Tuesday, 4/15/97 Even golf’s greatest can’t hold this Tiger back
at the Masters Woods treads hallowed greens of Augusta, Ga., like a
god
There is a golf game on my computer through which I can pit
myself against Fred Couples, Mark O’Meara and Craig Stadler. During
these naughty study breaks, I get to tee off against the greats as
my schoolwork festers. The best part isn’t my procrastination, it
is the fact that I consistently beat them. Tournament in and
tournament out, my name graces the top of the leader board. I am
the fresh-faced kid obliterating the old guard, winning tournaments
and setting a new standard of excellence. I am Tiger Woods. It is
when I am at the height of my rhapsody that I hear the summons of
histology or the Civil War and I am snapped out of my reverie and
returned to the world of the undergraduate. But, oh to be Tiger
Woods… Rare is the occasion in any person’s life that they can so
thoroughly dominate an event that, before it has reached its
inevitable conclusion, the competition is tripping over itself with
compliments for the victor. This weekend, Tiger Woods did just
that, sweeping the Master’s green jacket out from under the
greatest names in golf like the most graceful of toreadors, leaving
them gaping like stunned bulls. How about a name change for that
golf tournament played in Augusta, Ga., over the weekend? From now
on, let’s just call it "The Master." It was incredible to watch,
seeing names like Faldo, Norman, Kite and Elkington crumble under
the scythe that is Woods’ driver and the jackhammer that is his
indefatigable will to win. Woods’ display was at a level of mastery
so complete, so perfect, so … unattainable. How many people in
history can separate themselves from the pack like that. Jordan?
Einstein? Da Vinci? Almost as rare as these select few are the
occasions on which we get to partake of their perfection. After
four days of it on golf’s grandest scale, well, our cup runneth
over. We can’t all be Tiger Woods, be it in golf, writing,
medicine, wood-carving, whatever. That level of excellence is
reserved for a chosen handful who get to frolic with the gods as
the torchbearers of perfection and the mantle of what we mere
mortals strive for. Tiger Woods is part of that special cadre, and
he showed us why this past weekend with his stirring triumph at the
Masters. That is exactly why people love him. That is why he is
worth every penny of his endorsements and every second that he is
on television. That is why, even if you think golf is boring, you
should do yourself a favor and watch Tiger Woods shed the fetters
of everyday life. It’s simple. Tiger Woods can do things that
normal humans can’t. Certainly at UCLA, there is an implicit level
of excellence, but precious few are those who can so thoroughly and
consistently separate themselves from the rest. Woods’ talent at
the thing he does best puts him beyond the reaches of humanity, and
to bear witness to that is absolutely thrilling. Watching a
virtuoso like Tiger Woods takes us beyond the high level of
achievement that we are used to, into that realm that we reserve
only for our imaginations. Heck, I’m as ambitious as anyone here,
but I still revel in watching someone who is already at that
uppermost peak. So, as you forge along the paths of your collegiate
experiences, with the highs and lows that are an empirical part of
the equation, stop and admire the sterling work of another. Take
the time to enjoy excellence at its purest form in whatever
manifestation you find most fulfilling. Let the smooth flight of
Woods’ titanic drives enrapture you, let Beethoven’s notes beguile
you, let Homer’s words flow through you. Let go of your daily
trappings and allow pure, unmitigated excellence to galvanize you.
The studies will still be there, the beer will still flow on a
Friday night, but sheer perfection is fleeting and must be snatched
and savored by all, for it will not last. This wondrous escapism
through a celebration of human achievement is what Tiger Woods
grants us whenever he picks up a golf club. Mark Shapiro is a Daily
Bruin staff writer and men’s tennis beat writer. E-mail you
responses to mshapiro@media.ucla.edu.