I recently did some reading about the need for India to urbanize over the next four decades. The articles I read had nothing to do with golf, golf courses and/or golf equipment. However, the articles referenced an interesting point about how those who live in India don’t believe one history leads to another. Instead, they believe histories can rise up alongside one another. So, in essence, you have people living in two different time frames right alongside one another.
What the hell does this have to do with golf – well, it’s something I think we’re seeing on the PGA Tour, as of late. There are more reasons to love this game than they are lost Titleists in the world, but one of my favorites is that great talents who are separated in age by decades can compete alongside one another.
I’m not even speaking of the remarkable moments where legends like Jack Nicklaus wins a Masters late in his career or Tom Watson contends at the British Open – it happens every week when young 20 somethings like Rickie Fowler tee it up with Phil Mickelson, a guy who’s 20 years older. That simply doesn’t happen in other sports.
And now, in the post-Tiger era, a new player is rising up each week. Two weeks ago Fowler emerged for his first win. We believed a star was born when Bubba Watson won the Masters. Matt Kuchar, a name we’ve known for years picked up the most impressive win of his career yesterday at The Players.
All of this is happening while the old guns, the Mickelsons, the Lee Westwoods, etc. are as relevant and dangerous as ever. It’s exciting and wonderful theater.
I watched a few moments of the Golf Channel last night and they were discussing Kuchar’s win. They talked about how we were living in an age of parity. Maybe we are, or maybe we’re just blessed to love a sport where one history can live alongside another.
