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