“People in Trees Taking Pictures”: Tiger Woods’s Son Charlie’s Struggles as a Celebrity Kid, School Coach Once Revealed
Is the media’s obsession with Charlie Woods fair, or is it robbing him of a normal childhood?
What do you think about Charlie Woods‘s high school life? Being the son of Tiger Woods, one might think he must enjoy the attention. However, it doesn’t seem like that’s the case. Instead, it’s the opposite; Woods’s fame is causing the 15-year-old trouble some unnecessary trouble, as per his head coach of the high school golf team.
The story dates back to last year when Toby Harbeck, the head boys’ golf coach and an English teacher at the Benjamin School, was asked about Charlie Woods’s life as a celebrity kid. As a response, the coach shared a story from the 8th hole, a straight-away par-5 lined by condos down the right side in high school golf. “And I’m watching all these doors to the condos opening up and all these people come out because they knew he was there,” he said, as revealed on Golf.com.
However, due to inclement weather, play was suspended, and while all the coaches took the shelter, Woods Jr. was unable to, as he was still signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans. Harbeck also shared a story from a different tournament where some photographers attempted to sneak onto the course to watch the young prodigy. He further talked about saying, “You can’t stop anyone from coming, and if Tiger’s there, it’s crazier. Trust me, there are people in trees taking pictures. Microphones in his face.”
There have been many times when the father-son duo has been spotted on the greens together other than the PNC Championship, like when TW caddied for his son in the second round of the Notah Begay III National Championship, or when Charlie helped his father with his son at the majors. The father-son duo share a great relationship and always speak very fondly of each other. In September 2023, Charlie revealed that they like to “just stay in our own little world.”
He also shared the advice his father gives him and how he helps his game; “We take it one shot at a time,” Charlie continued, adding that his dad “puts me in my place” from time to time. “I’ll talk about the next tee shot and he’s like, ‘No. This is the shot we’re going to focus on. Focus up. This is what we’re gonna do.’”
Tiger Woods boasts 82 PGA Tour victories and 15 major titles, so it’s no surprise that Woods Jr. also feels immense pressure while playing on the greens, given his father’s GOAT status. However, these aren’t the only struggles the 15-year-old is facing while in high school.
Charlie Woods isn’t part of high school golf tournaments
What’s your perspective on:
Is the media’s obsession with Charlie Woods fair, or is it robbing him of a normal childhood?
While playing high school golf, Charlie Woods has had decent performances in the 2024 season so far. He has played in five events, and he started with a T2 finish at the Medalist Tour back in March; he last played at the SFPGA Labor Day Classic, finishing T20. Aside from that, the 15-year-old also won the SFPGA Junior Cup in July this year. Despite these records, he isn’t part of the Golf Varsity Boys and Golf JV Boys.
He also has a +3 handicap index with the Florida State Golf Association. Considering that, it’s shocking not to see Charlie Woods on these high school golf teams. Neither head coach Toby Harbeck nor Woods Jr. talked anything about the reason behind this. Could it be that he is taking a break after having three heartbreaks this year? It’s hard to say.
What do you think of Charlie Woods’s struggles? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
