Woods maintains his links

Eric Woods, honorary captain for Corona del Mar High’s football game

against Newport Harbor tonight, played quarterback for the Sea Kings

in the early 80s.

In the 1981 game, Woods played quarterback and threw the winning

touchdown pass in a 7-6 win over the Sailors.

Woods is proud of his performances in two sports against Newport

Harbor. As a senior, he scored the winning run in baseball against

his rival.

“It’s always a nice thing to bring up when I run into a buddy of

mine from Newport Harbor,” Woods said. “They have the series lead,

but I can still say they didn’t beat my teams.”

After high school, Woods became competitive in golf. In his first

year at Orange Coast College, he joined the golf team. During his

sophomore year, Woods transferred to the University of San Diego to

play football. Instead, he found himself back on the links.

After transferring from USD, Woods played his junior and senior

years at UC Irvine. As an Anteater, he had enough success to motivate

himself to play professionally.

Woods played internationally on several tours. His tournaments

took him to several exotic destinations, including Canada, Asia, the

Middle East and South Africa.

By 1995, Woods decided it was time to come back home and help

raise his son. He now resides in Newport Beach, and hasn’t completely

gotten away from the game he loves.

Woods stayed in the golf world, and keeps busy with his two

enterprises, the Golf Lab and Southern California Golf News.

The Golf Lab, opened in 2000, is a school where players can work

on their technique and improve their fundamentals.

“At the Golf Lab, we work scientifically with students to find

problems in their swings,” Woods said. “We use tapes and images of

professional players to show them how to correct their strokes and

improve their game.”

His second venture, Southern California Golf News, has been his

latest labor of love. The monthly newspaper specializes in new

technologies and equipment, new courses and golf news.

“The newspaper is something I am very proud of,” he said. “I have

been learning on the job. As a publisher, I was never aware of all

the work that goes into a newspaper.”

Woods’ hard work has paid off. Since buying the paper more than a

year ago, the circulation has increased to more than 40,000 readers.

It appears Woods enjoyed his football time, but is now entrenched

in the world of golf.

“I was surprised to be named an honorary captain” he said. “At

first I was surprised. Then, I realized what this game means, and

remembered my role in the victory.”