Golf gave us plenty to be thankful for in '08

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Tiger Woods' dramatic U.S. Open victory at Torrey Pines was one of several things to be thankful for in 2008.

Thanksgiving reminds us, again, of all the things we appreciate.

The beauty of the holiday is that for a shining moment we stop worrying about what troubles us. Instead, we cherish all the good things in our lives. We savor them. In my book, that's what makes this day so special.

Golfers know what I'm talking about. The game is like that. We cherish the good drives, the dead-solid-perfect iron shots and those delectable birdie putts. Golfers are told that we must put the discouraging moments behind us, as quickly as possible. And when the round is complete, the wise among us dwell not on the misfortunes but on the positive moments, just like the holiday.

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Thanksgiving is all about remembering and being thankful for the best things in our lives. For golfers everywhere, 2008 has been a year worth embracing for a lot of reasons. Here are some of them:

• Tiger Woods' double at Torrey Pines, where he won the Buick Invitational to start his campaign and the U.S. Open to end it. What he did that week in June on the shores of the Pacific Ocean already is the stuff of golfing legend, and will remain so. Thanks, Tiger.

• Padraig Harrington's blazing eyes. The man never blinks, especially when he's got his eyes on the prize. What a look.

• Major Dan Rooney's passion for life and contributions to society. He's a F-16 fighter pilot who has served three tours of duty in Iraq, a golf professional, a course owner and a patriot who has spearheaded efforts to raise millions of dollars in support of the families of the men and women who have been injured and killed during the war.

• The wisdom of Jack Nicklaus. We don't see a lot of him these days but when we do, it's a special time. Listen to him and you'll learn more about the game than you ever thought you could know.

• The wit of Peter Jacobsen. He is funny and sincere. Think about that. If you could put those two traits into every human being the world would be a better place.

• The humor of David Feherty. Funniest golfer alive.

• Pebble Beach Golf Links. One of those places on Earth that you just can't get enough of, even when it's cold, windy and raining.

• The genius of Tom Doak, a golf course architect who designs modern golf courses and makes them look like they've been around forever.

• Anthony Kim's focus. Hey, A.K., you're not done yet. There's another hole to play.

• Eric Compton's heart. That's heart in capital letters.

• Corey Pavin's shotmaking (and his putting, too). Watch him operate. Tape it. Watch it again. This is a craftsman. He's worth studying because shotmakers are a disappearing breed.

• Bubba Watson's distance off the tee. Listen for the sound of the impact, clubhead against golf ball.

• Olin Browne's driving. The guy never misses a fairway.

• Boo Weekley's uninhibited approach to golf and life. He's his own man.

• The drive through Scotland on the way to Carnoustie or Kingsbarns or North Berwick and, of course, the Old Course at St. Andrews. It never gets old. The spine tingles every time the car motors over the last hill and St. Andrews unfolds before you.

• Golf books. Read 'em, love 'em, share 'em. A good place to start is Bobby Clampett's The Impact Zone.

• Titanium.

• The ageless style and charm of Arnold Palmer.

• The deme anor of Davis Love III.

• The effortless swing of Fred Couples.

• Sergio Garcia's lag.

• The continuing emergence of Hunter Mahan.

• The return of the Ryder Cup to America. It's about time.

• The Majors.

• 50-gram graphite shafts for slow swings.

• Rocco Mediate's answers. He never shortchanges a question. Any question.

• The consistency of Jay Haas. He's always near the lead and he gets there by making the fewest errors.

• The 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass' Stadium Course.

• The little guys who ask no quarter and give none. Trevor Immelman, Justin Leonard, Mike Weir, Zach Johnson, Fred Funk.

• The wonder that is modern medicine and all it has done for Seve Ballesteros in recent weeks.

• Grooves that stop the ball next to the flagstick.

• Swing gurus.

• The beauty of Augusta National Golf Club in springtime, and what the Masters means to golfers everywhere.

Vartan Kupelian is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.