has its news cycle but I ma jus tired of hearing rumor after rumor about the whereabouts of Tiger Woods.

I heard he was in South Africa at Oprah’s House, or maybe in South Florida hiding out with mistress # 1 or maybe he was in New York City laying low at the trump Towers. Maybe Tiger has gone to Nepal to visit the Dalai Lama and find tranquility and peace. Who cares!! I know one place Tiger isn’t and that’s on the golf course.

The game needs him to comeback and I am sure the PGA Tour and Television networks have search parties out looking for the biggest name in golf and not to mention the largest revenue producer on tour.

This Tiger Woods Controversy might have a bit of a lasting backlash in that I am interested to see what kind of ‘MEDIA” types arrive at Tiger’s much hailed return wherever that may be. Is TMZ going to hire a golf writer to follow Mr. Woods? It will be interesting to see. I am sure the media folks at the PGA Tour don’t this turn into a media circus with paparazzi running around course trying to get that shot for the National Enquirer.

Personally, I just want this thing to be over. Yes Tiger proved that he was human and not and not such a smart one when it comes to his game off the course. But despite his missteps he the # 1 name in the game and golf needs him The PGA Tour needs him. The fans need him and more important I need him back so I can stop getting Tiger Woods joke emails.

Edward S. Wanambwa

www.thegolfwriter.com

'Keep it in the short grass"

2010 PGA Tour Season is Underway.

The 2010 PGA Tour season kicked off with the SBS Championship in Hawaii. Austrailian and defending champion Geoff Ogilvy made it back to wins this year with a 2 shot victory of South Africa’s Rory Sabatini.

Ryan Newman became the season second winner with a 1-shot Victory at the Sony Open also held in Hawaii. His -15 under 265 was just enough to bst Robert Allenby.

The tour moves to the mainland this week with the star studded Bob Hope Classic. Pat Perez with try and make it back to back wins for him this week as well.