Zoeller eager to apologize in person
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Fuzzy Zoeller, who says his life has been
"total hell" since he made racial jokes about Tiger
Woods, wants to apologize in person this week to the Masters champion.
"I hope we can sit down, man-to-man, have a few laughs,
congratulate him on winning the Masters and be done with it,"
Zoeller said in Monday's editions of The Orlando Sentinel. "I
don't intend to drag this out. He's a man."
The two will be playing this week in the Colonial Invitational,
the first time they have been in a tournament together since last
month's Masters.
At Augusta, Zoeller saluted the play of "that little boy"
and joked that he hoped Woods wouldn't select fried chicken and
collard greens for next year's champions' dinner.
The remarks cost Zoeller a sponsorship with Kmart, and one
of his daughters was berated by a teacher over the incident.
Zoeller, who hasn't played on the PGA Tour since, acknowledges
making a "huge mistake," but thinks the punishment is
greater than the crime. He said he has received venomous letters
calling him racist.
Zoeller publicly apologized for his gaffe and pulled out of
the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic, in part because he had
been unable to reach Woods to offer a direct apology.
"I thought my first back surgery was painful, but nothing
like this," Zoeller said. "It seemed that all I had
worked for in 22 years was suddenly gone. ... It's been tough.
Tough for my family. Tough for me."
Zoeller said he has been buoyed by the support of black friends
on the tour, Charlie Sifford and Lee Elder, who have spoken fondly
of Zoeller and said they were not offended by his remarks.
"I do think Tiger and I have a unique opportunity to show
that we all can get along and be friends," Zoeller said.
"We can set an example and treat each other right and move
forward."
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