| Earl Woods, the father of the world's top golfer | | | | golfer, but that he raised a great person and a great |
| Tiger Woods, died of prostate cancer in early-May | | | | son.Earl Woods was more than just a golfer's dad. In |
| 2006 at the age of 74. Most people regarded Earl | | | | college, he was a catcher for Kansas State and |
| with great respect for being the architect and driving | | | | earned the distinction of becoming the first |
| force behind Tiger's awesome career. But to Tiger, | | | | African-American to play baseball in the Big Eight |
| his father meant something else."My dad was my | | | | ConferenceA Green Beret for two tours in Vietnam, |
| best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss | | | | Earl rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. |
| him deeply," said Tiger. "I'm overwhelmed when I | | | | Army Special Forces. On his second tour, he met |
| think of all of the great things he accomplished in his | | | | Kultida Punsawad, who was working as a receptionist |
| life. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, | | | | in Thailand, and married her in 1969. He fought |
| husband and friend. I wouldn't be where I am today | | | | alongside Lt. Col. Nguyen T. Phong of the South |
| without him, and I'm honored to continue his legacy | | | | Vietnamese army, a friend he nicknamed "Tiger" |
| of sharing and caring.""It's not often that a father of | | | | because of his courage and bravery. Woods |
| an athlete commands so much respect and | | | | promised Tiger Phong that he would name a son |
| attention," golfer Paul Azinger said.Another great | | | | after him.Early on, Earl felt his true purpose was to |
| golfer, Jack Nicklaus, said he had long "admired and | | | | train Tiger, who had shown early signs of being a |
| related to the close bond" shared by Tiger and Earl. | | | | golf prodigy. "I knew Tiger was special the day he |
| Nicklaus was also 30 when his father died.Such | | | | was born," Earl said. "But I made it very, very clear |
| devotion by a son for his father deserves more than | | | | that my purpose in raising Tiger was not to raise a |
| a second look. Perhaps the greatest tribute one can | | | | golfer. I wanted to raise a good person," Woods told |
| say about Earl Woods is not that he raised a great | | | | Golf Digest magazine. |