Inspiration among things to be thankful for in 2009

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In a year of overcoming obstacles, Amy Mickelson, Ken Green and Tom Watson provided plenty of inspiration.

It's the week where we pause for a moment and count our blessings; a week where we begin to take stock of the year and give thanks.

For family. For friends. For health. For all those little things we overlook the rest of the year that somehow come into focus so clearly when we stop for a moment and reflect.

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So, that said, here are a few things we're thankful for in golf:

• Tiger's season. Forget the 0-for-the-majors. He came back from major knee surgery, dominated and raised the bar once again. Take time to appreciate that we're blessed to watch the best in the world.

• Phil's finish. A few hours with putting guru Dave Stockton and Phil Mickelson runs the tables in his last two events. He put the mid-season emotions aside and made us believe that rivalry just might be a reality in 2010.

• Tom Watson. Was there a more inspiring week? Watson and Turnberry are quite a pair. Heck, Watson and the Open Championship are. He could have been the story of the last two centuries. Instead, he inspired us and gave us one more reason to admire him, not just his career.

• Caddies. They may say they're always a shot away from the unemployment line, but the best tell it like it is to their players. Take Billy Foster, who told Lee Westwood to stop worrying about the field and play his game. The next day, Westwood blitzed the field, won the Race to Dubai and jumped to No. 4 in the world.

• Westwood. Hopefully this season means we'll see much more of him. He's bright, funny and a world-class player who should be a short-lister at every major.

• Annual mammograms. The topic was more relevant than ever in the locker room -- and in the crowds -- after Amy and Mary Mickelson were diagnosed with breast cancer this spring. Amy's battle put a spotlight on a disease and reminded us of other strong TOUR wives -- and LPGA Tour players and friends -- who've waged similar battles.

• The Pink Out. The show of support proved real men do wear pink and tournaments are about more than just what happens inside the ropes. The sea of breast cancer pink was an impressive statement. It brought a tear to the Mickelson's eyes and was a reminder to women and the men who love them that early detection is the key.

• Stewart Cink. Smart, unassuming, talented. Yes, Watson stumbled, but Cink played 76 brilliant, steady holes to win the Open Championship. The king of tweets and a guy whose road to the top hasn't been all that easy, Cink always has a smile on his face. And Thrashers tickets in his pocket.

• Ian Poulter. He's out there folks. In a good way. His tweets are hysterical. And the guy's got style and game. He'll talk cars, clothing and tell you what he had for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Ken Green's perseverance and heart. Is there anyone not pulling for him to tee off in a Champions event?

• Sandy Tatum's passion. He was a one-man force of nature and guardian angel for turning around Harding Park and bringing The Presidents Cup to the Bay Area. The former USGA president doesn't take no for an answer.

• David Feherty. He's hysterical. He brings that little twist to every telecast. And the pink stripes on his goatee and pink shades at Colonial ... he's the only one who could pull it off.

• Endless possibilities. With Ryo Ishikawa, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy on the way up, we're already thinking about the future of the game post Tiger and Phil. And some young-gun showdowns along the way.

• Next year's major lineup. Augusta National, Pebble Beach, St. Andrews and Whistling Straits.

• Arnold Palmer. At 80. And always.

• Jackie Burke. He's still going strong after a stroke. You can't talk to the man and not learn something.

• Angel Cabrera and Charlie Epps. The pupil and coach with an Oscar-Felix-Odd Couple feel. They share a place at majors where Cabrera cooks and Epps cleans the kitchen and is in charge of lights out. They found fun in a grind that led to a green jacket.

• Jay Haas. Quiet, understated and always in the mix. A heck of an assistant captain who deserves his chance to captain.

• Seve Ballesteros. That charisma is still there and so is the magic. He refuses to let brain cancer stop him.

• Amen Corner. Nothing like it. You remember the first time you saw it and it never stops taking your breath away.

• Furman Bisher. The dean of sportswriters -- and golf writers -- may be on the other side of 90 and retired, but he's still covering events and blogging. Sit for a spell and listen. You won't want him to stop talking.

• Fred Couples. Enough said.

• President George H.W. Bush. He loves the game, the players and the people surrounding it all. At the Shell Houston Open, he wanted to meet Lee Westwood and Aaron Baddeley. He shuffled the length of the range and we obliged with introductions.

• Henrik Stenson. Swedish cool. One minute he's hitting a shot at Doral's third hole in boxer-briefs; the next he's holding the trophy on the 18th green at THE PLAYERS Championship.

• Golf. It reminds us that nothing is perfect and teaches us to do the best with what we have in front of us with honesty and integrity. It's a mirror for life.

Melanie Hauser is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. Her views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR.