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Can America Still Compete?

Has the United States lost its competitive mojo?

I'm writing today to express concern about the growing number of sports in which our native sons and daughters are getting waxed. I call your attention to the past weekend at Augusta, where besides Tiger Woods and Bo Van Pelt, the next highest American, I believe, was Ben Hogan. Looking at that, I was madder than LeBron James' mom.

What's going on? When ourJack Nicklaus won his last Masters 25 years ago, there were only nine international golfers who made the cut. Almost that many were in the lead Sunday.

I think it's fair to say that outside the "big four" professional sports - NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL - Americans aren't as competitive as we used to be.

As a whole, Americans put more value on their children playing football or basketball or baseball while the rest of the world is playing more soccer, golf, tennis, gymnastics, etc. Part of it comes down to money. There is more money in football and basketball versus soccer of tennis in the USA. The other part is idea that "real" men play football because it's a "man's" sport.

I think the USA will still be the country to beat at next Olympics. But, I wouldn't be surprised to see the aura of American athletics disappear just like Tiger's.

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[ comments ]

MSchad says:
I don't think the US has lost its competitiveness in golf. 25 years ago, the US players probably out numbered the rest of the world combined. That isn't true any more. Therefore, the 10 to 1 odds of a US player winning the Masters 25 years ago is probably more like 2 to 1. I know my numbers are not accurate, but whether or not you out number the rest of the field has to have a lot to do with it. Personally, I like seeing the talent that is growing all over the world.

4/13/11

Enycee92104 says:
Accesibility can be added. For many/most American kids it's much easier to throw a ball in the yard or learn to dribble in a driveway. I don't know about growing up in Europe but that's one reason American kids are more inclined to participate in contact sports. Our sports are wrought from the back yard, not 18 holes, the tennis club, or the pitch. Golf for far too long wasn't seen as a very physical sport. I think the US golf scene is ripe to explode with kids that grew up playing and watching Tiger and the current youth movement while not giving up because Kaymer is on a roll. Also now having greater access through First Tee programs and others. I enjoy the international competition and talent the sport has right now. The next generation of the game.

4/15/11