by Fauker
As a CBS Golf coordinator, I feel the need to tell you how far off base you are in repeating these lies about Mickelson. In 2004 and 2005 I bought flags in the gift shop. At the next stops where the winners were I asked them to sign the flags for my collection. Tiger wouldn't. Phil was happy to,

by Lester Hinson
What lies, Faulkner? Can you point to something in this that is a "lie"? Anything? As far as I can tell from reading it, nothing bad about Phil is said there.

by Garry
Although the gifts are nice and certainly much appreciated, they are a little over rated.I'm certain that there's a couple of tax breaks a marketing strategy prompting these donations.I'll have to make this a rare occasion and agree with Baldwin.

by Pat Brockwell
You should rename your site WhiningGolf.com. It would be more descriptive of what you do.

by john burns
Like others I take offense to Mr. Baldwin's story about Phil's philanthropic side.
We were holidaying in San Diego and the local news had a story about 500 underprivileged children, that got clothes and school supplies through a foundation set up by Phil's wife.
When one of his fellow tour players was being operated on for testicular cancer, Phil quietly stayed at the hospital until he found out the prognosis.
He seems quite genuine and I salute his efforts. On the other side of the coin, unless there is a major media presense like at Tiger Jam, I'm loathe to find much print concerning Tiger's caring side. Regardless I'm sure both individuals do more than I do. The PGA raises quite a lot for charity. I'm not impressed with vitriolic articles on a golf travel website like yours.JB

by minnie
To all of you who are so quick to find fault in Phil and/or Tiger: What percentage of your income do you give to charity? How much time do you donate? Would you give up your tee time to help someone in need? Just wondering where your priorities are. It seems odd that someone who truly cares about others would spend any time at all criticizing those that do.

by Tom Bruno
Why is it necessary to find fault with wealthy people who give to charity. ALL charity, time or money, is worthwhile. If everyone gave something to a charity imagine what wonderful things could be done. Let's not look to find fault, but rather encourage EVERYONE to be charitable.

by Lester Hinson
I've been following you morons' responses to this column and holding my tongue until now. ......
For Christ's sake, people, are you golfers, or Special Olympics javelin catchers!? Baldwin's beef is clearly NOT with Mickelson or Woods and their giving, it's with the fact that "our obsession with celebrity culture - and our desire to find something socially redeeming in our top athletes - turns any act of charity from them into the greatest gift in the known universe." I can't believe how f***ing dense you people are. You shouldn't be allowed near anything as dangerous as a sack full of clubs, much less a computer.

by Chuck Collet
There is an old saying that covers your latest piece of "lets let the cats out" mentality. NO GOOD DEED EVER GOES UNPUNISHED.. To look for ways to denegrate an act of charity, no matter who is giving the money, or why, is about as petty as you can get.. Where the money comes from and who gives it or gets credit for it doesn't matter one iota.. The deed doesn't count, only the results. As the father of a mentally and physically handicapped young woman, "I" am willing to thank anyone of any standing for anything they donate to better my daughter's life, or to help us find a way to stop these things from happening.. You seem to want to turn this "positive" into a pissing contest to see who can get the most "press" out of it.. I don't care, you shouldn't care, and everybody else shouldn't care either. Just keep up your cheap sniping and perhaps the well will dry up and "you" will be hung on your own pitard.. My God, when are you folks going to GROW UP.. If anyone, pro, amateur, or door to door salesman is out there reading this; Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for ANYTHING YOU GIVE TO THOSE NOT AS FORTUNATE AS THE REST OF US, AND FOR A BUNCH OF YOUNG MEN WHO ARE WILLING TO PUT THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE DAY AFTER DAY FOR THE FREEDOM WE ALL ENJOY. About 12 hours on the front lines in Iraq, even if it is a bad war, would have all the naysayers walking around with a load in their drawers.. Shake your heads and stick to the game of golf, instead of trying to turn the game into the SHAME OF GOLF.. Once again, "THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CHARITY". And I will try my best to ignore the "petty putters"..
Chuck Collet, Pitt Meadows, British Columbia..

by Edd Clark
I not only totally agree with you about the Frenchman's story being the one that deserves front page, but applaud your fortitude in publicising how ridiculous the public can get over some celebrity's "maybe charitable" activities.
Edd

by Michael
If he didn't contribute to someone/something, he would be criticized beyond belief by the media. He, without being asked, does something totally selfless and good and the media portrays him as being extremely generous. Why do we have to attack him for that? Yes, multi-millionaire athletes contribute a lot of money (and yes, it's a tax break) to a lot of different charities, but I think we should be glad they do so instead of complaining that they're getting favorable press over it. I applaud Mickelson and Woods and any athlete who does something like this. It proves that what they're doing for a living can do more than just help them out financially. It can help others. If any of us were in their situation, we'd probably do the same thing and the media would praise us publicly for doing so. It just comes with the territory. Stay off Phil's back. He's doing a good thing, so let's not attack him for it.

by Peck
Sure these guys give lots of money every year, but their financial advisors also tell them to give so much because of their huge incomes, either from the tour or from their many malty million dollar endorsement deals. Of all the money they give, how much do they get back, either from income tax or from "good press"? As far as I am concerened, when the average Joe gives $20-$100 it is the same because of their total income. So when Joe Blow gives a $1000 in cash, cloths, or in food it is worth much more. And what about when Joe Blow donates x amount of hours to charity every week when they only make $10-$20 an hour. These people should be applauded, not these guys who can afford to give lots more than they do. I think if most of us had their money, we would give more, at least I would like to think so!

by Michael
And if it were newsworthy that someone donated $20 to Goodwill, it would be on the news. It's just as worthy of praise as someone donating a million dollars, but the person donating a million dollars is going to receive media coverage. Is it their fault they have more money to give? No. So why attack someone who contributes?
You said, most of us would give more if we had their money. You're probably right...and you'd probably receive the same kind of coverage. Would you want to be attacked for that? Give these guys a break. They're trying to help someone. You don't have to make them out to be saints, but you don't need to criticize them, either.

by peter dunderdale
You have hit the nail on the head...give me Frenchman's and San Diego any day. Those charities make a "real" sacrafice. We have all played in outings that help a charity...run by volunteers who donate their time and effort...I would love to see these people get the credit they deserve.
Pete

by JDevaney
Phil Gives Much much more than we will ever know about!!! Phil didn't want to go public about Dobler the press somehow got a hold of it. You are tptally off base saying what you did about Tiger and Phil!!!!!