Book "One for the Ages" required reading before The Masters in April

In 1986, I was a ripe old age of 13 and in eighth grade.

And unfortunately, I wasn’t into golf. I regret not experiencing one of golf’s greatest majors, The Masters in 1986.

Thank goodness for historical books like “One For The Ages,” the new book by Tom Clavin that details The Golden Bear’s signature win at age 46. Twenty five years later, the win is still celebrated. I’m sure we’ll see our fair share of TV highlights during the CBS telecast this April. The book, published this month by Chicago Review Press, goes behind the scenes to relive the thrilling final two rounds especially.

Nicklaus used the words from an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution – “Nicklaus is gone, done.” – to rejuvenate his aging game. Trailing Tom Kite, Seve Ballesteros, Greg Norman and Tom Watson, among others, going into the fourth and final round, Nicklaus rekindled his magic, conjuring up back nine roars at Augusta that still resonate today.

It’s such a stirring read that you should be able to buy the book the week of the tournament and still finish it by the par-3 contest on Wednesday. Then you can enjoy the wall-to-wall coverage of this year’s tournament. The HD telecast is one of the many reasons to be thankful it isn’t 1986 anymore, although I’m sure Nicklaus wouldn’t mind turning back the clock again.