This evening we will know who the Masters Champion for 2018 will be. We have a good one to look forward to I think.
I told my dear wife, Carrie, I doubt some of the organizers for this grand tournament could sleep much last night. A close leader board and an improved weather day sets greatness in motion. Think about it. The place would still be what it is regardless. If there was a golfer sitting ten shots ahead of the rest, the tension would be off. The excitement would not really be there. But, look at the leader board, there is plenty to be excited about as the last two fire off at #1 before 3 PM.
I hope Patrick Reed can hang on. I really do. Rory McIlroy is looking immortality in the eye if he were to become just the 6th golfer to complete the “grand slam” which means you won all four of golf’s major championships. The last to do that was Tiger Woods in 2000. The first was Gene Sarazen in 1935. If Rory wins my feeling won’t be hurt.
Look out for Rickie Fowler. He’s like a gnat a good barbecue, he just won’t go away.
I enjoy watching golf on television. My two favorite events of the year are two majors. I like The Masters and the British Open…or am I supposed to call it The Open? You can depend on the tradition and scenery of the course in Augusta when they play The Masters. The British Open is such a contrast in course and in when is it going to rain, how cold, and how windy, and how am I going to find my ball in high weeds?
This was my tee shot at the 170ish yard blind over the hill #7 at the now grown over New Salisbury Golf Course. This fights another par 3 I played at Old Capitol as the closest shots to a hole-in one that I have managed. One day perhaps I will hit one.
My old friend Gus Stephenson and I used to play quite often. We walked the behemoth of a course that is Old Capitol in Corydon with regularity. Mick Rutherford once said, “It ain’t a game if don’t walk.” Well, that was a few years ago. In fact, he and I were about to walk the Corydon course when the lady in the clubhouse questioned our sensibilities on a 100 degree day. These days, we are riding. The walking friendly New Salisbury is closed. That is sad.
Left to right: Mick Rutherford, Kelly Samons, and Gus Stephenson. We were playing the Corner King Classic at New Salisbury. This was the tee shot at #8.
Carrie and me in the Harbor Town lighthouse with the 18th fairway behind us. The lighthouse helps to frame the TV shot when the golfers are making their way to the final green. Hilton Head New Year’s Eve in 2014.
These days the most golf I play is with Carrie’s cousins and extended family and friends when we get together at Lucas Oil Golf Course in English, Indiana. Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day weekends mean the golf outing. We always have fun with it. Above is the tee box at #1.
One of the best golfers of all time. So good she can take her purse with her on the course! We can’t all get away with that! Putting near the shore of Lake Erie last summer in Ohio. Look that stance! Take lessons.
The Shot.
I wish I had a photo to go along with it. Brother Tim Petty and I played a few times at New Salisbury. One day he hit a tee shot over the fence at #4. That means nothing if you have not been there. I was and it was a beauty. The hole was not a dog leg right. It was a right angle! Okay, here it is below:
# 4 was 335 yards. What you don’t see here is the fence. It was along the right angle at the turn of the fairway. I always felt good if I could get it around the end of the line extending from the tee box to the fairway around the corner. I didn’t always do that.
On this day, Brother Tim Petty took it upon himself to aim over the trees and over the fence and go for the green. The next photo gives a representation, of where the fence was and the flight of Tim’s ball. It was the best shot I ever witnessed at New Salisbury.
It was amazing. Thank you for that memory, Brother Tim.
My best shot?
5 pars and 4 bogeys. I was playing by myself. But I did it. Under 40 for nine holes at New Salisbury National. Best thing was making par on the final hole to seal it. Yes, I circled my pars.
The Masters is going to fun in a couple hours!
Speaking the rights…
Danny Johnson