Loyal to learning

BRYCE ALDERTON

Not everyone gets a chance to meet golfing great Tiger Woods.

Well, Costa Mesa resident Kathy Bihr did.

No matter that Woods’ name is synonymous with Bihr’s job.

Bihr, a former Newport Harbor High golf assistant and former

principal at Vista View Elementary School in Huntington Beach,

vaulted into her new position as executive director of the Tiger

Woods Learning Center in June.

Two months later at a junior golf clinic, she met Woods, winner of

40 PGA Tour events, including eight major championships.

“What an incredibly humble person was my first thought,” Bihr, 39,

said. “I’m not even sure he understands how truly amazing this

opportunity is, to provide for kids.”

The chance to work with kids and exercise her creativity drew Bihr

to the learning center, a 35,000-square-foot, two-story building that

will sit on a 23-acre golf teaching facility designed by Woods and

famed course architect Tom Fazio. The facility, located on Gilbert

and Crescent streets in Anaheim, is scheduled to open next September,

Bihr said.

Bihr and the rest of the learning center employees are working out

of a satellite office in Los Alamitos.

Woods’ idea for the learning center, which will feature seven

classrooms, computer labs and a multi-media room, centered around

providing school-age children the opportunities to explore possible

careers while introducing them to the latest technology available to

help them in their education.

In other words, the activities the learning center will provide

enhance the lessons children learn during the school day.

It takes learning beyond the classroom, a more hands-on approach.

Bihr, who golfed for Long Beach State women’s team, has spent much

of her time developing curriculum and activities she believes kids

would enjoy.

That list includes web and video game design, along with video

editing.

“You don’t often have the opportunity to create in eduction

without having restrictions,” Bihr said. “It drives me to watch kids

learn and expose them to things they never thought they were capable

of. It’s just a rush.”

Ask Bihr if she thought an opportunity like this at the learning

center would come her way and she quickly answered, “No.”

“I was a [physical education] teacher and coach prior to

administration,” Bihr said. “I wanted to be a teacher since I was 10

years old.”

Never mind that Bihr competed in prestigious golfing tournaments

such as the United States women’s amateur championship.

“My desire to turn pro at that point was not there,” said Bihr,

who started playing golf when she was 5.

She plays Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club and Newport Beach Golf

Course when possible and entertains thoughts of earning an LPGA card,

which would allow her to teach golf.

Bihr assisted former Newport Coach Jim Warren when the Sailors’

girls golf team went 17-0 in 1999’s Sea View League season. Warren

has little doubt Bihr would succeed.

“She is very golf savvy. Nothing would surprise me,” Warren said.

Maybe she could teach at the learning center?

The center will cater to children ages 8-17, who are welcome from

any city. Curriculum will specifically focus on math, science and

language arts.

On the golfing front, children will be able to hone their short

games on an 18-hole putting course and take swings at the teaching

facility.

“Integrating golf is part of the core [of the learning center], a

very key core,” Bihr said. “The values taught when you play golf,

such as responsibility and being honest, are important as a golfer,

but they also teach people about life.”