Tiger Woods the Jedi Warrior, Earl Woods was his Obi-Wan

I was reading Doug Ferguson’s story on the passing of Earl Woods and I was struck by a quote from Earl Woods that Tiger “will do more than any other man in history to change the course of humanity. He’s the bridge between the East and the West. There is no limit because he has the guidance. I don’t know yet exactly what form this will take. But he is the Chosen One. He’ll have the power to impact nations. Not people. Nations. The world is just getting a taste of his power.”

Quite heady stuff. On its surface you might discount this declaration, but much of what Earl Woods predicted for his son, has already been achieved in just over a decade on the tour.

Most of us have watched at least one of the Star Wars movies. In one of them, Obi-Wan Kenobi is training Luke Skywalker on the ways of a Jedi Warrior.

“The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together. A Jedi’s saber is his most precious possession; he must keep it with him at all times. This weapon is your life!” (Obi-Wan speaking to Luke).

I see Earl Woods as Obi-Wan and Tiger as Luke. The principles that guide a Jedi Warrior seem to guide Tiger Woods. What Obi-Wan did for Luke, Earl Woods had done for Tiger. The golf club has become Tiger’s light saber. The golf prodigy that appeared on the Mike Douglas show at the age of two, has become a golfer who has the potential to change nations.

Bobby Jones brought golf to the public. Arnold Palmer brought it to the masses. Jack Nicklaus brought it to primetime. Tiger Woods is bringing it to the World. East is meeting West. Major stars on both the LPGA and the PGA are competing successfully from around the world. It is no longer just a white man’s game. All because a father took time to teach his son what it takes to be a Jedi Knight.

May the force be with you…..Earl Woods.