By Aaron M Smith
I think that this is going to be a yearly article for me. As college basketball having already crowned its king, is on the verge of crowning its queen and coming to an end. Major League Baseball is underway, but all eyes will turn to the PGA this week as the greatest tournament in professional golf takes place – The Masters. Thousands will flock to Augusta National Golf Club this weekend to see who brings home the elusive Green Jacket. Thousands will go to watch the practice rounds – probably more for the chance to walk the course then to watch Phil Mickelson work on his short game. Thousands will blow off weekly chores and watch from home. Me? I am excited that I will be able to watch this weekend in High-Definition for the first time. This might be the first time that I root for a chest cold to stick around – just so I have the excuse to say, ” I think I am going to lay low this weekend and get healthy”. Even people at work, who don’t know that much about golf know what is going on this weekend. The Masters has that much pull.
For those that don’t know, Augusta National Golf Course was created in 1933 by founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. Architect Alister MacKenzie helped designed the course out of an old indigo plantation. The Masters officially started in 1934. Officially the course is 7,435 yards long. The course also known for botanic beauty is one of the few courses to have each hole named after either a tree or shrub that it has been associated with. So when you head to “The Magnolia”, you know what tree to look for and you will find the 455 yard, Par 4.
No other golf course has nicknames like “Amen Corner” or the “Eisenhower Tree”. Interesting enough, former President Dwight D. Eisenhower had quite an influence over the golf course and its formation. On the 17th hole, the former president hit this one pine tree so many times, that he proposed that it be cut down. Apparently Clifford Roberts didn’t want to insult him and adjourned their meeting, rather then tell the former President – no. To this day, that tree is known as the “Eisenhower Tree”. Eisenhower also suggested that an area on the course would be perfect for a pond. Course architects agreed and promptly built a pond. Today that body of water is known as “Ike’s Pond”.
The bridges on the course have all be named for past champions. The bridge on No. 12 is named for Ben Hogan, # 13 named for Byron Nelson and #15 named for Gene Sarazen. You want to drive up to the course, you need to take Magnolia Lane. Everywhere you turn, the course is rich with history. It is the only golf course that holds a “Champions Dinner” in which only past champions and honorary inductees are invited. The defending champion is not only the host, but also gets to choose the menu. Just as Mike Weir who chose Wild Boar and Wapiti Elk for dinner. The dinner is annually on the Tuesday night of the Masters’ week – which means Trevor Immelman is hosting as I am currently typing out this article.
By my count 43 different golfers have won the Masters tournament. Jack Nicklaus has won the most – 6 times, followed up by Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer with 4 victories. Only 3 golfers have ever won consecutive Masters tournaments – Jack Nicklaus in 1965 and 1966, Nick Faldo in 1989 and 1990 and lastly, Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002. Can Trevor Immelman be the 4th golfer to win consecutive Masters? Tiger Woods who is healthy and coming off another victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational is the odds-on favorite to win his 5th. Phil Mickelson will be looking for his third and the validation he craves to put his name in the same sentence as Tiger Woods. Can he do it? Can Woods do it, or will another golf elevate his game to greatness?
Golf maybe the hardest sport to be favored in and still win. Everything has to fall into place. Every read, every shot has to be perfect. Every break has to go your way. Did I also mention that you have to do it on the hardest golf course and on the biggest of stages? That is why every golfer either dreams of winning this tournament or craves just to play in it. Enjoy it this week – it is golf at its finest. Can I get an Amen??
AMEN!!!!
What? No story about the grounds crew breaking out the heaters to get the magnolias to blossom in time?
For this weekend golf on the television will serve as more than a sound barrier so I can fall asleep. Those announcers with their mellifluous tones. It is as if they are telling me a bedtime story.
Phil can ascend the mountain if he wins this weekend huh? He can make his way to a number one rating. Ooooh – a little intrigue.
How’s that Spaniard looking?
I’ll be very surprised if Phil wins this week, let alone be in contention to win on sunday. I think he’s become a little too undisciplined and careless with his game — takes too many risks that he can’t recover from. I’d love to see him actually become the Watson to Tiger’s Nicklaus like everyone has talked about for a few years, but I just don’t think it’s gonna happen. And maybe nobody ever will be a true consistent rival to Tiger … just because Tiger is clearly a step or two above … one of a kind.
Anyway, I love the Masters … the best golf tournament on Earth.
Casey – are your referring to Sergio Garcia?
The kid can play and there is no question that he has the potential to win it. Problem is his putting has be erratic and on the Augusta greens – you need to be on top of your game or you are going home.
If he gets off to good start, he might be in the mix come Sunday.
Wally – I think Mickelson has changed his game alot this year. He has made some adjustments to his swing and it has paid dividends already this year. I agree with you that he tends to get too “creative” with some shots and probably ends up taking some unnecessary risks. But he certainly has the length and short game to make a run at the Green jacket this weekend.
Yes – it was Garcia that I referred to.
Forgot to give you props for the picture. Rather soothing to look at considering the recent snow accumulations in western New York.
Phil certainly didnt play well the other week. Unquestionably, he has the talent to be “Tiger hunter” and at or near the top of player rankings and to win a major every year. But his head gets in the way far too often. He hasn’t been the player he could be. But would I like to be THAT GOOD??? To quote Sarah Palin … YOU BETCHA!
Sergio is not gonna win … cannot take the pressure. Talented? Absolutely, but he has had several chances to win majors and has come up short on Sunday each time. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Wally – agreed on Sergio Garcia on not winning. I don’t think it he because he can’t handle the pressure. Remember he won the Players Championship in 2008 and many consider that to be the 5th “major”. He also went toe to toe with Tiger in the PGA Championship a couple years ago.
He can handle the pressure, the problem is his putting is completely erratic. He has toyed with his grip and his putter several times now and as Johnny Miller says, “when you are young and you are already toying with your putting grip, you are heading for misery.”
As for Mickelson – yeah he was terrible last week. But he won the World Golf Championship 3 weeks ago and won the Northern Trust Open a couple weeks before that. The beauty part about golf is that you have a bad week, your tinker with your swing and then you start all over again. I think Mickelson will be fine this week. Not saying he is going to win, but he will be in the mix.
Other players to watch: Padraig Harrington and Fred Couples. Fred has been playing really well the last 3 weeks and he is putting really well right now. All it takes is a hot putter.
Harrington might have a chip on his shoulder. He has won the last 2 majors and nobody is talking about the potential of him winning 3 of the possible 4 majors. They have just about dismissed the idea that his majors didn’t count because Tiger wasn’t healthy. He might have something to prove.