Golf fans are usually among the most civil in all of sports, but many embarrassed themselves while watching 15-year-old Charlie Woods last week in a pre-qualifier for the PGA Tour’s Cognizant Classic at Lost Lake Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Fla.
Woods, the son of legend Tiger Woods, and a sophomore on the Benjamin School team that won the Florida state championship, was trying to take a gigantic step to compete at golf’s highest level. His odds of advancing against many seasoned pros were astronomical, but the horrid behavior of some of his gallery certainly didn’t help.
Charlie shot a 16-over-par 86 that included 11 pars but a 12 on the par-4 seventh hole, which was two holes after several unruly fans hoping to grab a souvenir from the bushes after a drive out of bounds. He had to contend with a growing following throughout his round with other spectators also overstepping the mark.
One person reportedly asked an official trying to protect Charlie: “Who are you? The first marshal?” And a grandmother pulled her granddaughter out of school when she learned he was playing in the event, hoping Charlie would notice the youngster.
About 50 fans followed Woods threesome, which included Olin Browne Jr., son of three-time PGA Tour winner Olin Browne, who shot 70 to advance.
“It’s definitely the most people I’ve ever seen at a pre-qualifier,” Browne Jr. said.
The nuisances continued throughout the round, and Charlie wasn’t helped by the lack of a rope around the course to keep spectators back. Tournament officials reportedly had to make repeated calls for spectators who were walking very close to Woods to get back on the cart path.
Charlie is accustomed to large galleries while following or playing with his famous father in the popular PNC Championship four times. But those events always have crowd control, but not the pre-qualifier, even with Tiger not in his gallery, though his mother, Elin Nordegren, was on hand.
The coup de grace was a “fan” attempting to get Charlie to autograph a copy of his father’s book, “How I Play Golf,” during the round. An official reportedly intervened to inform the person that it wasn’t allowed, who then caused a fuss while Charlie was teeing off. It was reported Charlie had a two-man security detail walking alongside him, which included a Martin County sheriff’s deputy.
Charlie was seemingly able to remain positive after his round as he was heard joking to his caddie, “That was some round, huh?”
His father’s influence was clear to see on his bag as a “Tiger” headcover was used for his driver.
Hopefully fans show the young Woods proper etiquette in the future so he can enjoy the game that he loves.
