So the Fallen One has finally emerged from the blue velvet curtains and spoken to a select coterie concerning his past misdemeanours. His mother booked a VIP seat and proved all mothers love their sons, despite their failings. No doubt the mother of Brutus would have hugged her son after the knife incident although Brutus was driven by not by his loins, but his love of Rome. Woods disappeared behind the curtain to travel the road of redemption. What manner his atonement makes concerning his family is for him to decide, behind closed doors.

When he chooses to return to golf, there are other concerns which need to be addressed by those who are charged with setting rules and standards for the noble game.

The powers that be who hold high office are entrusted to ensure golf professionals uphold the highest standards of behaviour and etiquette on the course. They compromised these principles and threw away the rule book when it came to Eldrick Woods. And they did it for one reason alone. The worship of the dollar sign. He attracted sponsors, fans and prime time TV and in allowing his churlish manners, they became complicit in his actions and betrayed the game. The triumvirate of Braid, Hogan and Vardon would have turned in their graves to watch his antics.

Tom Watson, almost a lone voice amongst the Professional ranks, echoed the thoughts of fans around the globe when he talked about Woods lack of respect. Spitting. Swearing. Sullen faced. Club throwing and treating the fans with disdain. He and his snarling caddy were allowed to become the bullies in the playground. Everyone backed off, from sycophantic commentators to those who sit in high office. Not daring to chastise, and in sparing the rod, they spoilt the man-child and the game of golf. No sport should sell its soul to the dollar sign. One hopes that one day Woods will walk the fairways again, but with a humility and a smile and a respect for game. He owes that much to future generations who will one day walk in his footsteps and maybe therein lies his road to redemption.

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Comments (2)

• |86.149.173.xxx |2010-03-08 20:36:06 peterings  - The Road to Redemption
  My colleagues and I, members of the senior section of our club, commented many times on the on-course behaviour of Woods and his caddy, being totally out of order. The powers that be have a lot to answer for in letting them get away with bringing the wonderful game of golf into disrepute. He will return to golf, probably to public adulation, but to dedicated golfers, both amateur and professional, he will have to respect the game to earn the respect of fellow players who know and understand the game. Excellent article Sara.
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• |82.69.99.xxx |2010-03-12 09:51:39 Woody  - sounds of silence.......
  Thanks. Always good to get feedback. I suspect we are not alone in our view, both inside and outside the ropes. Woods as a role model for juniors - forget it.
  Should he require a role model amongs the professional ranks, Woods only has to look at Paul McGinley, Paul Lawrie or Justin Rose (yup the Irishman, Scotsman and Englishman!) Absolute professionals and great to support at tournaments. They smile - even on Sundays - perhaps realizing they are blessed to earn a living walking the fairways. Respect - its in the dictionary and works well with a dash of humility.......
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