OPEN NOTES
PINEHURST, N.C. – Amid the many sarcastic things that are said and written about the top players lie many special deeds that go unnoticed. Recently, Tiger Woods did something worthy of some attention for a local woman in Pinehurst.
Sara Rodgers, the sister of Sue Elliott, the owner of the Pinehurst Sundry, the standby sandwich shop in tiny Pinehurst Village, has been battling carcinoma sarcoma, a form of cancer that has attacked her lungs, diaphragm and ribs. She’s such a rabid golfer she played throughout her chemotherapy sessions, even threatening to break 90.
A friend of hers reached out to Woods through his agent, Mark Steinberg, and told him of Rodgers, prompting Woods to write her a personal note on his IMG letterhead.
It read:
“Dear Sara, I have been told a lot about you, about how you have battled your illness and your bravery, and your love of sports and especially golf. I believe that you have been an inspiration for all those around you, and that you have the love of your family and many friends. In that, you have something many people never achieve.
This note is to show my encouragement to you as you go forward with your treatment. Keep up your great spirits and have faith and confidence in your doctors. You will be in my prayers in the days and weeks ahead. Remember, the first step is to maintain a positive attitude as you always have.
Sincerely, Tiger Woods
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In an incident that took place at a local restaurant this week quite different from Woods’ kind gesture, there was Sergio Garcia showing he’s not the world’s biggest tipper.
Garcia and two friends ate burgers and sandwiches and, at the end of the meal, Garcia got up, paid his bill at the register and walked back to the table to deliver a $1 tip for the high school kid who had waited on him.
For winning the Booz Allen Classic last week, Garcia earned $900,000. His 2005 PGA Tour earnings entering this week’s Open are $1,909,546.45. He’s also earned $172,415.02 on the European Tour.
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According to a marshal at the Pinehurst clubhouse, Woods played an afternoon round with his pal of equal fame, Michael Jordan.
Whispers were they played on Pinehurst No. 8, one of the resort courses, and it was closed down just for their group.
