Dec 11 Clarkenotwin
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Darren Clarke should have won lat night’s BBC Sporty Personality of the Year award.
Had the voting been done by real sports fans instead of middle-England’s blue rinse brigade, Clarke would have walked it.
As it was, the public voted for Zara Phillips, who won two equestrian titles this year in her (own words) “tiny sport”.
In contrast, Clarke overcame the most terrible personal tragedy to shine in the Ryder Cup, said to be the world’s third biggest sporting event behind the Olympics and the World Cup.
Like her mother before her, Phillips had been groomed for equestrian success. Her family isn’t exactly short of cash to buy her the best teacher, the best contacts, the best practice facilities, the best horses…
She obviously has talent, but that talent has undoubtedly been helped by her family’s money.
Clarke, though, battled to the top of world golf the hard way. He grew up playing in the wind and rain of Northern Ireland’s links courses, crafting his game before breaking into the big time. He didn’t rely on anyone to get here.
Looking down the list of the 10 finalists, Clarke stood out like a beacon.
With Tiger Woods failing to win International Sportsman, the Ryder Cup boys failing to win Team of the Year and Clarke failing to take the top award, it was almost as if the BBC has something against golf…
