Just a few random thoughts after catching bits and pieces of the Masters Tournament this weekend (in between soccer, track and lacrosse obligations with my kids):
1. I wonder how much the Sub-Air systems underneath Augusta National Golf Club’s greens negated the impact of the rain on Saturday. It wasn’t really discussed, but those putting surfaces seemed pretty dry and plenty fast early on during Sunday’s extended round. Just flip the big red switch that says “suck” and you’re ready for play first thing in the morning. Pretty amazing.
2. The whole debate about the continued design changes to Augusta National seems pretty stupid to me. As Old Tom Morris used to say (or at least I expect he used to say in his deep Scots brogue): “Play the course as ye find it, Laddie.” In other words, shut up and hit the ball.
3. Notice that most of the better players didn’t say much about the changes to the course? Maybe that’s because they understand something that most of America’s golf writers don’t seem to get: The course belongs to the members! They can do whatever the hell they want with their property. If they want to plow it up and plant turnips, they can. If they want to tinker with holes or add some trees, they can.When did Augusta become community property?
4. Speaking of golf writers, our good friend Frank Hannigan pretty much nailed what motivates many of these clowns in his latest Golf Observer column: “A modern golf writer is a person who disappointed his father when he was cut from the high school junior varsity basketball team. Later, he broke his mother's heart by failing to get into medical school. Golf writers are closet liberals who feel guilty making a living in a milieu which has a history of racism and big money.” Hannigan only forgot one other motivation for these guys: Free golf and the related swag that comes with it.
5. Good to see a couple of old farts (Crenshaw and Couples) do well. A victory for Couples, at age 46, would have been a coup for the game and the industry at large. And trust me … we need to stimulate interest in the game among 40-somethings right now.
6. I’m pretty sure I could take David Duval if he gave me a stroke a hole. Glad he shot lights out on the back nine (excuse me, “second nine”) on Friday to nose out 103-year-old Charles Coody, though. I’m sure it was a moral victory for the headcase in wraparound sunglasses.
7. Martha Burk? I think I saw her picture on a milk carton the other day.
8. One final, completely off-topic thought: Wonder why golf is slipping as a sport of choice with America’s youth? As I’ve discovered recently, they’re all playing lacrosse. It’s the fastest growing sport in America. Why? The kids can hit each other with sticks! Brilliant!
Later … PJ