Swine flu derails Jack Nicklaus' "El Jaguar" grand opening in Mexico

Right about now, I should be teeing it up at “El Jaguar,” the newest shining star in the Jack Nicklaus course empire near Merida, Mexico.

The golf course, part of the Yucatan Country Club at the Yucatan Village and Resort, was all set to have a grand “grand opening” this weekend.

Nicklaus was scheduled to talk about his layout and his new Nicklaus Academy. Olympic legend Marc Spitz - a star swimmer who was Michael Phelps before there was a Michael Phelps - was set to unveil his swimming academy.

That was before the media frenzy hit about the swine flu. Everything was postponed, no doubt costing the organizers a pretty peso and a lot of heart-ache and headaches.

I’m no medical expert, but hasn’t this whole thing been overblown? People have died, and I feel for their families and friends, but the reality is people die from the flu all the time. Something like 360,000 a year, according to news reports.

The flu has spread to dozens of countries, but isn’t that what the flu does? Spreads until it runs its course. Few outside of Mexico has had much of a problem returning to normal within a few days after a bout with the virus.

Believe me, I’m not ranting because I’m stuck home mowing the lawn instead of enjoying a wonderful weekend in the Mexican sun. I’m sure there are thousands of other tourists and business men and women who are thinking the same thing … sometimes the media just gets too excited at the latest greatest story, sending itself into tizzy for no reason.