THERE was laughter and tears in the unlikeliest of sports, last week - the normally sedate world of golf. To make sure this ends on a happy note, first come the tears which were shed by veteran player Bruce Devlin whose waterworks opened during Wharf Cable/ESPN's highlights of the FHP Health Care tournament on the PGA Senior Tour. Devlin, without a win in 23 years and back from a year-long lay-off with a broken leg, ended his victory drought with a 25-foot putt on the second extra hole. In the interview tent afterwards Devlin was so overcome he openly wept and had to put his head on the shoulder of the interviewer.
It was a choker. Wet-eyed, dabbing with a handkerchief, he went on to complete the interview with dignity, despite the interviewer's crass and embarrassed interjections to the effect of 'We all love you, buddy'.
Displays of emotion on TV and in sport are usually shallow and contrived but this one rang true - a rare touching moment.
Another interview the same day caught the lighter side of the game as Wharf News' maverick sportscaster Michael King did his own thing in a one-on-one with golfing legend Gary Player.
Before the questions began King asked Player to pose for a photo with a member of the news team. That set the tone as King and Player struck up a jovial banter. Player described his work in developing courses in Asia and plugged some teaching aids. This, of course, was playing into King's hands as the sportscaster loves to include props in his bulletins. He soon had the golfing legend up on his feet demonstrating a long-handled club for keeping the wrist straight and a box-like contraption with mirrors for improving the short swing.
THE laughter continued with ESPN's Inside the PGA on Friday which was presented by Northern Irishman and Ryder Cup player David Feherty. The best-known piece of bio-data about Feherty is that he was a useful opera singer before turning pro. On the evidence of his guest host spot on this show he could return to the stage as a comedian if he ever packs away the clubs.
