Story and link: Thanks, Tiger

Bill Plaschke wrote a nice column about Tiger Woods in today's LOS ANGELES TIMES. It reminded me of something I've told many people about Tiger and now want to put on the record.

I first time I saw Tiger in a tournament was in 1991 (he was still called Eldrick then) when he won the CIF-SCGA High School Invitational by 10 shots as a freshman at Western High School in Anaheim. It was the only time he played in the event because we at the SCGA kept scheduling the tournament on the same day as U.S. Open sectional qualifying, which Tiger played in each year by virtue of his three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur titles. Thankfully, we've learned to avoid that conflict.

In the summer of 1994, after his graduation from high school and before entering Stanford, Tiger played in the California Amateur Championship at Pebble Beach and the SCGA Amateur Championship at Hacienda GC. It was the only time he played in either event and, in reality, he was way beyond state and regional tournaments at that point. Later that summer, he would win the first of his three consecutive U.S. Amateurs. Yet, Tiger took the opportunity to say thanks to the SCGA — his home association growing up — in the best way possible from our point of view. He played.

Both tournaments were memorable, albeit for different reasons. Tiger sailed easily into match play at the state amateur at Pebble Beach and seemed destined to add his name to the Edward B. Tufts Championship trophy when he was upset by Ed Cuff, 2 & 1, in their semifinal match. Ironically, another Woods, Steve, then defeated Cuff in the championship, but Cuff went on to win his state title in 1998.

In the SCGA Amateur, there was no doubt who the winner would be after Woods fired an 8-under-par 62 in the second round to take a commanding lead. He eventually shot 270 for 72 holes, winning by 10 shots setting records that still stand for single-round and 72-hole totals.

No matter how many professional tournaments Tiger wins or how many records he shatters, what I'll always remember about him was that he took the time to thank the SCGA. No fanfare, no speeches, just playing. Thanks, Tiger!