Bernhard Langer, Shane O'Donoghue CNN, Gary Player and Trevor Immelman
After my first visit to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National on Sunday afternoon, I can safely say that there is nothing quite like it.
To spend time on the grounds on the Sunday before Masters Week is indeed a privilege and to walk around the clubhouse area, with so very few around is a rare treat. It’s unusual to see competitors on-site at any tournament so far in advance of a Championship, but they were here yesterday, itching to get started.
Augusta is different.. It’s Disneyland for golfers. It brings out the child in you. It reminds you of why you fell in love with the game in the first place and for me, like so many others, it was those late April nights watching so many memorable Masters Tournaments unfold on television, marvelling at the immaculate grounds and springtime blooms and of course, our heroes hitting the back nine on Sunday with a Major on the line.
It also helps that the weather was beautiful upon arrival and when TV commentators talk of the lengthening shadows over this unique verdant pasture, well, it’s true, Augusta National Golf Club is unique and there is nothing quite like the late afternoon and early evening as you stand at the back of the eighteenth and survey the rolling hills around the closing hole, the first and ninth fairways to you right and the amphitheatre that is the imposing tenth hole. Bobby Jones knew he had found the perfect canvas with which to create a masterpiece.
One of the pre-tournament favourites Dustin Johnson was amongst many entrants for this year’s event already on-site, practicing hard and making some final preparatory notes. Four-time champion Tiger Woods played a full eighteen although in reverse order, getting his preparations underway for a possible fifth Green Jacket on the tenth tee. Champions of old were registering their attendance: European Ryder Cup captain and winner in 1994 and 1999 Jose Maria Olazabal, the victor in 1988 Sandy Lyle and most notably yesterday, Ben Crenshaw who was twice a winner here in 1984 and 1995.
As he played a casual warm-up round, his loyal bagman Carl Jackson was by his side. No two comrades understood more the subtleties of Augusta National’s intriguing greens. They have walked side by side since Crenshaw’s debut in 1976, when he finished runner-up, albeit by 8 shots to a record-breaking Raymond Floyd. For thirty five years they have laboured together, sharing many Sundays in contention and eeking out those two precious wins. For Jackson, this year represents his 50th year caddying in the Masters and as they unwound under the famous old oak tree between the clubhouse and the first tee, their deep friendship and respect was very much in evidence. “As long as I stay healthy, I will be at Ben’s side”, said Jackson who is now 64.
Tradition is the cornerstone of the Masters Tournament, whether it’s the Champions dinner on the Tuesday night, the presence of many amateur players, which links back to the storied career of the club’s founder Bobby Jones or the Green Jackets. This week in April oozes prestige and the club’s tournament committee certainly keeps a tight rein on the elements that retain its uniqueness.
To have a media badge that allows me access pretty much anywhere is something that I am very appreciative of and I look forward to reporting for CNN from the hallowed turf off Washington Road. We will have previews, live reports from the course and plenty of interesting discussion about this year’s milestone event, the 75th edition of the Masters Tournament. In addition, do make sure to check out this month’s edition of Living Golf, which airs on Thursday.
It’s a Masters special as we spend time with World No.1 Martin Kaymer at his home club in Arizona as he gets ready for a tilt at the year’s first Major, we get some splendid insight into the wonder of the Masters from three former Champions, who have won in each of the last five decades: Gary Player, Bernhard Langer and Trevor Immelman. We also delve into the history of the tournament with a special focus on the amateur tradition, from the aforementioned Bobby Jones through to the recent achievements of Matteo Mannassero, who was low amateur last year at only 16, and the hopes of Peter Uihlein and Jin Jeong, the reigning US and British Amateur Champions respectively.
There will ile a daily blog from Augusta National and will also be tweeting from time to time (@shaneodonoghue). Needless to say, our TV reports and interviews from the course will have all the latest news in World Sport on CNN and online.
Notable Anniversaries
*The 2011 staging of the Masters Tournament is also the 75th Anniversary of this prestigious event, the first of the year’s four major championships.
60 years ago:
Ben Hogan won the first of his two Green Jackets in 1951. The Godfather of the golf swing had been twice runner-up in the Tournament, but finally came through against Arnold Palmer and Skee Riegel.
50 years ago:
Gary Player held off the challenge of Arnold Palmer and American amateur sensation Charlie Coe for his first of three Masters wins in 1961. In doing so he became the first international winner of the tournament. Watch him recall this Golden Anniversary in our Living Golf Masters Special this Thursday on CNN International.
30 years ago:
Tom Watson claimed his second Green Jacket in 1981 after a two-shot win over Jack Nicklaus and Johnny Miller.
25 years ago:
Jack Nicklaus dismissed the notion that he was past it and recorded arguably the most memorable victory seen at Augusta National. In doing so, he claimed his sixth Masters title, the most by any competitor. He was 46 years old and covered the back nine on that final Sunday in a majestic 30 shots, despite a bogey on the par three 12th.
20 years ago:
Welshman Ian Woosnam recorded his one and only Major victory draining a six-foot putt for outright victory over playing partner Tom Watson and Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal.
10 years ago:
Tiger Woods won his second Masters title, but more significantly he became the first golfer in history to hold all four major titles at the one time, having claimed the British Open, US Open and US PGA Championships the previous summer. It became known as the Tiger Slam and it is arguable whether we will ever witness such a period of dominance again.
Shane O'Donoghue ©
Shane O'Donoghue ©
