Monday, July 20, 2009

Like a hangover, only worse


I received an e-mail Sunday afternoon from a friend who said that watching Tom Watson lose the Open Championship the way he did was the most disappointing thing he'd ever seen in sports.

It certainly felt that way.

A day later and the disappointment is lingering like a hangover.

Nothing against Stewart Cink, obviously, who has been a very good player for a long time and, if you've ever been around him, you'd be very happy for him because he's a really good guy.

Plus, he won the championship as much as Watson lost it. Consider this: Of the players who started the final round within five strokes of the lead -- there were 13 of them -- only one broke par.

Cink.

Still, this was Watson's moment. The first three days it was a sweet story about a 59-year old guy hanging around at Turnberry, rekindling memories of his glory days. Then it became Watson's tournament to win.

When his tee shot on the 72nd hole found the fairway, I thought he would win. When he missed the green long, I still thought he would win. When he had an eight-footer to win, I thought his chance had passed.

When it went to a playoff, I confess I quit watching. I didn't want to see it end the way it did -- plus I was out of town and had a long drive home. (In the spirit of full disclosure, I did listen to it on the radio where the brilliant British announcers didn't attempt to hide their disappointment).

The fact Watson lost the playoff by six strokes to Cink doesn't matter. When it went to a playoff, the outcome seemed preordained.

It had taken so much for Watson to get there and, given the chance to finish the story, he couldn't. The emotional impact had to be immense.

In his post-game media session, Watson talked about how the loss "tears at his gut."

He wasn't alone.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Each sentence

does not

have to be

a different

paragraph.

Did you like reading that? I'll bet not. Please stop writing that way.

Thx.

Anonymous said...

First, please don't listen to goofballs like Anon 11:37.

Second, I felt the same way as you did, Ron; thought TW would win after the tee ball and second shot at 18, but thought the nerves had gotten him when he decided to putt the 3rd, rather than chip (his chipping was always one of his strengths). Then pretty much knew the wheels had come off and it would have been a minor miracle (or a refocusing by his caddie) for the 8-footer to make it.

And I, like you, turned it off after the first hole tee shots in the playoff...you just KNEW he was emotionally-pooped.

Without the long drive home you had, I decided to take my 5-year old daughter to the course for nine holes, and we talked about one of the "daddy life lessons"...that you don't always have to win to be a big winner. I think she got it--especially when I told her that the OTHER TW doesn't win every time he plays, either.

Keep up the good writing...next up, the Charlotte City Am?

Anonymous said...

I agree with Anon 11:37. It is poor writing and aggravating to read.

Anonymous said...

Ron, Thanks for all of your thoughts....I really enjoy reading them. I am not sure I could be a writer and deal with some of the unintelligent commenters that you have to deal with.
Anon 12:50...if it is aggravating to read then do all of us a favor and stop reading.....

Anonymous said...

No, no, no. Good grammar is tantamount. We should have writers that write well. Or do you let your children turn in reports like this? All Engllish teachers would mark his grade down - maybe to a F.

Anonymous said...

You people

Cannot possibly think

that it is appropriate

to write like this.

Nor can you think it is appropriate to write like this.

Every single independent sentence is not its own paragraph.

It's not like RGJ is a lawyer and is writing out allegations in a complaint.

He is supposed to be employed by one of the last bastions of proper grammar and style (that is, the print media.)

Why does he run roughshod over everything that industry holds dear?

Please, Ron. Write in paragraph form from now on!

Anonymous said...

Those of you complaining about the sentences/paragraphs obviously missed journalism school. Take a close look at how many sentences there are in each paragraph in the newspaper. It is done that way because it is easier on the eye.

Unknown said...

Anon--Did you have an UNHAPPY childhood?
Ron Green has more talent than you will ever have!
Thanks Ron for fine writing. Runs in the family!
Ed Crutchfield

Anonymous said...

Lord you people must have small feet. It's a blog, not a piece of journalism. Find some bigger fish to fry and be happy you have feet.