Woods Craze Seen as Driving Golf Industry

Golf sensation Tiger Woods, 21, is driving young people to take up the sport and fueling growth in the golf business, according to the chairman of a prominent chain of golf courses and driving ranges. “Ever since he became a pro, we’ve seen a 50% increase of young people taking classes at our junior clinics and they come from all ethnic backgrounds. It’s phenomenal,” said Dominic Chang, chairman of Melville, N.Y.-based Family Golf Centers. Both boys and girls are showing up in droves for lessons, he said, a healthy sign for the future of the industry.