Frontpage Features

BY RON BARR

Tiger Woods came out of seclusion and faced his Mom, selected friends, PGA officials, three media pool reporters and corporate representatives.  I guess you could say this “face the music” event was par for the course. I may be one of the few who think this presentation was the best way to deal with his coming out and apologizing for his indiscretions. Anything more would have been like a day at the Coliseum between the lions and the gladiators.

No explanation would have satisfied the lions (media) and Tiger would have only come off looking insincere and stupid.  An open press conference with the media asking personal details about his philandering would be grotesque and do nothing but inflame emotions and continue to hurt innocent people.

Tiger’s apology presentation was stiff, but what would you expect from a person who up until now has received adulation, not ridicule.  Many wanted to see him talk without a script and from the heart.  If you understand how programmed he is as a golfer.  How Tiger likes to control his environment instead of it controlling him.  And, how organization is the foundation of his success and life, then you can see why a scripted presentation was necessary for him to make the points he wanted to make. Tiger, who isn’t open and only at ease talking about what he knows best (golf), needs to have a controlled environment, and even more so when apologizing.

Tiger’s apology covered all the bases.  He apologized to all those in attendance and to everyone he’s let down.  He sufficiently beat himself up for what he did; acknowledging that he is the only one to blame.  He admitted that success and money led him down a personally, sexually glutinous path and that he’s still seeking help, in not only understanding why he did so, but how not to repeat those mistakes.  In essence, he covered all the bases in his apology.

Typical of Tiger and his personality, he took a swing at the media for fabricated stories, misinformation and persecution of his family and innocent people.  He tempered his media assault with a plea for understanding and privacy.  Yeah, good luck with that. 

It’s interesting International Management Group (IMG) represents both Tiger and Mark McGwire.  And, IMG orchestrated the same limited access, controlled environment and stilted apologies by their two clients.  There will be no “feel good” reaction to Tiger or McGwire’s admissions and apologies.  Their scripted performances actually were in tune with their personalities and the type of athletes they are.  Over their careers, neither has been open, forthcoming and overly media friendly or particularly warm.  For Tiger and McGwire, apologizing for philandering or cheating in competition is a deep humiliation and having to do so publicly is not something they know how to do well.  Beat a team or a competitor with your golf club or bat is one thing, stand emotionally naked in front of the world and say “I’m guilty and I’m sorry” is another.

Tiger said he’s headed back into therapy and will return to playing at an appropriate time.  However, he says the healing that has to be done for his wife and family is a priority.  I believe Tiger is on the right track and for now he has the right focus and is making the right effort.  Tiger’s wife Elin summed it up best.  Healing and our future will be determined “by your actions, not your words.”  The days ahead are going to be as tough as the days behind him.  Tiger’s future happiness, peace of mind and whether he and Elin stayed married or not will be determined by two things, how honest he is with himself and what character he develops going forward.

Good luck Tiger.