ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 16, 1997 TAG: 9704160029
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: CAL THOMAS
SOURCE: CAL THOMAS
ALTHOUGH I'm the son of a golfer, I never could get into the game.
But, like millions of other Americans, I watched the Masters Tournament this weekend on television, transfixed by the image of a 21-year-old man whose skin was too dark to have allowed him to play at Augusta National as recently as 25 years ago or be a member as recently as 1990.
Tiger Woods became the youngest golfer to win golf's most prestigious tournament. He did it less than a year after turning professional, and in winning he set records that it appears only he will break.
The scenery was fascinating and a testimony to the opportunity society that is uniquely America. Woods, whose father is black and mother is Thai, had a white caddy, whom he hugged after the final hole. The crowd, which was virtually all white, cheered Woods as if only his golfing ability mattered.
Race was a factor only in Woods' giving thanks for those black golfers who paved the fairways for him. He said he thought of and said a prayer for them on his final round Sunday.
Woods' victory was no triumph for affirmative action or quotas. If he is to become a role model, let it be the role model of a son whose father encouraged him to develop his gift and was always there for him. This was a testimony to the value of what hard work and dedication can do in any life because of the content of character, not the color of skin.
As with all celebrities, Woods' greatest challenges lie ahead. The marketers, agents and other assorted leeches will try to make an icon of him, promising millions and the fame that goes with achievement. So much money and fame at an early age has ruined more than one person in many professions. His electronic Web page is already loaded with the stuff of celebrity.
He says his goal is to win more golf tournaments than any other golfer. It is a worthy objective, but he should ask himself on the road to that goal what he will be if he achieves it?
In a magnificent tribute to golfing great Robert Jones last Saturday, the CBS narrator returned again and again to Jones' character, and mentioned how his kindness, goodness and humility made him no enemies. He was loved by all who met him.
Fame, like fire, can be a wonderful experience, if properly controlled. But allowed to get out of hand, it can burn, or even kill the one who does not treat it with respect.
For Tiger Woods, most of his life is ahead of him. The question is what kind of life will it be? Will it be a life that yields to the temptation of ego and gratification of self, or will it be a life of character, humility, inner strength and service to others?
Will Tiger Woods be like Robert Jones, about whom nothing negative apparently was ever said, or will he resemble a fallen angel, beautiful at the start, but thrown from heaven for seeking his own way above all else?
That's the future. For now, Tiger Woods stands at the pinnacle of golf and is a genuine American champion. This is cause for celebration for his skill and dedication.
It is also nice to see a man with dark skin who claims victory and not victimhood; a man who doesn't have a grievance, but one who can smile engagingly in a way that makes people of all races wish him only the brightest of futures.
Burn bright, Tiger, but please don't burn out.
- LOS ANGELES TIMES SYNDICATE
LENGTH: Medium: 66 linesby CNB