Tiger Woods

A handsome, charismatic athlete, Tiger Woods is no dummy either—a Stanford University alum, he came along at a perfect time in golf’s history. The game had become the butt of innumerable jokes, and was increasingly cast as a pastime for fuddy-duddies and moneyed professionals with ugly pants. Tiger’s professional debut coming the same year as the release of the blockbuster golfing comedy Happy Gilmore, 1996 was a year that saw revitalized interest in golf, with a much needed boost from the Generation X demographic.

Fueling public interest was Tiger’s youth, his lucrative promotional contracts, his long drives, and—in an unfortunate reflection of golf culture—his ethnicity. Coining the discussion-provoking term “Cablinasian” to more accurately refer to his Caucasian, black, Indian (Native American) and Asian multiracial heritage, Tiger is credited with helping to bring more diversity to the sport.

In the time since Tiger turned pro, the number of African-American golfers has grown by 30%. Along the way, the public debate has intensified over the membership policies of many American country clubs that continue to discriminate both officially and unofficially. Tiger has commented publicly on the irony of his being unable to play at many country clubs—despite being one of the game’s best.

More than a decade into his career, the furor has subsided somewhat and the focus has turned to Tiger’s game. While many predicted a long decline following the loss of his father, his first coach, with whom he had a very close relationship, the opposite has proven true. In response to a slump Tiger has, with support from his wife Elin Nordegren, redoubled his efforts and continues to post big numbers and rake in big earnings.

He remains one of the game’s top players and donates time and money to an educational center he founded for the purpose of promoting golf and general education for young people.