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