Tiger Woods isn’t playing tournaments these days, but he’s still showing up where it matters. On Monday, Woods stood on the grounds of Cobbs Creek Golf Coursein Philadelphia, scissors in hand, opening the doors to a brand-new TGR Learning Lab.
This wasn’t just another ribbon-cutting. The 15-time major winner made it clear the moment was about honoring Charlie Sifford, the Hall of Famerwho broke the color barrier and became one of Woods’ closest mentors.
“This was Charlie’s place,” Woods said, glancing across the course where Sifford cut his teeth as a teenager. “Cobbs Creek was like a second home for him. Being here, opening this lab, it feels like the story comes full circle.”
“Go kick their ass”: Sifford’s words live on
Woods didn’t just talk about Sifford’s legacy; he shared the personal side too. “If I was within six shots of the lead going into a tournament, I’d find a note in my locker from Charlie. It always said the same thing: ‘Go kick their ass.’ That was Charlie. Direct. Believing in me when I needed it most.”
The new TGR Learning Lab is the second of its kind. The first, based in Anaheim, California, has been running since 2006. Both are designed to give kids from underserved communities access to STEM programs, tutoring, and college-prep resources – a mission Woods says ties directly to Sifford’s example of opening doors for the next generation.
“Charlie gave me the chance to dream of being on Tour,”Woods said. “This lab gives kids the chance to dream bigger, whatever that means for them.”
More than golf, it’s about opportunity
Sifford, who won 22 professional tournaments and became the first Black golfer inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004, battled discrimination his entire career. Woods knows that without Sifford’s fight, his own journey might have been impossible.
By planting the lab at Cobbs Creek, Woods is trying to make sure Sifford’s story isn’t just remembered – it’s lived through opportunities for young students in Philadelphia. “We want this place to be about more than golf,” Woods said. “It’s about creating paths for kids who might not see one yet.”
What’s next for Woods?
While Woods hasn’t teed it up professionally since The Open in 2024, fans are hoping to see him return in December at the PNC Championship alongside his son, Charlie. For now, though, his focus is on recovery and the work of the TGR Foundation.
“Charlie told me to go kick their ass,” Woods said with a grin. “Now it’s about helping kids here know they can do the same – in golf, in school, in life.”
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