ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 22, 1997 TAG: 9704220107
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ATLANTA
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
The golfer says he's sorry some have construed his Masters remarks about Tiger Woods as racist.
Fuzzy Zoeller apologized Monday for calling Masters champion Tiger Woods ``that little boy'' and urging him not to request fried chicken or collard greens for the Champions Dinner next year.
``My comments were not intended to be racially derogatory, and I apologize for the fact that they were misconstrued in that fashion,'' Zoeller said in a statement released by his agent.
Zoeller's comments about Woods, made April 13 at Augusta National while the 21-year-old was becoming the first African-American golfer to win a major tournament, were broadcast Sunday on CNN's ``Pro Golf Weekly.''
According to a transcript released by the Atlanta-based network, Zoeller said, ``That little boy is driving well and he's putting well. He's doing everything it takes to win. So, you know what you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. Got it?''
On the tape, Zoeller snapped his fingers, turned to walk away, then added, ``Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.''
Woods, as defending champion, will select the menu for the Champions Dinner next year. He is the youngest Masters winner in history after his record-setting 12-stroke victory.
Zoeller, one of the free-spirited players on the PGA Tour, said he was joking when he made the comments.
``I've been on the tour for 23 years, and anybody who knows me knows that I am a jokester,'' Zoeller said. ``It's too bad that something I said in jest was turned into something it's not, but I didn't mean anything by it and I'm sorry if I offended anybody. If Tiger is offended by it, I apologize to him, too.''
Zoeller said he didn't intend for his comments to be construed in a racial context.
``I was merely making reference to the Champions Dinner. In fact, when I hosted the dinner I served fast-food hamburgers,'' said Zoeller, who won the 1979 Masters. ``I have nothing but the utmost respect for Tiger as a person and an athlete.''
Woods was taping the Oprah Winfrey show on Monday and could not be reached for comment, according to IMG, the agency that represents him.
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Zoeller KEYWORDS: GOLFby CNB