TWF flashback: Earl Woods honored with statue
Today, we flash back to a significant event in foundation history: The dedication of a statue celebrating the legacy of Earl Woods and honoring his lifelong dedication to helping others.
On Jan. 21, 2008, Tiger and his mother, Kultida Woods, unveiled the eight-foot bronze replica of Tiger and his father. Designed by Elliot and Ivan Schwartz of Studio EIS, the statue stands proud in the lobby of the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, California. Earl was too ill to attend the 2006 grand opening of the Tiger Woods Learning Center, and at the statue dedication, Tiger recalled giving his father a private tour before the facility opened. According to Tiger, Earl later thanked him for taking him to the facility.
“I told him, ‘Thank me? You were the inspiration for it. Without you, I would have never gone down this path,'” Tiger said at the dedication. “There’s no better way to honor what he’s done.”
Tiger recalled the everlasting impact his father has had on his life and the foundation today.
“I want every child that enters our first Learning Center to be reminded of his encouragement and use it as inspiration in the same way I have,” he said.
The base of the statue features a quote from Earl’s book Start Something: “I challenge you to make a difference in the world — to reach higher and farther than you ever imagined.”
A fitting tribute to the man who dedicated his life to caring and sharing.
Watch highlights from the ceremony:
