AUGUSTA, GA. – What an odd and yet poignant sight this morning as Arnold Palmer, the Masters’ newest honorary starter, took his usual furious swipe at the ball off the first tee, turned and waved and then walked to the clubhouse, through for the day…and yet Gary Player, long Palmer’s contemporary, went off a while later to play in his 50th Masters…no ceremony there, he’s still dead serious about this game…
Been since 1999 that a European (Jose Maria Olathabal) has won here and, in fact, since later that year (Paul Lawrie at the British Open) that a European has won ANY major championship, 29 in a row…but for the first time in Masters history, at least the odds have changed a bit this year…International players outnumber Americans in this field 50-47…
The club yesterday honored 14 men who had covered the Masters for at least 40 years and what stories they tell…
Eddie Pope of the Miami Herald, who started coming here in 1946, said when he was shown to his first seat in the old press Quonset hut, there was a table, a chair, and a half-full bottle of whiskey awaiting…same for everyone….This is my 22nd and I must honestly report that tradition must have been done away with at least 23 years ago…
I remember when Golf used to be on television. When does it come on today, 4 PM? Will anyone still be on the course? At least Jim gives me some idea that a tournament is actually taking place in Augusta
Comment by Mr. Golf — April 5, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
Didn’t realize it was that long ago for a Euro to win . Interesting trivia Huber. Just curious who hit it longer and straighter Arny or Gary?
Comment by novaman47 — April 5, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
arnie hit a real good little draw off the first tee. player’s tee shot an hour or so later was longer. the talk around Augusta National, as always, is when jack will join arnie in the first-tee ceremony? no time soon, according to nicklaus. and gary plans to play forever.
Comment by Huber — April 5, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
That is the day that will bring a tear to many golf aficionado. Truly the end of an era. Must have been a wonderful 22 years. You see Freddies collapse a few years ago?
Comment by novaman47 — April 5, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
Hey Mr. Golf condidering the last pairing with Vijay doesn’t go off until 1:03 don’t you think a golfer or 2 may still be on the course.
Comment by novaman47 — April 5, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
no, it stays light here til about 8 now…
Comment by Huber — April 5, 2007 @ 5:58 pm