a mixed (golf) bag of emotions....Tiger Woods, life, etc.

Happy Friday everyone.  I apologize that it has been so long since the last post here on the blog and I apologize because this is probably going to be a long post.  A lot has happened since the last post shortly before Thanksgiving...it is now December, and we are less than 3 weeks away from Christmas 2009!  This means that we are only 27 days from 2010...the start of a new year, and the start of a new decade!!!  To many that may be a big relief, and for many others it may be a time to celebrate and really reflect back on their 2009 and everything that has happened for them, to them, or what they have done for others.

I will look back at 2009 and remember lots of happy moments (getting married, buying a house, welcoming a new puppy into the family, maturing as a person, having photographed the most weddings on my own than ever before, and the list can go on for quite some time)...I will also look back at 2009 and try to evaluate where I can improve and make 2010 even better than 2009. 

The past few days I have been struggling with a personal emotion inside my mind and my heart... and I just dont know how to feel.  As many of you know, I am an avid golfer and I have been playing the game for over 20 years now.  When I began playing, golf was not the "cool sport" to play and it honestly was not very popluar.  Around 1994 or 1995 a man by the name of Tiger Woods began to surface in the media and was being touted as the next golf phenom to the legend of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, etc.  I can honestly admit that I am a fan of Tiger Woods.  During my high school golf years I watched Tiger as much as I could and would marvel at just "how good" he was at the game.  I am even quoted in my high school yearbook as quoting Tiger Woods. 

This past week Tiger fell into the media in no way he has ever been - linked to a scandal.  I was heartbroken, torn, and confused.  I never thought I would hear his name linked to something like this and ever since I have been torn inside and feeling crushed because he clearly is "my favorite athlete," a "role model," a "hero" if you will.  With all of the media attention, and rumors floating out there now my mind has gone into a serious denial that this has even happened.  I feel like this is just a bad dream and I wish it would go away as though it never happened.  I am sure Tiger is thinking these very same feelings as well. 



I doubt that Tiger would ever read this post, but if he should...please know that you are an amazing athlete and that I still think very highly of you no matter what "wrongs" you have done.  I agree, these are your personal dealings and they do not need to be splashed all over the media.  I truly and sincerely hope that you have since become a better man because of this and realize how much this truly hurts people like myself...your fans!!

OK, enough venting for now...everyone have a GREAT weekend!  Photograph lots of spectacular images and enjoy the weather wherever you are!