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