| Tiger Woods came to the Washington, D.C. area | | | | finding a site and building our own East |
| last week to host his first professional | | | | Coast learning center," says Woods. "That's |
| tournament -- the AT&T National at | | | | the ultimate goal and this is the first step |
| Congressional Country Club. The world's | | | | in that." Woods' father spent 20 years in the |
| number one player is seeking to make an | | | | military. Woods says that also was part of |
| impact beyond golf and raise money for one of | | | | his motivation for sponsoring the |
| his charities. The Tiger Woods Foundation | | | | tournament."Growing up in, basically, in the |
| provides educational programs for | | | | military, even though my dad was retired, I |
| economically deprived children. VOA's Tony | | | | basically grew up on a military base," |
| Budny has the story. Tiger Woods: the name | | | | explains Woods. "And, just understanding the |
| alone tells a story. At 31 years old, Tiger | | | | commitment that it takes, each and every day, |
| Woods has won 11 major professional golf | | | | what they do, the service men and women, for |
| championships -- more than anyone else has by | | | | us, I just think that it was, something that |
| his age, and he is shooting for Jack | | | | would've been and should be honored and |
| Nicklaus' record 18. Many considered that | | | | that's why we are doing it. I think that's |
| record unbreakable just 10 years ago. Now, | | | | just a way to say 'thank you'." Woods's |
| Woods is expected to break it.Forbes magazine | | | | personal life recently took a dramatic turn. |
| ranks Woods as the richest athlete in the | | | | He and his wife Elin had a baby, Sam Alexis, |
| world. He made more than $100 million last | | | | and Woods says his daughter gives him a fresh |
| year in endorsements and prize money. But he | | | | perspective on his place in the world. "How |
| gives a significant part of that away. He | | | | can you love something so much that didn't |
| sponsors three charitable organizations, | | | | exist the day before? We'd never experience |
| including the Tiger Woods Foundation. Woods's | | | | anything like that before. Certainly, it was |
| tournament returned professional golf to the | | | | one that was different and one that was |
| Washington area after the Professional Golf | | | | special and something that we want to |
| Association abandoned it last year. PGA Tour | | | | experience again." |
| Commissioner Tim Finchem in March explained | | | | |
| the importance of Woods's involvement. "Tiger | | | | Woods says he knows his celebrity status |
| Woods has been not just a great player, not | | | | makes having a family difficult. He travels |
| just a great competitor, but somebody who has | | | | much of the year, but he says he plans to |
| changed the face of the game of golf and | | | | make family his first priority just as his |
| certainly elevated the impact of the | | | | father and mother did for him."Well, |
| professional side of the sport," said | | | | business-wise, there will be plenty of |
| Finchem. "And to have his direct involvement | | | | opportunities out there. It's about choosing |
| is unique for the Washington, D.C. area." | | | | the right opportunities but also with new |
| Woods's diverse background is part of his | | | | addition to family, I probably won't be |
| appeal. His late father was African-American. | | | | exploring as many as I would have before. My |
| His mother is Thai. He credits both with | | | | priorities are right now with being at home |
| teaching him values that inspire his daily | | | | at trying to be there for Sam and for E |
| life, and influence his charity work.Woods | | | | (Elin). That's important to me and what I'll |
| wants to expand the Tiger Woods Foundation | | | | be doing in the future."Woods tournament drew |
| from its U.S. west coast roots to the | | | | 139,000 people, and four of the other top six |
| Washington D.C area. He says the money raised | | | | golfers in the world. K.J. Choi of South |
| during his tournament will have an impact on | | | | Korea won it. Woods finished tied for eighth. |
| his goal. "Hopefully, it'll be a positive | | | | He says he plays to win, but since the birth |
| enough impact that we can donate an | | | | of his daughter, winning is not everything. |
| inordinate amount of charitable dollars to | | | | "...That night was infinitely more rewarding |
| the local community here as well as hopefully | | | | than any 'W' could have been. |