The American Spectator

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Eagle Eyed

4.21.08 @ 12:01AM

FROM COODY TO IMMELMAN
Re: Lawrence Henry's The Dullest Masters:

Alright Mr. Henry, I'm asking: What really happened when Nicklaus and Watson walked up the eighteenth hole?
-- Dan Dickey
Batesville, Indiana

Two things always distinguished The Masters in the past:

1) Augusta National was the ultimate risk/reward course. Birdie and eagle opportunities were abundant, but so were possibilities of a 7 or 8. On Sunday, on the back nine in particular, the tournament became a test of nerves as much as shot-making. You couldn't win without playing aggressively, but that meant an embarrassing double- or triple-bogey was always only a hiccup away.

2) As a direct result of Point 1, the cream always seemed to rise to the top at The Masters. There's a reason Jack Nicklaus won this tournament more than any other major, and why Arnold Palmer (4 titles) and Tiger Woods (4 titles) have also won it more than any other of the big four (Gary Player won it three times, equal to his British open titles).

With no disrespect meant to Zach Johnson or Trevor Immelman (fine gentlemen and deserving champions both), it ain't the same no more! It's not right when the winner is determined by who on the leaderboard backs up the least on Sunday. I say, bring back the eagles, bring back the "Sunday charge," and bring the "roars" back to August National! Make the course fun again.
-- Mike Zimmerman
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Mr. Henry has written a wonderful piece here. His pithy descriptions of the cast are particularly delightful. However, I think he comes down a jot hard on what he feels is the new atmosphere at Augusta. Since the course was updated several years back, the Greencoats have not had sufficient data to properly judge the revamped arena. The course has played pretty soft most of the years since the changes. This was, by my observations, only the second tournament where they were able to find out just how much golf course they have. Even so, the rain Saturday prevented its full treachery from being revealed. Nonetheless, Mr. Paine and his cohorts now must realize that Augusta is safe from plunder for at least a few decades.

With new technology reined-in pretty well by the U.S.G.A. and R&A equipment rules, Mr. Henry and I can probably be assured the Grand Old Gal will never become Breckinridge Park in our lifetimes. Thirty miles per hour is not merely "some wind." Conditions on Sunday were supremely difficult, particularly on the two drama centers, 13 and 15. With a little tinkering here and there, and the ability to throttle up and down depending on conditions, I think The Masters will be better prepared to supply the Sunday roars regularly in the future.

We have, after all, been pretty spoiled over the last twenty years with tournaments that are ageless in their drama and wonder. I remember being disappointed when guys like Charles Coody won back in the '70s. However, when Coody made a hole in one at the par three event this year, with his two grandsons caddying, I realized the God of Golf has a different concept of time and place than I. Good things always come to those who wait...patiently.

Nice job, Mr. Henry,
-- Guy Green
Saint Paul, Minnesota
P.S. Ben Wright's "oafish comments to a female reporter" were simply a quote from Big Mama Carner. The disgrace belongs to the priggishly P.C. reporterette and CBS, not to Ben. Solution? Ask Hootie.

I believe Mr. Henry is saying just as much about today's coverage of golf when he compares the charm of the Nicklaus-Watson era to the Tiger-or-nothing disease that permeates today's TV golf.

In 1991, CBS had The Master, Frank Chirkinian, at the controls, and you would see more golf shots in a one-hour CBS Saturday show that you see in the 3-hour CBS marathons of today (NBC is a little better in my eyes, but their depth of talkers is shallow).

Also in 1991, you had many great announcers properly assigned to a single hole (or two at most), adding to Lawrence's list: Jim Nantz (who started on 16 in the Nicklaus year of 1986), Verne Lundquist at 17, Pat Summerall and Ken Venturi at 18, plus in my childhood, the late and great Frank Glieber and Henry Longhurst. The 1978 Masters, which CBS showed on Sunday, also included Jim Thacker, the first partner for Billy Packer, which is still, to me, the best basketball pairing ever.

Now it's five-hour rounds with twosomes, and there's no question that the lead-footed Immelman drove the see-it-and-hit-it Snedeker crazy. And we get to see the golfers walk to the 12th green instead of somebody four holes ahead trying to get that birdie that will qualify them for the 2009 Masters.

I can see Mr. Henry turning off the TV when Immelman got to 16, no matter whether it was before or after Trevor dunked his tee shot in the pond. That pairing was the only one left on the course!

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