Angel Cabrera just won The Masters.
Most people are thinking: "Wait a minute, who?"
In the golfing world, which dominated by the likes of Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickleson, and Tiger Woods, Cabrera is a breath of fresh air. He wasn't born into the game like most of his competitors on the PGA tour. He had to EARN it. Born in Argentina, Angel took up caddying to raise money for his divorced family. He quit school after 6th grade to caddy full time. Angel then found out that he could double his caddy money if he beat the other caddies at golf after their rounds were through. He quickly picked up the game and started to make a name for himself as one of the best golfers in the area. When he turned 16, a member bought him his first set of clubs, and from that point on, Angel never looked back. He went to Europe, joined the European tour and later the PGA tour, and now he has won the US Open and The Masters (two of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world).
Angel rose through the classes and became successful. He grew up a poor caddy in Argentina and is now one of the best golfers in the world. What is separating him from the other poor people in Argentina, or even the rest of the world? I'm sure the 10,000 hour rule comes into effect here. I'm also sure luck plays a factor. However, I mainly believe that he fought his way out of the bottom of the social class. He made money at all costs (no pun intended). He quit school to make money. He started working as a 10 year old to make money. He played in golf tournaments partly because of his love for the game, but also because of the money. Is this what people like Jerry from The Zoo Story need to do to escape their social environment? Is this always possible? The answer, sadly, I believe is no. But if you do succeed, if you rise to the challenge, you just might win what Angel won. Respect from from millions.
4 comments:
Nice connection to Gladwell, Chip -- great tournament last weekend, wasn't it?
Fantastic! A great battle between Tiger and Phil, and a rush for victory going into playoff holes!
I think that it is exciting that someone other than a famous golf player won the Masters tournament. Although I do not follow golf that much, I was expecting one of the more well known golfers to win the tournament. I think it is great that Cabrera won because he didn't come from a golfing family, but instead worked his way to the top. Many Americans like this narrative because it privileges hard work and perseverance. Because we know that successful people like Cabrera worked hard to get where they are, we know they deserve it and it also shows those who are struggling to get by that they might have a chance to be successful. While it might not always be possible to be as successful as Cabrera, he can still be a symbol of hope to those that want to become great.
I completely agree! I actually watched the Masters (or at least the last day...) this year and saw Cabrera play. His stroke seems unconventional at best. I also saw him have a couple of terrible swings. In the end though, he won of course, in the three man playoff with Campbell and Perry. This story of a working man making a story out of himself is just mind-blowing. The odds of Cabrera, a man I had never heard of a couple weeks ago, to win the Masters? Crazy! And I agree with you Chip, that although this is not always possible, it is nevertheless a remarkable story.
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