One man’s loss is another man’s gain
February 14 for many is St Valentine’s Day. But it also heralds the "Year of the Tiger" according to the Chinese calendar.
Meanwhile, the ‘other’ Tiger — Woods — can hardly be thinking about the Year of the Tiger or Valentine’s Day. Even as debates rage about his whereabouts, his future with his wife, his career and whether or not he will join or overtake Jack Nicklaus’ tally of 18 Majors, the objects of ‘indiscretions’ have become collectibles in themselves.
An enterprising company called ‘Creative Classics’ has come out with a range of golf balls which have emblazoned on them head shots of Tiger’s lovers. The collection called "Tail of the Tiger: the Mistress Collection" is believed to be a big hit (pun unintended).
Regardless of what he does, Tiger is always a marketing dream — for his ex-lovers, for golf balls manufacturers (ask Nike), cars, watches or for that matter anybody and anything. But many of these companies which had him as a brand ambassador are backing out, cancelling contracts or withdrawing advertising featuring Tiger. ‘Creative Classics’ has indeed been very creative about bringing into the market golf balls which could become a rage.
The balls, which have just been released come in sets of 12 costing $45.99. A report said that a company spokesman confirmed that nearly $40,000 worth of balls were sold in the first days and an order for $15,000 was received from Japan alone.
One of Tiger’s mistresses — former porn actress Veronica Siwik-Daniels — who does figure in the set is aghast at the manufacture of such a golf ball line and has claimed that this "promotes violence towards women" and has hired a lawyer to look into the matter.
At a media conference she is reported to have said, "It is wrong for a golf ball to have my picture on it, because golfers hit their golf balls with a lot of force."
The collectible, meanwhile, has had me thinking about a whole lot of other things. For instance, since there are only 12 balls in each set, one wonders, which of the mistresses — the last count was 18 or 19 — have been left out.
A few months back, on a visit to Mission Hills in Shenzhen, China for the Omega World Cup, I saw and bought another set of golf balls — they had printed signatures of the designers of the dozen courses which adorn the world’s largest golf complex, Mission Hills. I have never had the heart to use that set on a golf course. But neither would I have the heart to do the same with "The Mistress Collection".
But believe me, if I came across the collection I would snap it up and put it alongside the ‘Mission Hills Collection."
By the way, maybe it is time for Jack Nicklaus’ marketing team to take a leaf from the ‘Creative’ book and put out a collection of ‘Jack’s 18’.
That would be vintage stuff!
By V. Krishnaswamy
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