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5/8/06 I had the privilege of meeting Tiger Woods in the Summer of 1993. He was a graduate of Cypress HS in Orange County, California, and he had just committed to Stanford University where he would pursue an education in Economics, and golf. I also met an older gentleman that day named Earl. Earl was a decorated war veteran, an honorable Green Beret that served two tours in Vietnam. His life was saved by Nguyen ‘Tiger’ Phong, and to honor him, he nickname his son Elrick, ‘Tiger’ when he was born after the war in 1975. Because of his humility, I didn’t even
know he was Tiger Woods' father until a couple of weeks later. They say
you never have a second chance to make a first impression, and Earl’s
impression was indelible. Living vicariously is normal, all parents want their children to do well, but fanatically micro-managing every decision and calling a press conference every time your child does something remotely noteworthy is repulsive. Unfortunately it’s rampant, especially when someone with self-imposed entitlement is trying to settle a score from their past on the backs of innocent, impressionable children. There’s a lot to be learned from Earl the Teacher, the Coach, and most importantly, the Father… Eldrick ‘Tiger’ Woods was his 4th child, and was from his second marriage. His first three children had less than mild interest in sports, so he never pushed them. He never pushed Tiger, either. That’s the truth. He did however see a brilliance and presence in his young son even at the age of 5, and he believed Tiger would exude positive influence on masses of people someday. He wasn’t sure exactly how, he just knew that Tiger had ‘it.’ Golf inadvertently became that vehicle when young Eldrick picked up a club at 11 months old in the garage and started swinging away. Because he was a gifted natural athlete with an incredible work ethic, a desire to succeed, and above-average intelligence, everyone can see what’s taken place since then. But this story is not about Tiger, it’s about the tale of his father, who as a Colonel in the Army taught his young son how to be successful no matter what he did. It just happened to be golf. Somehow he managed to instill the importance of discipline, hard work and temperament, and he conversed with Tiger, helping him to overcome stubbornness, impatience, and mood swings. Earl didn’t need Tiger to be successful, he already was. And he didn’t use Tiger to promote his own self-interests. He taught Tiger Woods right from wrong, even if it meant not getting your name in the paper. There’s a lot to be learned from Earl Woods. Teacher. Coach. Loving Parent. Rest in Peace… (c) 2006 Novi
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