With the worlds greatest golfer due to begin his quest for a British Open ‘three-peat’ tomorrow here is timely reminder that things have not always been easy for Tiger Woods. Navy Golf Club where Earl Woods, Tiger’s father, took his prodigious boy to learn the skills that will light up the links this weekend, has belatedly apologised for the treatment a select few metered out to TW 20 years ago.

Woodsy, his old man and his mates played Navy GC every week from the age of ten until he went to college. Unfortunately the club was not too progressive and some of the decision makers seemed determined to make his early golfing career as miserable as possible. Joe Grohman, who was an assistant professional at Navy in the early 90s says, "It was only a small group but they were in a position of power at the club. They had the choice to make life easy for Tiger or make life difficult. They chose the latter path."


A young tiger (not Woods)

Some of the problems encountered by Tiger have been attributed to the members not wanting a young kid running around, but there is a wide held belief that it was also to do with the colour of his skin. It is a good job that the world’s number one is not as petty as some of the members. As one of the most powerful men in sport if he chose to smite them I am sure there would be serious consequences. Luckily Tiger seems to have forgotten, if not forgiven, the indiscretions of the few who were associated with the club.

It is a fascinating tale, check out the excellent article on Guardian Unlimited by Laurence Donegan for examples of how narrow minded adults tried to upset a ten year old boy.


Sorry for being good.

This late apology got us thinking. Is saying sorry twenty years late really good enough? We hope so because we have a bit to confess. Shaun would like to apologise for going down a slide on his bike after specifically being told not to. Jason would like to hold his hands up for telling his parents that he was going to college when he was really bunking off, shopping and larking about, for a whole term. I would like to say sorry for burying my brothers Optimus Prime in the garden because he would not let me have a go on his Grifter. And perhaps most seriously Kieran has nothing but remorse for making a voodoo doll, then the subject of said occult device falling of his bike and breaking their leg, he has not dabbled in black magic since. To one and all, soz. It all seems a bit hollow now doesn’t it.

At this rate we won’t have to wait long to read that Eve repents for eating that apple.

To find out what Navy Golf Club are apologising about click here…
To find out more on this story click here

7/18/2007 12:05:21 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)    Comments [0]