Teaching the next generation of Tigers.

"There are three things that I really care about. My family, playing tournament golf, and working with and helping young kids," golf icon Tiger Woods told thousands of Tiger wannabes at the second of six Tiger Woods Junior Golf Clinics and Exhibitions. The Dallas Park and Recreation Department hosted the daylong event that brought more than 6,000 youth and other invited guests to the city's L.B. Houston Golf Course last May.

The Tiger Woods Foundation organized the clinic and exhibition together with the National Minority Golf Foundation, Nike PL.A.Y. (Participating in the Lives of America's Youth), and Titleist, providing positive golfing opportunities for youth who have not had access and exposure to the sport and raising money for local youth programs, such as Dallas' own First Swing.

Locally, the Dallas Chamber of Commerce raised $92,000 from Dallas-area corporations Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, PrimeCo mobile phone company, Pro-Line, and the United Parcel Service to provide additional funding for the event.

Tiger's appearance in Dallas came a day before he competed in the prestigious GTE Byron Nelson Classic and a month after he captured the Masters Tournament title. Seeing Tiger Woods was one of those once-in-a-lifetime thrills for everyone at L.B. Houston G.C., including golf legend Byron Nelson, who made a surprise visit to the exhibition.

Tiger's Tips

With attention focused on youth golfing opportunities, Tiger and other national and local golf professionals conducted skills clinics for more than 150 young players, participants in golf programs at city recreation centers or local youth services agencies.

Tiger personally guided about 50 golfers with various playing abilities through basic golf swings and putting techniques, while other PGA members led small group sessions with the rest of the young golfers.

An exhibition after the clinic gave a standing-room-only crowd of clinic guests and invited civic and community leaders an up-close and personal encounter with Tiger and his father, Earl Woods. Sharing more than playing tips, the father-and-son duo and Nelson used the exhibition to talk to the already-awed audience about family relationships and what success is, both on and off the green.

Tiger emphasized the need for youth to develop strong family relationships and respect their parents.

After three hours of skills instruction and motivational speeches, Tiger demonstrated trick shots and answered dozens of questions.

Event organizers worked closely with staff at the city's 41 recreation centers and five golf courses to plan what was an exciting experience for junior golfers, many of whom never had the opportunity to pick up a golf club.

First Swing

During the summer months, Dallas youth learn basic playing skills through First Swing, the Dallas Park and Recreation Department's free golf program.

Each summer, more than 400 boys and girls learn the sport from PGA members, course play, and citywide tournaments. Fifteen of the 41 city recreation centers offer First Swing activities.

Following the exhibition, Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk challenged Dallas country clubs to support junior golf.

Contributions from these groups to the Tiger Woods Foundation, the mayor said, would allow the Dallas Park and Recreation Department to expand First Swing to six additional recreation centers. Several country clubs pledged their support soon after the mayor announced the challenge.

The Tiger Woods phenomenon has sparked junior golf programs across the country. In Dallas, scholarships will enable highly skilled players to enhance their skills through private instruction and let the city create additional golf camps at recreation centers that have never had them.

Tigermania Continues

Dallas Park and Recreation Department officials express excitement about the escalating desire among young people to master golf, thanks to Tiger Woods.

Increased enrollment in the city's summer golf and year-round after-school programs affirms that excitement.

Tiger's impact on the Dallas-Fort Worth golf community has taken the game to another level for the golf industry and for many young people who otherwise would not have an opportunity to experience golf.

Dallas Park and Recreation director Paul D. Dyer said, "It's no doubt that golf is more appealing because of Tiger's visit. Tigermania has made us look closer at the way in which we maintain our courses and driving ranges. Another factor is that someone can play without spending huge sums of money. Golf is a lifelong sport that can be played regardless of athletic abilities and age."

The benefits of golf as a lifelong sport and the Tigermania trend are endless, says Dianne Curry, president of the Dallas Park Board.

Curry holds fast to the belief that golf is helping to build family unity, educate children and adults, and enhance relationships, while at the same time generating sizable and necessary revenue for public golf courses.

"We are finding that the largest number of players are women and youth who want to be like Tiger," said Curry.

Months have come and gone, but the spirit of the Tiger roars on at the driving ranges and in the recreation centers. For people like Leonard Jones, Tigermania may never stop.

Jones, a PGA member and manager of LB. Houston G.C., says his phone still rings nonstop from people interested in learning golf. "Schools, churches, and other groups are calling and asking how can they get kids involved," Jones said.

"Not in my 25-plus years of being a golf pro have I seen anything more exciting than what Tiger did for junior golf in Dallas."