Jo posted on February 25, 2010 14:34
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Steve got a Tiger by the tail...
Over the last few months, the view from my desk has not always been pleasant.
A highlight was attending the 70th Birthday of our illustrious leader, Steve Cohen. Steve has become more than a boss, more than a friend. At times he’s my father, my counselor, my lifeline.... And always, a wonderful grandfather to my children. He’s never to busy to take me by the hand and ask “what can I do for you?”
In his birthday card I tried to express how much I care by saying...
“You’ve encouraged me to cry, let me cry, and made me cry. I’ve always known you cared simply by the tears shining back at me in your eyes and I look forward to many more tears.”
Since the post of a column on our website regarding Tiger and the scandal surrounding him, I’ve watched as a man who has spent the last 18 years dedicated to the Society and its mission shed numerous tears of sorrow and of frustration. I’ve seen him sit day after day rereading and rewriting while questioning his own actions, words, and beliefs.
Like a Phoenix, he has come out of the fires which tested his strength and purpose. He has has been reborn more focused on what the Society really means and is constantly working on its mission to create a space for spiritual golfers to gather.
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Why are people so interested in Tiger Woods and his personal life?
Like Olympian Gold Medalist Shaun White, Tiger steps on the course & is (usually) incredible to watch. Both men have advanced their sport while they played their game. I appreciate their abilities at their sport. I don't care what/who they are off the snow/green. Even if they drop the f-bomb on live tv. Does that make their skill any less amazing?
I have heard numerous times about how Tiger was a role model for our children. I have yet to tell my children to be like any celebrity. Why would I? We don’t know them personally, never will. Instead, I point them toward the amazing people of quality with good morals and that my husband & I choose to surround our family with. People who have the opportunity to influence our children personally, by sharing of themselves or living a life that I know to be good. People who may make mistakes but take responsibility and try to fix the offense.
“My failures have made me look at myself in a way I never wanted to before. It's now up to me to make amends, and that starts by never repeating the mistakes I've made. It's up to me to start living a life of integrity.”
What more could Tiger say?
He did not offend me nor my children personally with his actions. We are not the ones in need of an apology. That belongs in his home, with his wife and kids and we all need to leave it alone.
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Tiger has his kids... I have mine
Tiger reaffirmed his dedication to youth and his programs set up with the assistance of his father.
My “Society” father also trusted me with championing the Society’s Youth Scholarship Program for the last four years. I’ve been able to reach out to kids from urban areas and had my life changed by them. They become my kids and this last summer, I was able to witness firsthand the change the Scholarship Program has made in their lives.
In July of 2009, I worked with my brothers to hold Shivas in the Bluegrass in Alvaton, Kentucky. That was a bittersweet experience in which we celebrated not only my mother’s life but also her legacy to a game she’s never played yet was touched by. I explained to the group of family, friends, and Shivians how due to a little boy saying “I’ve never seen so much grass” my mother and I were changed, made humble and better all at once.
A couple days later, I made the drive down to the Golf House of Tennessee where the PGA Jr. Golf Academy was in session with 8 of our Scholars. I was met by Cody Weems, director of the camp, and given a tour of the campus before meeting our scholars. The facilities provided to these kids are phenomenal! Pros work with the kids daily, while the courses, driving ranges and putting greens are gorgeous and challenging, and don’t forget the state of the art swing center! I could go on and on.
I found myself asking Cody many times during the tour “do you know how lucky you are?” He’d just smile. But then, everywhere I looked children were smiling, laughing and swinging, even as a warm summer rain began to fall.
The Society’s 8 scholarship recipients expressed not only gratitude but amazement over what was available to them. Two young men in particular caught my eye as they openly expressed how excited they were to be there and how much their game had improved... It was only day 3.
After overhearing a comparison to Tiger, I asked the young man “Are you going to be the next Tiger Woods?”
His reply...
“A lot of people say that, like, um.. That you’re going to be the next Tiger. I don’t want to be anything like Tiger. I have high hopes of being better than Tiger.”
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So yes, Tiger Woods has made me cry...
Tears of sorrow because due to Tiger’s actions, he hurt my friends, my mentor, and my role model.
Tears of joy for a young man with “high hopes of being better” because our Society played a small role in a dream I believe he will make a reality!