Posted on 07/06/2007 4:56:01 AM PDT by Slim Pickens
If Tiger Woods werent a professional golfer, hed probably be a member of the militarys special operations community, Woods told reporters today at the Congressional Country Club here today.
I told Dad if I didnt make it (as a golfer) in the first few years, thats probably where Id go, he said. Id probably end up going into the military and I dont know what branch but Id 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 events host.
Tomorrow morning, the worlds 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.
Im really looking forward to it, he said. Ive seen their bios, but I havent met anyone yet, so Im really looking forward to that, and hopefully I wont 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 Americas military courses, and he especially likes the Air Force Academys course in Colorado Springs, Colo., he said.
Ive played a lot of military facilities around the country. For one, theyre 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 cant 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.
No, you no dope, he dope, me sorry, but sheeze, me too want be hero ....
as one military brat to another - Way to go Tiger!
Truth is you have no idea what he gives to anyone. As the Bible says - when you give, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. It also says this - thou shalt not covet. Sounds like you have some serious envy.
No sex between unmarried personnel
Reference twas meant as a joke.
If Tiger Woods felt strongly enough about it, I'm sure that the military would take him.
Not to take anything away from the young Mr. Woods, but THIS guy did more than just talk...
Not just a soldier, an elite Ranger.
LOL! Touche!
Stop hating.
Yep. ".....you know,.....all the things we fight for." ;-)
What have you done?-- except be cynical.
The sentence is ambiguously written. What is clear is that he thinks the only thing in the way of him being an elite Ranger is his $50,000,000/anum civilian career.
What have you done?
Advertised what Tiger is doing.
What grade are you in?
This guy just proves how important a father and mother are to young men.
He’s a credit to his parents and himself.
...and if things get too tough, she has a twin.
I admire him for refusing to be a poster boy....i admire him a lot for that
I really just think that he is doing good work and is going out of his way to honor the military- he should be commended for that.
They still wouldn't and even if he were to part the Red Sea they would say he's just a sissy who didn't want to get his feet wet.....
Pretty stunning.
Good for Tiger.
Nice boat, too.
I know pandering - this isn't pandering.
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