"The amount of people who owe Tiger Woods something - people on TV stations, sports stations that probably wouldn't have a job if it weren't for Tiger Woods - are complaining he's not giving them the information that they need."
Terry Vandrovec of ArgusLeader.com questions David Feherty about an array of topics, and as usual Feherty is all over the map except when it comes to his creepy unrequited love for Tiger Woods. There's also the lingering animosity slight hostility toward the media for daring to probe into players personal lives. He also thinks that players need to open up more and become more engaging for television.
Q. Speaking of not winning, Tiger Woods - whose video games you lend your voice to -
Ah, thanks for reminding us that Mr. Feherty stands to gain financially from the success of the Woods empire. Go on...
has struggled since taking a break to deal with his much-publicized personal problems. What's your take on how the media covered that situation?
A. It was more of a British tabloid feel. Having gone through a British tabloid divorce myself, it was predictable at first and then just became sickening after a while. The amount of people who owe Tiger Woods something - people on TV stations, sports stations that probably wouldn't have a job if it weren't for Tiger Woods - are complaining he's not giving them the information that they need. I don't know where that sense of entitlement came from where we have to know everything about everybody and what happened. He said, 'Hey, look at the police report and that's it.' That should have done it.
Yes, because it was so rich in detail and answered so many questions about such a straightforward non-driving-under-the-influence DUI.
But that didn't satisfy the TMZ crew or the entertainment faction and it kind of infected the sports journalists, as well, where I think a bunch of them kind of forgot just what he's done for the game.
That's right, as a reporter you are supposed to calculate what one has done for the game before deciding whether to report on Clouseau-like driving, or, say, a player's relationship with the shadiest doctor in all of sports medicine.
I've been lucky to have been around him the last 14 years since I became a broadcaster, and look at what he's done for golf. The evolution of the sport - it was moving along at a normal pace until he showed up, but it took a quantum leap. Because these youngsters grew up with him, to them, that's the way golf should be played, that's the way golf's possible to be played. Apparently, there's a lot more possible now.
There is, well, except now the ratings are in the toilet, sponsors are fleeing and maybe he really didn't have the impact you're suggesting should be the barometer for media coverage?
Q. That said, is Tiger struggling because of the personal strife or are physical ailments and age taking a toll?
A. There's nothing wrong with his swing, there's nothing wrong with anything except the head full of slamming doors that you have when you go through a divorce - especially when there's children involved.
Hate to interrupt, but uh, no one that I know of in the golf writing world has declared Tiger to be in the middle of a divorce. Only tabloids and on-course reporters for CBS. Just saying. Guess when you're on the payroll you have inside knowledge!
It affects everybody. I think he'll recover from it faster than most people because he's so mentally strong, but golf is a game that's played with long periods of time between shots - it's not a reaction sport. That's a lot of time for your mind to wander and anytime you get children involved it's a rough time in your life.
Exactly, it's the children. Not the humiliation of becoming an international punchline.
Q. The game seems to have settled down after spiking in terms of popularity during Tiger's dominating run. What do you see as the next exciting mark?
A. It all depends on one thing and that's the TV number. That's what drives every sport. Anybody who thinks different is kidding themselves. So players have to be more fan friendly. The game will continue to fascinate and continue to drive people berserk at every level. I'm hoping over the next few years - there's a new TV contract that will be negotiated shortly - that we will see more interaction, we learn a bit more about who these players are, that they're encouraged to show a little more emotion. There's been a long period of time now where players have been encouraged to kind of do the opposite. 'This is a civil sport, it's a gentlemen's game.' Nobody loses their temper, nobody throws clubs anymore. Frankly, that's not good TV. People like to see people losing their minds, being real people.
You mean like Tiger?
I'm out there and I'm walking for five hours sometimes with the players and I have great conversations with them. There's stuff that could be on (the air). We could make that decision. You wouldn't put stuff on that's going to burn anybody, but just allow the viewer to know these players a little bit more. It boils down to who's watching golf and how many people are watching golf. We need to make sure that kids continue to be interested in the sport.
Uh, the young people aren't big fans of "You wouldn't put stuff on that's going to burn anybody, but just allow the viewer to know these players a little bit more." I think the kids call that fluff.
Friday, July 30, 2010 at 07:35 PM
Reader Comments (26)
Here's how it works, David: Fame starts with talent heralded by media coverage. Once you are famous people pay you lots of money for being famous. Media coverage keeps you famous and keeps you rich. The media coverage can be good or it can be bad. Which way it goes depends on your behavior. Hence Tiger Woods is wholly responsible for his bad press.
That's why I take special exception to his assertion the media owes Tiger. Tiger owes the media and it's a debt he refuses to pay.
And Tiger - Faherty says "because he's so mentally strong" he will be back soon. did he get that mental toughness in the rehab center in Mississippi? Not only can he get the kids off his mind during golf he can get the women out of his mind through 18 holes too.
Thx Old Hornet.
jb
As for the Hornet, once again he nails it. Of course, down here where he has been known to avoid playing the Game in the snow we would simply say that DF (appropriate initials, no?) is just a "sorry sack of ____" if that is how he really feels. He is not without some redeeming capabilities though. DF's Ryder Cup book is really quite good, and "A Nasty Bit of Rough" has its moments.
Sunlight on this sordid affair has had the added benefit of seeing which clowns are on the take- keep dancing David, those alimony payments aren't going to pay themselves.
Would the Golf Channel have succeeded without Tiger Woods? Would non anchor golf announcers have mid six figure annual contracts if they were not talking about Tiger Woods? Would Tim Finchem be a rich man if not for TW? Is the joyride going to end or just slow down to let a few people stop riding?
For all the crap Johnny Miller takes (and generates), he's never forgotten that his audience is the one watching, not being watched. Feherty would rather break wind than a story.
Rather like putting Ellen deGeneres or David Letterman as Oscar host they are successful in their little worlds/environments but exposed on a larger scale/stage as very limited talents.
I'm sure he does some good, but for most of us he's getting old. He is the supreme Tiger pander-boy...in a pathetic, almost sad way. Sure, David has ridden the Tiger tales, but go easy on the endless pontification lad...your man is a seriously warped soul no matter how good a golfer and that can't just be brushed aside.
As an aside, the thumpers will try to save him at the RC this year. Captains picks: S. Cink, Z. Johnson, B. Crane and one T. Woods...you heard it here first!!
Your are entitled to your take. If you think the gang that view and post here are all "Shaclkelford suck-ups"...you really don't have a firm handle on this arena. What do we all gain by simply agreeing with Geoff...brownie points?!
As anyone who frequents this site knows, many of us have very strong opinions that often differ, but to this site's participants credit, most are classy and don't try to belittle people. I certainly didn't have that intent in my comment to you.
I've been in David's company on several occasions, like him as a person, but can't support overkill when it comes to half falling all over himself to stay in Tiger's good graces. Cheers, TOTALLY SIR REAL.
tom, nice knowin' ya...
(and for the record, I'm no Feherty fan, his act is completely worn out)
I just have one question: are you paying for that room at the Greenbrier this week and how is the Internet connection.
Geoff
I dont suck up...Let the ball fly far.
Having said that, it's very interesting to read the continuing evidence of the over-the-top vitriol against Woods. He had a very public airing of some very dirty private laundry. Get over it. I'm sure it will take time for him to return to some semblance of his old golfing self, but I sure hope he gets there. The game needs Tiger. Only a real hater would think otherwise.