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Tiger was more than just a good golfer - he was a role model to the whole world.

Being the best golfer in the world is nice but being a good person, well, that is something quite ­different.

He stood out as a shining example of how someone with talent could use it to bring benefit to others.

His golf was good but somehow he was even better than his golf. When we watched Tiger we saw what was possible in our oft misdirected world.

Ah, but don't we tell ourselves ­never to judge a book by its cover?

Or, and perhaps this is more to the point, if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

The mighty will always fall harder than regular folk. However, Tiger has dragged us down with him, for we took joy from what he was doing with his life.

Of course, Tiger's vast wealth will continue to help others, in particular through his Foundation, but it will somehow have more of a hollow, self-serving ring to it.

It's a shame but it is what it is and we should probably never be ­surprised by the twists and turns of life.

Fiasco

A second major fiasco of recent times is the postponement of the BGA Members' Meeting that was scheduled for last Wednesday.

It turns out the Ocean View staff party was also scheduled for that day, which somehow was overlooked. I understand the new date for the Members' Meeting is January 13 but, as with everything in life, it is probably prudent to believe half of what you read and a third of what you hear.

The trick, of course, is in determining which half and which third.

The 2010 European Tour season got underway before we had even said goodbye to 2009.

This is not the first time the new European season has started in the old year but it is rather peculiar to say the least.

Someone explained it to me once, and somehow it even made sense, but I've forgotten what the explanation was. Frankly, I couldn't care less for I like to watch the European Tour. The commentators are more knowledgeable and more interesting, and the Race to Dubai has more credibility for me than the FedEx Cup.

With the next two Fridays being public holidays, this will be my last golf article for 2009.

I have been writing this column for one year now and I would like to thank the Bermuda Sun for allowing me to put forward my thoughts on a sport that I have played for a very long time and about which I am passionate.

For the record, everything written in these articles, the good, the bad and the ugly, was mine and so there is no one to blame but me.

Have a happy and safe Christmas, may Santa bring you a good golf game and, above all, be good to your children.

See you in 2010.

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