Tiger and Rocco
A Study in Temperament
By KipParent on 06-17-2008
So, like many people ostensibly hard at work yesterday in the early afternoon, I was glued to the online broadcast of the last few holes of the US Open playoff between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate. After an 18 hole playoff, the two were tied and the match went to sudden death - back to hold number 7, play until one player wins a hole.
Tiger hit first off the tee, a towering drive down the middle of the fairway. Rocco had had difficulty with this hole all week, as the shape of the fairway was not friendly to his natural left-to-right draw with his driver. Rocco did what he had done twice in his previous 5 visits to this tee box during the tournament - he landed his drive in the fairway sand trap on the left side of the fairway. Major advantage for Tiger, in sudden death - if Rocco loses the whole, the playoff is over.
So I was struck watching the 2 players walk up the fairway from the tee to hit their 2nd shots. What a clear study in temperament. Tiger, the Artisan Crafter, walking alone - completely focused on his own thoughts, the shot ahead. No one attempted to distract him as he walked the fairway, even his caddy kept a respectful distance.
Rocco Mediate, who appears to be an Artisan Performer, was the opposite story. He walked up the fairway in the middle of a pack of at least 6 people, talking and joking with each in turn. At one point he walked with his arm around the shoulder of a USGA official. He turned and answered calls from the gallery. He appeared to be enjoying his moment in the spotlight to the fullest extent possible - happy to be on this ultimate stage of golf with Tiger.
To no one's surprise, Tiger won the match. He is the one making history as the greatest ever to play the game. But watching the two men side by side, a study in temperament, I thought "Which one would I rather be?"
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Posted by LisaFairhurst on Jun 18, 2008
For some reason, I have a natural affinity for Crafters. I would have fun spending time with Tiger and trading sly jokes. My best friend is a Performer. I don't want to be any kind of Artisan, but I sure love observing them. ..................... That was an absolutely fantastic contest. Kip, I was thinking about you during it and wondering if you'd decided to come down and watch it first hand. One of my students is working at the Open. He said he worked 22 hours at once over the weekend. |
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Posted by mkb32 on Jun 18, 2008
The most interesting part of Tiger's winning performance to me is his knee "issue".The way the man can obviously ignore the seemingly constant pain. His determination and pure "will power" is astounding to me. OK so maybe some analgesic was applied but I really don't envision Tiger popping pain killers between holes --> not and keep that kind of focus. |
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Posted by mkb32 on Jun 19, 2008
Jury is out. I'd rather be Tiger. (can I have a handsome, strong, super intelligent caddie to go with that, please?) |
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Posted by TennisGuru on Jun 21, 2008
ok, what's with all of the Guardian responses? The Artisans must be out on the links. Artisan envy? |
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Posted by TennisGuru on Jun 21, 2008
Part 2 - some time ago on KNBR (sports talk radio) Ralph Barbieri said he would like to be Rocco Mediate. Why? Because he make at least a million bucks a year and no one expects anything from him. He can still continue in this fashion, tough life! |
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Posted by mkb32 on Jun 23, 2008
TennisGuru, I'm thinkin' most Artisians are just as interested in earning more than $$ from what they do for a living. And no name calling, please! -->"Play Nice." -Woody |
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Posted by Faucethead on Jul 7, 2008
I've been following the Olympic Trials these last few days. I would be interesting to profile the temperament of some of the athletes. Today, swimming ace Michael Phelps made the comment, "I promised myself I wouldn't swim after I turn thirty." This sounded like guardian reasoning; I think he is a Guardian Supervisor. My favorite Summer Games athlete this time around is 400m runner Jeremy Wariner, who I think, like Mr. Woods, is a Artisan Crafter. |
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Posted by mkb32 on Jul 11, 2008
Faucethead, your quote by Michael Phelps made a famous Artisan "quote" pop in my head, "Hope I die before I get old." hmmm ... |
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Posted by leonbodevin on Aug 4, 2008
Faucethead. It's funny you should say that: I always thought Phelps was a supervisor too. But he is arguably the best swimmer of all time. It's hard to imagine him not being some kind of artisan. |
So many of us would "want to be" some sort of Artisan, wouldn't we -- the temperament of fun and excitement and artistic skills -- if only for awhile, as on a vacation. I'd choose Performer, frankly, because more people would likely enjoy your company. Crafters of course can be REALLY good at what they master, but often at the sacrifice of social skills. Between Woods and Mediate, I'd opt for an autograph from Woods, but drinks and a night out on the town with Mediate.