Perspective

As you know, I like golf. Ok, I admit it, I can't get enough of golf. No, I can't play golf, but I follow it through the year. And, yes, I watched Tiger Woods win his sixth tournament in the last three months yesterday - even though it was on tape delay from England, and even though I already knew the result hours before I watched it on television.

For those of you who don't follow professional golf that much, some would call winning six professional tournaments a decent career. Tiger won six tourament in the last three months and eight tournaments in all for 2006.

The sports press is using words like "domination" and phrases like "Tiger's best year as a professional golfer." But, during the winner's press conference yesterday, he called 2006 a "loss." These are not the words of a professional golfer always striving for perfection in his sport. These are words of a son mourning the loss of his father earlier this year.

"I mean, people asked me that there on the 18th [hole] here, how do you consider this year," [Tiger] said. "I consider it as a loss. In the grand scheme of things, golf, it doesn't even compare to losing a parent."

I admit that sometimes I put the sports superstars that I admire on a pedestal. So much so that I forget that they're people, too. Even though Tiger Woods is the best golfer of my generation, and arguably the best golfer ever, his statement yesterday made me admire him even more. After all the accolades, adulation, and admiration, thanks for reminding me about what's really important in life.