The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Tiger Woods to hear of Angus link to late dad
DALHOUSIE: Superstar to receive new book marking golf club’s 150th anniversary that contains details of father Earl’s visit
Superstar Tiger Woods will this summer find out how his father takes a special place in the history of a Tayside golf club.
Woods will arrive in Angus in July to compete in this summer’s Open and he will be given a copy of a new book to mark Dalhousie Golf Club’s 150th anniversary. The book includes a story about his father that has been described as “a key item in the forthcoming book on Dalhousie’s fascinating history”.
Club captain Donald Ford said: “Tiger Woods was the US amateur champion when he first came to Carnoustie for the Scottish Open in 1995. His late father, Earl, was visiting the old ‘municipal’ clubhouse/starter’s box during the tournament, when his attention was drawn to the badge being worn on the blazer of Dalhousie captain, John Lindquist.
“He asked: ‘Excuse me, who are you?’ and John told him that he was the captain of Dalhouse Golf Club. On hearing this, Mr Woods immediately requested John’s autograph.
“It is a safe bet that no one then could possibly have imagined that – 23 years later – the incident would be proudly published as a key item in the forthcoming book on Dalhousie’s fascinating history.”
Earl started his son in golf at a very early age and coached him exclusively for his first years in the sport. In 1993, after his son’s third straight title in the USGA Junior Amateur Championship, Earl sought out superstar teacher Butch Harmon to develop his game.
The retired soldier died in 2006 and Mr Ford said it is unlikely his son will have heard the Dalhousie story that he will get the chance to read about. The book has been written to mark the anniversary celebrations alongside a series of events which are taking place throughout the year.
Next up is a race night on Friday May 4 in the Carnoustie Hotel where the proceeds will be split between the Scottish Air Ambulance Association and Dalhousie. A donation to CHAS will also be made on the night.
The principal golfing event as part of the anniversary is on August 24, when around 60 to 70 guests will attend a tournament on the championship course and a formal dinner.
Tiger Woods made his European Tour debut in the 1995 Scottish Open at Carnoustie and a week later journeyed to St Andrews to contest his first Open.
He will return to Carnoustie in July as the second-most decorated golfer in the history of the game with 14 major wins, just behind the 18 of Jack Nicklaus.
gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk