Earl Woods, Father of Tiger Woods, Dies

[LiberalHeart]

Earl Woods, who was more determined to raise a good son than a great golfer, died Wednesday morning at his home. He was 74.

Earl Woods was the role model, architect, and driving force behind Tiger Woods' phenomenal career.

More:
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=4855217

[Delphinus]

1. I saw the 60 Minutes piece on Tiger

and I have to say, Tiger is a good person. The way he wants to help the children just amazed me. Earl did a good job.

Edit to add sympathies to Tiger and his family.

[Left Below]

12. As a long-time private club golfer, I cannot stress what a GREAT

person Tiger is. His parents get most of the credit, of course.

But Tiger is the MOST courteous, honest, hard-working, and "traditional" PGA pro under 35.

When only a few old guys would remove their cap to thank another player at the end of a round - Tiger was the only young guy to do it. Now most do.

He respects the greatness of others - contrast him with some ass-wipe NBA player or Barry Bonds.....

[Jack from Charlotte]

16. Yes. I love the hat removal during hand shake. It's so classy. I'm...

honored to have been at Augusta during a practice round Tiger was playing while he was still in college. Gary Player was in the group in front of him. As Player walked by he was saying... "Wait until you see this young man behind us. He's going to be one great golfer."

Also, followed Tiger around during a 7 AM practice round here in Charlotte at The Wavchovia 2 years ago, which is played about 6 blocks from my house. The following was unreal. At 7 AM on a Tuesday he had about 500 people. By 9 AM there were 3,000.

[henslee]

20. Earl was a class act. The footage of him and Tiger is so moving.

[bdamomma]

2. sad news

Tiger loved his dad, I am sure his Dad's memory will always live in Tiger's heart.

[Marnieworld]

3. so sad

I've followed Tiger's career since he turned pro. What a beautiful relationship they had. I feel really bad for Tiger today. Hopefully he'll get some peace now that his dad's struggle has ended. :cry:

[lovuian]

4. May he have peace

and so sad for Tiger...

[Beaverhausen]

5. I'm glad he got to see Tiger achieve success before he passed

Rest in Peace.

[henslee]

6. Guys, he died from Prostate cancer. GET ROUTINE CHECKUPS!

I think forty or so is a good age to start going yearly.

[Midlodemocrat]

7. Absolutely. Prostate cancer is extremely slow growing

and immensely curable. Early detection is the key so that you can avoid a radical prostatectomy. My dad survived it and he was in his 70's.

[DrZeeLit]

17. With prostate cancer, the older you are the more likely you can live with

the tumor by doing nothing. The younger you are, the more hormones you have, the more likely if you do nothing, it will kill you.
My father died at 62. Last month, my brother, 50, was diagnosed. Since he has had yearly check-ups because of our father, they caught it really early and he opted for prostate removal. Thank goodness all's well. I'm telling you all: GET THOSE CHECK UPS.

And...about Tiger.
My family is in the golf industry. My brother is rather well-known. He and Tiger are acquainted via golf and life (my brother's wife is from Thailand, as is Tiger's mom). My husband has had many occasions to meet him.

EVERYONE in the industry has had the highest regard for his courtesy and CLASS. Class is a direct result of great parenting.
My hat is over my heart for Earl. And of course, Tiger's mother.
Both have a wonderful son who is a credit to the game and to his parents.

My heart goes out to him today. He will miss his father. I still miss mine, every single day.
The good news is that his father gave him all that he carries for the rest of his life.
And because Tiger is in the spotlight, we all gain.
Thanks, Earl.

[Marnieworld]

18. you should read thispiece

I'm a big golf fan and I am just dying to know who your brother is but I won't ask. You've given enough hints that I'll figure it out eventually. I won't tell I promise. ;)

Anyway, what you wrote reminded me of a lovely piece I read yesterday about Earl. I have been following Tiger's career since he turned pro, that's what made me watch golf in fact at first. I've been to two majors and I loved the experience. Just walking around within feet of these amazing athletes is so cool. I've always been impressed with Tiger the person as well as the athlete. You can tell more about a person on a bad day than a good day and on Tiger's bad days he has always handled himself with grace, class and dignity. He never shies from bragging about a good shot but he also never hides from the bad moments and is the most critical of himself. I also can't recall a time when he was rude to any other golfer even when they were to him. He could have crumbled from the crush of his success at such a young age without the guidance of his dad. I don't think it's possible to even separate Tiger's ethics and standards from how he was raised. Golf is better, the world is better for Tiger and it's all because of Earl. Watching Tiger has given me a lot of pleasure and it saddens me to know that he is grieving now. I'm sure we'll all witness him dealing with this with the same grace and class he has shown with everything else. I'll miss those after victory hugs though.

Here's the link to this piece:
http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/pga/news?slug=cnnsi-trueinspiration&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns

[DrZeeLit]

22. One more thing. Tiger ALWAYS tips the help (on the golf course) whereas..

his fellow foursome, did not.
For example, he was playing with Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley (sp).
And I'm sure they were all comped.
My husband worked for the course, so this is not heresay.

Tiger was kind and generous to everyone, tipping the cart guys and help.
Jordan and Barkley....not.
Amazing to me is always that the "rich" often get stuff for free. But how do they react?
Hopefully, with class. Not always.
My husband has some stories...yessssss.
(others with class on the course: Bob Newhart, John Lithgow, Cheryl Ladd, and Pres Ford... to name a few he really admired as "customers")

p.s. My brother...mmmm.... JOHN ASHWORTH... originator of Ashworth Golf Clothing (and Tiger wore Ashworth before he turned pro and went with his present company.... I even have a picture of him in Ashworth at the British Open... oh well, they are still friends)

[Marnieworld]

23. Must be a nice course your hubby works at

The tipping doesn't surprise me at all. Tiger is motivated by the drive towards perfection not cash. A part of him must empathize with everyone because there was a time when he wasn't even allowed on some of these courses (as a child) and even when allowed his presence was extraordinary. That has to stay with you.

Thanks for the inside scoop. It's nice to find out that your hunches about someoneare correct. I wonder how long before he wins again. Will he be in a slump due to grief or will he be electrified as a tribute to Earl? It reminds me of when Bret Favre's father died. He was coached by his dad too growing up and they were extremely close. The game after he died Brett played extraordinarily well making many touchdowns, and touched anyone watching. Sports can capture very special human moments and it was one of them. Tiger always amazes so I'm sure he'll continue to handle it all with grace.

[arwalden]

9. Excellent Advice

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

11. no doubt!

:thumbsup:

[northzax]

19. he fought it off once before

when it was caught fairly early, but then it returned and metastasized.

[Festivito]

8. Tiger knows good luck, especially in fathers. /nt

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

10. That's sad

They were a great team

[superconnected]

13. RIP Mr. Woods.

You did a great job while on earth.

[Deja Q]

14. Everybody dies.

May he rest in peace.

[PCIntern]

15. Not quite true...

Nixon will never die...

[fujiyama]

21. They seemed to be pretty close

That's very sad. Tiger seems to be a decent person. I think his parents raised him well.