The 2008 Open Championship has come to a close with Padraig Harrington retaining his title for a second year and with one of the grand old men of golf, Greg Norman, coming a close third at the age of 53. At the close of play, the eighteenth green hosted scenes of back-slapping bonhomie between winner and runners up and it was clear to all golf betting fans we were witnessing a demonstration of pure sportsmanship and a celebration of the sheer joy each player had experienced just by being a part of this great sporting occasion.

Champion Material

Chris Wood, a twenty-year-old amateur, was joint-fourth with veteran American master, Jim Furyk, and, as a non-professional, waved goodbye to a six-figure sum with a smile and an obvious preference for the thrill of participation. Norman shrugged off his disappointment as he warmly congratulated Harrington and runner-up, Ian Pouter. Harrington’s speech included generous recognition of the skill and good manners of his opponents.

How Other Sports Can learn From Golf

In a few weeks the football betting season begins and what a contrast this will be. There will be abuse and physical violence on and off the pitch, petulance will be rife and cheating will be routine. So much will this behaviour strangle the purity of the game that one is forced to ask if this is sport at all. Perhaps it’s time to call it something else in recognition of its no-holds-barred pursuit of victory over the opponent with complete disregard for the fundamental rewards that can be obtained from sporting activity. Things like discipline of mind, a sense of achievement, a close bond with the opponent and the exhilaration of participation.