The Tiger Woods Phenomenon

The essays in this book arise from the premise that Tiger Woods is not simply a phenomenal player but is also an Everyman who has displayed all-too-human foibles and weaknesses. The first half of the collection focuses on Tiger’s superman game and how he has affected, and been affected by, the golfing world. Works on the sport that examine this supreme golfer cannot capture the full significance of the Tiger Woods phenomenon, however. Unlike many other talented athletes, Woods has transcended his sport, becoming a cultural icon. In the second half of the book, scholars examine everyman Tiger, illustrating how his life reflects significant and often contentious issues within American culture and the world.

Donna J. Barbie is chair of the Humanities and Social Science Department and professor of humanities at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Edited by Donna J. Barbie
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 224
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliographies, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6494-4
eISBN: 978-0-7864-9273-2
Imprint: McFarland

Introduction

Donna J. Barbie      1

PART I: SUPERMAN TIGER

Creating a Competitive Advantage: The Power of Physicality, Psychology and Spiritual Discourse

John Lamothe      11

Branding: At What Price?

Michael V. Perez      25

Showing Us the Money

Joe Gisondi      41

Faithful Fandom

Donna J. Barbie      55

Celebrations and Conniptions in the “Gentleman’s” Game

Donna J. Barbie      72

Ego, Entitlement and Egregious Behavior

Sarah D. Fogle      88

PART II: EVERYMAN TIGER

Reluctantly Playing the Race Game

Linda H. Straubel and Donna J. Barbie      110

Painful Pleasures

Jonathan French      130

Responsible Adults in the Toy Department

Steve Master      146

Public Apology and Acts of Contrition

James G. Shoopman      157

Par for the Course: The “Bimbo Tally”

Libbie Searcy      173

Tweet Your Troubles Away

Lynnette Porter and Donna J. Barbie      193

About the Contributors      209

Index      211

“Barbie presents a collection of essays focusing on both Tiger’s role as a superman in the world of golf, and as an ordinary fallible being”—Reference & Research Book News.