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The Masters is Losing its Luster
Wednesday April 16, 2008 | 12:55:48 221 words, 968 views
Ever since 1975 when I saw the telecast for the very first time, The Masters has always been, in my mind, the most exciting golf tournament in the world. But no longer. As my man B. B. King would sing, “The Thrill Is Gone". No, it’s not because the weather of the last two years has helped keep scoring down. No, it’s not because Tiger Woods did not win. No, it’s not because Trevor Immelman did win. And, no, it’s not because Immelman won by a large margin, despite a Homer Simpson moment (Doh!) of hitting his tee shot into the pond fronting the 16th green. It’s because the very nature of the course has been changed over the past several years. In years gone by there were occasional runaway winners, like Ray Floyd in 1976. But in addition to watching to see if the leader will survive, there was always the possibility of someone shooting a low score to overtake the leader. Two of the most memorable were Gary Player shooting 64 in 1978 and a 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus shooting 65 in 1986. In both cases the veterans were able to overcome the longer-hitting young studs of the day: Tom Watson in ‘78 and Seve Ballesteros & Greg Norman in ‘86, respectively. Sadly, that magic doesn’t exist in the current state of Augusta National. And it’s our loss. Comments:
Comment from: John D [Visitor]
Maybe they should be limmited to the same equipment that was used in 1975, too!
Shanks, great minds must think alike. I've been saying they ruined the Masters with the course changes. As you said the thing that made it was the possibility of both eagles and double bogeys or worse on the back nine. No one shoots real low anymore.
Comment from: Shanks [Member]
It has become too long on certain holes (especially number 11 at 505 yards!) but more than anything, it's the new trees they've planted. It used to be that a drive out of position would create problems for for someone who needed to attack the pins. Now there's no choice involved, they just chip out. Number 15 is the best example of that.
Remember those prints of 18 fantasy golf holes from the 1970s (e.g., over Niagra Falls)? Maybe the Augusta elitists should just install pits of crocodiles in the middle of the green and 300' high windmills, etc., etc. Then it'd be really fun to watch...right...
Bud Chapman did those paintings...you can play his courses virtually these days. Shanks, does B.B. know he's "your man"?
Comment from: Steve Wozeniak PGA [Visitor]
Shanks, just get out there every morning next year and put the tees way up.......
Then we will see some fireworks again. Otherwise I am just going to play on Sunday and not even watch. www.stevewozeniak.com Leave a comment: |
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