TOM WATSON (Photo by remjr)
There are a thousand stories being spun out there about sharp Tom Watson, the 59-year-old professional golfer who nearly won the Open Championship trophy in a competition I call “A Wrinkle in Time.”
Each story thread written will be woven to create the legend of the event, the epic nature of the accomplishment, and the value that the moral of the story has for all of us.
Tom’s story is not one of winning or losing. The story is one of exacting a feat beyond one’s perceived ability to do so. In this case, a senior citizen beat a field of professional golfers from every generation 20 years removed from his own. After 72 holes, Tom Watson and only one other player had completed four rounds of tournament golf victoriously. It took an extra four-hole playoff for Sharp Tom to lose his edge and fall.
Tom’s story is not one of unusual physical fitness, although health played a role. Nearly 30 years ago, Gary Player, known for his inspired play and physical fitness, told the media that someday over-50 golfers would be competing for major championships. “They called me crazy,” said Player. Today, the idea is not so crazy, not so unattainable. A man who recently had his hip replaced just soared to everything but total victory.
When someone extraordinary (like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Roger Federer, etc., and all the extraordinary people who inspired them to heightened greatness) raises the bar, competitors learn how to jump higher. It’s not about age, it’s about ability. I wonder how able Tiger will be to win a major championship when he is 59?
It’s a mental challenge as much as a physical one. “Do you think you can really win this championship?” a reporter asked Tom Watson after he dominated the field during the first round of play at the Open. “Of course I can win it,” he said. “If I do the right things, there is no doubt in my mind.”
I didn’t believe him then. I believe him now, and I apologize. I am also inspired to continue a couple of projects that I had convinced myself I was too old to continue successfully. I’m two months younger than Tom Watson, and if he’s not done excelling, neither am I!
Everyone, of any age, who witnessed Tom’s hole-by-hole triumph this week will never forget it. When today’s 20-year-old tour golfer turns 50, he won’t be so quick to think that his or her career is on the downswing or that he’s obsolete as a functioning human in the sport.
Tom’s triumph has reprogrammed expectations many will not draw upon for decades, as well as the expectations of those boomer “geezers” (Tom’s word) like me who needed a new and vital role model.
The winner of the 2009 Open Championship, Stewart Cink, had some wonderful things to say about Tom’s triumph. Tom’s odyssey elevated the value of Stewart’s victory higher than it might have been.
We were all the winners this week, thanks to Tom Watson.
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