I know that golf is not everyone's cup of tea, and that they aren't bothered about how many tournaments a certain player has won (or how much money !). What is the old saying ? Golf is a good walk spoiled !

It's true that Tom Watson has won many tournaments. However, there is so much more to this man than being a great golf player. He is a gentleman and a gentle man. I cannot recall a single time when I have seen him argue, shout or show any anger whatsoever. Indeed, he seems to have an almost permanent smile on his face whenever he plays. Perhaps, it is because he realises how fortunate he is to have such a wonderful talent for what he does, and to have been well paid for it over the years. He knows that any other behaviour would be disrespectful to the spectators who pay to see him.

As well as being a fantastic golf player and a wonderful sportsman, he is also a true friend. More on that later.

Now some facts and figures about Tom Watson.

He was born on 4 September 1949 in Kansas City, and graduated in Psychology from Stanford University in 1971. It was here that he actually first became interested in golf. Needless to say, he made it onto the University golf team (how lucky were they ?!).

After his graduation, he turned professional. He was not immediately successful, and he gained a reputation as someone with a great talent, but who couldn't transform it into tournament victories.

He finally won his first tournament in 1974 at the Western Open, and a further 38 wins were to follow in his career on the US Tour. These included 8 Majors, 5 of which were Open Championships. He always supported the Open vigorously. Perhaps this is why he is so admired and respected in Britain.

He won his first Open in 1975, and his last one in 1983. Sandwiched between these were 3 more Open titles, 2 US Masters and 1 US Open. The only Major title that he did not win was the US PGA.

It was during his golden years that his rivalry with Jack Nicklaus became famous. They were both very competitive, but also very respectful of each other.

In the course of his career, Watson was the leading money winner 5 times, and the USPGA Player of the Year 6 times. Another career highlight was being captain of the winning US Ryder Cup team in 1993.

In 1999, he joined the Champions Tour. This is extremely popular with spectators, as they get to see some of the greatest players of all time compete against each other. Watson has carried on his success into this next stage of his career. In fact, he is the reigning Senior British Open champion. It is on this Champions Tour that he now entertains the crowds, although he still competes in the regular Majors as well.

In the 2003 US Open, he was joint first round leader after scoring a 65. In fact, 2003 was a very good year career wise, as he was also named the Champions Tour Player of the Year. However, his achievements on the golf course were exceeded by his efforts off it.

As mentioned earlier, Tom Watson is a great sportsman, but he is also a committed supporter of charities, and a true friend.

Bruce Edwards has been Tom Watson's friend and caddy for more than 30 years. In early 2003, Bruce was diagnosed with something called Lou Gehrig's Disease. Its medical name is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and it is a relatively new disease, affecting around 30 000 people in the United States. It attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, and this results in the neurons not being able to send impulses to certain muscles. Thus, the muscles are not moving and they waste away. It is a fatal disease, and there is no cure at the moment.

It was named after Lou Gehrig, who was a baseball star diagnosed with the disease many years ago.

Of course, Tom Watson wants a cure to be found, even though it probably will not be soon enough to help his friend.

Driving4Life was formed to help raise money and awareness for the disease. The score of 65 that Watson scored in the first round of the 2003 US Open mentioned earlier, allowed him to use all of the attention he received to highlight the disease. It was a very emotional time for both player and caddy.

As well as putting his emotional support behind Edwards, Watson has also offered his financial support. He donated a one million dollar annuity he won to the research of the disease, as well as much more of his own money. Over the years, many other charities have benefitted too.

There are many great golf players in history. Tom Watson is one of the greatest of all time. Not simply because he is a brilliant player, which he undoubtedly is, but also because he respects the game and its tradition, and he respects his fellow players.

If you want to measure the true greatness of any golf player, then go to the 18th hole of any Open championship, and wait for the players to walk up to the green.

I have done this twice, and when Tom Watson came up to the final hole, the cheers and applause he received were truly awe-inspiring. In fact, it was quite an emotional experience. That is what ordinary people think of Tom Watson.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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Open Champion 1975, 77, 80, 82 and 83.
US Masters Champion 1977 and 81.
US Open Champion 1982.

5 times leading money winner
6 times USPGA Player of the Year

Captain of winning US Ryder Cup Team 1993.

Made Honorary Member of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in 1999.

2003 Champions Tour Player of the Year.

Other information
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www.Driving4Life.org is the website set up to raise funds and awareness for ALS.

Thank you for reading.