ORLANDO – When I met Tiger Woods in Orlando during the summer of 1996, he was in the final stages of prepping for a pro career, 
poised at the starting gate, ready to enter the world of professional golf, a world of guaranteed stardom and wealth.On this particular day, golf’s newest phenomenon was actually going to work to shoot his first commercial for Titleist. Not yet old enough to buy a drink at the local pub, Woods had recently signed an endorsement deal with the company for $20 million.
Tiger’s father, Earl, was also present and participated in the shoot as an on-air talent alongside the son he had raised to master the sport. It was evident Earl and his 20-year-old son had a special relationship making Tiger a natural at delivering his lines during his close up, “He’s a great father figure, he’s my best friend,” he said sincerely, his patented smile covering his face.
Earl was the reason I was present on that shoot. At that time, I was working in the film industry as a one-man medical staff on motion picture sets. Earl was known to be a very strong-willed man and although he insisted on publicly making light of his medical history, Tiger, showing love and concern for his father, directed the production company to hire a medical person to be available to tend to his father in the event he needed care.
Normally I spent my time on large sets with crews of over a hundred people bumping into each other, running around screaming for ‘quiet on the set’ or ‘Bring Mr. Hanks to the location’.
This day was pleasant and more personal. I spent the day driving through the sunny Isleworth golf course observing a father and son enjoying the time that had finally come for them to reap the rewards after nearly two decades of dedication and hard work.
Although Tiger had a mature side, he showed a few streaks of being a kid at heart. While the crew indulged in a mouth-watering prime rib and shrimp catered lunch, Tiger sat in his golf cart, feet kicked up, enjoying a sack of McDonalds burgers listening to the latest hip hop on his headset.
It was refreshing to see. Only a ‘kid’ would opt for a bag of fast food over a home-cooked feast. Only a ‘kid’ would replace the sounds of a steady breeze blowing through the trees with an earful of music.
I took a break between shrimps and observed Woods for a moment and couldn’t help to think that this well-mannered young man who reeked with confidence was clinging onto and enjoying the final remnants of his youth.
It was obvious his life was about to change drastically overnight and would soon include non-stop appearances and tournament play as well as daily doses of camera flashes and autograph requests during dinner on every night out.
That Titleist commercial would be Woods’ first of a long list of endorsements and accomplishments during his rookie year. He signed a $40 million deal with Nike, was named the PGA Tour Rookie-of-the-Year, Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year and hasn’t landed on the ground since.
After knee surgery and an eight-month absence from the tour that included the birth of his son Charlie Axel, Tiger returns this week to compete at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship and although Tiger is still ranked #1 in the world but some experts expect him to experience a little rust.
One thing is for certain though, if Tiger pulls from the inspiration his ‘best friend’ provided to help get him there, don’t expect his Nikes to hit the ground any time too soon.
Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax