Can you believe it was 20 years ago that Tiger Woods won his first green jacket by winning the 1997 Masters by twelve strokes, less than a year after going pro. It launched a worldwide phenom and a significant increase in popularity for the sport. People saw golf as a more accessible game – it was no longer dominated by the richest and solely white golfers. Additionally, Tiger’s youth and exuberance infused energy into the game and its coverage.
The death of a personal hero or someone you admire can sometimes hit you harder than you expect. While you may have never actually met them, the impact they had on your life is immense and sometimes not reflected on until they’re gone. One of my personal icons, Arnold Palmer, passed away earlier this week. Over the last several days I’ve been thinking about his extraordinary life and how he influenced who I am and want to be.
