Tiger Woods arrives for training at Fort Bragg
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — Fresh from the land of green jackets, Tiger Woods arrived at the home of the Green Berets on Monday for a visit aimed at giving the world’s top golfer some of the Army training his father got during the Vietnam War.
Woods — who finished 22nd in last weekend’s Masters — arrived by private jet and his privileged life isn’t likely to be replaced by “You’re In the Army Now.” He’s expected to get a sanitized version of real Special Forces training.
“I don’t know how rough they’re going to train him,” retired Army Sgt. Maj. Dwight Nixon said Monday. “They probably won’t train him quite as hard, but they’ll give him something.”
Nixon, 45, was making the turn at Bragg’s Stryker Golf Course, dressed in tan rain gear against the drizzle and chilly temperatures.
While Nixon got a dose of Woods’ everyday life, Woods was getting ready for a taste of Nixon’s former career.
The golfer was issued a green-brown-almond-black camouflaged uniform with his name on it, Bragg spokesman Lt. Col. Bill Buckner said. He also received an orientation to the post, the Army and the Special Forces.
Woods did not make himself available for questions Monday, and his representatives have said he wants his Bragg experience to be private. He is scheduled to meet with reporters Friday, when he gives a golf clinic and demonstration at Stryker.
Woods is scheduled to watch Green Berets handle their weapons and sweep through an urban assault course before getting a chance to try it for himself, Buckner said.
But no one should expect the 28-year-old star will be plopped in the middle of a wilderness and challenged to survive on his own for days, as real Green Berets must.
And his visit to Bragg bears no resemblance to heavyweight boxer Riddick Bowe’s 1997 effort to survive Marine boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., Buckner said.
“He’s not going to have a drill sergeant barking up and down at him and yelling at him to get in line,” Buckner said “He’s going to get some exposure and experience with how Special Forces operators conduct business.”
While some Army grunts rolled their eyes Monday as they discussed the special treatment for the golfer who earns close to $90 million a year, more were complimentary of his attempt to connect with his father’s military experience.
Earl Woods first trained at Fort Bragg in 1963 following a tour in Vietnam, and he was assigned to a Special Forces unit here before leaving for another tour in 1970.
David Pugh, who tries to play a daily round at Stryker, was pleased that Woods was in town.
“He’s giving something back to the community,” said Pugh, 73, a retired public school teacher and coach who was playing in Nixon’s threesome. “I wish more golfers would give more back.”
Woods will close his weeklong visit to Bragg with a visit to Stryker. He’ll do an hour of personal coaching for eight youngsters from the post, chosen from about 200 who competed for a spot. Another 76 children between 7-17 years old will attend a clinic with four local golf pros alongside Woods.
The youth clinic will be followed by a skills exhibition for about 4,300 soldiers, students and invited guests, some of whom won tickets in a lottery, Buckner said.
Stryker, which opened on the Army post in 1948, was designed by Donald Ross, regarded by many as the top course architect of the last century.
Clarence Gainor, a member at Stryker, was a Green Beret in Vietnam a bit earlier than Earl Woods. He predicted son Tiger will come through his military experience in fine form.
“He’s in good shape and he’s young. It won’t hurt him.”