Planet Smileys

What do you call someone who follows you to work every day and watches what you do? Under normal circumstances this would be a stalker. In this case, his name is Bob Smiley author of follow Roar and it is not a stalker. Smiley had the idea of following Tiger Woods for every hole of every tournament of the year 2008.

Not that Smiley had many options to choose before starting his season long task. As he explains, he was a writer working with many perspectives. He came up with the idea of following Woods, so he can try to improve his golf game. Well, it may or may not have succeeded, but he would not have timed better. Smiley is at the center of one of the golf season's most memorable in history. Timing is everything sometimes and Smiley happened to choose the right time to hunt down the greatest player in the world.

Tiger Woods and all the players on the PGA Tour is followed by hundreds of reporters and journalists each week they play. The difference between them and Bob Smiley was that they were legitimate members of the press. Bob was not. He had no power or press passes. He was a fan. Like thousands of ticket purchase regular Joe who stand behind the ropes. He had no special access or parking permit or free food or air conditioning in the press tent to operate from. Smiley has been stuck in the pack with real golf fans. From this perspective Smiley tells his story, it makes this little book.

Originally, Smiley had planned to go the whole season and that would have cost him money he did not. He certainly had a very understanding wife. It was determined that it had the potential to be a success for him, but even he could not see year, Tiger was the dramatic climax to have.

If you live on planet earth you know how Tiger season has ended. So there is not much suspense here. The joy in this book comes from Smiley's trip. He traveled far, but it's not amuse his travel miles. The characters he met and the friends he made along the way are interesting and entertaining.

Smiley began this journey, but nothing of a Tiger Woods fan. He says he does and he hated Tiger root against him every week. Smiley was finally conquered by the talent of Tiger, the determination and courage. It is like many who have seen this season. We've all been surprised by how Woods finished the season with the U.S. Open win on a half-leg. Smiley's account of this wild season makes you feel as if you were there for each shot, standing behind the ropes with all those Tiger fans converted.