This Week at WorldGolf.com: Sept. 28, 2005

Just sign the autograph
and save us all the grief!

The U.S. team won the Presidents Cup in dramatic, heart-filled fashion and still managed to look like spoiled brats for a sticking to a stupid no-autographs agreement earlier in the week. Autographs? We're still talking autographs? Don't tell me we're still talking autographs?

When will sports stars learn to just sign a few scraps of paper, posters, shirts and whatever else is thrust into their hands as a matter of simple routine? For golfers, a sport that's still largely niche in America compared to the other biggies, it should be an even easier public relations decision.

I've never understood the whole autograph craze myself. Does getting a favorite athlete's rushed chicken scratch for your personal collection make you somehow feel a deeper bond with that star? The only time I'd want to see Tiger Woods' signature is on a personal check with a lots of zeroes. Now that would be an exciting autograph.

Still, I know plenty of perfectly sane folks who treasure autographs and have no intention of turning around and hawking them on eBay. When the PGA Championship came to New Jersey this summer, a friend was determined to get Tiger's scrawl. So she told her 2-year-old daughter they were going to see Tiger, made the trek out to Baltusrol for a practice round and waited for the right moment. With the 2-year-old softly calling, "Tiger! Tiger!" Woods came over and signed.

Just like that, Tiger Woods had a fan for life. If only it was so easy for sportswriters.

Sure, right now that 2-year-old girl is probably still wondering where the heck the tigers were on that day. Nike hasn't gotten to her yet. She hears "tiger" and thinks zoo. But in the coming years, as her mom tells her that story, no doubt ad nauseum, that 2-year-old will probably carry a spot soft for Tiger Woods.

All because he stopped for a few seconds during the walk from green to tee. (No word on whether professional crabby caddie Steve Williams stared down the toddler).

Jack Nicklaus should understand this autograph power more than most. Instead, Captain Jack negotiated a no-autographs-during-practice-rounds (yes, practice rounds) agreement with International Team Captain Gary Player. Then, Nicklaus threw a practice range hissy fit when international players ignored the ban and signed.

Focus on preparation is one thing. Acting like jerks is another entirely. When you make Vijay Singh look like Mr. Congeniality, it's time to realize you crossed the line.

Please just sign, so we don't have to talk about autographs ever again.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

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