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.
Tiger’s no more worthy of respect than any other able bodied American who chooses to go for the bucks while saying, “Gee, I’d really like to serve.”
I believe if you check you will find he has been there twice. The only pictures I recall are of Tiger doing a clinic on the deck of a carrier in the Persian Gulf.
Well I think it is quite evident that Tiger is doing what he was put on this earth to do. We all have a calling - not all of us are called to be soldiers. That he shows respect for those following a different calling is good on him.
What I don’t understand is attacking the guy when he is trying to do something good for others, however large or small the gesture may be.
Attack is too harsh a word. When a celebrity says something stupid people are apt to comment on it.
"If I didn't get into that MBA program, I'd be a soldier"
"If I didn't pass my series 7, I'd be a soldier"
"If I didn't get into med school, I'd be a soldier."
Hear any lawyer, MBA, stock broker or doctor say this in a bar and you'd laugh and think, 'yeah, right...talk is cheap'.
I don’t think he is saying it in the “I’m a tough guy” vein trying to impress people. I think he is saying it as a compliment to those in the service.
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The only difference is in the amount of money, Woods makes more. And, btw, I know doctors, lawyers, CPAs, MBAs, brokers who have put the careers on hold and have been deployed to Iraq as ANG with the 42ID. You need someone to put on a pedestal try one of them, not a celebrity.
LOL. I see you've gotten to the substantive portion of your discussion.
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.
Read the article again. This time for comprehension. Speed doesn't count now. You have done nothing but put your words in his mouth.
Bigotry comes in all forms, even here of FR.......
As a blow-up doll?
Saying he would be a ranger if he didn’t “make it” in golf is just a TEENSY, TINY bit disingenous.
The day he turned pro he was a multi gazillioinaire from endorsements, no chance of him not making it, I don’t care if he couldn’t break 80 and never made a cut no way was he going to join the military...sorry.
That being said I’m thrilled with what he’s doing and his positive support of the military, he had George H. W. Bush hit the ceremonial tee ball, Bill Clinton nowhere in sight. If he ever does have a democrat tee off in his new tournament I will root against him forever.
You're the one who brought race into thing. Who's the racist?
I was all set to join the army but frankly something better came along.
Then to compound the insult he says here you go boys, free tickets so you can come and see me do what's so much more important than what you do.
Pandering for what? Tiger is quite sincere. He did hold the golf clinic at Ft. Bragg and I'm sure he's done a ton of things for the military that we don't read about because he is not chasing press. Even Hillary Clinton goes to Iraq to visit the troops, that's really no indication of support. Supporting the troops takes many forms and Tiger has nothing to prove to you.
Could you imagine him banking his shots for the kill? LOL!
You do sound like Archiebunkeronsteroids! Go loosen your girdle.
Rekindling old conversations
Ping #70
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