Like Obama, I must not ignore the negative swipe at my SPORT by my friend Jim.
So Tiger is not an athlete? I concur with the NASCAR assessment, but not for golf. It takes great coordination to golf. To be able to precisely strike a little ball with the end of a club (even if it IS just sitting there)takes skill. It also requires thinking and imagination and extrapolation. Exercise and stamina, too, if one walks (6 miles/18 holes).

Golf builds character (look at me--I'm a character). It's a game--oops, a sport-- of honor and trust. Golf is for a lifetime. It's several hours outdoors. No TV or computer.

I know someone (Twain?) said golf was "a good hike ruined", but he never played. I have my complaints about golf, however. It takes up a lot of real estate; uses too much precious water; is expensive; is sun and skin intensive. But it does no real harm to the environment and doesn't kill wildlife as a rule (Yes, Tripp should be faulted).

For myself, golf on television is worse than baseball. So tedious and boring. I can understand why non golfers criticize the SPORT. The gentlemen I play with don't mess around. We just hit the ball, putt out, and move on. Conversation is lively, comaraderie is satisfying. For married guys, getting out of the wife's hair is a positive, and for single guys, it defeats reclusiveness.

There's more, but that's enough for now. Golf anyone?