Saying goodbye to a good man ...

I am not a golfer and I rarely watch golf on TV, but I do follow Tiger and cheer for him in the big tournaments. I first became aware of Tiger because of the love and respect that was evident between he and his father.  And that's what it was ... a love story of a father and his son. We have seen so many instances of parents trying to live vicariously through the talent or accomplishments of their offspring, but never did you get that from Earl Woods. He was a tough task master and Tiger is the living result. I would say that Earl Woods was a credit to fatherhood and those who want to know the secret to producing a champion should take a lesson from his book ... love, respect, discipline, and more love. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tiger and his Mom.

Earl Woods
1932-2006

CYPRESS, Calif. (AP)—Earl Woods, who was more determined to raise a good son than a great golfer and became the architect and driving force behind Tiger Woods’ phenomenal career, died Wednesday morning at his home in Cypress, Calif. He was 74.

“My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply,” Tiger Woods said on his Web site. “I’m overwhelmed when I think of all of the great things he accomplished in his life.

He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him, and I’m honored to continue his legacy of sharing and caring.”

Earl Woods was more than a golf dad, more than a zealous father who lived vicariously through his son’s achievements.

He had played catcher for Kansas State, the first black to play baseball in the Big Eight Conference, and he had been a Green Beret for two tours in Vietnam.

But he felt his true purpose was to train Tiger, and he watched his son evolve into the dominant player of his time—the youngest player to win the career Grand Slam—and one of the most celebrated athletes in the world.