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one of the most dramatic moments in golf occurred on April 13th, 1997.
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On that day, Eldrick Tiger Woods, at the young age of 21, won the prestigious Masters golf tournament.
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Not only was Woods the youngest ever to perform the feat, Woods, a score of 270 set a record for the tournament.
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His victory was also seen by many as a symbolic victory over years of racism in the sport of golf and US society in general.
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Woods's victory in 1997 came just two days after the 50th anniversary of the day American baseball players broke the color barrier in professional baseball.
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Also, Woods's victory came in a sport long recognized for racial exclusion.
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The Augusta National Golf Club excluded blacks from playing in the Masters tournament until 1975, and the Professional Golfers Association only removed its Caucasians Only rule in 1961.
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Woods was born in the state of Florida in 1975.
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He rose to fame quickly, winning the US Amateur tournament from 1994 to 1996, National Collegiate Athletic Association champion in 1996, and US Junior Championship from 1991 to 1993.
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In the first year that Woods turned professional, it is estimated that over $650 million US and extra revenue was generated in golf.
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Television ratings soared in the sport and the Professional Golfers Association negotiated huge contracts with American television networks as a result of Woods's fame.
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Woods is also negotiated record-breaking private sponsorship deals with major firms such as Nike, Buick, Titleist, American Express and many others.
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In fact, Woods negotiated deals in the millions even before he turned professional.
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Truly an international sports celebrity, Wood sees himself as someone destined not only to be a great athlete, but also a person who will have some significant social or political impact on the world.
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It is not clear, however, what that impact will be, but there is little question that he will be one of the, if not the richest athletes in history.
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Woods is destined not just to be a multimillionaire but a billionaire, heralded by some as the first black champion in a traditionally racially secluded sport.
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He has also been received more cautiously by those who see the limitations of using black sports stars as role models for youth.
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Only a tiny fraction of African Americans have even the remote chance of becoming sports stars in any sport, especially golf.
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In fact, they're so small that there is a much greater chance of winning a lottery.
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However, by some accounts, as many as 80% of African American youth aspire to make a living from playing sports.
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Meanwhile, 45% of African American children live below the poverty line in the US.
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If the trajectory of Woods's career continue on its current path, it is possible he will satisfy his father's wishes for Tiger to make an impact on the world.
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It will be spiritual and humanitarian, and it will transcend the world of golf.