Peace out, Rocco says

Professional golfers are generally a conservative lot -- after all, they're the ultimate "country-club types" -- so it was surprising to see Rocco Mediate's belt buckle on Sunday: a peace sign.

Was it a protest against the war? A remnant of a secret hippie past? A good-luck charm for the serious poker player? After the even-par round he shot to get into Monday's 18-hole playoff with Tiger Woods, the normally talkative Rocco wasn't saying.

"I'm not talking about the peace sign," Rocco joked when he entered the media interview room. "Tomorrow I'm wearing Metallica or AC/DC. We can't have any peace tomorrow."

Photo: Al Tielemans/SI

Comments

[Mike]

How can anyone who owns a business be a modern liberal? Opportunity and competition define business and define professional golf. Talent and hard work are what matters. Liberals despise those uniquely American qualities and want government to make things "fair". This is the place where anyone can own a business.

[Russell Kish]

I have played golf for forty years and am definetly not conservative. I have a lot of friends that play golf, business owners and workers alike that are liberal.
I have lost a lot of respect for the pro golfers that support the conservatives, in the last few years. It makes sense though since they are all rich.
Golf is a game not a political persuasion.

[Bill]

I'm an avid golfer and a definite Liberal and I really like the competition. So don't make assumptions about who loves the game!

[JJ]

Randy,

I am an avid golfer and very conservative. Not only do I not belong to a country club, aside from attending a wedding, I have never been inside a country club. The stereotype of the rich WASP country club golfer is about 25 years out of date.

[randy]

Even golf fans, and many who golf as a hobby are conservative. Most people I play with are conservative. It isn't because they value "competition"-- it is because golf is an old-boy sport that hasn't always been open to people not in the upper-levels of society. They are more likely to be the people who own the business than those who working FOR someone. Things are changing of course, but because golf takes a lot of time out of your day, it will only be open to people with flex time.
peace,

[Jim]

I didn't realize that Tiger had to give Rocco strokes.

Competitive golf is a heck of a lot different than when you and I would tee it up.

They all have the same course, the same hazards, the same penalties for those hazards.

HTH

[Matt Weiss]

Jim,

Your explanation of golfer's noble conservatism really explains handicaps.

[Jim]

As long as he keeps that great attitude and doesn't let politics become divisive in a setting like this, then wear what you want.

And golfers aren't conservative for the country clubs, they are conservatie because they recognize how competition makes everyone better and that fairness is a truly level playing field.

[Barb]

I loved Rocco's attitude and style. He was really enjoying the game, which is what I feel golf is 'all' about. Great game by my local hero! Pennsylvania is proud of our native son. Go Rocco!