Tiger Woods Always Will Be a Golf Role Model

Even though the number of his reputed mistresses may pass the number of golf majors he's won, it's laughable reading and listening to some of the commentary surrounding the moral failings of Eldrick "Tiger" Woods.

The other day, Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," actually wondered out loud whether any wife would buy her husband a set of Tiger Woods golf clubs for Christmas as a result of Woods' reputed affairs. Joe, if the husband's golf game is that bad, yeah, his wife should buy the driver, irons, wedges and putter and throw in some golf attire, as well!

Tiger Woods has not admitted to cheating on his wife, but his statement about committing "transgressions" that have hurt his wife and family clearly revolves around all of the women who are scattering like cockroaches, most in search of a payday by selling their stories of trysts with him.

Tiger Woods the husband clearly has failed to live up to his obligations. He did agree to forsake others in marrying his wife, and what he did in darkness has come to light, dealing a substantial blow to his carefully crafted image as the all-American golfer.

But let's be just as clear: It's utterly outrageous to think that there is a parent out there who is telling his or her son or daughter not to be like Tiger on the golf course because of what he did off the golf course. He is the best at what he does today, and what many people love about him is what he does in his profession.

Some might think I'm giving him a pass.

OK, fine. How many women admire the success that Barbara Walters has had in her career? The legendary broadcaster has broken many barriers, has a hit show with "The View," and continues to bring ABC stellar ratings for her various specials. Yet she's an adulterer, admitting in her own book to cheating years ago with the married Sen. Edward Brooke of Massachusetts. We weren't privy to the details of the affair until years later, but does that take away from the reality that she did exactly what Tiger did?

We all have read and watched as Jack Welch, the former hard-driving CEO of General Electric, is hailed as the best corporate leader in America. He has transitioned from being called "Neutron Jack" to "America's CEO." His advice is considered golden to corporate and political leaders around the world. Yet didn't he admit to cheating on his first and second wives? Again, if Jack Welch cheated on his wife yet folks have looked the other way and hailed his integrity in the boardroom, what makes him different from Tiger?

Michael Jordan is known as the ultimate competitor, whether on the basketball court or ripping folks to shreds in his induction speech at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

He has six championship rings and is considered the greatest basketball player in the history of the game. (I disagree. My vote would go to Bill Russell.) But while scoring on the court, he was scoring with many women off it while married. One even tried to extort him by alleging that he had promised to take care of her for life. I have yet to hear anyone suggest that Jordan's greatness with a basketball was diminished after the public learned of his prowess with the ladies.

Oscar winner Angelina Jolie has been hailed as a great actress and a modern-day Audrey Hepburn because of her philanthropic and humanitarian work. Yet I do remember that Brad Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston when he hooked up with the sultry Jolie. Do we demand that she issue a mea culpa for having an affair while talking about the suffering of children in Sudan?

This has nothing to do with infidelity, but I remember reading a story that said Jack Nicklaus played on a golf course on his wedding anniversary that wouldn't let women on the grounds. So his wife drove around for the four hours he played the round. I wonder whether Tiger Woods, when he had all of Jack's accomplishments on his wall, ever questioned why Nicklaus didn't refuse to play it and speak out on the sexist decision of the club.

It would be great for all of us to look at athletes, celebrities, politicians, business leaders and, yes, those of us in the media as role models professionally and personally, as people who are willing to be morally superior in every facet of their lives. I've long said that someone who is desperate to cheat shouldn't get married. I simply recognize that isn't always the case. Nevertheless, we pray that someone who does commit adultery works out his or her issues and becomes a better man or woman.

I'm a huge Tiger Woods fan. I love to watch him sporting his red on Sundays, staring down his opponents, trying to maintain his legendary focus, and continuing his quest to eclipse Nicklaus' record of winning 18 golf majors. And when I'm playing in my Nike hat with "TW" emblazoned on it, I'll try to emulate Tiger.

But only on the golf course. Just the way it should be.

Roland S. Martin is an award-winning CNN analyst and the author of the forthcoming book "The First: President Barack Obama's Road to the White House as originally reported by Roland S. Martin." Please visit his Web site at www.RolandSMartin.com. To find out more about Roland S. Martin and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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