The Golfing Gods

The Golfing Gods

Myself…. I am not religious at all, even though I was brought up Catholic, went to Catholic schools where I was taught by Nuns and Priests (who beat me with rulers, pumps, canes and straps….. the latter two I could live with now!!) but I just can’t see it; I think Darwin has some very valid points although I am not against anyone who is religous!

Golf this week on SKY

This weekend I watched 3 of the biggest golf events you could ever have...in the same week anyway…

Ø      The Scottish Open on the European Tour – won by Jeev Milkha Singh

Ø      The John Deere Classic on the PGA Tour – won by Zach Johnson

Ø      The US Seniors Open – won by Roger Chapman

I managed to watch most of all 3 of them; some via the ‘red button’ and even caught highlights of all 3 afterwards; what can I say, I like golf!!

Speeches

As I watched Zach Johnson’s ‘winning speech’ it occurred to me; I wonder if all the winners said something similar.

So, I thought I would write the transcript of ALL 3 winners’ speeches and compare…… I had time on my hands, what can I say!!

THE US SENIOR OPEN WINNER

So, Englishman Roger Chapman wins back-to-back Senior Majors (get in) as he wins the US Senior Open (he won the Senior PGA 6 weeks earlier at Benton Harbor) and his interview went like this...

Interviewer - “…. now you win the US Senior Open, what is it about Michigan?”

Roger - with tears in his eyes, “I just love the area, its pure Michigan (crowd applauds wildly)… I’d just like to thank everybody for coming out here this week. It’s been a wonderful experience for me and my wife Cathy (who is ‘wit wooo’ btw). She wasn’t here at Benton Harbor but she’s here now and it makes it very special….. at the 17^th hole I hit a career shot to 6 inches……. I just wanna dedicate this to my family (he said his wife again and named his sons)……. Without their support I wouldn’t be here now, they are special people!”

That was it really, humble, heartfelt speech from a winner!

THE SCOTTISH OPEN WINNER

Then, at The Scottish Open, Jeev Milkha Singh wins. He’d posted his score over an hour earlier than the final group and so had to wait a while until Molinari finished; who he went on to beat in a play-off and Jeev’s interview went like this…

BBC’s Hazel Irvine - “…what was that last hour like for you sitting in the players’ lounge; what emotions were you going through as one by one the field came back to you?”

Jeev - “I was just enjoying a cup of tea and some chocolate cake and watching it on television and I got excited and thought ‘I think God’s being kind to me today and I feel in a position to go for a play-off’. I’m very fortunate and I would like to thank a lot of people who have been by my side this last 3 or 4 years when it’s been a struggle for me with my injuries.”

“My family, my friend who coaches me, Janet my caddy, and all my sponsors who have stood by me... All these have been great and I want to thank them all.”

Jeev is Indian. Indians are known for their strong religious beliefs, yet he really thanked all the folk that had helped him get to this win, and a little mention of ‘God’s’ being kind.

THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC WINNER

Then, we get to Zach Johnson speech…

David Faherty - “Zach, I know there is a major championship next week but this is one for you and the local community?”

Zach Johnson - “It is it is. This tournament means a lot to me and it means a lot to my family. It means a lot to the PGA Tour, they are one of the longer lasting sponsors, everyone at John Deere, you can’t say enough about them. ……….. more than that, I gotta just say……. ‘thanks to my lord and saviour Jesus Christ for the patience and the perseverance and for the talent he has given me to be able to play!”

Zach, seriously?

Ok, as I said, I am not religious, but if I was, I would lean to the fact that I hit golf balls 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, I have a good caddy and coach, supportive family YADDA YADDA that has helped me win……….. I would not presume my god had the time, or could be arsed, giving me enough talent to win the John Deere Classic!!!

But, maybe I am wrong...

GOD’s SPEECH

Angel Gabriel – “So God, wow, what a week that’s been eh?”

God – “Wow Gabbriel, not half...what a week indeed!! I dropped the Cuban Doctors in it a bit with that massive Cholera outbreak… Oh ya, I allowed that mass killing of 150 in that Syrian village as well…. Not to mention all the rain I dropped on everyone and flooded tons of homes and ruined lives all over the world!........... still, I helped Zach Johnson win the John Deere Classic!!

Maybe I need to believe............ Praise the lord!!!!!