AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) a' Lee Westwood's mum walked far from the ninth hole, waving her submit front of her face on a warm spring day. "I feel sorry for the caddies," Trish Westwood said with a flushed smile. At least she was not wearing white coveralls and carrying around heavy bags as the mercury rose into the mid-80s Wednesday. However, there clearly was nowhere else she desired to be. Such may be the benefit of the Par 3 Contest, one particular Masters customs like no other. Everybody else from parents to small kids a' some barely old enough to go a' accept caddying duties. The patrons are long past their prime, thrilled by the greats of the game, with a few more shifts. Theoretically, they're maintaining score, but everybody knows it is all for fun. You should not get stoked up about these eight holes. After everyone else goes to "the big course.", that is for Thursday "It is an excellent solution to relax prior to the stress of the tournament starts," Brandt Snedeker mentioned after finishing up. "This is a great method to spend and flake out time with your family." This picturesque place a' nine beautiful little holes tucked into the northeast border of Augusta National Club a' offers another of these cool images that sets the first key of the year apart from the next three. Where else can you visit a threesome that includes Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player? Where else is it possible to see former top-ranked tennis participant Caroline Wozniacki on the bag for her boyfriend, Rory McIlroy? Where else are you able to find 91-year-old Jack Fleck, who won the 1955 U.S. Open in another of golf's greatest upsets, taking a few whacks? "It is fun down here," Fred Couples said. "It is an excellent little spot." Particularly when Nicklaus, Palmer and Player a' with 34 main finals included in this a' walk round the "little course" for one hour roughly, providing a commentary on the deteriorating state of these once-mighty games. He joked, "That was my last ball.", after the 83-year-old Palmer sliced one into the water "I can loan you one," the 73-year-old Nicklaus quipped, as he hunched to tee up his ball. "Is my credit good?" Palmer asked. "Good with me," Nicklaus said. The Par 3 Contest was played at Augusta in 1960, on a program designed by architect George Cobb and membership president Clifford Roberts. There are seven holes protecting a clean 1,060 meters, including the 70-yard 2nd to the 140-yard sixth. As Palmer can confirm, you will find two bodies of water that can come right into play, DeSoto Springs Pond and Ike's Pond a named after former president and club member Dwight Eisenhower. No body has ever gained the Par three Contest and gone to get the Masters, which doesn't bode well for Ted Potter Jr. He beat Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar in a, two-hole playoff once they tied at 4-under 23. Ernie Els and Nick Watney also shot 23, nevertheless they had take part in the playoff and did already left the program. James Couples was asked in regards to the Par 3 jinx. He just shrugged it off. "I would not mind earning this once. But I have never been close," he said. Augusta awards a prize to the success, as well as those concluding closest to each opening. And for planning the pit. Like 61-year-old Ben Crenshaw, who aced the 115-yard seventh a holding out his hands, smiling from ear to ear, and treating in the applause. Watney broke right into a a whole lot more demonstrative party when he created a at the 135-yard ninth, caught the tee box chest-bumping with his playing companions and the caddies. "I am unsure what that was," Watney said. "I am sure we looked like fools, however it was fun." He feigned a step in to the pond, but thought better of it. "I suppose I chickened out," Watney said sheepishly. Wozniacki, on the other hand, did not come near to a when McIlroy handed a team to her at the ninth. She wound up, took a mighty swing a and sent the ball dribbling into the water, just a few yards away. Better stay glued to a tennis racquet. For those with people, the Par 3 Contest offers a possiblity to spend the afternoon with their young ones a' small and grown-up. "It is really cool," said three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo. "Fortunately, my big kids wanted to caddie. Atlanta, my child, is 20 and she has not been back again to Augusta in moons. She booked the bag, which will be really nice. "I am living on memories here," he added. And, actually, that's what the Par 3 Contest is all about. Henry Donald will always remember when he turned the club to his 3-year-old daughter, Elle, as is the custom on the final opening. She whacked the ball hard a' a little too hard a and sent it zipping after dark glass. She rolled within the next one, nonetheless, then sprinted off the course with her parents in search. "She hit it just a little hard, but she produced the comeback," her father said. "I such as the extreme stroke." Palmer was too extreme on the ultimate pit, striking the ball with he that was served by that low, whipping swing therefore well in his day. He was trying to take aim at the hole buried in the top of the green. Instead, he came up quick, the ball rolling down the bank and in to Ike's Pond. Player and Nicklaus got safely across the water, enjoying to the back of the natural, then all three of the legends went slowly around the pond, combined with the roars of an appreciative crowd. Palmer did not quite make it the green. He plopped down in a marshal's seat off the medial side, signing several autographs but looking downright pooped. "I think I am done playing," he explained, building a weak smile. Until next year, that is. And Follow Paul Newberry at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963
No comments:
Post a Comment