29 Mar Masters Memories – The Bears Charge, a Putting Genius and my ‘Happy Place’
I haven’t got the best memory bank, but Jack Nicklaus’s win at the 1986 Masters is etched in my mind for eternity.
The drama that unfolded that afternoon (or in the wee hours for me watching back in Australia) was something I’ll never forget.
‘The tournament doesn’t start until the back nine on Sunday’ is the famous quote uttered every year by Masters commentators and no truer words have been spoken regarding the final nine holes that Sunday in Georgia.
Seve Ballesteros had the tournament in his hands until he chunked a 4 iron into the pond short of the par five 15th green. Overnight leader Greg Norman began the back nine poorly with a double bogey at the 10th then birdied holes 13 through 17 before bogeying the last to miss out on a play-off by a shot.
This all occurred during and after the most famous back nine charge in Masters history by the Golden Bear himself, coming home in six under par 30 to claim his 6th green jacket at the age of 46. Verne Lundquist’s “Maybe… Yes sir!!” as Jack rolled in his birdie putt on the 17th green is one of the most iconic calls in the history of the tournament.
Jack Nicklaus putts as an official watches during the 1986 Masters…
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I declined a game at Augusta
I remember thinking, ‘I have to play there!’ which I’m sure was a thought running through every young golfer’s mind watching that year.
At the time it was a pipe dream for sure, but the dream became reality when an invitation from the Augusta National Board of Governors came in the mail in early 2005. A couple of years earlier I’d actually been invited by a member for a social game but politely declined saying, “I want to play Augusta when I’m in the tournament”.
Fortunately, I didn’t live to regret that moment of insanity.
Magnolia Lane
It’s hard to put into words The Masters week experience except that it goes above and beyond any expectations you may have. After driving through the front gate for the first time it all seems like a deja vu experience in a way because you’ve seen everything so many times before on the television. Magnolia Lane, the famed clubhouse, the par 3 course and finally standing under the big oak tree near the first tee incites thoughts of, ‘Is this actually real?’
There are countless stories I could tell you from my visits to Augusta (hey maybe that’ll be the next book), but for now, there’s a couple in particular that stick out more than most from the four Masters tournaments I was fortunate to play in.
The Masters
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Gentle Ben
Firstly, I witnessed the greatest putting display I’ve ever seen when paired with Ben Crenshaw the first two days at the 2008 Masters. He made every putt he looked at inside 10 feet and on those greens… that is simply phenomenal!
What stood out most was he never got down on his haunches to read putts. Instead he just circled the ball and the hole with the occasional bend from the waist to take a slightly lower view. Then he’d converse with his long time Masters caddy, Carl Jackson, and brush putts in from everywhere like it was a casual round of golf with friends. Ben had perfect speed with the ball always falling in on its last roll or two. I was mesmerized and in awe watching putting in its purest form by a true artist on the greens. Unfortunately, his full swing wasn’t the best that week and coupled with the fact the course was just too long for him, he missed the cut.
Still, I’ll never forget the putting display he put on for those 36 holes. It left no doubt in my mind why he had two green jackets in his closet.
The Masters – Round Two
Ben Crenshaw of the United States waves to the gallery on the ninth green during the second round of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2015 in Augusta, Georgia. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
Happy Gilmore
My other favorite memory is something quite unusual I suppose. I found the golf course version of my ‘happy place’ (if you’re a Happy Gilmore fan you’ll know what I mean) behind the 12th green next to the 13th tee, the heart of Amen Corner. The public doesn’t have access to that part of the golf course across Rae’s Creek so it’s ground that only a select few get to be on.
I spent a good half hour sitting there the Sunday before tournament week one year while walking the course just simply taking it all in. It was late in the day and no one was around so I just sat there and soaked up golfing bliss.
A lefty’s hole
The par three 12th is my favorite hole in the world. It’s one of the most picturesque settings in golf, but standing on the tee a birdie or double bogey is only a swing of the club away. The tee shot demands the utmost commitment to the shot at hand.
Fortunately I’ve never had any problems with the tee shot but that probably has something to do with the fact it’s a left-handers hole, meaning if I pull my tee shot it goes long right, while a push ends up short left. Both are usually still on the green and very manageable given the design of the hole. For right-handers, the opposite is in effect with the ball either going over the back or in the water.
What happens on the 12th this year, who knows, but it’s always a pivotal hole when the tournament really gets going (just ask Jordan Spieth last year)… the back nine on Sunday. I’ll be glued to the TV like everyone else come Sunday to see who makes the trip to Butler Cabin and adds to his wardrobe.
Cheers
Nick
#itsallgood
Australian golfer Nick O’Hern hits a sho
Australian golfer Nick O’Hern hits a shot out of the rough during practice for the US Masters on April 8, 2008 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The Masters will be held from… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
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