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  • Aug. 27, 2009

    Blog: Hitting out of the rough

    By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

3 comments posted

For better or worse, athletes are role models — and not just when they win. Consider Tiger Woods and the PGA Championship.

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If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
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  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
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    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

In golf, there are four tournaments that define a player's career: the Masters, the British Open, the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. The latter was held outside of Minneapolis earlier this month. Woods arrived three days early for practice and didn't allow himself to be distracted by the media circus that always surrounds him.

A gifted player, arguably the best in the game today, Woods is known for his incredible focus and preparation. He always positions himself to play his best, but this time it wasn't enough.

In a stunning upset, Y.E. Yang beat Woods to take the championship. Yang, ranked 110th in the world, was absolutely fearless and unflappable. Woods was gracious in defeat, congratulating Yang instead of wallowing in excuses and regrets.

So, what's the lesson for us? Even the best players end up in the rough sometimes, but if we position ourselves to do our best, we can get back on course. Are there other lessons that we can garner from this experience?

3 comments posted

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  • September 8, 2009 9:33 p.m.

    The person who wrote this 'advice' is way out in left field I feel. He of course understands golf to a 'tee' ( forgive the pun) but hasn't a clue on human behavior and I don't care if he is into all that psych stuff. Talking out a situation when it arises is best and forget the mumbo jumbo of golf behavior. Many a man has broken their golf clubs because they couldn't make the grade....

    - JOAN

  • September 7, 2009 10:58 a.m.

    Remember: you can't win them all. Nobody's perfect. This, too, shall pass. Try, try again. Smile!!

    - Roberta S.

  • August 27, 2009 7:41 a.m.

    How can a person or group cope when management at work expects such an unrealistic amount of work to be completed that cannot even be accomplished with 20-40 hours of overtime? I work for a human service agency. People here are constantly going out on for both short and long-term illnesses, many stressed related such as uncontrolled hypertension, ulcers, heart attack, migraines etc. I am a first line manager, and caught in the middle. However, it is both staff and first line management that get the pressure. The management style is from the 1950's. They use all the "in-phrases" such as team effort, but do not seek or use any ideas or recommendations or involve people in the decision making. The mentality is very much "I am the boss". Any event or holiday to celebrate a success or help morale is squashed. Any suggestions? I have 18 months left until retirement, so getting to that goal is not long. Can you recommend any information, studies or statistics that you would recommend? The health providers in the area are familar with the pressure in the office because so many of us are seeking health services.

    - Brenda

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