From Ike to Tiger: Abilene’s Surprising Golf Legacy

Steeped in history, Abilene, Kansas, has a surprising connection to the game of golf with its ties to one of the most golf-loving Presidents and a surprising connection to one of the game’s greats, Abilene offers golf enthusiasts and history buffs a unique perspective on the sport.

President Eisenhower’s Golf Story: From Augusta to Abilene

Did you know that President Dwight D. Eisenhower was once named the fifth most popular President PGA fans would like to play golf with? A devoted golfer, Eisenhower embraced the game during and after his presidency, becoming a member of the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club in 1948. He even befriended the club’s co-founder, Clifford Roberts, cementing his place in golf history.

At Augusta, Ike’s name lives on through the legendary Eisenhower Tree, a loblolly pine that stood on the 17th hole. Known for frustrating Eisenhower’s golf game, the tree became so infamous that Ike lobbied for its removal in 1956. His proposal was humorously dismissed by Roberts, and the meeting was promptly adjourned. Over the years, the Eisenhower Tree became a symbol of Augusta National, even tangling with other greats like Tiger Woods. Sadly, the iconic tree was removed in 2014 after an ice storm damaged it beyond repair.

Today, you can find a piece of the Eisenhower Tree on display in Abilene at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, where you can learn more about Ike’s remarkable life, including his love for golf. It’s a must-see stop for golf and history enthusiasts alike.

Golfing in Abilene Today

Abilene’s golf legacy extends beyond its connection to President Eisenhower. At one time, the city was home to three golf courses, including the historic Abilene Golf Course – Country Club, established in 1920. Today, the tradition continues at Abilene Golf & Fitness, located at the site of the former Country Club. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking to enjoy a relaxing day on the green, Abilene Golf & Fitness offers a welcoming atmosphere and a chance to follow in the footsteps of Abilene’s golfing past.

Disc Golf at Brown Memorial Park

For those who love disc golf, Abilene has something new to offer! The Brown Memorial Foundation installed a re-designed 18-hole disc golf course at Brown Memorial Park, replacing the long-standing 9-hole course.

This state-of-the-art course was designed by Eric McCabe, a professional disc golf world champion and designer of multiple courses across the United States, including those used in world championships. The course features Veteran Baskets, tee signs, and course kiosk signage, making it a standout addition to Abilene’s recreational offerings.

A Surprising Link to Tiger Woods

Abilene also holds a fascinating connection to Tiger Woods, one of the greatest golfers of all time. Did you know that Tiger’s father, Earl Woods, married his first wife, Barbara Ann Hart, in Abilene on May 18, 1954? The couple had three children (Tiger's half-siblings) making this small Kansas town a little-known part of Woods’ family history.

"At All Costs" (My Life With The Man Behind The Tiger) by Barbara Woods Gary

MILESTONES
At the tender age of seventeen
I could hardly wait 
To venture to that city by the Golden Gate.
I had so many opportunities to pursue, 
And I later returned to wed the love I knew.
Now, forty years have passed,
And I've returned 
To that place for which I've yearned
A lovely place called Abilene
From which I left at seventeen.
-Barbara Woods Gary

Chapter 1
It was 1939 and we were living in Abilene, Kansas with our grandmother. there were four of us children: Delores, Dale, Cynthia and me. Young and innocent, we hadn't a care in the world. We were poor and unaware, never realizing that my grandmother had no idea how she was going to feed us. 
My parents divorced when we were young. My mother worked twenty miles away in Fort Riley, Kansas, and our father was living in San Francisco, California.
This is where my story begins.
It was in the late 1940's and early 1950's when my brother Dale was playing double AA baseball in western Kansas. He became friends with this kid named Earl Woods from Manhattan, Kansas. They remained friends after coming home that summer, and we had a second cousin, Marcella Cowan, who lived down the street from Earl. Because Manhattan was forty miles from abilene, unless we went for a visit, we didn't travel much or make new friends.
Marcella said that everyhwere Earl went, he always took his baseball mitt. My brother said he was a good baseball player. He had several nicknames (Froggy, Milles, Woody). 
Earl told me his father had died when he was eleven years old and that his mother grieved herself to death within two years. He had a closeknit family, with an older brother and four sisters. They were insistent about keeping the family together so they helped one another through Kansas State College, now known as Kansas State University. The older brother went into the Air Force, and the sisters all did well. One married an OB/GYN doctor, another married a dentist, another was a secretary with the government, and the fourth married the former Warden of Cooks County Jail, in Chicago, Illinois, who had the honor of incarcerating the Chicago Seven. Because Earl's mother was an educator, the greatest family concerns was for Earl to become a professional.
Entering college at an early age he received his B.S. degree by the age of twenty. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army, and worked at Fort Riley for two years before entering the service.
Meanwhile, I was smitten with this guy with the 'dreamy eyes". He was very cute, very articulate and intelligent, but we lived forty miles apart.
When we started dating, Earl had a 1936 Chevy he had nicknamed "Jitney" Although eh and I had discussed the possibility of my going to K-State, I yearned for bigger and better things.
My father had planned for my brother and I to attend college in California, and my older sister, Delores was already going to San Francisco State. So I went west -- not to San Francisco State, but rather to S.F. City College, where I took some courses. Life was grand! I got a job at a real estate office that also ran a small Domestic Employment Office.
Earl and I stayed in touch, but after a year the calls were fewer, and the letters stopped coming. I was sure I had lost him forever. I dated, but it just wasn't the same. My heart was still in Kansas. 
Two years passed, and then, on Easter Sunday, I received a call from Earl wishing me a Happy Easter. He asked when I planned to come back to Kansas. This was truly ironic since my sister and I had planned to return home for vacation. It seemed important to go back and show the community how successful we were, since we had been denied "jobs of dignity".
Once our plans had been finalized, I immediately called Earl and told him I would be in Kansas for two weeks. At that juncture, we resumed our relationship, became engaged, and then, after lengthy discussions, decided we couldn't live without each other. No longer interested in a large wedding, we went to the courthouse in Abilene, Kansas, and got our marriage license. The judge at that time was a friend of our family, and he gave Earl the standard "fatherly talk" since my own father wasn't there. Then we found a minister, who turned out to be my girlfriend's father.
Earl and I were married during a severe thunderstorm on March 18, 1954, and took off that night for Manhattan, Kansas (Earl's home). From there, we planned to leave for Fort Benning, Georgia the following morning. Since neither of us had ever been in the South, we were a little apprehensive since this was during the Civil Rights Movement. But we were also deeply in love and felt we could handle anything. Earl was so handsome in his uniform , and impressed me as being very smart. I absolutely idolized him!

They divorced in 1972. After her kids were grown, Barbara married Don Gary, who was also from her hometown of Abilene. He passed away in 1990.

"I have since returned to my roots, and visit my children and grandchildren in California and Arizona as often as a I can. I will be glad when the grandchildren are older and can come and spend some time in the wheat fields of Kansas."

Gary, B. W. (2007). At all costs: My life with the man behind the tiger. Barbara Woods - Gary.

Plan Your Visit

Abilene combines a love of history with a passion for golf. Whether you’re exploring the Eisenhower Presidential Library, hitting the greens at Abilene Golf & Fitness, or perfecting your disc golf skills at Brown Memorial Park, this charming town has something for everyone. Plan your visit to Abilene and experience the rich heritage and unique stories that make it one of America’s best small towns.

Learn more and start planning your golf getaway at www.AbileneKansas.org.