MioKontic:
I'm a little disappointed that some of the longer-standing players, top players and top earners haven't commented, particularly on the points of why they are still here playing, could they simply walk away, and would they continue if there was nothing at stake.
Hi Mio,
Just stumbled upon this thread and it got me thinking... I knew the two people you mentioned pretty well (in wgt terms, not real life) having played with both of them quite a bit "back in the day". Memories of Tibbets, Iconian, NCVis and myself playing rounds together, learning, having fun and being frustrated together bring a grin to my face still. But as in real life time always catches up to you. I don't want to be depressing, but eventually everyone will move on, some to better things, some to obscurity, but one thing is for sure, this site will not last forever. I myself have had to step back several times for burnout, personal reasons, frustration or just simply my private life had to take priority. It doesn't mean I didn't miss the game or the people I've met here, but other things had to take priority.
Could I walk away permanently, LOL, probably not, I'm an addict to the core... but in the same breath, it's not the same as it used to be for us "long-standing" players. It's like watching the village you grew up in explode into a full blown city where you don't know Tom from Di ck and every other Harry questions you or wants a piece of you. I'm pretty sure that at least a little bit of the reason Tibbets left is the amount of attention he received being as good as he was. When he was here there was no one better. Period. But as some of us who have been around for a while can attest, he didn't pull any punches when he posted in the forums, and that didn't make him a lot of friends. It may have worn on him, I'm not sure, but it sure took a toll on me, and I didn't even get 1/10th of what he put up with. There are still people posting on his wall for god's sake!! And I can't speak for Bollox, but I imagine that he knows exactly what Tibbets went through and there will probably come a time when enough is enough.
And that's how it happens for some, I can't speak for others because that's all my experience allow me to try to relate.
Would I continue if there was nothing at stake? I don't know... My competitive side says what would be the point? But my love of the game of golf side says... No way in h-e-double-hockey-sticks I could leave. This is, by far, the closest you can get to real golf as it gets, in my humble opinion.
Lee