Tiger 'a bridge to the past for me and the bridge to the future for himself '

FROM THE ARCHIVE - April 14th, 1997:TWO YOUNG fans were craning their necks, hoping to get a glimpse of their hero. "Is Tiger Woods rich?" one of them asked. "Yeah, stupid," his pal replied. "He's got about $70 million. He could buy anything in the world."

It’s official: with typical hyperbole, the Americans now view Woods as “an authentic phenomenon”.

The number of tickets at tournaments in which he plays will almost treble, and he is already being touted as the logical successor to basketball player Michael Jordan, now that his particular star is on the wane.

Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, his largest sponsor, can hardly believe his company’s good fortune in nailing down a long-term deal reportedly worth $40 million. “One leading analyst, you may remember, said, we overpaid for Tiger Woods,” said Knight with a self-satisfied smile. “I wonder what they’re thinking now.”

Interestingly, he went on to suggest that because of his skill and international appeal, Woods was now in a class with Jordan, who is Nike’s most expensive client. “It’s nice to be along for the ride with both of them,” said Knight. “I think the only guy who thought maybe this was going to happen was his father (Earl).”

Earlier this year, Woods was criticised in the American media for absenting himself from home competition to play in Thailand for a hefty appearance fee. It didn’t seem to matter that the player ran away with the tournament by the crushing margin of 10 strokes, against a field that included Steve Elkington.

Against that background, Nike particularly welcomed their charge’s Masters performance. “You bet on people,” said Howard White of the sponsoring company. “He’s just a good bet.”

Though his impact on corporate America is certain to be significant, it is among the black community that Woods’ achievement will be most cherished. Two years ago, when Woods made his first Masters appearance as an amateur, Lee Elder was there to watch his progress. Over the last few days, Elder was walking around “so proud my chest is stuck way out”.

In April 1975, he had driven through the gates of Augusta National, not as a servant, a caddie or a deliveryman, but as a golfer – just like celebrities of the period such as Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller and Arnold Palmer.

Through his skill on the USPGA Tour and with a victory in the Monsanto Pensacola Open of 1974, he had become the, first black player, to breach this bastion of southern white supremacy.

Those who recall that momentous happening talked of a collective sigh of relief going through the whole of American golf, as well as inside the gates of Augusta National. It was finally over. The charges of a conspiracy against black golfers were finally put to rest.

Now, as a leading supporter of junior golf and children’s charities, Elder views the Masters not as a black man but as a golfer. “Its history and traditions make it the greatest tournament of them all,” he said. “So, Tiger’s achievement is magnificent.

“I’m so proud and so happy to see something of that nature come about. He’s the bridge to the future and the past. He’s the bridge to the past for me and the bridge to the future for himself. I’m so happy and elated to see it happen.

“People are just beginning to learn the name of Tiger Woods. They will read about him in every place. A minority (player) winning the Masters and the first major – that’s great for all blacks, including myself.”

Only two other black players have competed in the Masters. One was the highly-successful Calvin Peete, and the other Jim Thorpe, who, incidentally, appeared in the Irish Open at Portmarnock in 1989. “Tiger is playing a different level of golf than I had to face,” he said.

“He is not out there playing for money. He is out there playing for wins. I had to go out there and try to earn a dollar to support my family. He is hungry for victories and his mindset for that goal is fabulous.”

Meanwhile, Earl Woods has been forced to adopt a decidedly low profile of late, having undergone heart by-pass surgery only six weeks ago. But is here in Augusta. His mother Kultida, on the other hand, has been out on the course, all 5ft 2in of her, attempting none too successfully to get a glimpse of her son in action. But for all her efforts, Tiger didn’t see much of Tida, as she’s known to friends. “There were quite a few people out there and she’s not that tall, so it’s kind of hard to see her,” he said.