Written by Nic Fraraccio <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an avid sports fan, I do not like it when people ask me, \u201cWhy do you watch sports so much?\u201d I think the answer to that is pretty obvious. Sports are one of my favorite escapes from the problems of this world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, there is one question I love to answer regarding my sports fandom: \u201cWho is the greatest athlete you have ever met?\u201d If you know me, this is one of my favorite stories to tell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a gorgeous Monday morning on Dec. 1, 2014. My dad and I took a trip to Orlando, Florida, to watch the Hero World Challenge, a charity golf tournament featuring 20 top-ranked golf professionals. That year, Isleworth Golf and Country Club hosted the star-studded event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can promise you one thing \u2014 11-year-old Nic was pumped to see some of his favorite golfers in action. Little did I know I would get the chance to talk to one of the greatest to play the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My dad and I arrived at the course at 7 a.m. Our plan was to watch some of the guys warm up on the driving range. The country club was located in a luxurious neighborhood with some of the most stunning houses I have ever seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To get to the range, my dad and I had to walk down the street, passing multi-million dollar houses with each step. When we were about 100 feet away from the range, a pink golf cart flew by us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was none other than two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson. My excitement level flew through the roof \u2014 I was about to watch Bubba destroy the ball on the range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even better, the range was almost desolate. There were a total of six people: myself, my dad, two cameramen, Bubba and his caddy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bubba was hitting bombs with his driver. It almost felt like I was getting a lesson with the little amount of attendance on the range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of a sudden, I felt a light tap on my shoulder. It was my dad. He leaned over and said, \u201cLook who it is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first thing I saw when I turned around was a caddy wearing a red bib with a set of golf clubs by his side. My eyes lit up when I saw the tiger headcover on the driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seconds later, Tiger Woods walked up to the range preparing to hit a couple shots before his practice round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My dad and I proceeded to freak out for a couple of seconds before watching Tiger hit on the range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For those of you who don\u2019t watch sports, Tiger is arguably the greatest golfer of all time. With 82 all-time Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour victories, Tiger is tied with Sam Snead for the most wins in PGA Tour history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was a big deal for my dad and me. We love Tiger, and we were basically watching him stripe golf balls on the range with no other fans around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Tiger was beginning to wrap up his range session, my dad said, \u201cYou gotta ask him for a picture son. There is nothing to lose!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Tiger was walking off the range, I quickly asked, \u201cMay I please get a quick picture?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He immediately responded, \u201cOf course.\u201d After taking the picture, I thought the interaction was over. Fortunately, I was wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you play golf?\u201d Tiger said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d I said. \u201cBeen playing in Tampa for a couple years now.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tiger loved it. He started listing off courses he loved to play at in the Tampa Bay area. I knew every course like the back of my hand, I just wished I could play them with his skill level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before walking back to the clubhouse, Tiger turned around and said, \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll see you playing out here one day.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An interaction I\u2019ll never forget with one of the greats. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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