"Tiger helped golfers, like me, who passionately love the game but am ashamed of the its 'history.'"

John Strege first noted the passing of golf pioneer Bill Powell and while I don't want to look past his amazing life accomplishments as documented lovingly in this Richard Goldstein NY Times obituary, but reader Hugh noted my post last week asking what Tiger Woods had done to influence the everyday sport and offered this:

The passing of Bill Powell should be a reminder of why Tiger is important to everyday golfers. Golf in America, and elsewhere, was "exclusive".  "Exclusive" meant white and male. When Tiger came along not only was he instantly an overwhelming force but he provided a sense of modernity to the game.  I think a comparison to Arnold Palmer might be appropriate.  When Arnie, and his army, stormed the golf scene, it ushered in era when the game did not have to be played or sponsored by rich country clubbers but that a woking man could achieve success at the pinnacles of the game.  It pushed the envelope of who could play and the build-up of munis across the country. Tiger helped golfers, like me, who passionately love the game but am ashamed of its "history".

Thank god for the Bill Powells. Lee Trevinos, Lee Elders, Cal Peetes, and Nancy Lopez's that were willing to challenge the tradition of the game and show that golf can be about hard work and honoring the sport - not its traditions.