Editor’s note: Earl Woods, who died Wednesday at the age of 74, was as much a part of the golf community as his son Tiger. Before his condition worsened, he frequently could be seen at PGA TOUR events around the country when his son was playing. Several of Woods’ peers share their reflections on the father-son relationship below.

Charles Howell III: I played Tiger in the U.S. Amateur at Pumpkin Ridge and lost to him in the second round. I was 16 at the time and Earl was out there walking with Tiger. We all knew the Tiger-Earl story by then. After the match, Earl came up with me and said “You’re a great player. Just hang in there and you’ll win." That meant a lot to me at 16.

David Toms: The thing I remember most is the way they embraced after Tiger won his first Masters. You could see how big it was for his dad, too. It was like our plan has come together.

Vijay Singh: All I can say is when I look at them I can see they had a great father-son relationship. It reminds me of me and my boy.

Rich Beem: You look at Tiger’s career and everything Tiger has done was influenced by Earl. Earl was always there. He had a huge impact. There’s not one moment. It’s all the moments wrapped into one. It’s a sad day for Tiger, but it’s a sad loss for golf in general. Earl Woods showed Tiger the way. Earl was remarkable in his own right.

Jason Gore: I just remember always being at junior golf events and seeing him there. He was always at his side. You could see that special relationship he had with his dad. For as much as Tiger was disciplined, Tiger turned out to be a great kid. That’s something Earl should be very, very proud of. He was always there discussing and not pushing his son to do anything he didn’t want to do. Tiger had the drive and Earl supplied the fire.

Lee Janzen: We all used to play -- (Mark) O’Meara, Junior (Ken Griffey Jr), Tiger and Earl. Earl was a pretty good player, too. They interacted well on the golf course. … He said once Tiger learned how to use the phone he called him every day at work and said "Come home. Take me to the golf course." Every day.

There was this one time a couple years ago … It was pretty funny. I was on the range hitting balls and I was moving around to get different angles. And there was this car with dark windows parked off to the side and he kept moving every time I moved. So I called the pro shop and said, hey, come check this thing out. It was Earl. He was watching me practice. He drove off eventually. I never said anything (about it) to him and he didn’t to me.’’

Steve Stricker: The thing that sticks out to me is how much he’s impacted Tiger’s life. And I think when they embraced after Tiger won his first Masters and you saw the emotion in his face … and you don’t see very often from Tiger.’’

Billy Harmon: The first time I ever saw Earl was the 1994 (U.S.) Amateur -- his first Amateur. I always thought he got a bit of a bad rap. He always stayed away from Tiger. He was there and he was supportive, but in no way, shape or form what you would call a Little League parent. Then I was there in Newport when he won. He was the same way. He didn’t advertise his input and interest in Tiger. I think that was done probably very privately. I thought he really kept his distance from Tiger at tournaments. He was not the show. Someone unapproachable. He didn’t envelope you. He was out watching his son.

As we’ve watched Tiger the last five or six years, it’s probably not a good idea to give his teachers much credit. I think Earl and Tida deserve the credit for who that young man is. All four of his teachers – Rudy Duran, John Anselmo, Butch and Hank Haney have had input, but by in large, Tiger Woods is a product of those two people. And part of that is his ability to take instruction. And that’s unusual. The lead dog usually likes to fly solo. And he flies solo in many areas. Not in this. They instilled in him (to) keep an open mind with instruction and how to get better. I think his mom and dad deserve a lot of credit. Much more than his teachers…. I think coming from Butch’s brother, that means something. For whatever reason, the greatest player of our generation is someone who seeks out and takes instruction. And I think it’s very admirable of him. But when it’s all said and done, he’s the one who reaches down in his belly.

Tiger Woods (R) hugs his father, Earl Woods, after the final round of the 2004 Target World Challenge. (Getty Images)

Jack Nicklaus: For many years, I have not only had a great respect and admiration for Tiger, but I feel that I understand him in many ways -- from his love for the game to the way he approaches competition. But I also have admired and related to the close bond that he and his father have shared over Tiger's lifetime. My father was my best friend, my mentor and perhaps my greatest support system. Earl was all of that to Tiger. Having lost my father at the age of 30, I know what a tremendous void it was in my life. Tiger has shown amazing resolve and focus while dealing with his father's illness, and I know he is going through an enormously difficult time. I know there are no words than can provide salve for what he and his family are going through with their loss, but I hope they know that the golf world, including me, my wife Barbara and the entire Nicklaus family are keeping them close in our thoughts and prayers.

Mike Weir: All my best goes out to Tiger and his family. I know Tiger was very close to his father. He was a man who taught Tiger so much. It has to be tough right now, and I wish him all the best.

Chris DiMarco: I know his dad had a huge influence on him. Even though his death was expected, I hope he gets through this hard time and want him to know we’re all thinking about him.

Adam Scott: He had a big influence on Tiger, and I know he’ll be remembered as a great man and a great mentor. I just wish Tiger and his family my best and hope he gets through this tough time. We’ll look forward to seeing him back out here soon.

Paul Azinger: I just feel really sad for Tiger. It’s not often that a father of an athlete commands so much respect and attention. I think this news just makes everybody very sad.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.