Close to Greatness
Tom Watson is a man I admire enormously.
His rare levels of grace and dignity (especially when under pressure) reveal the quality of the man. He is the most wonderful example to all current and future sportsmen as to how to conduct oneself in the spotlight. Put simply, he is pure class, on and off the golf course.
In 2009, when he was within a whisker of winning The Open Championship at Turnberry, (the scene of his famous ‘Duel in the Sun’ with Jack Nicklaus in 1977), his magic touch let him down at the vital moment on one of his favorite courses. By over-running the 18th green with his approach shot and missing his ‘up and down’ putt, he finished joint first and then lost in a play-off.
His moment was lost, and The Open Championship went to Stewart Cink, but ‘Gentleman Tom’ won more than the Gold Medal he would have won as ‘The Champion Golfer’ of 2009. He earned great respect from the world’s sporting public for his performance at 59 years old, and more importantly, everyone’s deepest respect for the manner in which he conducted himself in the post-tournament presentations and the aftermath.
His class shone like a beacon from Turnberry’s lighthouse.
I went to watch him a few days later at Sunningdale in 2009, at The Seniors Open. It was a privilege to observe him charm the galleries, and watch his graceful swing alongside the other legends of the game. The feel-good factor which surrounded him after Turnberry was quite tangible.
If, after Turnberry 2009, we thought it would be the last time we could see one of golf’s greatest players, and finest ambassadors, at the sharp end of elite golf, we were all mistaken. Tom Watson was not ready for his pipe and slippers just yet!
He continues to be competitive in Major Championships. His experience and enviable temperament may be worth more than the power and distance off the tee belonging to his younger peers. His know-how with regard to getting the ball around the golf course remains a priceless commodity. His experience of winning golf tournaments, (and being a multiple Major winner), puts him in a very exclusive club amongst current playing professionals.
This year, at The Open Championship at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, he played with Tom Lewis who was the leading Amateur and won the Silver Medal. They teed off together in the first two rounds which was a remarkable experience for the young man from Welwyn Garden City, especially when one considers that he was named by his parents after Tom Watson!
A similarly special experience was enjoyed by the teenage Italian Manassero at Turnberry in 2009, who was also inspired to win the Silver Medal for the best Amateur score. Co-incidence, or the power of Tom Watson’s influence on a young man’s sub-conscious?
For Lewis and Manassero, I imagine their legendary playing partner’s calmness and humility put them at ease. It certainly inspired Tom Lewis to play one of the most memorable rounds of golf in The Open Championship on the first day at Royal St George’s.
Not to be upstaged by a ‘young shaver’, the veteran American achieved a ‘hole-in-one’ at Sandwich, and threatened the leaderboard, before eventually finishing the 2011 Open Championship in 22nd position. Another remarkable performance by a truly top-class sportsman.
This past week, has seen The Seniors Open being played at Walton Heath, 30 years after The Ryder Cup was staged at the beautiful Surrey heathland course. On that occasion Watson triumphed as USA recorded an important victory.
On Thursday, I went to follow Tom Watson around Walton Heath and be in his presence. It felt a little odd to be so close to a man who I hold up as an excellent role model every day of my working life as a Professional Mentor, when sharing my ideals with young sportspeople. In my humble opinion, EVERYONE NEEDS to understand that class behaviour can win every time, irrespective of the result or level of personal performance.
There are so many mis-placed assumptions about ‘winners’. Nonsense like ”nice guys always come second” and ”you have to be a b****** to be a winner” is often spoken to young people. It is irresponsible to feed such information into young, pliable minds. Far better to watch Tom Watson’s personal example.
in order to learn more, I wanted to observe his personality and game more closely so, once I realised that it would probably rain at Lord’s on Thursday, and because England was batting first it meant that I wouldn’t be missing out on Sachin Tendulkar’s possible 100th International century. Instead, I headed for the fairwyas of Walton Heath Golf Club.
Despite the heavy rain, and some strong wind to accompany my afternoon, I was in heaven watching a truly great golfer at work. Despite him missing several putts and ending up four over par and seemingly out of contention, Tom Watson’s score was almost irrelevant to me. I wanted to observe his responses to successes and setbacks as he made his way round the course. I wanted to learn more about the man, first hand.
By pure chance, I gained a surprising, and greater insight to the man universally known in sport just as ‘Tom’ (you know you’re famous when people know your surname without it having to be spoken). The insight came from meeting some charming ladies including the delightful Mrs Hilary Watson on the 11th fairway whilst sheltering from the rain at the coffee stand. I ended up meeting her similarly stunning sister Leigh, and some of their family, and in doing so, learned more about the ‘real’ Tom Watson from his friends and family. Unsurprisingly, they all love him. He really does seem to be the real deal as a man.
Sport is truly blessed when its champions are real. We have been ‘conned’ by others in the past and their manufactured ‘positive’ public image is far removed from the reality that lies within them, and how they really live their lives.
I went to Lord’s on Friday and experienced a wonderful occasion but sadly did not see Sachin Tendulkar bat – England and Kevin Pietersen in particular dominated the day. Meanwhile, my iphone checked the golf scores, and told me that Tom Watson was beginning to make a charge towards the top of the leaderboard at Walton Heath. Another good round yesterday by the crowd favorite from Kansas, led me to follow him round again today.
He was class personified throughout the final round.
His 67 wasn’t enough to win the day, but his reception from the galleries on every green showed how much he is revered, both as a competitor and as a man. The applause wasn’t for his previous shot – it was for the thousands of others he has played so gracefully throughout his long and distinguished career.
I was right behind the line of his birdie putt on 16, and five yards away from his tee shot at 17, as he finished his round with four 3′s. A champion finish by a champion individual.
As I journeyed home from Walton Heath tonight, the reflective nature of my personality kicked in. What a day! What a week! What a pleasure to be so close to greatness….
