OUR REGULAR GAME NO. 7

         As I see it, one of the big problems with American culture is that we can no longer recognize real heroes.  Instead of looking at the folks who are trying to cure cancer, we idolize athletes and entertainers, as if their ability to run fast or hit a high C was the result of virtue.

           If there was any silver lining to the enormous cloud of September 11, it was that, at least temporarily, the media allowed us to see real heroes in action — the New York Fire and Police Departments, and the numerous other people involved in saving lives in the midst of that awful terrorist attack.  And, of course, the thousands of men and women in the armed forces who are putting their lives on hold in order to restore peace in the world are all real heroes, too.  While we can hope that this tragic juncture in American life re-focuses our nation’s eyes on what constitutes real heroism, I’m not too sure it will last very long.

           Maybe I’m a cynic, but I think it won’t be terribly long before we’ll go back to deifying actors, musicians, and athletes, waiting breathlessly for their every pronouncement on Regis and Kelly about how it’s not about the money and such.  You know, it’s bad enough we had a First Lady in the White House who took time off from ignoring a philandering husband to tell us that it takes a village to raise a child.  I guess if you don’t want to raise your own child, you write a book telling other people they need to do it for you.  As if New York didn’t have enough problems, now she’s their Senator.  Here in Louisiana, where I live, we just sent them a fire truck.  Maybe they can put her in it and drive her off Niagara Falls.  Isn’t that in New York State?

           You’re probably wondering by now what this has to do with golf.  I’m not really sure, but when you’re working on a deadline, you sometimes think about the strangest things, especially during this time of year when golf is in winter hibernation.  But this does tie in to golf, and here’s how.

           If you’re like me, and wondering what qualifies some actor whose only real talent is faking emotions to burden us with his opinions about global warming, then be glad you’re a golf fan.  Think about it: When was the last time a professional golfer tried to tell you how to feel about a political issue?  That’s what I love about golfers: They stick to figuring out how that tough four-footer breaks and leave running the world to others.

           Even Tiger Woods has refused to be drawn too deeply into the touchy-feely political correctness movement.  While he readily acknowledges the importance of minority involvement in golf, he doesn’t preach to us on a regular basis about it.  Perhaps that’s because Tiger grew up playing at some of the most exclusive country clubs in America and realizes that, if you’re good enough, you can play anywhere.  At any rate, I’m grateful to him and the rest of the Tour for letting us enjoy their golf without giving us an Alec Baldwin-type lecture on saving the Rain Forest.  Besides, if you think about it, the Rain Forest would probably make a pretty good golf course.

           For our Regular Game, this is Mike Veron, hoping you avoid the dreaded PBFUs this coming year.

          About the Author

J. Michael Veron is the acclaimed author of The Greatest Player Who Never Lived and The Greatest Course That Never Was. His third novel, tentatively titled The Caddie, is scheduled for release in the spring of 2002.

Mike's work has earned him the title of "master of fiction" from USA Today, and Travel and Leisure Golf Magazine has called him "The John Grisham of Golf." In addition, the New York Times hailed The Greatest Player as "Golf's Literary Rookie of the Year," and the Seattle Times ranked The Greatest Player as second on its all-time list of "Five Wonderful Golf Books." At one time, The Greatest Player and The Greatest Course were the first and third best-selling sports fiction in the country.

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