‘Fore’-given

Last week, professional golf superstar Tiger Woods stood before the public and apologized.

“I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness,” he said at a press conference.

From someone who is just beginning (a couple of years now) to really appreciate the game of golf, I can’t tell you how many times I been glued to the TV, as Tiger teed off with a phenomenal drive, made one of his all-too-regular, nearly-impossible putts, and wowed myself along with countless others with his mastery of the sport. Along with many other fans of the sport, I had put Tiger Woods on that supreme golfers’ pedestal ... admiring most everything about his game and wishing I could be one-tenth as good as he is.

But then back in November, when Tiger had the Escalade escapade — which triggered more and more information about this golfing superstar, old Tiger landed himself in the rough with a lie most any golfer would find impossible from which to recover.

With accusations in abundance and an eventual admission of infidelity, Tiger Woods said he was sorry. But was his apology a bit of a chip shot which would hopefully land him back on (or in) the green? Or was his seemingly solemn admission of wrongdoing merely the use of Tiger’s short iron to loft himself over the many hazards that now litter the fairway, the green and any future opportunities he may have?

It’s troubling. We tend to put people on pedestals, and then we’re shocked, appalled and disappointed when they don’t measure up to our standards. On the other hand, we tend to be such a forgiving nation — Bill Clinton, David Letterman, Michael Vick ... I could go on and on. We hear those two little words — “I’m sorry” — and we move forward. End of story. Or is it?

Editorials around the world have bashed Woods for his public apology, saying his endorsements and bank accounts demanded those words from his mouth. On the flip side, some have said his admission of wrongdoing says a lot to the countless young people in the world, who probably aren’t so cynical to think of the endorsements (money) Tiger has lost and merely look at the apology as simply ... well ... an apology.