Tiger

I have viewed the recent saga of Tiger Woods with mixed emotions. Having grown up when Jack was king, I have been shocked at how quickly Tiger has whittled away at Nicklaus' record of major tournament titles. I guess we naturally tend to hold on to the past as having been better and view upstarts with some disdain (I felt the same way as Jeff Gordon, and now Jimmy Johnson approach Richard Petty's record of 7 NASCAR championships).

While admiring his skill at playing golf, I have never been a fan of Tiger. I have often pulled for the field, especially in the majors. I have, however, gained a measure of respect for him over the past couple of years especially as he dealt with injury, even winning the 2008 U.S. Open on a bum knee.

Currently, Tiger is facing something more daunting than he has ever faced on the golf course: the loss of his earnings potential, his reputation, and potentially even his family. This battle is one of his own making. When the failings of a public figure are exposed, one can choose to:

• ignore or excuse the behavior,
  
• gloat or take some sense of satisfaction in the problems of others, or
  
• learn from the situation

The only good that can come from a situation like Tiger's is if important lessons are learned. Here we see a man possessing seemingly what everyone would want to be happy:

• great wealth
• health
• a beautiful wife and children
• an exciting profession
• and on and on

Yet, he wasn't satisfied. If the process of seeking satisfaction, he may have lost it all. It reminds me of the words of Solomon, king of Israel who, after seeking everything his heart desired found them worthless. In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, he concluded:

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.