Thursday, June 1, 2000
How to prepare for a visit from Tiger
By SAM ADAMS
Scripps Howard News Service
DENVER — How do you prepare for a visit from Tiger Woods?
You don't. Bracing for it is more like it.
Sam Williams, general manager at Park Hill Golf Club, has been
doing just that since getting confirmation through Woods' foundation
that the golfer would come to Denver this weekend for a children's
clinic and workshop.
Woods, golf's brightest star, is coming to Denver fresh off a
Tour win.
“A lot of folks wanted Tiger Woods to come to their city,”
Williams said. “That included almost every city in the United
States. The Tiger Woods Foundation sent out requests for proposals.
We submitted a proposal from Park Hill Golf Club (and American
Golf Corp., which runs the course), the city of Denver and the
Clayton Foundation.
“We were selected, which, really, was a big feat in itself.
We were one of four cities out of at least 80 that submitted proposals.
We submitted the bid late last year and found out we were accepted
in December.
“At first there was a lot of elation. Then there was the
stark realization of, now we have to make it work.”
A local planning committee was formed (it included Williams, Tom
Woodard, the city's director of golf, and Judy Montero of the
city's parks and recreation office) to organize the weekend's
events.
“There were lots of meetings, lots of planning, lots of crying,
a little bit of fussing ... and we put it together,” Williams
said.
There will be a workshop at Manual High School on Saturday. Sunday,
Woods will speak at the invitation-only youth clinic. Stands will
be set up on the golf course, with seating expected for up to
3,500 people.
“Because of the magnitude of the personality, if we didn't
(have invitation-only) we'd have to have it at Mile High Stadium,”
Williams said.
Children from various youth groups will attend the clinic, and
they are selected by Woods' foundation.
(Contact Sam Adams of the Denver Rocky Mountain News at http://www.denver-rmn.com.)
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