Tiger Let Loose on GW (USS GEORGE WASHINGTON) (with photos)

Navy NewsStand ^ | 04 MAR 2004 | Chief Journalist (IUSS) Henry W. Rice, USS George Washington Public Affairs

[BykrBayb]

Story Number: NNS040304-06 Release Date: 3/4/2004 12:26:00 PM

By Chief Journalist (IUSS) Henry W. Rice, USS George Washington Public Affairs

ABOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- Golf superstars Tiger Woods and Mark O’Meara took time in between holes March 3 and visited the crew of USS George Washington (CVN 73) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, who were on station in the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During the little more than an hour they were aboard the ship, Woods and O’Meara, who are in the region playing in the Dubai Desert Classic this week, were given a ship’s tour. They had the opportunity to view flight operations, and then were given up-close and personal tours of an F/A-18 Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131 Wildcats and an F-14 Tomcat from Fighter Squadron (VF) 11 Red Rippers. But viewing high-tech military software was not the main reason for the visit.

“I wanted to come out here because I was raised in the military, with my father being in the Army, and I understand the sacrifices he made for our country. And I understand all the sacrifices you are making for our country, and I want to honor that,” said Woods. “I want to do whatever I can to make you guys realize how thankful we are for all the jobs you guys are doing for us.”

GW and CVW-7 are currently providing stability to the region. That stability and the presence of the U.S. military around the world are things O’Meara and his fellow members on the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour say they are very thankful for.

“We travel around a lot playing golf, but we can only do that because of what you all are doing for us,” O’Meara told the crew. “We don’t take that for granted. We know the sacrifices you all are making out here, and we really appreciate it. Tiger and I send our best from all the golfers on the tour, and we thank every one of you.”

After talking to the crew, Woods and O’Meara hit a few drives out of Hangar Bay 2’s door, and Sailors cheered as balls disappeared out of sight into the open sea.

Woods and O’Meara also signed numerous autographs for the anxious crowd before and after the golf demonstration, and as they were being escorted toward their outbrief.

Although the golfers were able to visit the ship and express their appreciation to the crew, Sailors were just as appreciative to have the professional athletes come and see them while they are so far from home.

“This visit was a real special treat for me,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class (AW/SW) Ernest Rash of VF-143 Pukin’ Dogs. “I have been a Tiger Woods fan since he was playing in college. For him to take the time and visit us is awesome. I even got an autograph for my son.”

After the autograph signing, hand shaking and picture taking were complete, Woods and O’Meara met in the commanding officer’s in port cabin with Rear Adm. Denby Starling, Commander, George Washington Carrier Strike Group, and Capt. Martin Erdossy, GW's commanding officer. Woods donated three Nike drivers, and O’Meara, three Titlest putters, to be auctioned off to the crew. The proceeds will be given to the George Washington Navy Marine Corps Relief Society fund drive and the Morale, Welfare and Recreation fund.

For related news, visit the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn73.

040303-N-7340V-039 Arabian Gulf (March 3, 2004) – Mark O’Meara , left, and Tiger Woods, right, drive golf balls through a door off the hangar bay deck normally used for access to an aircraft elevator aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). Tiger Woods accompanied by his fiancé Elin Nordegren, PGA player Mark O'Meara, and caddies Steve Williams and Greg Rita visited the Norfolk, Va. based carrier in the Arabian Gulf before participating in the European PGA Tour's Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday, March 4. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) are deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class James Vidrine. (RELEASED)

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040303-N-5319A-001 Arabian Gulf (March 3, 2004) – Tiger Woods meets Commander Carrier Group Eight (CCG-8) Rear Adm. Denby H. Starling II, on the flag bridge aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Tiger Woods accompanied by his fiancé Elin Nordegren, PGA player Mark O'Meara, and caddies Steve Williams and Greg Rita visited the Norfolk, Va. based carrier in the Arabian Gulf before participating in the European PGA Tour's Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday, March 4. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) are deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Brien Aho. (RELEASED)

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040303-N-3986D-060 Arabian Gulf (March 3, 2004) – Professional golfer Tiger Woods tosses ball caps to Sailors in the hangar bay aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). Tiger Woods accompanied by his fiancé Elin Nordegren, PGA player Mark O'Meara, and caddies Steve Williams and Greg Rita visited the Norfolk, Va. based carrier in the Arabian Gulf before participating in the European PGA Tour's Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday, March 4. The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) are deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jessica Davis. (RELEASED)

[BykrBayb]

If you like this story, you'll love the one posted yesterday by blam.

Tiger Woods tees-off 1000ft up Dubai hotel

[JennysCool]

Way to go, Tiger and Mark!

[sgtbono2002]

The Libs cried like Babies when GWB went to the carrier , all bout the great expense, I bet they wont cry opver Tiger going.

[codyjacksmom]

As popular as Tiger is, I'm sure it was a thrill for these brave people of our country.

Hmmmmm, I wonder if the Tiger wants to borrow my leopard print golf bag......

[gov_bean_ counter]

Finally found a water hazard Tiger couldn't carry off the tee.

[cyborg]

Wait and see. He scorned Bill Clinton's photo-op and caught steam for that. He wouldn't say he's black only and he caught grief for that. Tiger has caught flack for supporting the troops before.

[freedom1st]

I'm waiting, but I won't hold my breath, for Judy (Woodruff) Hunt to report Tiger's remarks to the Troops on CNN.

[Irish Eyes]

Great picture.

[BykrBayb]

Tiger is a real problem for libs. He doesn't go along with their rhetoric that everyone with any black heritage is only black, undereducated, and anti-American. He blows a hole in their theory that all black service members are poor idiots who got suckered into throwing away their lives for a country that hates them. With someone like Tiger Woods in the public eye, everything the libs say about black people is exposed as racism.

[cyborg]

The liberals are just angry that the military is a demonstration of true diversity, and that it was achieved without THEIR HELP.

[1stFreedom]

>>I wanted to come out here because I was raised in the military, with my father being in the Army, and I understand the sacrifices he made for our country.

Typical patriotic military kid. Gotta love em. (I'm one myself!)

[Rennes Templar]

The lib PETA groups will probably charge Tiger with cruelty to animals by possibly hitting dolphins with golf balls drove from deck of carrier.

[BykrBayb]

Ain't it the truth!

[McGavin999]

What a nice thing to do. Too bad they couldn't stay longer and hold a golf clinic for the guys. I'll bet they'd love it.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Hooooorah!

[Rahmulus]

Towards the bottom of the article it mentions that his fiancé accompanied him to the carrier. I bet that gave the young sailors something to think about for a few days.

[ChadGore]

Tiger is good people.

[nutmeg]

ping!

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