Posted on 07/06/2007 4:56:01 AM PDT by Slim Pickens
If Tiger Woods weren’t a professional golfer, he’d probably be a member of the military’s special operations community, Woods told reporters today at the Congressional Country Club here today.
“I told Dad if I didn’t make it (as a golfer) in the first few years, that’s probably where I’d go,” he said. “I’d probably end up going into the military – and I don’t know what branch – but I’d certainly want to be in the special operations community.”
Indeed, Woods underwent four days of Army special operations training at Fort Bragg, N.C., in conjunction with a golf clinic he hosted there in April 2004. Woods’ late father, Earl Woods, wore the Green Beret for 12 years as a Special Forces soldier during his 20-year Army career.
“That just seems to be more of a fit considering what I grew up with, and I certainly understand it and can relate to it,” Tiger said. “But somehow I ended up here. I made a couple putts in those years.”
Woods is hosting the AT&T National golf tournament here July 3-8. Besides “getting a W” – or winning the tournament – Woods said honoring the men and women serving America was one of his overarching goals as the event’s host.
Tomorrow morning, the world’s top-rated professional golfer will play a practice round, called the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am, with pairings that include Army Sgt. Maj. Mia Kelly and Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Amor.
Woods said he is excited about playing alongside the servicemembers.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I’ve seen their bios, but I haven’t met anyone yet, so I’m really looking forward to that, and hopefully I won’t get beat too bad.”
The golfer said that when he turned 10 years old, he began to play on military golf courses, using his status as a “military dependent.”
“I had my little card, and I could flash that and get on the golf course,” he said. “The only frustrating thing was a lot of military bases had an age limit of 10. I thought I could play before that.”
Woods has since hit the links on many of America’s military courses, and he especially likes the Air Force Academy’s course in Colorado Springs, Colo., he said.
“I’ve played a lot of military facilities around the country. For one, they’re cheaper,” he joked.
As a tribute to golf fans in the military, Woods has arranged for tournament sponsors to distribute 30,000 free tickets to active U.S. military personnel. Those attending will be able to enjoy the view from a special seating gallery, and snack on discounted concessions after showing military identification.
“I know I can’t serve with them, but I just want to say, ‘Thank you’ in some way, and this is our way of being able to do that,” he said.
“Even though my dad was retired, I basically grew up on a military base, and just understanding the commitment that it takes each and every day, for the service men and women, what they do for us, I just think that it was something that should be honored,” Woods said.
And God Bless all the Rangers
Tiger Woods is on crack.
When I'm sitting at home, I can see myself going out on the tour.
When I'm standing on the tee, I can see myself going for a walk in the woods... Off to the right...
Not sure it matters either. Just curious if he has. By your answer, it seems that he hasn’t.
Curious as to why. Not asked?/Too much of a security problem?/Not intersted? are legitimate questions.
What would he do there? I duuno? Ask Jerry Kelly, another PGA professional who went. I think they go to visit the troops. What do other athletes do when they visit? Ya think that maybe the troops would enjoy seeing/meeting him?
Living longer brings cynicism. Ask Mark Twain. Oops. He’s dead.
LOL!! LMFAO
I see we have the same coach. However, there's always that ONE shot that keeps us going back for more.
Barry Bonds discovered how the drugs hindered his baseball swing as well.
See post 16, yes some good stuff.
LOL! I just don't think going to Iraq to visit the troops should be the deciding factor for whether or not he supports them.
On the other side of the coin, if Jerry Kelly supports the troops so much why doesn't he put on a Pro-Am and give away 30,000 free tickets to military personnel?
My drive on 18 last week is enough for me. I told my partner (a fine Scottish woman, BTW) to remember that I hit them all like that. She said “Of course you did”.
LOL! You know what? That $350.00 Taylor Made driver just might be the key to turning your game around......Go ahead, you deserve it!
Unfortunately, practice ain’t gonna cut that. You and I could practice all day long. We could get better, even “real good.” But we ain’t never gonna be Tiger. That comes from somewhere else.
In spite of the support he is giving to the D.C military by giving away free tickets, cynical me thinks it’s nothing more than pandering.
BTW: How many trips has he made to Iraq to visit the troops?
‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’
Cheap shot. Give him time. He’s in early thirties, just started family, absorbed in becoming the greatest golfer to ever live, just lost his dad a year ago. This guy is the real deal. As he matures we will see more awareness of his conservative roots. His Mom is an immigrant (legal)and his dad a Green Beret, he is a class act and a true example of the American dream. Let’s enjoy his tremendous athletic ability, and watch him grow into a true example of conservative American values. He could have denied his roots, become a “black” American, and embraced Jessie and Al. The MSM put great pressure on him to do this, and he has been ridiculed in the “black” community for not being “black” enough. Instead he kept to himself, identified with all his cultural roots, (black, white and Asian) and is Proud to be an American.
Steroids in pro sports are a huge and growing problem, testing on the PGA tour may already be a foregone conclusion, but I'll bet the farm that you never see Tiger fail a drug test.
Most people do not give a damn what you think.
I, myself, have about $25,000 in Greens Fees invested, with nothing to show for it...
‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’
LOL!
When you think of all the money I would save on golf balls, I would be stupid not to buy it!
Nahh, Toby Keith was the one pandering to the troops, for increased earnings via cd and concert ticket sales. Tiger is not lining his pockets at all, in fact, he’s doing quite the opposite.
Oh ya, he’s so cool, give me a break. Ya, me too, sheeze, what a dope ....
Leno is a commentator, O'Reilly is a commentator, Franken is (was) a "commentator", and the same with Ingraham, Malkin, the bloggers who've gone, etc.
Tiger's not a commentator, he's not a performer, but he IS of military heritage and I'll bet he'd like to show his support, but wonders "What the heck can I offer to these guys by going to LSA Anaconda or Camp Victory?"
He puts it best as is noted above: "I just want to say, ‘Thank you’ in some way, and this is our way of being able to do that".
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