This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

Pro golfer Phil Mickelson issued an apology yesterday for his comments regarding his involvement with a proposed Saudi-backed golf league, which was setting out to be a brazen and moneyed competitor with the current PGA Tour.

I wrote a blog yesterday about Mickelson’s comments, wondering if it was a major issue or as I labeled it, “a temporary kerfuffle.”

His apology came across to me as heart-felt and real.  He said he had spoken too strongly and too harshly and “needed time away” to compose himself.

I hope his apology, a text of which appears below, works to restore his good name in professional golf.  Temporary kerfuffle?  Perhaps.

Why do I choose to write about this with all the other more important developments in our world, including the prospect of Russian invading Ukraine? 

Well, the best answer is three-fold:  (a) I love game of golf and have followed the sport religiously; (b) Mickelson has been one of my favorite players of all time; and (c) what I know about the Ukraine issue could be written on a head of a pin.

Here is the text of Mickelson’s apology:

“Although it doesn’t look this way now given my recent comments, my actions throughout this process have always been with the best interest of golf, my peers, sponsors, and fans.  There is the problem of off record comments being shared out of context and without my consent, but the bigger issue is that I used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions.  

“It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words.  I’m beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this.

“Golf desperately needs change, and real change is always preceded by disruption.  I have always known that criticism would come with exploring anything new.  I still chose to put myself at the forefront of this to inspire change, taking the hits publicly to do the work behind the scenes.

“My experience with LIV Golf Investments has been very positive.  I apologize for anything I said that was taken out of context.  The specific people I have worked with are visionaries and have only been supportive. More importantly they passionately love golf and share my drive to make the game better.  They have a clear plan to create an updated and positive experience for everyone including players, sponsors, networks, and fans.

“I have incredible partners, and these relationships mean so much more to me than a contract.  Many have been my most influential mentors and I consider all to be lifelong friends.  The last thing I would ever want to do is compromise them or their business in any way, and I have given all of them the option to pause or end the relationship as I understand it might be necessary given the current circumstances.  I believe in these people and companies and will always be here for them with or without a contract.

“I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and many have been shared with the public.  My intent was never to hurt anyone and I’m so sorry to the people I have negatively impacted.  This has always been about supporting the players and the game and I appreciate all the people who have given me the benefit of the doubt.

“Despite my belief that some changes have already been made within the overall discourse, I know I need to be accountable.  For the past 31 years I have lived a very public life and I have strived to live up to my own expectations, be the role model the fans deserve, and be someone that inspires others.

“I’ve worked to compete at the highest level, be available to media, represent my sponsors with integrity, engage with volunteers, and sign every autograph for my incredible fans.  I have experienced many successful and rewarding moments that I will always cherish, but I have often failed myself and others, too.

“The past 10 years I have felt the pressure and stress slowly affecting me at a deeper level. I know I have not been my best and desperately need some time away to prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be.”

Mickelson has been one of my favorite golfers, given his ability at a very high, hall-of-fame level.  I wrote yesterday that I would give this issue more time to play out before reaching my own perception about Mickelson and his future.

It was a position advocated by a friend of mine as we talked about Mickelson.

It was good advice.  I hope Mickelson’s apology will allow us to get back to the business of golf, a phrase I used in the most positive sense.