Tiger Woods says no to President Clinton
By JOHN CURRAN Associated Press Writer
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - Even the president couldn't corner
Tiger Woods on the night baseball celebrates the 50-year anniversary
of Jackie Robinson's debut in the major leagues.
Woods, 21, the youngest player to win the Masters while also
becoming the first black golfer to win a major tournament, kept
his plans for a vacation despite an invitation from President
Clinton to join him tonight at Shea Stadium in New York.
"It's no disrespect by Tiger to Jackie Robinson, who is
without question one of Tiger's heroes," Hughes Norton of
IMG, Woods' management group, told USA Today on Monday. "Nor
is it any disrespect to President Clinton. But it's a good indication
of how important off-time is to Tiger."
The vacation is to an undisclosed foreign country. Clinton
plans to join a huge crowd honoring the late Robinson in the city
where he broke baseball's established color line 50 years ago.
Meanwhile, Woods had a full schedule the day after his milestone
victory, which was seen by the largest television audience in
Masters history despite his runaway victory.
A day after his record-breaking Masters tournament victory,
Woods exhibited the hard work, grace and selflessness that have
made him the world's hottest sports star.
He made good on a pair of promotional appearances he could
have skipped.
He pressed the flesh with adoring fans. He deflected credit
for his record-breaking performance at Augusta National, saying
he owed it to his parents. He encouraged children to earn trust
from theirs.
And he welcomed the responsibility of serving as a children's
role model.
"They look up to me in a positive light. If I can help
them out, I've done my job," Woods said Monday during an
appearance at the Official All-Star Cafe.
Woods made appearances at Official All-Star Cafe openings here
and in Myrtle Beach, S.C., surprising some who expected the dramatic
victory and newfound mega-stardom to change his plans.
Woods tossed golf balls, T-shirts and hats into a crowd of
about 500 people in Myrtle Beach.
"I'm still on cloud nine from yesterday," he said.
"My (green) jacket? I slept with it last night."
In Atlantic City, spectators began lining up on the Boardwalk
early in the afternoon for the evening event, hoping to catch
a glimpse of Woods, who joined actress Whoopi Goldberg, actor
Luke Perry, tennis great Monica Seles, former tennis bad boy John
McEnroe and boxer Riddick Bowe for ceremonies at Trump Taj Mahal
Casino Resort, where the New Jersey cafe is located.
About 2,000 onlookers roared when he ambled down the 320-foot
red carpet that lined the Boardwalk flanked by a half dozen bodyguards
and Seles, who walked with him, but might as well have been invisible,
for all the crowd cared.
People rushed the steel barricades for a better view, many
with cameras in hand.
Donna Mason, 36, of Brigantine held her 3-1/2-year-old son
Joseph on her shoulders. Joseph, who couldn't pronounce Tiger,
chanted "Tie Woods! Tie Woods!"
Mrs. Mason, who watched the tournament on TV, was thrilled
to see Woods up close.
"I cried when he hugged his parents," she said. "I
felt like his mother, I was so proud of him. He's just a nice
young man. It's great to have someone like that in sports today."
Moments later, Woods got up on a wooden stage and held forth.
He attributed his success to his parents and their love. Parental
love is a given, he said, but trust and respect must be earned.
"Parents should take time with their children to earn
their trust and respect," Woods said. "And children
should do the same. If they do that, I think society will be a
better place."
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