If you have watched golf intensely over the last 15 years or so, and then take a step back to scrutinize the big picture, assess all of the evidence dating back three decades and weigh an ocean of words against a man’s calculated deeds, you could well be inclined to visualize a portrait of Earl Woods that seems heretical: aside from his biological responsibility, the late Mr. Woods assumed only a small role in creating one of the game’s greatest players.

Earl Woods might well agree, and he would accept this assertion as one of the finest compliments expressed on his behalf.

Let’s be clear here: Tiger Woods is a self-made man. Golf has proven to be a perfect vehicle toward which he could effectively apply his innate physical gifts and acumen. He has an inner drive that must come from inside, that cannot be instilled by a parent. He has a love for his chosen field of endeavor that he obviously shared with his father, but it was not passed onto him from his father.

Earl Woods, who died Wednesday at age 74 after a lengthy and brave battle with cancer, certainly recognized greatness in his son -- and wasn’t shy about proclaiming his promise. If Tiger were to cease competitive golf today, his 48 PGA TOUR victories and 10 major championships stand as unequivocal testament to a father’s belief in his son’s talents.

Earl Woods ran interference for his son, but only up to the point where he felt Tiger was prepared to handle a certain situation on his own. He never interfered to a degree that would become deleterious to his son’s interests. He never insisted Tiger practice his golf, but he did insist that Tiger apply himself fully in whatever he chose to do. He did not tape a list of the accomplishments of Jack Nicklaus to his son’s bedroom wall as a means of motivation; Tiger did that himself. Earl’s contribution was giving him the support to chase the goals and the means to achieve them.

Earl Woods certainly facilitated the progress of Tiger into a champion. Oh, sure, the stories are legend of how Earl swung a golf club while his infant son watched in a high chair, how he jingled change in his pocket and threw golf balls in front of his son in mid-swing to try to help sharpen his concentration once he began developing into a fine player. But the most important gesture Earl performed on his son’s behalf was taking a step back at the proper times. He introduced his son to golf and used the game as a way to instill in him the values a good father would want to instill in a son. Playing golf together became their time for building their friendship, trust and understanding, not for building Tiger into a world-class player.

Here’s what Earl said about the game: "When you're out on the course with the person in the world you have the most influence on -- your son -- you're each watching the other handle the success and disappointment and unfairness and good luck of the game. You're letting your son find his way, and at the same time he sees that you're vulnerable, that you aren't perfect, that you have feelings and emotions that are human. He learns that even when a man does the best he can, he makes mistakes, and that it's all right. Everything is stripped away on the golf course, and you get closer. I felt that way with Tiger, every time we played. ... Golf is a great way to be with your son. And there is nothing better in life than a relationship where you can just be with him and he can just be with you. Just be."

And just love. Earl Woods loved his son -- and wasn’t shy about that either. He might not have been a genius as measured on some standardized test (then again, he very well could have been), but he and Tiger’s mother, Kultida, were unquestionably sage when it came to nourishing a human being. They understood that all parents have the tools to raise successful and happy people, and they were intelligent enough to use those tools to the fullest.

All the things that Earl Woods did were simply what he thought was best to properly prepare a child for his transition into adulthood. All the things he did not do were the things that needed not to be done, which let his child realize his dreams and become one of the great players in the long history of golf on his own terms.

Again, let it be known: Tiger Woods is a self-made man.

For that Earl Woods deserves all the credit in the world.

Note: Tiger Woods and his family have asked in lieu of flowers to please send all donations to:

The Earl Woods Scholarship Fund
c/o Tiger Woods Learning Center
One Tiger Woods Way
Anaheim, CA 92801