Eldrick "Tiger" Woods was born December 30, 1975 to Earl and Kultida Woods in Cypress, California. He grew up and attended high school in Anaheim, California. This fellow could be anyone's role model. His father Earl, a retired army Lt. Colonel of the Green Berets, one half black, one fourth American Indian and one fourth Chinese, died May 3, 2006. His mother is one half Thai, one fourth Chinese and one fourth Caucasian (Dutch). Tiger refers to his ethnicity as "Cablinasian" taken from Caucasian, Black, Indian, Asian.
There is little to criticize about him, and whatever that might be, I'm unaware of it. Much of his success has been the result of his loving and dedicated father who gave much of his spare time to the training and guidance of his son. And wise guidance it was. He was virtually born with a golf club in his hands. He putted against Bob Hope on the Mike Douglas Show when he was 2 years old! He then shot a 48 in nine holes at age 3. He continued to win virtually every event he entered and was recognized time after time by Golf digest and other media. Beginning in 1991, he won 3 consecutive Junior Amateur titles followed by three U.S. Amateur titles. His first U.S. Amateur win in 1994 made him the youngest ever to win that title at 19.
He turned professional in 1996 and his reputation preceded him, in that he signed two very lucrative endorsement deals. One worth $40 million with Nike and one for $20 million with Titleist. His appearance on the professional tour ran shivers up the backs of many of the already established champions and for good reason. His record since has been astonishing. When his father died in 2006, his concentration was affected for a few months but he came back strong and he was reportedly the highest paid professional athlete that year earning an estimated $100 million in winnings and endorsements. It is also estimated by some that he will become the first billionaire athlete in 2010.
It would be almost impossible to try and list his amazing accomplishments in his 32 years. He was appearing on national TV talk shows at age 8 because of his prowess. He has broken far more golfing records than those which he has not, and seemingly, the reason he has not broken them is that he just hasn't had time. For instance, of the six professional major tournaments, Tiger's total wins trails Jack Nicklaus' 13 to 18, however, Nicklaus won his 18 in a period of 24 years. Tiger has won his 13 in 10 years. There is little doubt that he will far surpass 18 in the next 14 years, barring some catastrophe.
Not only is this man a highly talented and disciplined athlete, he has worked to maintain excellent health and agility, and still keeps fit throughout the year. And his demeanor is admirable. Many people with his accomplishments and prominence, would by now be advising the world on politics, society in general and every other thing which came their way. I have never met the man, but from what I have seen and read, he shows remarkable restraint from flaunting his successes and rarely speaks harshly to or about anyone. Some months ago, some one made some type remarks about his wife which caused the first I had known of him expressing his distaste and even then he was very restrained with it in my opinion. If I ever knew what was said, I have forgotten it, but I cannot blame any man for becoming upset over someone criticizing his wife.
Tiger married Elin Nordegren, a Sewdish model October 5, 2004 and their daughter, Sam Alexis Woods was born on June 18, 2007. He is friends with many other great athletes such as Mark O'mera, Jack Nicklaus, Darren Clarke, Roger Federa, Derek Jeter. Jack Nicklaus says he is the "greatest golfer of all time". He has established the "Tiger Woods Learning Center", the "Tiger Woods Foundation Program" and the Earl D. Woods, Sr. Scholarship fund and contributed $9,500,000 to those in 2006.
As I said in the beginning, there is not much to dislike about this fellow. I, for one, consider him to be an asset to America and to the human race. I'm proud to be a citizen of the same country with him. If you know anything against him, please keep it to your self. I don't want to hear it. The photos above are of his Florida home.
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