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.
I am in Extra-Extra-Fine.
How about thou?
Almost every military brat I grew up with and have known otherwise takes the military much more seriously than that.
Thinking of one friend in particular - father and uncle both 30+ year career NCOs - it would be impossible for him to speak lightly of the military, since he picked up the traditions by osmosis and it's really at the core of his life (he did an enlistment and has worked on the civvie side since then). Oddly, he goes to great lengths to NOT be a military guy.
Military families just don't think the way civilians do, and IMO your post (and thinking) are really way out there.
Tiger’s mom is gonna be a great grandmom and baby sitter for Sam Alexis. What a blessed family.Thanks Mr Woods and Tiger...............now turn on the jets and win this AT&T thingie................GO TIGER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Same question to you (and just as irrelevant)
Initial tournament in D.C.; wants to ensure success; big military population.
Pander (v): To cater to.
Since half the lifers I've ever known, and all of the AF lifers, wanted to be professional golfers [they certainly practiced enough] so there may be a genetic linkage.
That said:
Woods apparently could do just about anything he set his mind to do.
Well before enlistment age he was seriously into playing golf and I expect that he was getting 'work' in that field early enough to be on track before he needed to make a decision one way or another.
As to his 'Special Operations' comment, he has risen to the top of his chosen career - seems natural that, if he were in another career, he'd seek to do the same thing. [Not to mention that he has every right to look up to his father and his actions indicate that he does so]
As to his not selecting the military over golf - you might start balancing that by counting the golf ranges and programs all over the US using just his name to bring minority kids into sports that don't involve dribbling, fouling the other guy, or wearing weird, baggy, shorts.
Finally, you don't think he's got guts?
The guy goes on national TV to advertise Buicks (!) and that ain't for the faint of heart.
Yes, but does he drive a Buick when no one is watching?
Of course, his wife . . . this particular wife . . . would not have given him a second look if he was in the army.
‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’
Unless he had 4 stars on his lapel. (smile). She’s not your everyday girl. Can’t hate her for that “catch”. Or him either.
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.....
‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’
LOL
Pander (v): To cater to.
‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’
Absurd. Just having Tiger in the field insures its success. Sponsors and TV follow him wherever he goes. In fact he probably lost big money by letting military in free. Many of them would have paid as would other fans. They guy is just doing what makes him feel good. He loves the military men, respects the institution and is grateful for his military upbringing. His father was his whole life. The greatest competitor of all time broke down and cried in his caddy’s arms after the British open win last year. The first tournament he won after his father died, because his dad wasn't there to share it with him..
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Haters? What is this, the Ricky Lake show? You sound like a 13 yo mall chick.
As far as Woods' talk...supporting the troops is admirable but your hero goes beyond and leaves the impression that he'd really rather be in uniform if only he didn't have this pesky career. Sorry, not impressed with the talk. You may of course worship whom you please.
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Howzabout showing me where I wrote anything along these lines...
That's true. Assuming they can get on, PGA Professionals play for free on any course in the country.
He has a pretty foul mouth.
Tiger is no Tillman....
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Sounds like you've got some serious reading comprehension problem since my comments about not being impressed have nothing to do with whether or how much he gives but his 'I'd be a soldier if I weren't a golf pro.' talk. There are plenty of troops who gave up lucrative career paths to suit up. That impresses me.
btw...for the record, while I don't have Woods' money I'm doing just fine thank you (retired at fifty on my own investments) and I'm doing exactly what I want to do with my life. Envy doesn't have a place in my world.
I don't know. Ben Hogan is probably the best golfer ever to walk this Earth, and he got that way by hitting balls at the range until his hands bled.
I think the basic fundamentals of golf do not require extraordinary talent. What is different about golf, and really can't be learned, I suppose, is the ability to handle the unique pressure that golf puts on players. No other sport requires its athletes to be as mentally tough.
Watch your language jerk.
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