Tiger shows support to services at AT&T National

Filed under Emerging Media by on July 2, 2009 at 1:26 pm {no comments}

By MC3 William Selby

It’s not very often in the military that our jobs allow us to travel to watch national and local celebrities play golf in beautiful weather. I was so lucky this morning.

Tiger Woods hosted the Earl Woods Celebrity Pro-Am this morning at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. followed by festivities involving the local Wounded Warriors.

The day started off bright and early, and we arrived at the 10th tee box at 6:20 a.m. Woods, partnering with one of the most disdained villains in D.C., Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys, were first to tee off.

Being that this was the first professional sporting event that I’d covered, I wasn’t sure of the boundaries. I walked around the 10th tee box vying for position to get the best photos of Woods until I stumbled right next to him. Then, with a mighty gust and a loud thud, we had lift off.

Standing there after he blasted his first drive, I couldn’t help but be a little intimidated. Here I am standing next to arguably the most recognizable face on the planet.

As Tiger and the others moved on to the next whole I was passed by several other local celebs. Fellow Washington Redskins; quarterback Jason Campbell, wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, and Washington Capitals coach Bruce Budreau. I was in awe.

Now that the big hitters were gone, my camera man and I walked the course and spoke to several active and retired military members that were all extremely grateful for the opportunity to be at the tournament for free.

The tournament sponsors distributed 30,000 thousand tickets to military members for all of the tournament days and let several military members to be honorary caddie’s.

After getting several excellent interviews with the military members, we found ourselves back at the 1st tee box for Woods and his group to tee off there. I mean, it’s not every day you get to meet Tiger Woods. When he finished his drive, Woods turned around and walked to an Army master sergeant and shook his hand while yours truly took the photo. As soon as he was done he walked to me to shake my hand (which I’m not washing until absolutely necessary). How many people can say they’ve shaken the hand of greatness?

At around 11:00 a.m. we wandered over to the 1st hole for the official opening ceremonies which featured several wounded warriors, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill team, the 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles” parachute team, and Jessica Simpson singing the National Anthem.

After the National Anthem, Woods took a ceremonial shot with two service members with prosthetic arms. Afterwards they shook hands and Woods made his rounds, shaking hands and taking pictures with all the wounded warriors there. Woods really showed class and that he truly cares for the men and women that serve in the military.

Wounded Warrior Diaries: Army Family Heals Together, Stays Together

Filed under Emerging Media by on July 2, 2009 at 12:07 pm {no comments}

The 10th segment of Wounded Warrior diares was launched yesterday. The latest segment features retired U.S. Army Capt. Alvin Shell, who survived third-degree burns over 30 percent of his body while stationed in Iraq, and the role that his Family, faith and determination played in overcoming his injuries.

View Wounded Warrior Diaries

U.S. Military Honored at AT&T National Golf Tournament

Filed under Emerging Media by on July 1, 2009 at 3:01 pm {no comments}

By MC3 William Selby

For the past three years, golf lovers and members of the United States military have gathered together during the week of the Fourth of July at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., for the AT&T National golf tournament hosted by Tiger Woods.  Woods honors his late father, Earl Woods, a Vietnam veteran, by admitting all military members for free during the tournament and providing special services for them.

On June 30, I attended the press conference with Tiger Woods, the day prior to the start of the tournament. Attending this press conference were some of the most respected sports journalists in the country, including Michael Wilbon.

So, we were in the tent waiting on the world’s top-rated golfer, which just made me more nervous. I was worried I might ask a stupid question, or even worse, I may not even get the question out.  After about five minutes of waiting, Woods came out and addressed the press.

“It’s certainly become a pretty special event in its short history,” he said. “Overall this week, having the service men and women and the children just makes for such a special week.”

Woods added that having the Wounded Warriors part of the tournament really hits home their sacrifice to this nation.

“You know, it hits home when you see one of them come out and to see what they’re dealing with on a daily basis and what they have to go through because they’re putting their lives on the line for us, and unfortunately have had something happen,” he said. “And you know, that’s why I said, everyone in this room here and everyone should thank all of them for what they do. They do truly put their lives on the line, and a lot of them have gotten hurt.”

Although I wasn’t able to ask my question, the next day during the Pro-Am contest, I was able to get up close and personal with Woods and shake his hand. He is every bit as personable and generous as he is talented.

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