Welcome to the Sistine Chapel of the golf world: Augusta National Golf Club.
The Masters is THE greatest golf tournament in all the world. It also happens to be played on the most pristine and scenic golf course in all the world as well. The only course with more history and tradition is the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Sure you can argue that golf, and in particular The Masters, is home to an elitist and racist sport filled with rich white men wearing plaid pants and argyle sweater vests. Baseball and Football have their black eyes as well. Heck, not until 1975 was a black man even allowed to play in the Masters when Lee Elder teed it up at Augusta. Charlie Sifford was the first black man to even play in a PGA Tour event back in 1952. And much like Jackie Robinson in baseball, he endured many death threats and fan bigotry throughout his PGA Tour career.
But enough about the negatives. I'm tired of all the negative stories, comments, and fan hate in the sports world today. How about a good story. A story of athletes doing the right thing. A story of a sport filled with role models and level-headed athletes. To this end, I give you: Golf. 'Or as they say in Scotland, '####', without the 'L'.'
The biggest star in the Golf world today is without a doubt one Eldrick 'Tiger' Woods. In fact Tiger Woods is THE biggest star athlete in all the world. Period. End of story. Sadly, Tiger is more recognized around the world than the President of the United States.
Along with Tiger, the major stars in golf are bunch of good guys. Guys that if they asked for your daughters hand in marriage you wouldn't even bat an eye. Tiger, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen, Adam Scott, Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, and Geoff Ogilvy. Most, if not all, of these players also support several charities and non-profit organizations. Tiger Woods has the Tiger Woods Foundation among many of his charities. Phil Mickelson supports the 'Birdies for the Brave' which supports the familes of troops stationed over in Iraq. And the list goes on and on. With little or no fanfare, these types of actions are actually EXPECTED of PGA Tour players. They are the norm, not the exception. In fact you would be hard pressed to find a player on the PGA Tour that does not support some type of charitable foundation or non-profit organization. Quite pleasing when you consider the Pac Man Jones, Michael Vicks, Chris Henrys, Barry Bonds, and Roger Clemens of the world. The self-inflated ego's and lack of reality amongst our sports heroes today is an old and familiar story. However, on a good note, outside of Notah Be#### and John Daly, golfers make headlines for the right reasons. When golfers are interviewed you aren't lambasted with a series of 'ums', 'you knows', and disturbing self-aggrandizement. Interviews and conversations with Tiger and Phil are like chats you have with your buddies over a few beers at your local bar and grill. Honest, straight-forward, and humble. So if you want to tune in and watch some 'good guy' athletes, be sure to tune into the Masters this weekend. And if golf isn't your cup of tea, it is a great way to catch up on some sleep.
Now for the tournament at hand.
At the halfway point South African Trevor Immelman holds a 1 stroke lead over little known American Brandt Snedeker. Others chasing Trevor include Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Stewart Cink, Mike Weir, Retief Goosen, Lee Westwood, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh, and Tiger Woods. As it stands there are 20 golfers left that have a chance of donning the elusive Green Jacket come Sunday.
Why 20 you ask? There are 20 golfers that are within 8 shots of the lead. NO ONE has ever came back from more than 8 shots to win the Masters. Not Tiger. Not Jack. Not Arnie. NO ONE. Barring a complete meltdown of the entire leaderboard, Tiger Woods will need to string together two rounds in the 60's if he is to don his 5th all-time Green Jacket. A task he has yet to accomplish over his last 6 rounds at Augusta. Needless to say the even money favorite entering this weekends play is far from your favorite right now. But if there is anything that Tiger has taught us, it is to never discount him from pulling off the impossible. More times than not when he is seriously challenged he usually comes through. Look for Tiger to post a 68 or better today, as he claws himself back into this thing.
On the other hand we have Phil Mickelson. Arguably the 2nd biggest star in the golf world today. At -5 under par, and only 3 shots back, Phil is in great position to earn his 4th major title of his career. With only non-major winners Immelman and Snedeker in front of him, one would have to consider Phil as the odds on favorite to take home the title on Sunday. Personally, I don't think he will do it. After his collapse in the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot, Phil just hasn't been the same. It will be interesting to see how he reacts under the microscope once again while in contention for a major championship.
Another story to watch for is the rise of Trevor Immelman. Often cited for having one of the greatest golf swings in all the world, we have been waiting for this budding star to break through and win his 1st major. This could be his breakthrough weekend. Ian Poulter, the man who claims that he is Tiger's greatest challenger, is also in great shape to claim his 1st major title. Let's just hope he doesn't blind us this weekend with an assortment of clothing that would make Boy George seem normal. Other guys looking to break through? Stewart Cink, Lee Westwood, and Paul Casey. All great players and guys who have been close before. All are players who are expected to win a major before their careers are finished.
Should be another fantastic finish at Augusta National, with many a 'feel-good' story on the line. So if you are looking for something positive in the sportsworld today, sit back and catch and hour or two of the greatest golf tournament in all the world this weekend. If nothing else, when the winner is interviewed he will be thankful, grateful, sincere, honest, and lastly, you will be able to understand what it is he is saying. You know?
My pick to win? I'll go with Trevor Immelman. And if not Trevor, I'll take Paul Casey.
During the final round of this year's Masters tournament, Jim Nance the 'color' commentator for CBS sports was particularly absent. Why you ask? Well, Jim just didn't have his perfect little story or thesis that he could wrap it all up in a neat little bow for all of us.
You see, the media, and in particular the big networks, are always looking for that neat little story to wrap every single event up into. The problem was, CBS, nor Jim Nance were prepared for Zach Johnson to win The Masters. They hadn't done enough research or enough analysis to find that 'perfect little story' that they could wrap around this tournament. Zach Johnson was a nobody as far as they were concerned.
Zach Johnson played on last years rendition of the US contingent of the Ryder Cup. An honor very few American golfers have had the privilege to do. Zach Johnson is a very skilled professional golfer. Heck, anyone who ever qualifies to play in a PGA tour event is a very skilled golfer. But the media and CBS would lead everyone to believe that there are only about 5 - 10 deserving golfers who should win Major golf championship. It just doesn't fit their storyline or their belief that some 'unknown' (at least to them) can actually play golf as well as TIger, Phil, Retief, Vijay, and Ernie. The fact is there are thousands of golfers around the world who can beat these guys on any given day. AND there are hundreds of golfers who can beat them during a 4 day tournament.
When Zach Johnson finished his round, he walked off of the 18th green to see his wife and 18 week old child. Zach's kids name is Will. It was a touching moment, one that will live in the minds of many golf fans, and assuredly in the Johnson family for years to come. And what did Jim Nance have to say. The only way Jim Nance could 'wrap' up this tournament in a neat little bow that he could understand was with his insightful comments amounting to such: "It is only fitting that Zach Johnson showed the "iron Will" it takes to be a champion. The same Will that he named his own son. Fitting indeed."
Mr. Nance, are you freaking kidding me?! That is one of the most pathetic attempts at trying to pull at the heart-strings of the American public for a 'teary-eyed' ending I have ever heard. You try to do this #### every time. Why not report what you see, and try not to analyze everything into a neat little story that you are so much trying to give to us every time. Try this on for size. How about congratulating Zach Johnson as being a great golfer, and a very deserving champion who has put in countless hours of hard work and determination just like the 10 golfers you wished had beaten him.
Thank you Zach Johnson. You may not be a hero or deserving champion for Jim Nance or CBS, but you are a deserving champion and hero in my eyes. You made Cedar Rapids, IA proud. You made America proud. And most fitting of all, you earned it.
Sorry to write such a negative post, but this cheesy-assed little zero is exactly what is wrong with the major media types who get to cover such great events. They lack any imagination, nor do they add anything introspective to these events unless it benefits their OWN greater good. Jim Nance, I have a 'neat' little story that I can wrap up in a little bow for all to hear. You, Mr. Nance, are an ####.
The Masters is here at last. The greatest golf tournament on the planet.
One of my top 10 goals in life is to play at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, GA. Sure you may say that is pretty paltry. But I'd also like to let you know that it is one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the entire country. Major Celebrities are turned down from being able to walk and play the greatest golf course on the planet.
Essentially there are only 2 ways that one gets to play Augusta. One, you have to be so stinking rich, or so incredibily well known. Two, you have to qualify to play in The Masters. No small feat. Every year roughly 88 of the best golfers in the world lay waste in the little town of Augusta. Just qualifying to get into the tournament you must satisfy one of these guidelines:
Masters Tournament Champions(Lifetime)
US Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after 5 years)
British Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after 5 years)
PGA Champions (Honorary, non-competing after 5 years)
Winners of The Players Championship (3 years)
Current US Amateur Champion (6-A) (Honorary, non-competing after 1 year) and the runner-up (6-B) to the current US Amateur Champion
Current British Amateur Champion (Honorary, non-competing after 1 year)
Current US Amateur Public Links Champion
Current US Mid-Amateur Champion
The first 16 players, including ties, in the 2006 Masters Tournament
The first 8 players, including ties, in the 2006 US Open Championship
The first 4 players, including ties, in the 2006 British Open Championship
The first 4 players, including ties, in the 2006 PGA Championship
The 40 leaders on the Final Official PGA Tour Money List for 2006
The 10 leaders on the current year Official PGA Tour Money List published during the week prior to the 2007 Masters Tournament
The 50 leaders on the Final Official World Golf Ranking for 2006
The 50 leaders on the Official World Golf Ranking published the week prior to the 2007 Masters.
So if you are not 1 of the 50 best players in the world, the chances of qualifying for this tournament are pretty slim. Since I have no chance of becoming a huge celebrity anytime soon, my only option would be to qualify for The Masters in order to be able to play at Augusta National. With that said, I would most likely have to be one of the best 50 golfers in the world.
Tiger Woods. Bar none the best player on the planet today. And the logical favorite heading into this weekend's tournament. I'm not going to bore you with any of Tiger's amazing statistics. But what I will bore you with is the fact that Nike has announced the OUTFITS that Tiger will be wearing this weekend. Yep, you read that correctly. They are showing to the world the pants/slacks, shirts, and hats that Tiger will be wearing all 4 days of the tournament. Now, don't get me wrong, it is no doubt great publicity for Nike. But the 1st guy who walks through the gates at Augusta wearing the same outfit as Tiger should be asked to leave the premises immediately. (Heck, someone should just kick the poor guys ####.) Don't kid yourself. This is gonna happen. Hell, I'm quite positive we may see an entire army of mini-Tigers following their hero around the course wearing the same outfit. This is going to be truly pathetic.
